Cruising the Arabian Peninsula

I’ve at all times wished to discover Arabia. Magic carpets, genies in bottles, magical kingdoms and desert crossings on camel’s again. Idyllic as it might sound, that is the historical Arabia you could nonetheless discover immediately in the event you’re keen to seek out it.

However to begin with, some quick details to set the scene. Arabia (or extra tamely referred to as the Arabian Peninsula) consists of the following nations: Oman, Yemen, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait and a few components of Southern Iran and Jordan.

In fact this would possibly immediately trigger some concern for travellers, given the ongoing outbreaks of civil conflict and unrest in some components of the Center East, of which the Arabian Peninsula is part of. However concern not! I used to be on a really secure journey via Arabia as I cruised from port to port on the 7 evening Arabian Peninsula Cruise with MSC Cruises. In addition to, its vital to notice that when a area is present process intervals of unrest, it doesn’t imply the complete area is unsafe to journey to. Furthermore, a specific nation could also be pitched in the media as ‘unsafe to journey to’, nonetheless it’s nonetheless vital to notice that the unrest in any given nation is more likely to be contained to particular areas, not the nation as a complete.

Politics apart, this could be my first ever cruise (of which I’ll write one other weblog publish on very quickly), an expertise in and of itself. As a solo feminine traveller who, regardless of some outbreaks in neighbouring Yemen at the time of journey, REALLY wished to journey to this a part of the world, this was undoubtedly the most secure and most snug method to see and expertise these nations. There are additionally very robust cultural variations between what I do know in the Western world and what’s acceptable and even lawful in the Islamic world, in order a solo (and notably solo feminine) traveller, becoming a member of a pre-arranged group tour or cruise is by far the greatest method to have peace of thoughts when travelling to this a part of the world.

The Itinerary

Dubai – Abu Dhabi – Khor Al Fakkan – Muscat – Khasab

Dubai, UAE

The cruise departed from Dubai, certainly one of the world’s quickest rising cities that has actually popped up out of nowhere on the Arabian Peninsula. Ask any traveller who has been to Dubai of their travels some years in the past and returned in the current day – this metropolis is consistently altering at a speedy tempo. I had already visited Dubai a couple of occasions previous to this journey, so I as a substitute selected to reach on the day of departure – a couple of hours earlier than boarding time so as to get snug on the ship earlier than departure. As soon as checked in to my 10th deck balcony suite, I wasted no time in testing the panoramic informal eating on deck 13 – also called the open-20-hours-a-day buffet. A.okay.a the place you’d discover me all through the journey if I wasn’t on shore exploring.

Abu Dhabi, UAE

On day 2 we arrived in Abu Dhabi, a metropolis I had solely been in a position to discover as soon as earlier than two years prior. We arrived in the early hours of the morning and I wasted no time hopping in a taxi and heading straight for the Grand Mosque. On my earlier go to I used to be unable to enter the Mosque as I used to be in Abu Dhabi throughout Ramadan – the ninth month of the Islamic Calendar, which Muslims worldwide observe as the month fasting. The images inform greater than phrases ever may, so I’ll go away it as much as you to resolve whether or not you’ll place this in your bucket record – although I’d extremely suggest you do! It’s by far certainly one of the most spectacular spiritual websites I’ve had the pleasure of visiting. Be suggested that strict costume codes apply, nonetheless in case you are not coated appropriately (notably girls must cowl the head, wrists and ankles), then there may be the various possibility to rent an abaya freed from cost. After the Mosque I spent the afternoon at the Emirates Palace indulging in excessive tea as certainly one of the prearranged onshore excursions with the cruise line.

Khor Al Fakkan, Sharjah, UAE

I had one factor in thoughts once I arrived in Khor Al Fakkan: dune bashing. As an iconic desert expertise you could solely take pleasure in in a couple of locations round the world, I knew this exercise must be on my Arabia bucket record. The day was fairly straight ahead: drive to the desert, drive round the dunes, cease for some images, return to the ship later that afternoon. Evidently it was numerous enjoyable!

Muscat, Oman

The capital metropolis of Oman, Muscat, has for a very long time been on my journey radar — and I’m glad to say it didn’t disappoint! With simply sooner or later to discover the metropolis, I once more selected to hit the floor operating and embark on an eight hour metropolis tour that will additionally enterprise into the desert to see the Nahkal Fort, a third Century pre-Islamic Fort that sits 60 metres above floor. Spectacular.

Khasab, Oman

The ultimate port we docked in was the coastal city of Khasab. As a result of I knew I’d most likely solely go to this city as soon as in my life, I shook off the tiredness from the jampacked itinerary I had skilled to date and jumped in a 4×Four sure for beautiful views of the fjords and Oman mountains. Higher referred to as the “Norway of Arabia”, this location fully took me without warning and I’d go as far as to say it’s certainly one of the greatest views I’ve ever skilled in all my travels. One for the bucket record!

Dubai

At the finish of the cruise I had one additional day to take pleasure in Dubai. I selected to spend this doing certainly one of my favorite issues: consuming Arabic pastries. In the night I loved a ‘Dinner in the Dunes’ evening journey and was fortunate sufficient to get caught up in a sandstorm (I say fortunate as a result of in spite of everything its all part of the expertise!!!).

The value for this 7 evening cruise is from $649 pp, twin share. Single dietary supplements apply.

I used to be extraordinarily lucky to expertise this 7 evening cruise with MSC Cruises as a visitor in celebration of the MSC Orchestra maiden voyage to Australia. My opinion is as at all times my very own.