Royal Caribbean completes first season with Wilhelmsen Ships Service
Friday 9. juli 2010 14:58
USA/NORWAY: Wilhelmsen Ships Service has just completed a highly successful season supporting the Brilliance of the Seas as she ends Royal Caribbean International's inaugural Middle East Cruise season 2009/10.
Brilliance of the Seas operated from Dubai as a 'home port' for a 14 week winter season carrying a total of nearly 30,000 passengers. Wilhelmsen Ships Service acted as Royal Caribbean's ships agent in Dubai, Fujairah, Muscat, Bahrain and Abu Dhabi, handling 72 port calls and more than 500 visas. During the season, a significant number of marine products, fire prevention and safety services were also provided to the vessel.
Helen Beck, Royal Caribbean's Regional Director International Representatives for Europe, Middle East and Africa, and Captain Henrik Loft Sorensen hosted a farewell dinner onboard to thank Dubai Government Officials and Wilhelmsen Ships Service for their support in making the first season such a success.
"Royal Caribbean is one of our most important customers globally," said Evon Mascarenhas, Operations Manager, Wilhelmsen Ships Service Dubai. "Ships agency services for cruise vessels require a high level of personal attention from the entire operations team. We were keen to demonstrate the quality of ships agency operation in Dubai and we are pleased that Royal Caribbean has also acknowledged our role in making it a successful season."
Dubai is a growing cruise hub for the region with total cruise calls doubling year-on-year in recent years. Currently the Dubai market represents 300,000 passengers per year.
The vessel will return to Dubai at the beginning of January 2011 after the summer season in the Mediterranean.
