Due to the high demand, Royal Caribbean International has revealed that it is extending its third consecutive season in the Gulf region to six months – which is planned to run from November 2011 through to April 2012.

The longest season to-date is planned to comprise of 18 roundtrip seven-night sailings and two Dubai and India 12-night sailings.  Brilliance of the Seas, recognised as one of the world’s most elegant cruise ships, is planned to commence her seven-night itineraries in Dubai, via Fujairah and is expected to dock in Muscat where guests can enjoy an over-night stay. Brilliance of the Seas then continues, spending the day at sea, via Abu Dhabi and then back to Dubai.  Moreover, Royal Caribbean International offers two new 12-night itineraries, which include ports in India. Sailing from Dubai to Mumbai spending three days at sea, Brilliance of the Seas then calls into Goa, New Mangalore and Cochin before docking in Muscat and then sailing back to Dubai.  The UAE and Oman have become increasingly popular cruise destinations over the last few years. In the 2010/2011 cruise season, 135 ships brought a total of around 375,000 passengers to Dubai. Abu Dhabi received 78 calls by cruise liners with around 140,000 passengers disembarking and 109 cruise ships called at Muscat Port carrying 340,000 passengers in 2010.