To follow up on my initial report of the Karachi - Dubai Cruise liner which I posted a week back practically a day before it set sail for its first maiden voyage from Karachi to Dubai. The ship left the berth with the cruise management and Geo.TV (Jang) promoters literally patting themselves on the back for this remarkable feat.
During the five days on the sea, no news filtered through from any of the passengers but upon its return, I amongst many, were surprised of a strange hushed silence on Geo which should have been prancing with joy, it seemed to suggest that something was amiss. Little do these old-school media moguls realize the power of the Internet especially with the emerging concept of Citizen Journalism (blogging) where individuals can speak out and be heard, no more hidden agenda, no more governmental control, its the time of being brave to speak out, this is the true power of Citizen Journalism, commonly referred to as blogging.
A concerned individual ‘Tanveer’ chooses to speak out and I sincerely hope his voice is heard far and wide, enough to warn people so as not to take the trip to Dubai aboard the ‘Hell [Dream] Cruise Liner’. I quote here the email in its entirety.
My brother in law along with his family took that maiden voyage of so called “Dream” cruise. The journey started on 07/11/06 and the ACs were not working since the time the cruise left birth at Karachi port, as per the information I have the cruise reached back Karachi in same condition. The cruised reach Dubai , with delay of 12 hours and visas were not arranged by the cruise liner’s management in time, more that 150 passengers were not allowed to put their step on UAE’s soil.
To begin with, the allocation of cabins were total messed up many many passengers were not provided the cabins they opted & paid for. There was a newly wed Pakistani-American couple on board. The groom left the whole world to take the cruise out of patriotism or love of land. They were promised by the management that a suite with view of sea and sun deck will be provided, flower bouquet will await at port of departure & destination along with a limo, but they were only given a cabin and lower deck and as expected the management denied any promise regarding limo & bouquet, once they were on board, last but not least the bride’s visa got rejected as her name was listed on the passengers manifest handed over to Port Saeed’s Immigration authorities.
Further. cruise management had also arranged ladies for entertainment of guest from Russia , Azerbaijan , Philippines , China and of course LAHORE . the mujras were performed all night in name of dance parties / disco. I haven’t been to European / American cruise lines, but have spent couple of days on Star - Virgo during my trip to Singapore , they also provide such “facilities” , but in very discretely. I have been told that people who were half drunk, were even misbehaving at the time of serving breakfast at 10 am and were loudly discussing their experiences with Russian last night. mind you there were families present in the restaurant for breakfast.
The broadband Internet, Casino and GYM facilities were also advertised but none was provided, as full dues were not paid to the ship chartered company.
Half of the leisure staff, including ladies in spa, waitresses and house keeping guys were not able to speak fluent English, let along Urdu. **Porters were not arranged at Dubai **, the passengers were left with option to take their luggage through a thin gangplank, as the cruise parked at a cargo birth.
The swimming pool was filled with sea water, by the way, no one took a swim during the voyage to Dubai . Mr. Mohiuddin the front man for this operation was also on board and was threatening some of the the drunk tourist of serious consequences once they arrive at Karachi port
The cruise liner is a joint venture of Geo TV’s Managing Director & Mr. Babur Ghouri MQM Minister for Ports & Shipping, while Mr. Moinuddin is simply the front man for this operation. Personally I feel it could be a major set back provided some serious damage control is made to set things straight before the remaining sailing dates go to waste due to a dearth of passengers as I doubt anyone would want to be at the receiving end of a shady deal.
Until then all future cruise faring passengers must be forewarned. It would also be interesting to hear more reports from other passengers as to the conditions of the first maiden voyage of the Gulf Dream Cruise Liner
Re: Karachi - Dubai 'A Cruise to Hell'
MQM babur ghouri, what else wud u expect.
Re: Karachi - Dubai 'A Cruise to Hell'
I see room for improvement
But this certainly doesnt mean that the idea is a flop.
Also bear in mind that this was the FIRST EVER venture of its kind in pakistan, there will be flaws, mistakes etc etc.
The real matter of concern as far as I think is the free availability of booze and liquor on board. The ship sails from Pakistan, sails back to Pakistan, how the hell do we have liquor on board and allow people to get drunk ??
I am sure the management will learn from its mistakes and strive to make this an affordable and desirable option for entertainment starved pakistani (families)
Re: Karachi - Dubai 'A Cruise to Hell'
An absolutely pathetic state of affairs for a startup venture…
I’m sure that any business will go through a learning curve in its early stages, but certain things aren’t exactly rocket science… cabin bookings, courteous staff, functional equipment are all examples of basic operational amenities that are fairly straightforward to administer.
Re: Karachi - Dubai ‘A Cruise to Hell’
It seems Xcom_cheetah is right, cruise was so athetic that some people came back to Karachi by plane, as reported by BBC correspondent Wusatullah Khan.
Re: Karachi - Dubai 'A Cruise to Hell'
what else do you expect from a pakitani management....even having russian whores on board did'nt make it a great cruise,how sad.
Re: Karachi - Dubai ‘A Cruise to Hell’
^ 
Re: Karachi - Dubai 'A Cruise to Hell'
I think it might have been good for some single guys but not for families.
Re: Karachi - Dubai 'A Cruise to Hell'
once u get a couple of pathans who get off at dubai and run away, the cruise will automatically be stopped due to a ban....
Re: Karachi - Dubai ‘A Cruise to Hell’
just as i said:
here u go…
*Dubai shatters ‘Dream Cruise’
RAO KHALID***
ISLAMABAD - The Dubai authorities have banned the entry of the cruise liner ‘ Dream Cruise’ in its waters following disappearance of three passengers travelling on the cruise, its very first trip to Dubai in the second week of November.
The first ever luxury cruise liner service launched in the first week of November by Gulf Dream Cruise Company, embarked upon the 5-day trip on November 7 from Karachi to Dubai.
On arrival the passengers were allowed to enter the city of Dubai by depositing their passports with the immigration authorities at the port.
When the cruise was ready to return to Karachi, the Dubai immigration officials found three passengers missing. After a detailed discussion with the cruise crew, the Dubai authorities realised that the missing passengers had come to Dubai with the intention to disappear.
The authorities in Dubai decided to confiscate the cruise but the timely intervention by Tourism Minister Nilofar Bakhtiar rescued the situation, however, the Dubai authorities banned entry of any cruise liner coming from Pakistan.
- = S o U r C e = -](http://www.nation.com.pk/daily/nov-2006/23/index3.php)
Re: Karachi - Dubai ‘A Cruise to Hell’
I am a tour-operator in Karachi back in August I ran a press release about cruise on our web site blog http://blog.travel-culture.com I started getting the phones and emails I compiled a page for it Gulf dream cruise Karachi to dubai cruise When I called the cruise guys first they gave wiered info then when I wanted to visit them thy were reluctant to give the address where they were located then I was told some Ms. … was the Incharge I sent her several faxes trying to get details and book clients No reply It was fishy from the begining. I am sure the people missing were to miss and knew that.
I am glad I didnt book any one for this cruise.
Re: Karachi - Dubai 'A Cruise to Hell'
The Dubai authorities have banned the entry of the cruise liner ‘ Dream Cruise’ in its waters following disappearance of three passengers travelling on the cruise, its very first trip to Dubai in the second week of November.
What a huge embarrasment for Pakistan again.
Re: Karachi - Dubai 'A Cruise to Hell'
Goli marroo-
Should have read earlier posts :(