The first cruise ship of the new season has arrived in the kingdom, officially kicking off the 2024-2025 season and marking the beginning of an exciting chapter for Bahrain’s continually growing tourism sector.
Khalifa Bin Salman Port (KBSP), operated by APM Terminals, pulled out all the stops to welcome the visitors on shore in style and with a touch of legendary Bahraini warmth and hospitality.
The 2024-2025 cruise season aims to bring increased economic activity, foster collaborations across Bahrain’s travel and hospitality sectors, and highlight the kingdom’s unique heritage to international visitors.
APM Terminals Managing director Matthew Luckhurst expressed his excitement at the arrival of the first batch of holidaymakers. “We’re delighted to kick off the new cruise season at Khalifa Bin Salman Port today and to continue to support the kingdom’s economic, trade and tourism goals,” he added.
“We are committed to delivering an exceptional service and sustainable growth and support Bahrain’s vision of becoming a global hub for tourism and trade.”
The state-of-the-art cruise terminal at the port is equipped to accommodate the world’s largest and most advanced cruise ships, offering seamless passenger handling and top-tier amenities.
With its strategic location and robust operational capabilities, the port is poised to support Bahrain’s position as a premier destination for global cruise tourism, further contributing to the kingdom’s economic and cultural growth.
The arrival of MSC Euribia, one of the world’s most environmentally advanced cruise vessels, will prove to be one of the season’s highlights.
Built in 2023 an estimated cost of $850 million (around BD320m), the energy-efficient ship can sail with the speed of 23 knots. It contains an advanced on-board wastewater treatment system and is powered
by liquefied natural gas, reducing emissions by around 99 per cent.
This closely aligns with APM Terminals’ decarbonisation strategy and Bahrain’s national sustainability goals. By integrating eco-conscious practices into its operations, Khalifa Bin Salman Port aims to continue to promote sustainable maritime and trade in the region.
MSC Euribia contains around 2,419 cabins, capable of housing more than 6,300 tourists, and more than 1,700 crew members. It boasts five pools, in addition to one of the biggest and most intricate waterparks at sea.
The indoor promenade contains the longest LED domes at sea, with other amenities including seven rooms fully dedicated to children and teenagers of different age groups, on-board luxury brand shopping and a spa and wellness centre.
GCC routes include Bahrain, Qatar and the UAE to allow tourists looking to escape the harsh winter in Europe and America to enjoy the pleasant weather at this time of year.
The GDN reported in March that Bahrain seeks to attract a greater number of ships and cruise liners, positioning it as a premier destination for cruise ships on the global stage.
It comes as part of the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority’s vision to advance the marine tourism sector and increase tourism arrivals, in line with Bahrain’s tourism strategy for 2022-2026.
nader@gdnmedia.bh
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