Emirates and MSC Cruises have extended their strategic partnership to improve the air-sea travel experience and support Dubai’s plans to grow as a cruise hub.
Announced at Arabian Travel Market in Dubai, the agreement builds on more than 10 years of cooperation. It was signed by Emirates’s executive vice president for passenger sales and country management, Nabil Sultan, and MSC Cruises’s head of Fly & Cruise, Eudes-Philippe Le Guelinel.
The partnership includes Fly&Cruise packages, offering cruise passengers airport transfers and baggage services. Travellers can check in luggage at the cruise terminal and collect it at their destination.
The collaboration covers MSC Cruises’ global fleet, including its luxury line Explora Journeys. Both companies will coordinate flight and cruise schedules, share operational data, and run joint marketing campaigns to attract more cruise travellers to Dubai and beyond.
At Port Rashid, 16 dedicated Emirates counters allow cruise passengers to check in for flights and skip airport queues, helping to streamline their journey.
Nabil said: “The cruise traveller segment is experiencing robust growth, and we will work closely with MSC Cruises on co-marketing initiatives to communicate the diversity of destinations in our network combined with an attractive air-sea proposition.”
Gianni Onorato, CEO of MSC Cruises, added: “We are pleased to be extending this successful partnership and continuing to offer Emirates’ world-renowned flight service alongside the memorable experience waiting for guests on board our ship through our Fly & Cruise packages.”
