DUBAI, UAE – Emirates and MSC Cruises have announced the extension of their long-term strategic collaboration, aiming to enhance the experience for travelers combining air and sea transport. The agreement, announced on May 1, 2025, at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) in Dubai, also seeks to support Dubai’s aspirations to establish itself as a major cruise hub and explore future joint growth opportunities.
The partnership, building on a decade-long relationship, was formalized with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) by Nabil Sultan, Emirates’ Executive Vice President for Passenger Sales and Country Management, and Eudes-Philippe Le Guelinel, Head of Fly & Cruise for MSC Cruises.
The collaboration will focus on MSC Cruises’ fleet, as well as its luxury cruise line, Explora Journeys. Both companies plan to coordinate promotional strategies and marketing campaigns in key markets to boost Dubai’s appeal as a cruise destination and increase interest and bookings. Additionally, close coordination of flight and cruise schedules will be sought to optimize passenger itineraries and reduce transit times. Emirates will also identify initiatives across its network to support MSC Cruises’ deployments beyond the United Arab Emirates.
Benefits for passengers of “Fly&Cruise” packages include airport reception with a dedicated bus transfer to the ship and, upon return, the option to leave luggage at the cruise terminal for direct collection at their final destination. At the Port Rashid Cruise Terminal, Emirates has 16 dedicated check-in counters that allow disembarking cruise passengers to process their luggage and obtain their boarding passes up to four hours before their flight departure.
The two companies also plan to share relevant operational data and explore the allocation of block inventory for cruises. Nabil Sultan of Emirates commented that the partnership supports Dubai’s cruise tourism ecosystem, while Gianni Onorato, CEO of MSC Cruises, highlighted the shared dedication to service quality.
