Emirates has renewed its strategic partnership with MSC Cruises in a move aimed at enhancing the air-sea travel experience and reinforcing Dubai’s position as a premier global cruise hub.
The extended collaboration, announced during the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai, builds on more than a decade of cooperation between the two travel giants. The agreement will focus on strengthening joint marketing efforts, aligning flight and cruise schedules, and offering seamless Fly & Cruise packages that streamline the travel experience for passengers.
Nabil Sultan, Emirates’ Executive Vice President for Passenger Sales and Country Management, and Eudes-Philippe Le Guelinel, Head of Fly & Cruise for MSC Cruises, signed the agreement at the event.
Fly & Cruise packages will offer travellers benefits such as dedicated airport-to-ship transfers and baggage drop-off services at the cruise terminal, enabling passengers to collect their luggage directly at their final destination. Emirates’ 16 check-in counters at Port Rashid will also allow cruise passengers to secure boarding passes and check in for flights up to four hours before departure.
The partnership will also extend to MSC Cruises’ luxury line, Explora Journeys, with a shared focus on delivering a premium, integrated travel experience. Emirates and MSC Cruises plan to coordinate closely on promotions in key markets, targeting growth in cruise traffic through Dubai and beyond.
Both companies will work on sharing operational data to improve service delivery and explore inventory management strategies that support expanding cruise operations across the Emirates network.
This renewed alliance underscores Dubai’s growing significance in the global cruise landscape and reflects a broader push to position the city as a leading gateway for upscale cruise tourism.
News Source: Dubai Media Office
