Middle East Cruises

Middle East Cruises

Packed with ancient history and culture, and mesmerizing sand desert landscapes, pyramids, beaches, and architectural marvels, a Middle East cruise transports you to unique destinations across this exotic part of the world as it travels through the Suez Canal, the Arabian Gulf and the Red Sea and often includes ports outside of the Middle East into Asia and the Mediterranean.

Middle East Cruise Highlights

A Middle East cruise is suitable for almost every type of traveler, pleasing the appetite for adventure of history buffs, thrill seekers and wildlife enthusiasts. In Abu Dhabi, stand in awe looking upon old architecture like Qasr al-Hosn ("White Fort") or ski across the powdery desert sand dunes of Liwa Oasis. If that's not enough adventure for you, hop aboard Formula Rossa, reaching speeds of 149 miles per hour!

And if that's too intimidating, there's plenty of exploring to be done on foot in the modern city of Dubai as you walk through the massive malls, spice markets, and along the sparkling beach.

In Egypt, revel in the region's rich culture as you observe the ancient pyramids or visit the Egyption Museum of Antiquities, or dive into the water and snorkel in the Red Sea.

Just keep in mind the customs of the regions your cruise is traveling to as you pack; in certain areas, you may need to dress more conservatively.

Popular Middle East Cruise Ports

Most Middle East cruises travel to the UAE, including the ports of Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sir Bani Yas. You may find other Middle East countries on a Middle East cruise itinerary though, with the most popular ports being in Oman, Bahrain, and Qatar.

• Dubai: Not only is Dubai's temperature hot, but so is its city life! Sitting among both the Arabian desert and the beach, Dubai offers stunning views of both natural and architectural beauties. Stay within the city as you shop at the malls and Gold and Spice Souks after snapping a breathtaking picture at the top of the 2,722 foot Burj Khalifa or gasp in excitement as you ski indoors or go bungee jumping. If you prefer to soak up the sun and sand, there's still plenty to do as you venture out of the city and into the desert on a safari adventure or lie down and relax on Jumeirah Beach.
• Abu Dhabi: Sunny Abu Dhabi isn't just deserts, beaches, and speedy rides. Although, it is pretty famous for cars, holding the final Formula 1 race each year and hosting an amusement park, Ferrari World, where you can find its record-breaking roller coaster. This UAE capital is also where the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is located, a major attraction for tourists as it is one of the two mosques in UAE that allows entry of non-Muslims (the other mosque is in Dubai), as well as the relaxing Al-Ain Oasis within the history-rich city of Al Ain.
• Sir Bani Yas: Not far off the coast of Abu Dhabi is the island of Sir Bani Yas, the place to go for nature and animal lovers. This Arabian nature reserve, formed as an island around 600 million years ago and established as a wildlife sanctuary in 1977 as a part of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan's "Greening of the Desert" program, gives you the chance to see and learn about a variety of over 13,000 indigenous and endangered animals roaming the island, including the Arabian oryx, sand and mountain gazelles, deer, mountain sheep, giraffes, cheetahs, striped hyenas, desert lynx, Ethiopian hedgehogs, and even more. To find a variety of bird species, get back into the water as you climb into a kayak in the island's mangrove lagoon. And let's not forget about aquatic animals like sea turtles and dugongs (sea cows).
• Muscat: Outside of the UAE in the capital city of Oman, you'll find a stunning tall mountain landscape amongst the desert, contrasted by short white buildings, allowing for an excellent view wherever you are in the city. Take a peaceful stroll along the Mutrah Corniche, visit the Sultan's Palace, or learn more about the area's culture, all the way back to the first settlements in the Oman Peninsula at the National Museum.

When is the Best Time to Go to the Middle East?

There are Middle East cruises year-round, but due to the frequent scorching hot temperatures in the summer (we're talking over 100 degrees Fahrenheit), you'll have the largest selection of cruises to choose from during the fall to early spring seasons (October-March). While some areas of the Middle East (those on the Mediterranean coast and the northern countries of the region) can get fairly cold during the wintertime, other destinations in the region experience more pleasant temperatures during the day (closer to 70 degrees). Keep in mind that the temperature and weather all depends on where your cruise is headed to, so make sure to research the area ahead of time to know what to prepare for.

You should also look up ahead of time when Ramadan is, as the month slightly varies per year based on when the ninth month of the Islamic calendar falls. While you can still cruise to the area during Ramadan, it's important to avoid publicly eating, drinking and smoking. During this time of year, fasting from dawn until dusk is required of Muslims and even though you are in the area as a tourist, it is considered an offense if you do not publicly observe Ramadan as well (in some areas, failing to observe is considered a crime). You are still welcome to eat and drink on the cruise ship and in certain discreet restaurants; just avoid doing so in public where it is forbidden.

What Cruise Lines Go to the Middle East?

While many cruise lines travel to the Middle East, most commonly travelling to the popular ports of Abu Dhabi and Dubai, these three give you the most options throughout the year:

• Azamara: If you're looking for a longer Middle East cruise, from 10 to 24 nights, Azamara offers intensive voyages so you can spend more time exploring areas in Egypt, Israel, the UAE, and more. With a diverse selection of cruises to choose from, Azamara Cruises also includes ports outside of the Middle East in Athens, India, Rome, and more.
• MSC Cruises: Making stops in most, if not all, of the popular Middle East cruise ports, the sophisticated, Italian cruise line, MSC Cruises gives you the chance to see it all, from endangered species on Sir Bani Yas island to futuristic skyscrapers throughout the cities of Abu Dhabi and Dubai to the picturesque mountains and corniche of Muscat.
• Costa Cruises: Another Italian cruise line, Costa is ready to take you on an adventure anywhere from one week exploring the Middle East in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Muscat and Doha, to close to a month travelling from Spain to France, cruising through Egypt and making stops in Israel, Jordan, Oman and more.