Everything You Need to Know About Middle East Cruises

Table Of Content

• Night Itinerary from New York visiting (Portugal, Greece) Egypt, Oman, Abu Dhabi & Dubai on board the Queen Mary 2
• Second Icon-Class Ship Will Have a Furry Family Member
• Night Itinerary: Cyprus, Israel, Palestine and Egypt on board The Rhapsody of the Seas (Royal Caribbean)
• Do I need to be vaccinated to go on a Middle East Cruise?
• Go Back in Time in the Enchanted and Historical Arabian Gulf

There are quite a few days at the sea on this trip, but there is lots to keep you and the little ones occupied on board. For younger guests, there’s ’The play zone’, a supervised area offering arts and crafts, toys and computer games for children aged 2-7 years old. Eight to twelve-year-olds can enjoy ’The kids’ zone’ where they can take part in sporting activities, games and arts and crafts. This epic all-inclusive cruise on ’the world’s grandest ocean liner’ really is the trip of a lifetime. You’ll want for nothing onboard this luxurious cruise, which even includes an elegant afternoon tea service. There are five swimming pools, a state-of-the-art fitness centre and spa, a purpose-built theatre, and a planetarium.

Night Itinerary from New York visiting (Portugal, Greece) Egypt, Oman, Abu Dhabi & Dubai on board the Queen Mary 2

Moreover, there is a shuffleboard court and impressive nightclubs here. The Middle East's exotic aura attracts history buffs and adventure seekers looking to expand their cultural horizons. Egypt's pyramids and Jordan's lost city of Petra are must-see landmarks, while souks (markets), breathtaking mosques and desert safaris also make for great exploring. Arabian Gulf cruises to the United Arab Emirates and Oman provide a look at the modern-day Middle East, with the world's biggest buildings and malls.

Second Icon-Class Ship Will Have a Furry Family Member

With some of the world’s newest and oldest cities, every port in the Middle East is a melting pot of contradictions. Whether you yearn to idle away the hours on spotless sand beaches or speed through the desert in a 4x4, the Middle East is the perfect region to fulfil your holiday fantasies. Additionally, the ship will dock at Sokhna Port, offering a gateway to Cairo, before returning to Safaga, serving as the embarkation point for the famed city of Luxor. Abu Dhabi has remained particularly strict in this respect, though they have recently relaxed rules for cruise ship passengers.

Night Itinerary: Cyprus, Israel, Palestine and Egypt on board The Rhapsody of the Seas (Royal Caribbean)

Try traditional hummus made with spicy local olive oil and fresh chickpeas. Sample kibbeh, fritters of finely ground meat, bulgur wheat and spices served with quince paste or yoghurt sauce. Join a 4X4 safari adventure to experience the breathtaking beauty of the desert. Climb a sand dune, or even try some quad biking, sand skiing or camel riding.

Do I need to be vaccinated to go on a Middle East Cruise?

Royal Caribbean, MSC Cancel Cruises Due to Red Sea Attacks - Middle East News - Haaretz

Royal Caribbean, MSC Cancel Cruises Due to Red Sea Attacks - Middle East News.

Posted: Fri, 19 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

A variety of initial boarding options should ensure a simple, easy-to-manage start to their adventures. For its scheduled 17 voyages in the Arabian Gulf, MSC Virtuosa will offer 7-night sailings. Dubai, Doha, Manama, Abu Dhabi, and Sir Bani Yas Island are all on the various itineraries. Doha, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi will serve as embarkation points for international guests. Embark on an exciting sea safari full of natural wonders on this full day tour in a traditional dhow.

