Oct. 26 update: Cruises back at Abu Dhabi, Aurora to Antarctica in January

Cruising resumes at Abu Dhabi

With Abu Dhabi now fully open to vaccinated travelers from every country, starting this week more than 100 cruise calls are scheduled at Zayed Port and Sir Bani Yas Island, both owned and operated by AD Ports Group.

They include ships of AIDA Cruises, Costa Cruises, MSC Cruises and TUI Cruises.

'We are thrilled to be welcoming travelers to Abu Dhabi and to see the resurgence of the sea cruise industry,' said Ali Hassan Al Shaiba, executive director of tourism and marketing at the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi).

Sir Bani Yas Beach

Noura Rashed Al Dhaheri, managing director of cruise business at AD Ports Group, added: 'We are excited to welcome vaccinated cruise passengers at the Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal and Sir Bani Yas Cruise Beach with our world-famous Emirati hospitality. We have the best-in-class measures in place to ensure the wellbeing of passengers and crew, in line with Abu Dhabi’s health and safety protocols, and are confident that we are well prepared for the resumption of regular cruise activities in the emirate.'

Besides the vaccinaton requirement, all passengers and crew will need to have a negative PCR test taken 48 hours prior to embarking their ship. There will be dedicated quarantine/isolation zones for anyone with symptoms, including a Department of Health approved clinic to support cases requiring hospitalization.

Abu Dhabi is ready to to welcome cruisers with a variety of unique and remarkable offerings, according to Roula Jouny, executive director, Tourism365.

DCT Abu Dhabi representatives, in partnership with AD Ports Groups and Tourism365, attended Seatrade Cruise Global in Miami last month.

Aurora Expeditions is waiving the single supplement on select Antarctic expeditions

Aurora to Antarctica starting in January, with savings offers

Aurora Expeditions plans to resume Antarctica service in January with voyages embarking at Punta Arenas, Chile.

'Aurora Expeditions is thrilled to be returning to Antarctica and getting back to what we do best in our 30th year of operation,' CEO Monique Ponfoort said. 'We are seeing increased demand for remote wilderness travel, and we know travelers will be looking to get out of their comfort zone and push their personal boundaries more than ever before.'

The company has a special deal for solo travlers: no single supplement for cabins on select Antarctic expeditions between January and March. In addition, Aurora is offering 15% off all January to March Antarctica voyages.