Topic: Middle Easter? Kingdom calls out for cruisers...

Some of the cruise industry's biggest players will be setting sail for Bahrain this spring as the nation gears up to host the world's first ever Middle Easter cruise event.

The three-day Seatrade Middle East Cruise Forum is open to executives and directors from some of the biggest cruise providers who are responsible for itinerary planning and destination promotion.

It is therefore hoped the event will further position the Middle East as a key cruise location.

Dr Heba Aziz, executive director at the tourism sector of the Ministry of Culture and Information, said that cruise tourism is a key sector for the Kingdom and they are already receiving thousands of visitors for boutique tours.

"The Cruise Forum will allow us to showcase Bahrain to the major cruise lines and involve all the industry in discussions on developing cruise tourism across the region," he added.

In February Dubai became the first ever Arab city to host a vessel naming ceremony when the Costa Deliziosa was launched from its port.

Speaking at the event, the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing referred to it as a "milestone in [its] tourism journey".

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Some of the cruise industry's biggest players will be setting sail for Bahrain this spring as the nation gears up to host the world's first ever Middle Easter cruise event.

Middle Easter? Chocolate Egg for entry? :D:D:D

Bahrain is in need of bolstering its economy? Of course it is and Dubai even moreso. There are many countries who would love the economy boost of cruise ship visits. At least Bahrain has recognised the importance of cruising to their economy and has pushed in a commercial way to get it. I can see that there will be some extra trade coming their way but because of its geographical position and probably lack of potential I cannot see it being the new "Caribbean". ......Neil

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Middle Easter? Chocolate Egg for entry? :D:D:D

Just worked it out, doh! I was thinking middle of Easter ~ but they're Muslim not Christian, then it clicked "Middle Eastern" (Having yet another blonde day!):o

Not really much to see really in that part of the middle east unless you consider those new fancy hotels and a racetrack ~ Have I really missed any thing important?

As was said even with the weather it's not like going off to the Caribbean...

Dubai wants to boost the number of cruise lines using their facilities. There are bars, night clubs and many other western style activities in the city but are they or indeed the cruise lines making sure that the passengers visiting the UAE know of the strict rules which exist here?
Do most people know that it is an offence to walk down the street holding hands, even husband and wife as this is a show of affection and against the law? The couple charged at the moment are said to have kissed in a cafe, they maintain that it was a kiss on the cheek not the lips but their crime was compounded because some alcohol was found in their system.
We won't even think about the two who were jailed for supposedly having sex on the beach.
The rules here are strict and are easily but unwittingly broken western people and as it would appear that the law of the country will not change it should be the responsibility of the cruise lines to make people aware of the facts, shouldn't it? ....Neil

The couple I mentioned charged and convicted of kissing in a cafe in Dubai have now to wait for a futher month until their appeal is heard. Their Passports are being held by the authorities. ....Neil

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Do most people know that it is an offense to walk down the street holding hands?
even husband and wife, as this is a show of affection and against the law?
The couple charged at the moment are said to have kissed in a cafe,
they maintain that it was a kiss on the cheek not the lips
but their crime was compounded because some alcohol was found in their system.


The rules here are strict and are easily but unwittingly broken

My wife and I would be quickly jailed!
Maybe even severely beaten in public!

She and I have the most annoying disgusting Western habit
of showing affection by pecking ea.other on the lips about once every hour or so.

Such lewd shows of affection must not be tolerated
and so we shall avoid that seemingly-backward part of the world
voting with both our wallets and our feet by spending our travel dollars
in other parts of the world where such abject decadence is tolerated!


But hang on...maybe it's us Westerners that are backward?
And it's the Taliban and offshoots of that extremist 'Slam mindset
that are the way forward for humanity?

Only history will sort it out.


____________________________________________
Meanwhile, life is very heavy stuff!
.

QUOTE:

Dubai wants to boost the number of cruise lines using their facilities. There are bars, night clubs and many other western style activities in the city but are they or indeed the cruise lines making sure that the passengers visiting the UAE know of the strict rules which exist here?
Do most people know that it is an offence to walk down the street holding hands, even husband and wife as this is a show of affection and against the law? The couple charged at the moment are said to have kissed in a cafe, they maintain that it was a kiss on the cheek not the lips but their crime was compounded because some alcohol was found in their system.
We won't even think about the two who were jailed for supposedly having sex on the beach.
The rules here are strict and are easily but unwittingly broken western people and as it would appear that the law of the country will not change it should be the responsibility of the cruise lines to make people aware of the facts, shouldn't it? ....Neil

Not every visitor to the Middle East etc will gen up on the bye laws of the country they are visiting. They should, but it won't occur to most. Now, I am all for the reading of all small print before booking anything and usually Caveat Emptor and all that. However, if cruise lines are going to include countries whose day to day rules and regs. are so different to ours, then I think some easily read pertinent etiquette information should be included in the booking form. Equally, I think the points of entry should also contain guidlines as to what is unacceptable behaviour. If the Middle East etc want our tourist $'s, they are going to have to let visitors know their customs.