Cruising in the Arabian Gulf has received a boost after Costa Cruises announced it is deploying two new ships in Dubai from 2010 to meet growing demand.

The Italian cruise company is basing Costa Luminosa in Dubai from March to May from next year, as well as Costa Deliziosa from December to April.Both will offer seven-night cruises around the Arabian Gulf. Port of calls will include Fujairah, Oman, Muscat, Abu Dhabi and Bharain.

Costa Cruises is also starting 18-night cruises between Savona and Dubai on-board Costa Europa, via the Suez Canal and Red Sea.

As part of its 2010 brochure, Costa is basing four ships in Northern Europe, covering the Norwegian Fjords and Greenland, three ships in the Far East, sailing from Singapore and China. It is also returning to Israel and Libya, and is launching cruises to Canada and the US.

Costa has also expanded its choice of shore excursions, including new eco-tourism tours visiting parks, and food and wine trips.
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