Sharjah: An estimated 80,000 cruise passengers are expected to visit Sharjah this upcoming 2015-2016 cruise season, the emirates tourism authority said on Tuesday.

The visitors will mostly come from European countries Italy, Spain, France, Germany and the United Kingdom, the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority said in an emailed statement.

Sharjah is expected as many as 37 calls from liners this season, the statement said, including from liners TUI Cruises, MSC Cruises, Costa Cruises and AIDA Cruises.