8 Night Treasures of the Arabian Gulf Cruise from Dubai

Ship: Le Bougainville

Cruise Line: Ponant Cruises

Sailed: Wednesday, Dec 21, 2022 from Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Ended: Thursday, Dec 29, 2022

The itinerary information below reflects the original day-by-day port of call schedule for the Wednesday, Dec 21, 2022 departure of the Le Bougainville. If Ponant Cruises modified this itinerary for weather or operational reasons after departing , the modified schedule would not be reflected here.

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Itinerary

Day by Day Summary and Map

Day 1 - Wednesday - Dec 21, 2022

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Vertiginous, excessive, immoderate... Dubai, the largest city in the United Arab Emirates, stands out for its architectural follies, being home to the world's tallest skyscraper, the Burj Khalifa, with a total height of 828 metres, almost three times that of the Eiffel Tower. The city is also famous for the gigantic scale of the Palm Islands, artificial islands in the form of a palm tree. You can explore more traditional districts not far away, with visits to the souks of Deira or the Gold Souk. Or perhaps you would prefer to discover Dubai Museum: located in an 18th-century fort, it tells the city's history from Antiquity to the present day.

Day 2 - Thursday - Dec 22, 2022

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Depart: 8:00 pm

Day 3 - Friday - Dec 23, 2022

Sir Bani Yas, United Arab Emirates

You'll make a port of call on the island of Sir Bani Yas, a real naturalist dream that has been dedicated to the conservation of endangered animal species since 1971. This enchanting former reserve of the Emir of Abu Dhabi is planted with more than two million trees. Nominated "The World's Leading Sustainable Tourist Destination", it has one the largest populations of Arabian oryxes. The ruins of one of the oldest Christian monasteries of the pre-Islamic era, dating back to 600 AD, are visible there.

Day 4 - Saturday - Dec 24, 2022

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

The political capital of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi stands out thanks to its exceptional cultural offering. In the Saadiyat Island district, the Louvre Abu Dhabi, designed by Jean Nouvel as a museum town inspired by traditional Arab architecture, creates a dialogue between objects and works from civilisations from all over the world around the great universal questions. A little further, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque boasts a sumptuous decor of marble, gold, and glass. Abu Dhabi is also the gateway to the Al Ain oasis and its 150,000 date palms, a remarkable testimony to the settling of nomads in the region since Neolithic times, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Day 5 - Sunday - Dec 25, 2022

Doha, Qatar

On the banks of the Persian Gulf, discover Doha, the capital of Qatar. Rising out of the desert, the city has managed to maintain its traditions in spite of a frantic race for modernity. The cliff bordering Doha Bay has magnificent views over the city centre's enormous constructions. The silhouette of the Museum of Islamic Art rises up near the quays, where the region's typical sailboats, known as dhows, are docked. This "fortress", designed by Ming Pei, the architect of the Louvre pyramid, is home to the finest collections of Islamic art in the world. Not far, the lively district of Souq Waqif and its colourful stalls are also an unmissable visit.

Day 6 - Monday - Dec 26, 2022

At Sea

During your day at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness center. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This day without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the Ponant photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they will be able to visit the ship's upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest, and entertainment.

Day 7 - Tuesday - Dec 27, 2022

Khasab, Oman

Located in the country's north, on the Musandam Peninsula, Khasab is a city in the Sultanate of Oman. In the Strait of Hormuz, which connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman, this small port built by the Portuguese in the 16th century and surrounded by a chain of rocky mountains was established at the mouth of Wadi Khasab. You will love its authentic scenery and particularly its fjords, which cut through the landscapes in a spectacular fashion and have earned it the moniker "Norway of Arabia". In the city, Khasab Castle and its atypical architecture are well worth a visit to discover the history and culture of Oman.

Day 8 - Wednesday - Dec 28, 2022

Al Fujairah, United Arab Emirates

The easternmost of the United Arab Emirates unfolds onto the Gulf of Oman. Unique to the region, the geography of Fujairah is composed of lush mountains and fertile plains, as well as the vast deserts that the Emirate shares with its neighbors. It is the majestic massif of the Al Hajar Mountains that brought rain to the territory, creating the oases that were vital to the development of agriculture. Fujairah also offers travellers the possibility of visiting its historic treasures such as its castle, an old fort dating back to the 16th century, or the Al Bidya Mosque, one of the oldest in the United Arab Emirates, which was built in 1446.

Day 9 - Thursday - Dec 29, 2022

Muscat, Oman

Unlike neighbouring metropolises, the capital of the Sultanate of Oman has chosen to ban towers and skyscrapers and to cultivate the peninsula's traditional and refined architectural style: low houses, domes, moucharaby windows, and wooden balconies. This authenticity adds to the charm of this small, formerly maritime city, protected by mountains and the forts constructed by the Portuguese in the 16th century. There is no doubt that you will fall under the charm of the treasures of Omani craftsmanship: the souk in the old district of Mutrah is a perfect example of this, as is the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque.