Royal Caribbean will pull out its ships from Dubai at the end of 2013 due to declining demand for this itineraries in the recent period said RCCL regional director, Helen Beck.

In the latest issue of Seatrade Cruise Review Helen Beck says "We were initially very pleased with the business development there and expected continued growth; however, the demand has declined in recent seasons and as a result we have had to make some difficult decisions, driven by strategic and financial considerations, about discontinuing our programme there."

The company operates 2 of her 22 ships in Dubai Serenade of the Seas and and until April 7, 2012 Briliance of the Seas. RCCL  Serenade of the Seas, will stay in Dubai as scheduled for the winter season 2013 but operate an shortened season of seven-night cruises out of Dubai to Fujairah.

Currently the port of Dubai serves as a home port of five cruise companies such as Aida Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, FTI Cruises, TUI Cruises and Costa Cruises.
This year projections are that the port will accommodate 420,000 cruise passengers, that’s 23,500 more passengers than the previous year