The Saudi Red Sea Authority, the Saudi Port Authority (Mawani) and Cruise Saudi have welcomed the inaugural visit of the first cruise ship to enter Dammam's King Abdulaziz Port, with the arrival yesterday of the MSC World Europa.
The arrival of the ship marks the first time the Saudi Arabian Gulf coast has been open to cruise ships. The Saudi Red Sea Authority facilitated the efforts of regulatory bodies to ensure the arrival of the MSC World Europa. As the regulator that enables the private sector to conduct marine and maritime activities, the Authority collaborated with the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Tourism, and Cruise Saudi to address all challenges, with the aim of attracting investment and highlighting the richness of coastal tourism in Saudi Arabia.
Throughout the current Cruise Saudi cruise season, the ship will make weekly stops at King Abdulaziz Port on its seven-day round trip, whose itineraries also include the ports of Doha, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi.
The occasion was celebrated with the traditional Plaque and Key Exchange Ceremony aboard the MSC World Europe, which was attended by representatives of Cruise Saudi, Mawani and the main Authorities.
Cruise Saudi has previously welcomed four MSC cruise ships – including MSC Splendida, MSC Orchestra, MSC Virtuosa, and MSC Bellissima – to the Islamic Port of Jeddah and the Commercial Port of Yanbu for Red Sea voyages. The arrival of the MSC World Europa not only marks the first time a cruise ship has docked on Saudi Arabian Gulf shores, but also the first time passengers have disembarked at King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam.
Cruise Saudi CEO Lars Clasen commented: “By welcoming the first cruise ship and its first group of passengers to King Abdulaziz Port, we are opening a significant new gateway connecting Saudi Arabia to the rest of the world via the Arabian Gulf. Cruise Saudi was established to develop and build the cruise industry in the country, and this moment marks another step towards our goal of making Saudi Arabia one of the world’s leading regional and cruise destinations.”
The city of Dammam is an exceptional tourist destination due to its rich cultural heritage and historical wonders and has become a thriving center of industry, commerce and science, and an attractive destination for arts, sports and leisure.
Cruise Saudi offers cruise passengers a range of shore excursions including visits to the AlAhsa Oasis - one of the country's six UNESCO World Heritage sites - the King Abdulaziz Centre for World Culture (Ithra), the Heritage Village, the Love Market, Ibrahim Castle, the Princess School, Qara Mountain, souks such as AlQaisariyah and Al-Hob (the Love Market), as well as activities such as desert excursions, cycling and walks along the AlKhobar Corniche.
Cruise Saudi's third cruise season will run from November 2022 to May 2023 and will host more than 75 scheduled port calls from ships of five cruise lines sailing the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf.
