CRUISE LINES

Dubai's tourism revolution attracts Crystal Cruises in 2007
21/11/2006
As Dubai continues on its awe-inspiring climb as one of the world's hottest travel destinations, Crystal Cruises is expanding its travel opportunities to this stylish emirate with four diverse cruises and a new pre- and post-cruise hotel stay.
For the first time, the award-winning luxury line will deploy both of its ships in the region in 2007.
Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony, voted the best ships in the world by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler magazine, will offer a total of four cruises that begin and end in Dubai.
Considered the "pride of United Arab Emirates," Dubai's flourishing tourism is attracting the attention of today's most sophisticated travelers.
Located midway between Europe and the Far East, Dubai bridges exotic destinations on four new Crystal itineraries:
* March 3, Cape Town, South Africa to Dubai, 17 days (Crystal Serenity),
* March 20; Dubai to Istanbul, Turkey, 18 days (Crystal Serenity),
* May 1; Singapore to Dubai, 16 days (Crystal Symphony), and
* May 17; Dubai to Rome, Italy. At 14 days, this is the shortest of the Dubai cruises that also includes visits to Salalah, Safaga, Alexandria and Sorrento (Crystal Symphony).
With its new hotel program, Crystal guests have the option of extending their stays at the plush Grand Hyatt Dubai, a city centre resort set within 37 acres of lavishly landscaped gardens.
"We're offering twice as many cruises to Dubai in 2007 over 2006, and interest in the region still surpasses our expectations," says Bill Smith, Crystal Cruises' senior vice president, sales and marketing.
"Dubai is one of the world's fastest-growing travel destinations - intriguing for its mix of architecture, cultural tolerance and welcoming hospitality. Of course, to many, one of its greatest attractions is its superb, tax-free shopping."