Dubai named world’s safest...

The UAE city also offers highest number of tours

Dubai has been named the safest cruise ship stopover, according to a new report by travel insurance firm InsureMyTrip.

The study analysed 52 global cruise destinations, scoring them for crime rates, hospital quality, sea temperatures and ship-related safety incidents, as well as tourism factors such as number of tours and restaurant ratings.

Dubai earned the top spot, thanks to its low crime, excellent medical facilities and just two recorded safety incidents between December 2023 and November 2024.

Dubai has the highest number of activities with more than 3,000, ranging from safaris to hot air balloon rides, giving travellers plenty of options to explore in a limited time. It also has a warmer average sea temperature, ideal for any recreational water activities.

Dubai ranked world's safest cruise destination

Thailand’s tropical destination Phuket was named second safest stopover scoring highly for restaurants and blessed with the warmest waters in the ranking, while Roaten Island, the largest of the Bay Islands of Honduras, followed in third place, thanks largely to its vast assortment of activities available, with 367 to choose from.

Portugal’s Funchal, the capital of Madeira’s archipelago, and Colombia’s Cartagena on the Caribbean coast rounded out the top five.

Among less safe places, Belize City in Central America, Hamburg in Germany and Loreto in Mexico secured low scores due to high crime and low-rated hospitals.

Dubai has become a cruise hotspot for travellers, attracting world-class operators and welcoming 187 ships and more than 280,000 cruise passengers in 2024, according to Dubai Customs.

The Gulf is also rapidly emerging as a hotspot for regional cruises, with regular sailings now available. In 2024, Celestyal kicked off with its first Arabian Gulf season, while Resorts World Cruises launched its inaugural sailing from Dubai with the 1,800-passenger Resorts World One.

Aroya Cruises, Saudi Arabia’s first-ever homegrown cruise line, launched its cruises in December 2024, with Arabian Gulf sailings stopping in Dubai, Dammam, Muscat and Bahrain part of the offer.

For more information, visit www.insuremytrip.com

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