The Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) has announced the arrival of three cruises at Khalifa Bin Salman Port (KBSP) from December 26 to 28, carrying over 11,000 tourists onboard. 

 

Operated by APM Terminals Bahrain, KBSP is scheduled to welcome tens of cruise ships as part of the 2022–2023 cruise season between November this year and May 2023, celebrating 11 years of launching the cruise industry services in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

 

On the overwhelming response, Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority CEO Dr Nasser Qaedi,  said: "We are delighted to welcome a new batch of cruise ships and greet thousands of tourists who have chosen Bahrain to be part of their regional cruise itinerary."

 

"The cruise industry adds significant value to the tourism sector as one of the tourism strategy's main pillars, benefiting entertainment, shopping centers, hospitality, hotels, and many other industries," he stated.

 

After a two-year hiatus, the current cruise season has kicked off in style, with three cruise ships, including the world’s first liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered vessel, docking at the Khalifa Bin Salman Port, said the BTEA in its statement.

 

The MSC World Europa arrived carrying 6,000 tourists from France, Germany, Italy, Russia, Spain, and the United Kingdom. With 19 ships in its fleet, MSC Cruises has one of the most modern cruise fleets in the world. 

 

An Italian shipping company founded it in 1970. It boasts onboard experience as well as a diverse range of facilities such as Balinese spas, adult-only pools, and 4D cinemas. Its fleet ships can carry between 1,984 and 6,300 passengers at a time.

 

One crew member is assigned to every three passengers. It provides passengers with live entertainment in the form of evening concerts, parties and contests, and live shows. 

 

The latest addition to the fleet, "MSC World Europa," was launched in November last year. It is the world's first LNG-powered cruise ship.

 

Setting sail from Germany, "AIDAcosmo" arrived at KBSP with a capacity of over 5,000 passengers of various nationalities. 

 

Operated by AIDA Cruises with 1,252 crew members, the "AIDAcosma" is one of the largest cruise ships within the AIDA fleet. 

 

KBSP also received the American cruise ship "The World," which carried 148 tourists and 285 crew members of various nationalities, it added.

 

Dr Al Qaedi said: "We are confident that the cruise industry will foster tourism revenues, furthering the Kingdom’s position as a popular tourism destination in the region for more European tourists and other nationalities looking to explore Bahrain’s culture and the Arab Gulf's rich heritage of old history and civilization through massive cruise trips.

 

"BTEA has jointly with the Tourism Ministry spearheaded the launch of multiple tourism packages, targeting various types of tourists, and signed partnerships with several organisations. We wish all cruise passengers a pleasant stay in the Kingdom of Bahrain," he added.-TradeArabia News Service