Interview with
Miss Fretzie Nacion
Managing Director
First of all Fretzie tell us about yourself and when and how you settled to work in Dubai?
I’m 40 years old and was born on November 23, 1979 in Cebu City, Philippines. I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy in Cebu City.
I’ve been here in Dubai since 2008. This was my very first trip outside the Philippines as a tourist. It was to visit my brother. He was previously working at The Palace Hotel in Dubai, but at that time, he had just left the Hotel and joined a different company here in Dubai.
While staying here in Dubai and after seeing many beautiful places here, there wasn’t much more to see. At that time (October 2008 or so), there weren’t that many tourist attractions in Dubai.
After a week or two of thinking what to do next, my brother informed me that The Palace Hotel (his previous employer) was looking for a position in the front office. I rushed to get my resume (CV) ready—as I was just visiting and had had no intention of getting a job, naturally, I didn’t have a resume ready.
I submitted my CV to my brother’s friend who was working in the Hotel, did the interview, and, surprisingly, I made it, even though I did not have a background in Hospitality (since I graduated in a different field—Pharmacy).
I believe it was destiny and always thank God, for his love and his grace is overflowing.
Guess what? I worked in that same Hotel for over seven years until the day I met one of our regular guests who owned a 3 Dhow Cruise here in Dubai. The guest was an Emirati national, Chairman Al Suwaidi (my present employer) who invited me to join his company, Creek Cruises and Creek Tours.
It took a few months until I finally made my decision, and it was YES again! For me, it was time to move on, and I was ready to face a new challenge and the big responsibility as Managing Director that was offered. I promised myself to perform all my work with love and dedication.
In my mind at that time, it was easy for me to adopt the new role due to my seven-year experience in the hospitality field, from business centre, to receptionist, to front office supervisor, to acting front office duty manager during the day and even at night., As a woman, it definitely was not an easy job, but yet I did it without hesitation. Therefore, moving forward to a bigger responsibility was definitely not difficult for me.
Apart from getting my inspiration from my family—my mom, brothers and sister my daughter and my 5 year old little boy—I passionately strive hard to pursue my dreams for all of us and in God’s love and grace. I believe my faith is why I have reached this far, and I’m very happy and blessed to have my daughter and my little boy here with me and enrolled in one of the best schools in Dubai for almost four years now.
Tell us about the company, Creek Cruises. As the name indicates, it is cruising on the Dubai Creek, yes?
Creek Cruises was established in 1995 with the true vision of offering the tourists a real taste of Arabia. Creek Cruises offers excitement and entertainment of a vastly different kind for Dubai’s visitors. Aboard our traditional Arabic Dhows, you can set out on a pleasure trip down the creek that will be a special way to admire the city’s skyline and more importantly, cherish the precious moments with your dear ones.
The company was named Creek Cruises to signify its literal meaning.
Why should customers choose Creek Cruises instead of other companies offering the same? What, in your view, is your advantage?
Apart from being one of the oldest Dhow Cruise companies here in the Dubai Creek (since 1995) which is owned by an Emirati national, TLC – Tender, Love, and Care – are applied automatically to each and every one of our guests by every one of our boat crew members, captains, seamen, office staff, and managers.
We not only aim to supply a Dhow or dinner cruise to all of our guests, but as there are hundreds of Dhow Cruises in Dubai doing the same, we intend our services to be remarkable and memorable to each and every guest. We ensure that every time they step in and out of our Dhow or boat, they have their smile with them and are ready to spread their wonderful experience to everyone.
Although a lot of our competitors out there offer cheaper rates, we at Creek Cruises and Creek Tours have our own originality and uniqueness. We don’t just have the traditional boat but also a high standard of services in terms of customer service. We have friendly, well-trained staff dedicated to all our valued guests to ensure the comfort of all our guests while inside our boat, and most importantly, they are very happy and satisfied with their meals which are mainly catered by 4-5 star hotels here in Dubai. Of course, our Dhows are insured and fully equipped with modern navigation equipment.
Moreover, we have a licensed boat which can serve alcoholic beverages that will accompany your favorite dishes.
We at Creek Cruises and Creek Tours we not only have Dinner Cruises but as well as lunch, sunset, and charter cruises for all occasions like Corporate Events, Gatherings, school trips, gradations etc. and special occasions like Birthdays, weddings etc.. The cruises can be on a sharing basis or exclusively yours at reasonable rates.
Is there any limitation to the number of people that you can accommodate?
Each boat can accommodate between 80-100 people each sailing.
How long is the Dubai Creek, and can you tell us more about a typical route? Do you have both evening and day cruises?
From Saturdays till Thursdays, we cruise along the creek, witnessing the landmarks – the wind towers, Sheikh Saeed House, the Heritage Village, the Diving Village, Shindagha tunnel, Creek Golf & Yacht Club, and the most modern skyscrapers and the magnificent sights. This gives a glimpse of ancient Dubai’s growth from a small settlement town of merchants to its present stage of a most modern cosmopolitan city—and it’s a novel experience to cruise along the creek on a traditional dhow.
On Fridays, we go straight forward until Festival City where we can witness the Fountain and Light Show .
Yes, as mentioned, our cruises operate from morning till late at night.
What’s the best way to get in touch with you?
You may contact my direct number 00971 5 02228596, my email address: fnacion@creekcrusises.com or our office number: 00971 4 2807860. All our team members are very happy to assist you with TLC 🙂
You may also visit our website at www.creekcruises.com
