Table Of Content
For the company’s Red Sea sailings, MSC Orchestra will now visit the beautiful city of Sharm El-Sheikh in Egypt. This new port of call ought to further enhance the cruise line’s Red Sea routes, offering guests access to the pristine beaches of Sharm El-Sheikh. In addition to the 24-day option above, guests can choose to embark on their cruise in New York. The first eight days are spent at sea before arriving in Southampton, UK, on Day 9 (there is a 22-day option for guests joining the cruise at Southampton). For those wishing to travel further afield and delve deeper into Jordan’s history, a trip to the ancient city of Petra, the rose-red city half as old as time, is an unmissable option.
Discover the Wonders of the Red Sea (12 destinations)
After leaving Israel, you will then cruise to Egypt and the harbour of Ain Sokhna. From here, you can take a tour to Egypt’s capital, Cairo, and visit the amazing Pyramids of Giza and the imposing Sphinx. This cruise starts in Cyprus and stops first at Haifa in Israel. In Haifa, you can visit the Bah’ai Gardens and the Shrine of Bab before sailing to Ashdod, the port of Jerusalem.
Royal Caribbean Confirms It's 'Reviewing Alternative' Routes for 9-Month Cruise Due to Middle East Unrest - PEOPLE
Royal Caribbean Confirms It's 'Reviewing Alternative' Routes for 9-Month Cruise Due to Middle East Unrest.
Posted: Fri, 09 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Kas to Olympos 3 day/2 night cruise
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. A full range of German-speaking tours is available at each port.
Spice Route fr. Dubai & 8Nt India's Tigers & Golden Triangle
At the end of the day, this is a region of the world that is endlessly fascinating. Many places, like Dubai and Abu Dhabi, were poor villages of little renown until oil was discovered in the 1970's. Now, the exist as major metropolises and local capitals of culture. On shore, the usual watersports activities are offered, as well as a wildlife tour (the island borders a protected wildlife reserve).
It is not only the rich history that makes Middle East cruises so appealing though, with the attractive weather and alluring explorations making for a trip of a lifetime. As part of its Middle East efforts, the company will introduce new ports of call for two of its three sailing itineraries and offer 80,000 return air seats in total through its ‘Fly&Cruise’ program. This program aims to provide international guests with convenient and seamless travel options, combining flights with their cruise experiences. Celestyal Cruiselines offers a number of short breaks to Egypt and Israel departing from the port of Limassol in Cyprus. These are relatively low-cost, all-inclusive cruises on board older cruise ships but offer a great way to dip your toe into the Middle East. Upon leaving Dubai, you sail first to the Sultanate of Oman and visit the exotic port of Salalah.
Night 13n Africa, Canary Islands, Uk, GreeceDetails
Indulge in the most unforgettable culinary experiences, go shopping in the souks for exclusive items, relax on the perfect beaches and try out the most calming spa treatments. A Middle East cruise is the best way to see this fantastic array of destinations. Discover the treasures of the Pyramids and ancient cities, haggle in a market, visit iconic mosques and take a camel ride through the desert to live your very own Arabian Nights adventure. Cruise Critic is not a booking agent and does not charge any service fees to users of our site. When you book with one of our partners, please be sure to check their site for a full disclosure of all applicable fees.
Cruising the Middle East can be the ideal way of getting a taster of what’s on offer and seeing the cultural sites whilst not needing the hassle of packing and unpacking every few days. Should any of the cruise stops really take your fancy, you can always return for a longer trip in the future. Whilst some trips and tours are provided free of charge on most cruises. You will need to book and pay for some more specialist day trips and activities. Some cruise line companies will provide packed lunches for guests that choose certain on-shore trip options, but you should budget for drinks and snacks on shore, just in case. Another great cruising option in the Middle East is to sail between Aswan and Luxor on the Nile.
Featured Middle East cruises from Dubai
You benefit from having the same high-quality cabin throughout your trip without the need to pack and unpack constantly. You also have the opportunity to make friends with fellow guests, making a Middle East Cruise perfect for families, sociable couples and solo travellers alike. 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. You'll be surprised by a visit to Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Bahrain. The Arabian Gulf, which is located in Asia, experienced a fast evolution after the discovery of oil.
Carnival reroutes cruises as Red Sea tensions rise - CNBC
Carnival reroutes cruises as Red Sea tensions rise.
Posted: Tue, 30 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
What Is Cruising the Middle East Like In 2023?
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. Rates are in USD and valid for US and Canadian residents only. When you book with one of our partners, please be sure to check their site for a full disclosure of all applicable fees as required by the U.S. The Middle East is hot, so lightweight, breathable clothing and sun protection are essential.
This stunning area of unspoilt desert is famous for its rock formations, unlike elsewhere in the middle east. On Day 10, you will return to Dubai and have time to explore the city or simply relax by the pool before your flight home. Doha, the capital of Qatar, is the last port of call before returning to Dubai. Perhaps book a city tour, taking in this vibrant and futuristic city’s sights, sounds and souks.
There, a single worker processed the visas on arrival, with each individual one taking about 15 to 20 minutes. The line started getting antsy as time dragged on; I stood there for over an hour and a half waiting for officials to process the six people in front of me, while another hundred or so guests stood behind me. The ship's shore excursion team rushed around trying to pull people out of line and move them to the front while shouting into walkie-talkies to hold the motorcoaches from leaving. 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. Doha, Qatar -- where I embarked MSC World Europa -- falls into this category, too.
However, the UAE has become increasingly more hostile for LGBTQ travelers than it has in the past, according to a report from Germany's Deutsche Welle. As with most places in the Middle East, safety for one is not always safety for all. In Abu Dhabi, I took advantage of MSC's tour of the respondent Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, about 30 minutes' drive from the cruise terminal. The largest mosque in the UAE, it took 13 years to construct and can old over 41,000 worshippers at once. Its namesake, the respected Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan -- the man is credited with the creation of the United Arab Emirates -- was even buried in the courtyard after his 2004 death.
Just like Drunk Uncle Frank at your family Thanksgiving festivities, the actions of one can unfairly ruin the reputation of the whole. Marvel at the spectacular facades of this UNESCO World Heritage-listed site where striking carvings etched into the red sandstone have stood the test of time. Although the climate is warm, temperatures can often drop in the evening, so it’s a good idea to pack a pashmina, shawl, or light jacket for nighttime strolls on deck.
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. 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. 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.
The Middle East is a large geopolitical region which includes the Arabian Peninsula and Bahrain, Iran, Turkey, Egypt, the Levant, Iraq, and the Socotra Archipelago. This region attracts cruise ships throughout the year with multiple cruise lines. Keep reading this information to get a comprehensive idea of cruise ships to the Middle East. The information contained within this article was correct at the time of writing October 2022.
No comments:
Post a Comment