Middle East

Dubai is the world’s newest cruising hotspot, combining the mysteries of the desert with ultra-modern resort complexes.

Arabian Gulf cruises will take you to other United Arab Emirates’ states as well as Oman, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain and occasionally even Iran and Yemen.

Dubai & The Middle East

Dubia

Dubai is the world’s newest cruising hotspot, combining the mysteries of the desert with ultra-modern resort complexes.

Arabian Gulf cruises will take you to other United Arab Emirates’ states as well as Oman, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain and occasionally even Iran and Yemen.

A typical eight-day fly/cruise from Dubai will feature calls in Muscat (Oman), Fujairah and Abu Dhabi (both United Arab Emirates) and Bahrain.

Costa Cruises was the first company to offer a cruise itinerary in the Arabian Gulf from a ship based in Dubai and is reinforcing its presence this winter with cruises on new ships Costa Luminosa and Costa Deliziosa.

Competition is arriving in the region with Royal Caribbean International basing the ship Brilliance of the Seas in Dubai for the first time from January 2010.

The US line is then expanding itineraries in 2011 with sailings from Dubai taking in the Indian destinations of Mumbai and Goa.

The company’s second consecutive season in the Middle East will comprise of nine sailings from January to March 2011.

There will be two 12-night Dubai and India sailings, departing on March 28 and 9 April 9, 2011, which will include the ship’s maiden calls at India’s Mumbai, Goa (Mormugao) and Cochin.

Sights of the Middle East

Shore excursions in Dubai offer a true mix of the ancient and modern, combining the world famous Burj Al Arab hotel with the Al Fahidi Fort, a visit to the spice market and the gold souk.

Other excursions allow you to sand-ski in the desert, then ski on snow at the indoor SKI Dubai winter sports area. Then there is the opportunity to take a boat trip to admire the amazing artificial islands, 'The Palms' and 'The World'.

From Muscat take a 4x4 Jeep adventure into the desert to the village of Nakhl, through a canyon at Wadi Bani Auf, across the water at foot of Jebel Sham and to the mountain village of Balid Sait.

Or how about a picnic in the mountains as part of a desert and Wadi safari in Fujairah, taking in the Masafi Mountains, the oasis of Wadi Shawkah, and through the sand dunes to Fossil Rock and Camel Rock?

Then relax on a beautiful sandy beach or by a swimming pool in Abu Dhabi. Alternatively, visit the cultural foundation centre and heritage village, admire the amazing views of the city from the break water, before enjoying tea at the Emirates Palace.

Cultural and historical Bahrain tours combine a racing camel farm with the national museum and Grand Mosque, or visit the Al Jasra Handicrafts Centre before driving along the stunning 25km causeway that links Bahrain to Saudi Arabia.

Our Cruises to the Middle East

Shown below are some of our Cruises to the Middle East

Eastern Med & Egypt Cruise

Navigator of the Seas
  Prices From
Inside: £1,309 pp
Outside: £1,599 pp
Balcony: £1,825 pp
5 September 2010 for 12 nights
Fly UK/Civitavecchia (Rome) - Naples - Cruising - Piraeus (Athens) - Rhodes - Kusadasi (Ephesus) - Cruising - Alexandria - Cruising - Messina (Sicily) - Cruising - Civitavecchia (Rome) - Arrive UK

Classic Nile Itinerary

Viking Princess
  Prices From
Inside: £799 pp
Outside: Call   
30 August 2010 for 7 nights
Fly UK/Fly to Luxor - Luxor - Sail to Esna - Sail to Edfu - Edfu - Sail to Aswan - Aswan - Sail to Komombo - Sail to Luxor - Luxor - Fly to UK - Arrive UK

Classic Nile Itinerary

Royal Viking
  Prices From
Inside: £999 pp
Outside: Call   
30 August 2010 for 7 nights
Fly UK/Fly to Luxor - Luxor - Sail to Esna - Sail to Edfu - Edfu - Sail to Aswan - Aswan - Sail to Komombo - Sail to Luxor - Luxor - Fly to UK - Arrive UK

Classic Nile Itinerary

Royal Viking
  Prices From
Inside: £999 pp
Outside: Call   
6 September 2010 for 7 nights
Fly UK/Fly to Luxor - Luxor - Sail to Esna - Sail to Edfu - Edfu - Sail to Aswan - Aswan - Sail to Komombo - Sail to Luxor - Luxor - Fly to UK - Arrive UK

Grand Voyage Istanbul - Athens

Seabourn Odyssey
  Prices From
Inside: £7,649 pp
Outside: Call   
Balcony: £7,649 pp
28 August 2010 for 21 nights
Fly UK/Istanbul - Dikili (Pergamum) - Kusadasi (Ephesus) - Bodrum - Santorini - Mylos - Navplion (Mycenae) - Piraeus (Athens) - Pylos - Corfu - Kotor - Dubrovnik - Triluke Bay - Ravenna - Venice - Split - Bari - Fiskardho - KataKolon (Olympia) - Gythion - Mykonos - Piraeus (Athens) - Arrive UK