Cruises in the Middle East : Discover new landscapes
All trips allow you to escape and discover different places, cultures and atmospheres; however, there are as many kinds of trips as there are tourists.
To combine change of scenery, tranquility, charm and luxury, we advise you to embark on the most beautiful liners, sailboats or ships of the world, and to go to criss-cross the seas.
For a maximum of discoveries, opt for a cruise in the Middle East. It will be an opportunity to be confronted with an incredible diversity of horizons, cultures, ways of life and different foods.
Why and when to choose a Middle East cruise?
It is a destination that combines history, discovery of little-known cultures, water sports, shopping and magnificent landscapes, all for prices that are sometimes lower than those of trips to the Caribbean or South America.
To take advantage of the periods when the temperatures are most pleasant, it is better to book your stay between autumn and late spring, rather than in the summer when the heat is stifling.
Choosing your itinerary and for what budget
It is always possible to embark to the Middle East from Nice, Marseille or Venice. In this case, the journey will be longer and will take you through the Greek islands. Athens is also a possible starting point for your journey.
Cruises in the emirates often start at Port Rashid in Dubai.
The price of a Middle East cruise depends on many parameters. For one or two stopovers, it can start at €700; but if you opt for a longer duration and an all-inclusive package including round-trip flights, all meals, various excursions and a prestige cabin, the price can climb to €2,400; of course, whatever the price of the stay, everyone will get their fill of escape and unforgettable memories.
We advise you to choose stays of at least 8 days. Indeed, this is the minimum length of time to enjoy the visits, rest and take part in the activities of the ship, which often offers games for children, bars open 24 hours a day, souvenir stores, and different shows every night.
What are the best destinations in the Middle East?
The choice of countries to visit in this region of the world is vast, and it is better to opt for targeted or thematic cruises than to embark on a too long tour.
- United Arab Emirates: To combine ancient and modern around the Arab-Muslim culture, seven emirates await you: Abu Dhabi (the capital), Ajman, Sharjah, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras el Khaimah and Umm al Qaiwain.
- Dubai: The port of embarkation of many cruises in the Persian Gulf, it is one of its most emblematic cities. Everything is excessive and modern, like the highest building in the world, the famous Burj Khalifa tower, or its luxury hotels like the Burj Al Arab or the Atlantis.
- Abu Dhabi: Quieter than its neighbor, Abu Dhabi is home to hundreds of islands with lush green gardens that are pleasant in the heat. Highlights include Yas Island, home to the Ferrari World Abu Dhabi theme park, and the Sheikh Zayed Mosque, one of the largest and most beautiful mosques in the world, famous for its more than 80 white domes.
- Qatar: This is where the next World Cup will be held in December 2022. For your stopover, go to Doha to its Souq Waqif, a real firework of colors.
- Kingdom of Bahrain: This island located between two seas will allow you to discover its capital, Manama. One of the other excursions proposed by your shipping company will undoubtedly be the very well renovated fort of Qal’at al Bahrain.
- Oman: It is at the Sultan Qaboo port that you will stop. It is a more authentic emirate than its neighbors; driving around its main city Muscat is a delight. Various excursions into the nearby desert are easily accessible, for example to the Nizwa Oasis or Wadi Bani Khalid. In Khasab, you will be struck by the unchanged atmosphere of its city center, which has remained unchanged for centuries.
- Jordan: The obligatory excursion from Aman will take you to the thousand-year-old and bewitching city of Petra..
- Turkey: It is an obligatory stopover during a stay in the Middle East. The place of departure is often Istanbul, which offers an incredible range of excursions, from the Blue Mosque to the Grand Bazaar.
- Israel: This state is often offered in combination with itineraries serving the Greek islands. The stopovers will take you to Tel Aviv or Haifa. From there, you will not be far from Jerusalem, the holy city of the 3 religions.
- Egypt : With its legendary past from the era of the pharaohs and the pyramids, the country is worth a cruise on its own, especially along the Nile.
Be careful though: the boats that travel on this river do not pass through Alexandria or Cairo.
Now it’s up to you to make your choice. Don’t forget that a cruise offers the advantage of being able to visit a maximum of territories, without having to worry about transportation, the choice of a restaurant or even finding occupations for the children, without forgetting the comfort of not having to pack and unpack your suitcase for the entire duration of the tour, and all of this while waking up in a new place every morning.