Home to an array of renowned landmarks, you won't want to forget your camera when you embark on a Middle East cruise. From Dubai and some of the tallest skyscrapers in the world, to Egypt's pyramids and Israel, home to the iconic Western Wall, there's an incredible sight to behold around every corner each day. What's more, the cuisine here is sure to set all of your taste buds alight. Traditional Middle Eastern dishes with an exotic twist are the types of culinary surprises you can expect, including succulent meats, freshly prepared salads and homemade hummus. Our guides -- all of whom were female at Ithra -- proudly showed off the library with its massive book selection, and the first Children's Museum in the Kingdom. A nearby exhibit on the history of oil in the country was equally fascinating.

To see the distinct mix of old and new, visit the several restored historical districts, which give an impression of lifestyle of the pre-1960s Arabian culture. Learn more about the compelling history of the Gulf in the national museums of neighbouring countries, or visit the fascinating Portuguese forts in Oman and Bahrain during your holiday. Unlike Qatar and the UAE, Saudi Arabia comes with a litany of travel warnings from the likes of the U.S. For any cruises listed, Cruise Critic does not guarantee any specific rates or prices.

Go Back in Time in the Enchanted and Historical Arabian Gulf

Alternatively, you could sign up to discover what lives beneath the waves in Aqaba’s marine park. Children will love splashing away at the beach and snorkelling close to shore. A visit to Aqaba’s informative aquarium might also be in order to understand the region’s marine life better. This is a large cruise ship from Costa Cruises, accommodating 5,224 passengers. The itinerary of Costa Toscana to Middle East is long, from Genoa to Abu Dhabi across 19 ports. Passengers can enjoy multiple activities, such as theatre shows, discos and nightclubs, bars and lounges, infinity bars, pools, hot tubs and waterslides.

The two hours it took in a queue to look down on this city of extravagance from on high decidedly less so. It's little wonder the city played host to the FIFA 2022 World Cup in December 2022. Alcohol consumption isn't allowed except in hotels catering to Western tourists, and in many cases, the practicing of any religion other than Islam -- at least in public -- is a strict no-no. The former has baffling restrictions against medications that are common in the West that could land unsuspecting tourists in jail - or worse. Both countries discriminate heavily against the LGBTQ population, and both have religious beliefs, traditions and customs that must be respected by foreigners, even if you don't agree with them.

Overnight you will travel to the picturesque desert island of Sir Bani Yas, a huge nature reserve accommodating endangered species from the Middle East and Africa. You can choose to take a safari on land, or by kayak through the lush green mangroves that stud the coastline. You might even spot a flock of flamingoes as you paddle along the coast. Day 1, starts in Dubai with a number of different excursion options. Perhaps you’ll choose to visit the oldest part of the city, Bur Dubai, where you can gain an insight into the city’s cultural roots. This MSC Middle East cruise offers full-board with excellent sports and leisure facilities and world-class entertainment for both adults and children.

IPhones would be placed in passengers' faces abruptly, video recording on, asking what we thought about Saudi Arabia. It's the fifth-largest city in Saudi Arabia, and is the fastest-growing city in the Arab world. The cruise port is located in a massive industrial cargo area, known as the King Abdulaziz Cruise Port, about 35 minutes' drive from most attractions. Ships used to have to anchor here and tender passengers ashore, but an expensive new dock was built during the Pandemic, making it even easier than ever to reach this island paradise.

Cruise prices and itineraries are subject to change at short notice. We are not travel agents and do not receive a commission from any of the cruise lines mentioned above. This is a unique itinerary for 2023 as the Artarnia is the only cruise ship to call into the port of Kuwait from now until 2024. In addition to visiting Kuwait, the ship docks in Bahrain and many of the popular Middle Eastern destinations frequented on other cruises. At the end of the cruise, there is more time to explore Dubai. We recommend taking a trip out into the desert for a desert safari and a spot of camel riding to top off a truly exceptional family trip.

With thousands of years of history and culture brewing in the deserts of the Arabian Gulf and North Africa, you're bound to be swept away. After a day at sea, you will find yourself in the Jordanian port of Aqaba. Take a city tour and sample some local cuisine before visiting the ancient Islamic city of Ayla.