With the frequency of ship calls also on the rise, Al Sharif sees this as an encouraging signs for the future. “From twice a week in the beginning, we are now receiving ships three times a week,” he says. “Moreover, on January 11 and January 25, 2011, two ships will arrive on these days, bringing on each date 6,000 tourists to the Kingdom in one go, all of whom needing to be taken care of and shown around the island.”

Tourists all come from overseas, flown in from Europe, Scandinavia and South America on chartered flights to Dubai. Al Sharif is hopeful, though, that in the not-too-distant future ships will stay longer than just one day. “Our aim is to see these ships docking in Bahrain overnight or even for a day-and-half. That would mean a lot for Bahrain’s economy,” he says.

After four years into the cruise line business, Al Sharif observes that facilities have improved greatly with the new Khalifa bin Salman Port coming into operation.

“Praise is due to the port authorities, APM Terminals, customs, immigration and the port security, who did an excellent job, even at the old facilities. They’ve been very professional and very cooperative with the passengers, crew, our principals and us as agents,” he notes.

Moreover, Bahrain is hosting the Middle East Cruise Forum this month for the first time. Organised by the UK-based Seatrade in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and Information, the event will see major cruise principals from across the world assemble here; a sign that the Kingdom is truly making its mark in this business.