Abu Dhabi is attracting travellers from across the globe
The capital has officially sailed into the global spotlight, and this time, it’s not just smooth cruising, it’s award-winning.
The UAE capital has been crowned World’s Best Cruise Destination and Middle East’s Best Cruise Destination for 2025 at the prestigious World Cruise Awards, marking the second year in a row it has taken both top titles.
So, what’s behind all the buzz? In short: ambition, smart planning and seriously impressive experiences.
Abu Dhabi has been quietly building one of the region’s most exciting cruise offerings, and the world has taken notice.
With close to 700,000 cruise arrivals in 2024, the emirate has become a must-stop destination for global cruise lines and travellers looking for something a little different.
At the heart of its success is a clever dual-port strategy. Zayed Port Cruise Terminal welcomes visitors straight into the city, with easy access to headline attractions, cultural landmarks and the ever-growing Saadiyat Cultural District. From there, tourists have easy access to museums, beaches and modern city life.
Then there’s Sir Bani Yas Cruise Beach, the Arabian Gulf’s only dedicated beach cruise terminal.
This island escape flips the script entirely, offering white sands, wildlife safaris and laid-back, barefoot luxury. It’s the kind of place where passengers step off the ship and straight into holiday mode.
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Behind the scenes, strong partnerships and innovation are keeping things moving. From smarter tools for travel agents to initiatives that enhance crew and passenger experiences, Abu Dhabi is thinking well beyond the dock.
Its role as a founding member of the Cruise Arabia Alliance has also helped strengthen regional cruise routes, with 174 cruise calls lined up this season alone; a healthy jump from last year.
All of this ties neatly into Abu Dhabi’s Tourism Strategy 2030, which aims to increase the number of annual tourists visiting the capital to 39.3 million by 2030.
Safe, seamless and refreshingly varied, the capital is proving it can do culture, nature, luxury and adventure, all in one cruise stop.
In short? Abu Dhabi isn’t just part of the global cruise conversation anymore. It’s leading it, and the journey is only getting better from here.
For further information, visit worldcruiseawards.com
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