Cruise to Dubai and the Middle East
Explore the amazing Middle East and see the sights of Dubai, Muscat in Oman, Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates and Khasab in Oman
With its combination of old mosques and new shopping malls, futuristic architecture and miles of desert wilderness, Dubai is a city of amazing contrasts. Modern Dubai offers sensational highlights - the iconic Burj Al Arab Hotel and the Palm with the Atlantis Hotel at its tip. The Dubai Creek area retains its traditional charm with narrow streets and classic dhows plying their trade.
Cruise Collection
Dubai, Salalah, Jeddah, 'Aqaba, Safaga, Sokhna, Cruising Suez Canal (Passage), Ashdod, Haifa, Bodrum, Kusadasi, Istanbul
Doha, Manama, Ad Dammam, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Khasab, Ad Dimaniyat Islands, Sur, Muscat
About Dubai Cruises
Abu Dhabi, the capital of the Emirates, offers great shopping opportunities, a renowned 'corniche' as well as a desert wilderness ideal for dune safaris. See the huge Emirates Palace hotel and the nearby Heritage Village. Abu Dhabi has its new F1 Grand Prix circuit and huge Ferrari World theme park at Yas Marina, some distance out of town. Pre- and post-cruise stays in Abu Dhabi are available.
Muscat in Oman is a more traditional city, with sights including Rustaq Fort and the majestic Sultan's Palace. Its port of Muttrah has a fascinating souk. Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates is the perfect base for desert adventures.
Khasab in Oman is at the northern tip of the Arabian peninsula, with a small port busy with traders from Iran.
Dubai Highlights
Abu Dhabi
Cruises visiting the capital of the United Arab Emirates usually arrive at Mina Zayed Port, where there are buses to the city three miles away. The beach-side Corniche leads to a new Wakeboarding park offering free lessons and to Heritage Village, a glimpse of traditional life. In Al Bateen Shipyard, visitors can learn the techniques of dhow building. The chief sight in Abu Dhabi is Sheikh Zayed Mosque, a huge white building with 80 domes which accommodates 40,000 people. Trips may be offered to the oasis city of Al Ain, its fort and camel market.
Dubai
Cruise ships arrive in Dubai's well-designed and equipped cruise terminal, which has a Business Centre providing free internet access, and a taxi rank. Dubai's dramatic skyline now includes the world's highest skyscraper, the 2717-foot Burj Khalifa. Popular visits in Dubai are its numerous shopping malls, gold and spice souks, the narrow streets of Al-Bastakia and the Creek's cargo-laden dhows, Jumeirah Mosque and 4 x 4 safaris in the desert dunes.
Fujairah
Al Fujayrah is the most mountainous of the seven Arab Emirates, and benefits from the cooling air of the Gulf of Oman. The main sights in and around the city are the Heritage Village which includes the mud brick Fujairah Fortress and the segregated swimming spas of Ain Al Madhab Gardens, and the 15th-century Al Bidyah Mosque, the oldest in the UAE. Bull Butting contests are a popular tradition in Al Fujayrah and take place every Friday.
Mumbai (India)
This is the largest port in Western India, noted for its financial centre and Bollywood, the world's largest film production centre. Mumbai's most famous symbols are the Gateway to India, a grand arch, and the nearby Taj Mahal Palace Hotel. British influences can be seen in the stained glass and sculptures of Victoria Rail Terminus, a World Heritage Site. Mumbai is a pleasantly chaotic city packed full of bazaars, roadside stalls, traffic and some of India's best restaurants.
Muscat
The old harbour of Muscat is flanked by the twin forts of Al-Jalali and Al-Mirani, and beside the port is the elaborate Al-Alam Palace and gardens, the home of Sultan Qaboos. Muscat's wealth was built on the trading of mother of pearl, frankincense and fish, which can all be bought in the city's souks. The main sight in Muscat is the magnificent Grand Mosque, completed in 2001. Its spacious interior is lined with marble and hung with crystal chandeliers. Tours by 4x4 into the desert wadis may be offered.
Salalah
Salalah has a temperate climate and lush vegetation and is well-known for its frankincense trees, which are used to extract rubber resign for incense products. There are the ruins of a palace in Salalah which is said to have belonged to the Queen of Sheba, and on the peak of Ittin are the remains of the tomb of the prophet Job.
Sharm-el-Sheikh
This lively beach resort on the Sinai Peninsula has therapeutic thermal springs, palm-fringed beaches and a wide variety of shops. The island of Tiran is a popular visit for diving and snorkelling. A day's excursion from here is St Catherine's Monastery. the walled enclave in the shadow of Mount Sinai, built on the site of the burning bush which appeared to Moses.