United Arab Emirates Cruises: Sailings, Embarkations & Ports of Call
13 ships from 8 cruise lines
United Arab Emirates cruises at a glance
Waterways Cruise lists 66 upcoming sailings on 13 ships from 8 cruise lines visiting United Arab Emirates, calling at 6 places. Cruises can start in Dubai and Abu Dhabi and end in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Of 66 upcoming sailings, 21 start in the United Arab Emirates and 26 end there. More Middle East cruises.
Reviewed and fact-checked by J. Richard · About this page · About us
Compare United Arab Emirates cruise lines
See every United Arab Emirates cruise line by ocean and river and by ultra-luxury, luxury, premium and contemporary style, with fares, cruise lengths, ships and ports.
About United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates is a seven-emirate federation on the Arabian Gulf that has transformed from pearling villages into a global aviation, finance, and tourism hub. For the American traveler it offers world-class museums, Bedouin heritage, desert dunes, mountain fjords on the Indian Ocean, and cruise infrastructure that is efficient but often too polished. The trade-off is real: summer heat is brutal, public life is highly curated, and human-rights concerns mean travelers should choose ethical, transparent tour operators. The best cruise experience uses the UAE as a homeport and pairs its glitzy ports with the quieter cultural depth of Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and the Gulf of Oman coast.
Typical routes
- Persian Gulf / Arabian Gulf homeport circuit: Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sir Bani Yas, with Doha, Bahrain, and Muscat as neighbouring calls.
- Indian Ocean / Arabian Sea transition: Khor Fakkan and Fujairah on the Gulf of Oman, often on repositioning voyages between the Arabian Gulf and Southeast Asia or East Africa.
Ports overview
The UAE is an ocean-cruise country, not a river-cruise country. Its natural anchorages and deep-water ports are clustered along the Arabian Gulf coast, while Khor Fakkan opens onto the Gulf of Oman. Port calls are typically 8-12 hours; Dubai and Abu Dhabi often include overnights. Shore power and modern terminals are improving, but some calls, especially Sir Bani Yas, are tendered.
Cruise season
October-April is the prime cruise season. Summer sailings exist but are hot and more port-intensive; expect indoor-heavy excursions.
Find your United Arab Emirates sailing
Upcoming sailings calling at United Arab Emirates, earliest departure first.
9 Days One-Way from Dubai to Jeddah
Starts in United Arab Emirates. Also visits Oman, Saudi Arabia
Crystal Symphony
45 Days One-Way from Dubai to Fort Lauderdale
Starts in United Arab Emirates. Also visits Oman, Saudi Arabia, Jordan
Crystal Symphony
31 Days One-Way from Dubai to Barcelona
Starts in United Arab Emirates. Also visits Oman, Saudi Arabia, Jordan
Crystal Symphony
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20 Days One-Way from Doha Qatar to Piraeus-Athens
Visits United Arab Emirates. Also visits Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia
Seven Seas Explorer
22 Days One-Way from Piraeus-Athens to Doha Qatar
Visits United Arab Emirates. Also visits Greece, Cyprus, Israel
Seven Seas Explorer
22 Days One-Way from Piraeus-Athens to Doha Qatar
Visits United Arab Emirates. Also visits Greece, Turkey, Cyprus
Oceania Marina
34 Days One-Way from Piraeus-Athens to Mumbai
Visits United Arab Emirates. Also visits Greece, Turkey, Cyprus
Oceania Marina
18 Days One-Way from Doha Qatar to Singapore
Visits United Arab Emirates. Also visits Qatar, Oman, India
Seven Seas Explorer
28 Days One-Way from Doha Qatar to Benoa
Visits United Arab Emirates. Also visits Qatar, Oman, India
Seven Seas Explorer
14 Days One-Way from Mahe Island Seychelles to Dubai
Ends in United Arab Emirates. Also visits Seychelles, Oman
ms Europa 2
10 Days Dubai, UAE Round Trip
Starts and ends in United Arab Emirates. Also visits Qatar, Bahrain, Oman
ms Europa 2
19 Days One-Way from Dubai to Singapore
Starts in United Arab Emirates. Also visits Oman, Sri Lanka, Thailand
ms Europa 2
Where United Arab Emirates cruises start and end
Embarkation ports (2)
Abu Dhabi (41) (cruises from) · Dubai (63) (cruises from)
Ships by type: 13 ocean · a ship that visits several places here is counted once; an expedition ship that also sails as an ocean ship appears under both types.
Plan your United Arab Emirates cruise
United Arab Emirates cruise port guide
Cruise ports, what to see, history and practical advice.
United Arab Emirates cruise port guide →Frequently asked questions about United Arab Emirates cruises
How many places do cruises visit in United Arab Emirates?
6 United Arab Emirates places are visited by 13 ships from 8 cruise lines.
When is the best time to take a United Arab Emirates cruise?
October-April is the prime cruise season. Summer sailings exist but are hot and more port-intensive; expect indoor-heavy excursions.
Sources and further reading
Background on United Arab Emirates draws on these references. Sailing, fare and port data come from cruise line itineraries and are refreshed regularly.
- UAE Government Portal: Visas for US citizens
- CIA World Factbook: United Arab Emirates
- Britannica: United Arab Emirates
- Visit Dubai: Port Rashid cruise terminal
- Visit Abu Dhabi: Cruise
- Abu Dhabi Government: Sir Bani Yas Island and Arabian Wildlife Park
Created by the Waterways Cruise content team and reviewed and fact-checked by J. Richard, Sr. Cruise Travel Agent and Founder of Waterways Cruise.
Published September 9, 2026 · Last updated October 15, 2026
Fares, availability and itineraries change often. Confirm current details with your cruise line or a Waterways Cruise agent before you book.
Cruise Disclosure
Good to know: Prices are quoted per person based on double occupancy and include all applicable taxes and fees. Availability and prices can change quickly, so please continue through the booking process to confirm the latest availability and pricing before you pay.
We work hard to make sure everything on this website is accurate and up to date. However, some information may be incomplete or inaccurate, including details supplied by third parties or otherwise outside our control, and we cannot be held responsible for such errors. We work with 41 cruise line operators, that are providing cruises on 585 ships visiting 1,731 ports across 7,194 unique cruises, creating 13,822 itineraries. This is a great deal of data to continually update daily from our suppliers. If a pricing error, misrepresentation, or omission occurs, we reserve the right to adjust the pricing, correct the information, or cancel or decline any booking made in error, with notice to you. Thank you for your understanding!