Danat Dubai Cruises, the Gulf region's premier operator of luxurious cruising vessels, is expanding its operations with the introduction of luxurious cruising chalets.
The one/two-bedroom cruising chalets are being built locally by a leading boat manufacturer and each contain modern bathrooms, kitchen, Majelis, dining area, outdoor BBQ, sun-deck and swimming platform. Able to operate in depths of two metres, the chalets can cruise at about six to seven knots and are ideal for calmer waterways such as the Creek. Available initially for holiday-makers, six chalets are being built and people can either choose to self-drive or go for the more luxurious option of their own captain and crew. Danat Dubai Cruises is also looking at having one of the cruising chalets adapted so that they can organise diving cruises complete with a compressor room and sleeping berths for twelve. "Quite simply, the cruising chalets open up a whole world of opportunity," said Chris Anns, general manager of Danat Dubai Cruises. "So far, we are looking at chalets on the Creek, in Umm al Quwain, the Musandam and Muscat. At a later stage Abu Dhabi and Bahrain are possibilities." The role of Danat Dubai Cruises will be to market and operate the chalets. With years of cruising experience under their belts with the MV Danat Dubai catamaran which daily sails the Creek and out into the Gulf, the company is positioned to expand into this new cruising experience. "Each of the chalets has also been adapted to include an open-deck upstairs and are ideal for holiday-makers wanted to gently cruise and explore the emirates. We've also had interest from residents wanting to own and 'live on' a chalet and this is a route we will look at in time," added Chris Anns. The Danat Dubai cruising chalets are expected to be completed by December 2003 and on the water by January 2004 - specially fitted for holiday-makers. News of the new venture comes hot on the heels of Danat Dubai Cruises' recent announcement that it is introducing a 31-seater ocean rafter to its expanding fleet.