"La Belle des Océans" is one of several cruise ships making a maiden voyage to Dubai this winter. <br /><br />The 103-meter luxury liner from Croisi Europe Cruises will visit the city on a route that also includes the neighboring Emirate of Abu Dhabi and Muscat, Oman.
"La Belle des Océans" is one of several cruise ships making a maiden voyage to Dubai this winter.

The 103-meter luxury liner from Croisi Europe Cruises will visit the city on a route that also includes the neighboring Emirate of Abu Dhabi and Muscat, Oman.
CroisiEurope
MSC Cruises' "MSC Bellissima" will also be traveling via Dubai. <br /><br />The ship's attractions include a vast indoor mall and live performances of "Cirque du Soleil."
MSC Cruises' "MSC Bellissima" will also be traveling via Dubai.

The ship's attractions include a vast indoor mall and live performances of "Cirque du Soleil."
Ivan Sarfatti/MSC Cruises
Costa Cruises' "Costa Diadema" is another debutant that will homeport in Dubai this winter. <br /><br />The 300-meter vessel has capacity for almost 5,000 passengers and features a mall, casino, spa, and 4D cinema.
Costa Cruises' "Costa Diadema" is another debutant that will homeport in Dubai this winter.

The 300-meter vessel has capacity for almost 5,000 passengers and features a mall, casino, spa, and 4D cinema.
Costa Cruises
Cruise ships docked at Dubai's Mina Rashid Cruise Terminal. <br /><br />The terminal has seen a steady increase in passenger numbers and could break one million visitors for the first time this season.
Cruise ships docked at Dubai's Mina Rashid Cruise Terminal.

The terminal has seen a steady increase in passenger numbers and could break one million visitors for the first time this season.
Dubai Media Office
Dubai authorities are keen to develop the city's reputation as a hub of the cruise industry and are investing heavily in infrastructure.<br />Mina Rashid is undergoing a 25bn dirham ($6.8bn) expansion project that will include a new marina, shipping berths, and luxury leisure attractions.
Dubai authorities are keen to develop the city's reputation as a hub of the cruise industry and are investing heavily in infrastructure.
Mina Rashid is undergoing a 25bn dirham ($6.8bn) expansion project that will include a new marina, shipping berths, and luxury leisure attractions.
Emaar
The <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dubaiharbour.com%2Fen" target="_blank" target="_blank">Dubai Harbour</a> project will feature two of the most advanced cruise terminals in the region, capable of accommodating the largest cruise ships.
The Dubai Harbour project will feature two of the most advanced cruise terminals in the region, capable of accommodating the largest cruise ships.
Meraas
Dubai Harbour is a 186-hectare megaproject due to open next year, coinciding with Expo 2020. <br /><br />The Harbour is expected to attract 250,000 additional cruise passengers in its first season.
Dubai Harbour is a 186-hectare megaproject due to open next year, coinciding with Expo 2020.

The Harbour is expected to attract 250,000 additional cruise passengers in its first season.
Meeras
Dubai is already considered a hub of cruise tourism. <br /><br />Mina Rashid won the World Travel Awards prize for <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.worldtravelawards.com%2Faward-middle-easts-leading-cruise-port-2019" target="_blank" target="_blank">Leading Cruise Port</a> in the Middle East for a 12th successive time this year
Dubai is already considered a hub of cruise tourism.

Mina Rashid won the World Travel Awards prize for Leading Cruise Port in the Middle East for a 12th successive time this year
World Travel Awards
Some analysts suggest that Dubai would benefit from more attractive neighboring destinations to develop the cruise hub in the region. <br /><br />New destinations such as the Sir Baniyas Island, known for its exotic wildlife, are recent additions to the cruise trail.
Some analysts suggest that Dubai would benefit from more attractive neighboring destinations to develop the cruise hub in the region.

New destinations such as the Sir Baniyas Island, known for its exotic wildlife, are recent additions to the cruise trail.
KARIM SAHIB/AFP/AFP via Getty Images
Longer-standing destinations have moved to develop their offering to tourists, such as Abu Dhabi's Louvre Museum.
Longer-standing destinations have moved to develop their offering to tourists, such as Abu Dhabi's Louvre Museum.
Tom Dulat/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
The current leading destination for cruise passenger traffic is Miami Port, which reported 5.6 million passengers in 2018.
The current leading destination for cruise passenger traffic is Miami Port, which reported 5.6 million passengers in 2018.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images North America/Getty Images