Nothing beats hitting the high seas, but imagine getting to do so on a massive cruise ship with fine dining, lavish spas, and endless entertainment. To experience every vacationer’s dream, we put together a collection of cruises departing from Arab countries across the region:
The Dubai, Abu Dhabi & Qatar Trip – MSC Cruise
Every year, from December to April, the Swiss-Italian global cruise line MSC Cruises hits the waters on exciting journeys across the globe. One of their many trips starts in Dubai and then travels to Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, and Qatar.
You can experience this 8-day cruise starting from November 2024. You’ll get to sail the sea onboard their MSC Euribia, one of the biggest ships of the MSC Cruise line.
Onboard, you can enjoy any of their 10 dining experiences, attend their nightly entertainment made up of an international troupe of singers, dancers, acrobats, and artists, or test out your Formula 1 skills on their VR simulator.
The Ancient Culture Of Jordan & Saudi Arabia – Aroya Cruise
Saudi Arabia is working hard to become the ultimate tourism hub, and that is why it had to jump on the cruise travel bandwagon by launching its very own cruise line, Aroya. From three-night escapades to one-week travels, they launched a collection of special cruises across the region.
To experience this cruise line, we recommend their “Ancient Cultures From The Depth Of The Sea” trip, which is all about exploring the historical sites of Saudi’s Jeddah and Jordan’s Aqaba and Petra. This trip will begin in Saudi Arabia, head to Jordan, and end once again in Saudi Arabia.
Desert Days With Doha – Celestyal Cruises
So far, we have introduced cruises that kick off their trips from the UAE and Saudi Arabia, but what about other Arab countries? If you are staying in Qatar, you can experience the ultimate cruise aboard Celestyal Cruises, the Greek Cruise Line founded by the Louis Group.
The special cruise line offers a journey through the Arabian Gulf, where you’ll get to set sail on a 7-night Desert Days cruise that begins in the vibrant city of Doha.
On the way, you’ll hit up the archipelago of Bahrain, followed by Oman, and then the modern metropolis that is Dubai. Some of the activities you’ll get to do include exploring the forts and fjords of Oman’s Khasab, as well as a safari at the UAE’s Sir Bani Yas Island.
Oriental Wonder & Civilizations With Muscat – Pontant Cruise
If you are the kind of traveler who’s got a lot of time on their hands, why go for a four or seven day cruise when you can push it for even longer? The French-Flag cruise line known as Pontant boasts some of the longest cruises.
For the ultimate 11-day cruise, hit the seas with the Oriental Wonder & Civilizations trip. Abroad Pontant’s La Bougainville ship, you will begin your journey in Oman’s Muscat, then visit Sur, the Daymaniyat Islands, Khasab, Abu Dhabi, Manama, Dammam, and Dubai.
The Secrets of the Red Sea With Jordan – Emerald Cruises
Beyond the Gulf countries, you can travel on a cruise ship from Levantine countries as well. At Jordan, many cruises depart, but if we had to pick one, we’d recommend “The Secrets Of The Red Sea” trip. An entire 11 days aboard Emerald Cruise’s Azzura ship, a Swiss cruise line that excels in luxury.
During the trip, you get to experience a captivating journey through Jordan, Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Along the way, you’ll get to bask in the beauty of Sharm El Sheikh, marvel at Safaga’s unique black sand dunes, and explore the pearl of the Red Sea, known as the city of Duba in Saudi Arabia.
If you want to experience extravagant cruise life, pick any of these cruises and start booking in advance, as most trips begin in November.