Duration
10 Nights
Journey Type
Sailing from United Arab Emirates
Ports
9 Ports
10 December
Setting sail from Dubai
For some Dubai, the most famous of the United Arab Emirates, is the ultimate glamorous holiday destination. Amazing high rise buildings, extensive air-conditioned shopping malls, and extraordinary man-made tourist attractions (such as indoor ski-slopes) abound. Some of the most glitzy and expensive hotels in the world can be found here, so for shopping, sunshine and fun for all the family, this is a great choice. For others, this is a cultural desert as barren as the sands which surround it. But if you search hard you will find the old souk-like centre around Dubai Creek - take a traditional dhow and you will begin to understand the magic of Arabia.
Our tip
For an amazing spectacle, go at night to the observation deck on the 124th floor of the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world.
11 December
United Arab Emirates: Fujairah
The port of Fujairah is an important transit point for the oil that has made the Emirates so rich, though the skyline is nothing like as impressive as Dubai or Abu Dhabi. Points of interest include an impressive fort and a handful of markets, but this is unlikely to be the most exciting stop on your itinerary.
12 December
Oman: Muscat
Oman’s capital is low-rise and laid back, a far cry from the towering bling of Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Take a stroll along the waterfront Corniche promenade, soak up the sun on one of the excellent beaches, or explore the mosques and forts of the atmospheric old quarter.
13 December
Oman: Khasab
Khasab is the main town on the Musandam Peninsula, a rugged region of fjords and mountains that is sometimes known as the ‘Norway of the Middle East’. Dolphins can often be spotted off the coast, along with the pretty local dhow boats, while on land you can take a jeep safari and visit the 17th century Portuguese fort.
14-15 December
United Arab Emirates: Abu Dhabi
The UAE’s gleaming capital gives Dubai a run for its money in terms of extravagant excess, an ever-multiplying forest of skyscrapers looming over the golden sand and brilliant blue waters of the Gulf. Don’t miss the shining white Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, one of the world’s biggest.
16 December
United Arab Emirates: Sir Bani Yas Island
The majority of Sir Bani Yas Island is given over to the Arabian Wildlife Park, established in 1971 by founder of the UAE and animal lover Sheikh Zayed. The park is home to a mixture of indigenous and introduced species, including Arabian oryx, sand gazelles, giraffes, hyenas and cheetahs.
17 December
Bahrain: Manama
Manama is the capital of Bahrain, a nation spread across an archipelago of 33 islands in the Persian Gulf. The city was an important centre for the pearl trade in the early 20th century, though in recent years it’s the oil industry that has powered the economy, embodied by the shimmering array of skyscrapers and shopping malls.
18-19 December
Qatar: Doha
Qatar's capital is a city on the up, with vast sums of money being poured into construction projects for the 2022 World Cup and cultural venues such as the spectacular Museum of Islamic Art. There are also plenty of more traditional attractions, such as the atmospheric souks and the lovely waterfront Corniche promenade.
20 December
Arriving in Dubai
Don't miss
The historic Persian trading centre, the Bastakia Quarter, was a marketplace for pearls and textiles. Even then, this was the home of ‘tax-free', and the area is characterised by Arabian architecture, wind towers, and narrow lanes.
Your home from home
Small enough to operate fascinating port-intensive itineraries, but with the space for dining options, comfortable accommodation and more, sister ships Insignia, Nautica, Regatta and Sirena are for many the perfect size.
What we love
These four boutique style sister ships carry just 684 guests apiece, with a comfortable, relaxed country house style and plenty of intimate corners. We love the alternative restaurants - Oceania is rightly renowned for great food - and the pretty little library up on deck 10.
Capacity | 684 Guests |
---|---|
Crew | 400 International Staff |
Style | On Oceania it's all about the time spent ashore, so back on board it's relaxed and unpretentious, with no dressing up. Open seating throughout creates an atmosphere which is friendly and sociable. |
Inclusions |
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Tailor-make your trip
Our favourite hotel in Dubai
So many to choose from! Our current Mundy preference is Al Qasr at the Madinat Jumeirah.
Private tours from Dubai
Head out into the desert for the lush valley of Wadi Hatta and Hatta Village, then travel by four wheel drive across the dunes.