Florida-based Royal Caribbean International cruise line is planning to follow rival Italy's Costa Cruises by setting up a hub in Dubai. Besides, the firm, according to Michael Bayley, Senior Vice- President International at RCI, is also working out plans to set up a Dubai-Mumbai cruise route in 2011.

Speaking in the sidelines of the cruise line's maiden docking of the ship in Dubai yesterday, Bayley added, "It is still too early to confirm anything, however, we expect phenomenal growth from this region and there is a strong possibility that our development plans will include setting up a hub for RCI in Dubai."

Bayley hopes better revenue from the growing economic prospectus of the Gulf region that currently accounts for a single digit share in the cruise liner's global revenue. He, however, said that its revenue would grow to double digit in the next couple of years.

Meanwhile, Brilliance of the Seas has started its seven-night roundtrip sailings to Muscat, Fujairah, Abu Dhabi and Bahrain which would continue up to April passing around 32,000 passengers through Dubai's port.

Bayley added, "As for 2010, we are quite pleased at the way our expansion plans are heading and we expect it to be a lucrative growth year for us. We estimate RCI's volume to further increase by six per cent by end of 2010."