Table Of Content
Note that prices do increase substantially over Christmas, New Year and other public holidays. If you can travel outside these times, significant savings can be made. The UK half-term breaks in February and October can be an excellent time for fewer crowds and excellent weather. The ship arrives in the port of Mumbai early for a full day of sightseeing. The next stop is the city of Kochi before reaching the final port of Colombo in beautiful Sri Lanka.
Holy Land, Suez Canal & the Red Sea - Haifa,Israel
Red Sea Attacks and Ongoing War Lead to More Canceled Cruises in Middle East - Cruise Critic
Red Sea Attacks and Ongoing War Lead to More Canceled Cruises in Middle East.
Posted: Wed, 18 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Abu Dhabi has remained particularly strict in this respect, though they have recently relaxed rules for cruise ship passengers. Some cruises offer elegant black tie events on board, giving you the chance to really dress up! So don’t forget a suit or fancy dress if this is a part of your cruise’s itinerary. You need to be mindful of the laws and customs of the countries you visit on a Middle East Cruise.
Discover the Wonders of the Red Sea (12 destinations)
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. The fourth day of your voyage is spent at sea, although plenty is on board to keep you entertained.
Travel Styles
Another option, which we would say should be high on your priority list, is a trip to Wadi Rum. This stunning area of unspoilt desert is famous for its rock formations, unlike elsewhere in the middle east. There might be times when teenagers want to escape the rest of the family, and for them, there is ‘The Teen Zone, which offers deck sports, discos, gaming consoles, and a whole host of other activities.
Go Back In Time In The Enchanted and Historical Arabian Gulf
A trip to the Middle East can be rewarding and enjoyable if you go in with your eyes open. Understand the cultural differences and rules and know that they may not agree with Western values. I had to reconcile my distaste for some of the policies of places like Saudi Arabia and realize that I'm not exactly a fan of many policies set forth in the United States, but I still travel there. At the end of the day, should you take a cruise to the Middle East? Complicating matters, the cruise transit e-Visa system developed by the Saudi government just never worked for me, using three separate browsers and two devices. That left me staring down having to pay a princely $128 USD to purchase an entry visa on-the-day.
MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA CRUISETOURS
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. This MSC Middle East cruise offers full-board with excellent sports and leisure facilities and world-class entertainment for both adults and children. There are kids clubs catering for 0-17-year-olds as well as lots of other family fun to be had on board. This is a good choice for families, particularly those who wish to explore key religious and historical sites with their children.
Arabian & Middle East Cruises
MSC, Silver Moon reroute, cancel cruises amid Middle East violence - UPI News
MSC, Silver Moon reroute, cancel cruises amid Middle East violence.
Posted: Thu, 18 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Sample kibbeh, fritters of finely ground meat, bulgur wheat and spices served with quince paste or yoghurt sauce. Hubs of ancient and modern art, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar are both home to incredible exhibits. Abu Dhabi Louvre is housed in an extraordinary building and encompasses the history of civilisation, while the exceptional Museum of Islamic Art in Doha has one of the largest collections of Islamic art in the world. If you're in the mood for a holiday full of luxury and relaxation, the Arabian Gulf and North Africa are the places to be.
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. It also looks a lot like cruise line's private islands in the Caribbean -- minus the lush vegetation -- and that's by design. This is the private island escape for cruise passengers in the Middle East, and lies about 150 miles west of Abu Dhabi. At Sir Bani Yas Island, the definition of "mirage" rang true for me. A swath of sand rising from an azure-blue sea ringed by distant mountains, Sir Bani Yas looks like every bit the oasis in the desert. However, in defense of both cities, I found locals to be friendly and warm.
