The Middle East may not be one’s first choice when it comes to taking a cruise. It may even seem unheard of to the average traveller; however, Middle East Cruises are coming back as a very exciting and efficient way to explore the Middle East. It provides the traveller with a more luxurious experience – being able to return to a exquisite cruise ship at the end of one’s day – yet enables them to also experience all the authentic highlights of this part of the world such as the pyramid’s of Egypt to desert safari adventures.

Planning

View of Dead Sea coastline

One of the main points to consider when planning a Middle Eastern cruise is to consult a travel agent. These are the more tricky cruises to grasp yourself around, therefore having a travel agent do some of the hard work for you will make your experience a lot easier. Also when searching USA based lines search through their world cruise itinerary options between January and April in order to find cruises in the Middle East. They are less likely to actually call these cruise excursions “Middle Eastern Cruises” so this is one’s way around it. If you’re looking into using a European cruise liner you might be able to find cruises at other times of year, however, the main cruise season in the Middle East is from late October to early April due to the extreme heat. Keep in mind that there are still very few American based cruise liners that offer cruises out in the Middle East, so one may want to consider using a European based cruise liner such as: Hanseatic, Columbus, and Hapag-Lloyd’s Europa. Of course the downside to using one of these cruise liners is that the onboard feel and atmosphere is more of a European geared lifestyle, and so the typical American traveller may feel a bit lost.

Highlights

View on artificial island Palm Jumeirah

The most popular ports of call include: Dubai, Muscat, Aqaba, Luxor, and the Suez Canal. In Dubai one will find shopping extravaganzas, and some may even consider it the Middle Eastern version of Las Vegas. Dubai also offers a great golfing experience for the avid golfer. Many cruise lines will either start or end their expeditions here. Muscat is just south of Dubai and provides amazingly scenic and beautiful beaches for swimming and class-A resorts along the water. The negative side to visiting Muscat is that is it one of the hottest places in the world, with temperatures reaching almost 115 Fahrenheit by eleven o’clock in the morning. Aqaba is a major travel destination for scuba divers and snorkelers alike as the magnificent coral reef is near by. The main reason ships port here is because of the trip to Petra, which is a magnificent and mysterious city older than two thousand years. Although it is over a two-hour drive away, it is a sightseeing experience that cannot be missed when travelling to the Middle East.

Dubai Marina District, UAE

Tips

There are a number of tips and rules to remember when travelling to the Middle East. One must keep in mind that this part of the world is drastically different from the North American customs we are familiar with. Wearing shorts and t-shirts around is not acceptable, especially for women. Consider wearing long sleeved linen tops and pants as they are the most appropriate form of dress and keep one cool at the same time. Also keep in mind that if you plan on visiting a mosque you need some sort of head covering (a pashmina works very well for this). Feel free to wear sandals, as everyone does. Also, keep in mind that the weekend starts on Thursday – so a number of places may be closed – and the main day to have off is Friday. Be aware that you may require a visa for certain countries and be careful of the books and CDs you bring along with you. Also some prescription medications such as Codeine may not be allowed into certain countries.