Thomson Cruises is to base a ship in Dubai in winter 2016-17.
Thomson Celebration will run two itineraries in the Gulf region from December next year.
The two seven-night itineraries – ‘Arabian Nights’ and ‘Cities of Gold’ – will include an overnight in Dubai and visit Khasab and Muscat in Oman, Manama in Bahrain, Doha in Qatar, Abu Dhabi and Khor Fakkan in UAE.
Flights will operate to Dubai from Manchester, Birmingham, Gatwick, Cardiff, Newcastle and Glasgow, with cruise and stay packages also available when the programme goes on sale in November.
Thomson Cruises managing director, Helen Caron, said: “We know that destinations are one of the key deciding factors for our customers and our decision to set sail from Dubai will allow holidaymakers to see and experience more destinations than ever before.
“As Dubai becomes more and more popular for winter sun and incredible excursions, we know our customers will be as excited as we are to welcome this destination to our programme.
“With the average Brit visiting more than 14 foreign countries in their lifetime, we can’t wait for everyone to discover Arabia, from the glamour and opulence of Dubai and Abu Dhabi to the ancient heritage sites in Oman.”