MSC Cruises launching private island in Persian Gulf

Monday, 02 Jun, 2016 0

MSC Cruises has unveiled details of its second private island cruise destination.

The line will begin sailing to the 1.5 mile-long natural island of Sir Bani Yas in the Gulf.

"Last year we announced the new Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve in the Bahamas. Today’s announcement is further proof of our commitment to enriching our itineraries and to making available to our guests unique experiences that enable them to discover new cultures and beauties," said Gianni Onorato, CEO of MSC Cruises.

MSC said it has been working with the Abu Dhabi Ports Authority for the past two years to develop the islet which connects to the larger Sir Bani Yas Island, part of which is a wildlife reserve.

MSC guests will get exclusive use of a spa, beach volleyball and tennis, a kid’s playground, a bar and lounge and a Bedouin tent showcasing local arts and crafts.

On the main island 4X4 tours and mountain biking expeditions can be arranged for guests, and tours to a a 6th century Christian monastery are planned during port calls.

MSC Fantasia will make the first port call at the island on December 5, 2016.

below social share icons

TravelMole Editorial Team

Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.

Princess Hotels & Resorts is a hotel chain specialising in holiday and urban hotels located in first class tourist destinations,...

Discover Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach, also known as the Charlotte Harbor Gulf Island Coast. This natural wonderland is nestled in the...

Hilton is a leading global hospitality company with a portfolio of 22 world-class brands comprising nearly 7,300 properties and more than 1.1 million rooms, in...

Air Transat is Canada’s number one leisure airline. It flies to some 60 international destinations in more than 25 countries...

Queensland – where it’s rude not to stare Here in Queensland, there’s plenty to do. But there’s even more to...

Global Hotel Alliance brings together a unique collection of independent hospitality brands for GHA DISCOVERY, a multi-brand loyalty programme. GHA...

This is Jersey. An island shaped by the sea where some of the most astonishing tides in the world circle...

Intrepid Travel is a world leader in sustainable experience-rich travel that has been taking travellers to discover the world’s most amazing places...

Why Avalon Waterways: Happiness flows on an Avalon river cruise. From Asia to South America and Europe to the Nile,...

The Paris 2024 Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games is responsible for planning, organising, financing and delivering the...

The Polish Tourism Organisation (Polska Organizacja Turystyczna – POT) is one of several dozen national tourism organisations operating in the...

We’re here to provide the very best experience in train travel. From booking your ticket, to asking us a question...

Nium was founded on the mission to build the global payments infrastructure of tomorrow, today. With the onset of the on-demand...

Travel specialists founded the company in 1999 as AC Tours. Since then we have grown and expanded to incorporate four...

Discover Sarawak Revealing a side of Asia unlike anywhere else, Sarawak offers an alternative for those seeking humble authenticity far...

Take your clients’ vacation to the next level at Universal Orlando Resort™. With three amazing theme parks – Universal Studios...

Philippine Airlines (PR), also known as PAL, is the Filipino flag carrier. The company started their operations in February 1941,...

Family-owned Olympic Holidays has been arranging holidays to Greece, the Greek islands and Cyprus for more than half century. The company is unrivalled...