On Sunday 180 UAE elderly couples in Dubai joined with 1,000 other people on a 118 day Grand World Voyage of 50 cities on the Ms Rotterdam. Destinations include Africa, Northern and Southern Europe, Mediterranean, Asia, and the Caribbean. Managing Director for Lamar Desert Tours and Cruises said his company also has younger cruise passengers, from 30 years and up and the cruise industry is has grown at least 15 to 20 per cent a in the last year and a half. The Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing said this year 101 ships carrying 316,043 passengers are expected, compared to 82 ships carrying 182,030 passengers last year.