Abu Dhabi has strengthened its position as a global cruise hub after securing top international accolades, reflecting sustained investment in port infrastructure, visitor experiences and regional partnerships.
The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) announced that the emirate has been named “World’s Best Cruise Destination” and “Middle East’s Best Cruise Destination” for 2025 by the World Cruise Awards.
The honours underscore Abu Dhabi’s strategic vision and commitment to developing a world-class cruise tourism sector, which welcomed nearly 700,000 cruise arrivals in 2024.
The awards highlight Abu Dhabi’s dual-port strategy, offering visitors two distinct cruise experiences. The Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal at Zayed Port serves as a gateway to the capital, providing streamlined immigration and direct access to major attractions.
Cruise passengers can explore the landmarks of the Saadiyat Cultural District, including the new Zayed National Museum and Natural History Museum, or embark on wider adventures across the emirate.
Meanwhile, Sir Bani Yas Cruise Beach, the Arabian Gulf’s only dedicated beach cruise terminal, offers an island retreat featuring pristine beaches, wildlife safaris and water sports.
Abu Dhabi cruise sector
Haitham Ali Khamis, Director of Tourism Product Development at DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “These awards are a direct result of our strategy of building a premier cruise hub through strong regional partnerships and by delivering high-quality, memorable experiences for our visitors.
“We continue to invest in a world-class cruise sector, from our dual port offering to our dedicated tools for the travel trade, as we work with our partners to shape the future of cruise tourism in the region.”
Abu Dhabi’s role as a founding member of the Cruise Arabia Alliance is advancing cross-GCC connectivity. During the current season, the emirate has a pipeline of 174 cruise calls, representing a 27 per cent year-on-year increase.
Growth is supported by initiatives across the cruise ecosystem, including the enhanced Crew Pass 2.0 for crew members and dedicated tools for the travel trade.
The Experience Abu Dhabi Experts e-learning platform provides certified training, while the Abu Dhabi Pass reseller portal offers wholesale rates to help agents build pre- and post-stay programmes.
These achievements align with the emirate’s Tourism Strategy 2030, which targets 39.3m visitors annually by the end of the decade. The strategy aims to cement the city’s status as a leading global destination for tourism and culture, supported by its consistent ranking as the world’s safest city.
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