Celebrity Cruises to offer Persian Gulf sailings

Celebrity Cruises will offer Persian Gulf sailings starting in late 2016 — a first for the line.

Celebrity says the 2,034-passenger Celebrity Constellation will operate a series of six voyages out of Abu Dhabi from Nov. 28, 2016 through early 2017 that will include stops in Dubai and Oman.

The sailings will range from nine to 14 nights, with the longer voyages also including stops in India.

Celebrity's announcement comes as sister line Royal Caribbean resumes regular sailings in the Persian Gulf out of Dubai. The line's 1,830-passenger Splendour of the Seas is operating seven-night voyages out of the port this winter that include calls in Abu Dhabi and Oman.

Royal Caribbean began offering winter cruises out of Dubai in late 2009, following in the footsteps of Carnival-owned Costa Cruises and Aida Cruises. But the line pulled out of the region after the 2012-13 season, citing weak demand.

For a deck-by-deck look at the Celebrity Constellation, click through the carousel below.