Delights of Dubai

Wow, is really the only word I can use to sum up the Delights of Dubai… I am just back from an absolutely amazing “educational” visit to this amazing city arranged by MSC Cruises and co-hosted by Rotana (Hotel group); Emirates Airways & Arabian Adventures (Ground Handler – section of Emirates).. A city that I had never previously visited but one that I would be more than happy to return to..

My trip was very much based on experiencing Dubai as a destination – here at Cruise.co.uk we do arrange many tailor-made itineraries for our customers to include land based stays either before or after a Cruise and with MSC set to be the main cruise line for this area they wanted to show us what it is all about.  My trip did also include spending a full day on board the MSC Fantasia and experiencing the facilities of this beautiful ship.

With the added benefit of Business class seats on the outbound flight, I was able to benefit from the Business class Lounge facility of Emirates at Heathrow for a relaxing breakfast along with a glass (or 2) of Veuve Cliquot champagne prior to our direct boarding from the lounge on to the top deck of the A380.  The aircraft was amazing and even had a stand up bar area at the rear of the plane to chat over a drink with your fellow passengers.  A great start to the trip and lovely way to get to know the rest of the group I was travelling with.

My itinerary consisted of 2 different hotels – 2 nights in each – both of the aforementioned Rotana Group.  The first 2 nights were at the Media Rotana – a large business style City hotel, and the 2nd was the Amwaj Rotana a more leisure based hotel situated on Jumeirah Beach.

Friday – My first full day in Dubai started with a morning tour of the hotel, breakfast and then a couple of hours to relax and enjoy the hotels facilities before embarking on a Sundowner Dinner Desert Safari excursion.  This excursion can be arranged in conjunction with just a cruise or with an added Dubai stay, it operates twice a day on most days with a morning option and the sunset option collections are available from most hotels or from the cruise terminal.  A couple of stops are made en-route to the Bedouin camp – firstly for a falcon display show and then secondly on our trip the opportunity to watch the sunset… on reaching the camp there is a fantastic 3 course buffet dinner course buffet dinner – including a Belly dance show, the opportunity to ride a camel, and Sand Boarding (which is definitely not easy !!)

At the Desert stop prior to Falcon show & the Beautiful sunset in the dunes..

Saturday – saw us spending a full day on board the MSC Fantasia whilst she was docked in Dubai port.

Following a ship tour, viewing of a balcony cabin and a presentation from MSC, I was lucky enough to experience a few relaxing hours on their Top 18 Sun Deck – this is included for passengers booking the Aurea experience with MSC – or available at an additional charge for other guests.  The area is for adults only and had some lovely comfortable loungers & wicker cabanas along with towel & drinks services and own pool area.

Balcony Cabin & Top 18 Sun Deck

I enjoyed the buffet lunch selection served in the La Cantina Toscana, this provided a vast selection of hot and cold dishes, including authenic italian pizzas. I also got to access the MSC Yacht Club – a ship within a ship concept unique to MSC.. This gives you an exclusive area of the ship with cabins, own lounge and pool areas but also access to the larger entertainment programme throughout the rest of the ship.

Yacht cluub afternoon tea…

Pre-dinner Prosecco was enjoyed in the Il Transatlantico Bar, Dinner followed in the Main dining room with selections made from a multiple course menu offering very good choice. Finishing the evening with drinks in the brightly coloured Manhattan bar prior to disembarking and returning to hotel.

I will do a further full report on my day on board the ship in the new year…  or else this will run for pages… if you want any further details on the ship before then please do let me know.

Sunday – a Morning Dubai city tour helped me to gain my bearings of the city today as it is so vast it is hard to decide where would be the best area to stay – each offers it’s own appeal and the public transportation system is fantastic offering trams, metro and reasonable priced taxis.  Our tour included a visit to Bastakiya quarter and an Abra boat trip on the creek to the Spice & Gold Soukhs.

Bastakiya Quarter & Boat trip on the Creek

Lunch and hotel inspection of the Atlantis on the Palm Jumeirah followed and a lazy afternoon spent in the Aquaventure water park – although what I thought was going was to be a lovely Lazy River ride, turned out to be the Rapids !!..

My initial view of what I thought was the lazy river… turned out to be the Raging Rapids !!

Our evening was spent at another delightful hotel The Palace @ The Address, in Downtown Dubai.  This hotel was situated close to the Dubai Mall and also overlooked the Lake at the Burj Khalifa (Dubai’s tallest tower) where we were lucky enough to enjoy the fountain and light show.  Watch here my Fountain Video

Just one of the many colour effects on the Burj Khalifa.

Monday – A lazy morning before our return flight home gave me the opportunity to explore Jumeirah Beach, this is a stunning beach and is kept absolutely immaculate.  there are many lounger and cabana areas, and a large selection of beachfront bars, cafe and restaurants commanding great views from the beach to the Palm.

One of the beachfront bar areas at Jumeirah Beach

I have many more pictures and videos, so if this is an area that you would like to visit, then please do not hesitate to contact me for any further information.. or please share with me your experiences of this amazing city.

Now off to pack for my next trip for our conference to Dublin…