Night A Journey From Dubai To DubaiDetails
During our two-day stay in the UAE's largest city, I took an MSC-sponsored shore excursion to the imposing Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world at 829 metres, or 2,722 square feet. Its entrance is located underneath the sprawling Dubai Mall -- itself the second-largest mall in the world with over 1,200 shops, most of which are firmly in the luxury retail category. Flowy breathable maxi skirts and dresses, or lightweight trousers and shorts are ideal. Many Middle Eastern countries have more traditional dress codes and public standards for dress, and as a general rule of thumb, shoulders and knees should both be covered by your clothing, for both men and women. If you hold a full American passport, you will be granted a tourist visa free of charge upon arrival in the UAE. This will be stamped on your passport when you pass through immigration and is valid for up to 30 days.
Most meals are included in your cruise fee; indeed, some companies offer ‘all-inclusive packages’, which are great if you or your children are partial to extra drinks and ice creams throughout the day. Most ships have a variety of restaurants, and there’s plentiful entertainment too! From cabaret shows to kids’ clubs, there’s something for everyone on a Middle East cruise. Mezze are small plates popular throughout the southern Mediterranean and the Middle East, and you can find them at cafes, bars and restaurants throughout the region. Try traditional hummus made with spicy local olive oil and fresh chickpeas.
Our guides were very good, though Farouk, our guide in Abu Dhabi shone through his warm storytelling that switched effortlessly between English and German for our mixed-language motorcoach. Three women in our group had to go to a nearby store (the entrance to the mosque is through -- you guessed it -- an underground mall) and purchase more suitable garments to wear over their clothing. Of the three, one was still denied entry, despite being in the approved garb. It's little wonder the city played host to the FIFA 2022 World Cup in December 2022.
Most cruise lines also offer a special and affordable drink package for your trip. Different from an all inclusive resort, you wake up at a new port throughout your vacation rather than the same scenery. MSC does a good job of informing passengers -- mostly women -- of what sort of dress is acceptable within the mosque. Still, all female travellers in our party underwent a thorough inspection of their clothing by Emirati female employees at the entrance to the mosque. A rip-roaring journey packed with exhilirating through-the-ages adventures, the Middle East Treasures & Marvels of the Med Expedition cannot fail to set your imagination on fire. Packed with spectacular age-old landmarks and grand architecture, history comes thick and fast in the Western Med and the Adriatic.
With beaches that rival the Caribbean, Salalah’s palm-lined sands are the perfect place to pause and ponder. Or perhaps you’d prefer its Museum of the Frankincense Land, with its ancient ruins paying homage to Oman’s maritime prowess. In the Arabian Gulf, you'll find the most luxurious restaurants and the most exclusive boutiques, but there are also plenty of cheaper eateries and shopping options for smaller budgets. If you're in the mood for a vacation full of luxury and relaxation, the Arabian Gulf and North Africa are the places to be.
Seafood’s a real Adriatic superstar; don’t miss Slovenian seafood rizota (risotto) - with a glass of local white rebula wine - and Dalmatian pašticada (beef stew) and rožata custard pudding in Croatia. Discover a city sprung from the desert in Dubai, marvel at marble-domed mosques in Abu Dhabi, or sink your toes in salt-coloured sands in Salalah. In these countries, you'll glimpse the Arabian past at historical sites and eat homemade local cuisine with distinctive bites like halloumi cheese, grilled shuwa (meat marinated in oil and spices) and crisp Omani bread.
Whilst you can spend a fortune on a Dubai stay, there are plenty of budget-friendly, family hotels in the city. On Day 21, you can explore the Egyptian city of Safaga, famous for its therapeutic springs and coral reefs. Alternatively, you can take the chance to visit the archaeological wonder of the city of Luxor and the Valley of the Kings, home to the tombs of many Egyptian pharaohs, including Tutankhamun.
The next day is spent on Sir Bani Yas Island, a huge nature reserve where you can observe numerous species on the verge of extinction from the Middle East and Africa roaming freely. Upon leaving Alexandria, you return to the port of Limassol, where the cruise ends. For a better experience and to continue your booking with MSC, please update your browser by downloading the latest version below. Bordering Jordan and the East, the Dead Sea is the lowest elevation on land. Due to the sea having such a high salt concentration, you can float on its surfaces, making it a truly remarkable experience.
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