14 nights · Port Rashid-Dubai Harbour, UAE · Departs Dubai (UAE) · Visiting Dammam, Doha Qatar, Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah, Sur City, Muscat, Khor Fakkan, Khasab · Aboard MSC Explora Journeys on the MSC Explora 1
Image courtesy of MSC Explora Journeys ©
| Cruise line | MSC Explora Journeys |
|---|---|
| Ship | MSC Explora 1 |
| Duration | 14 nights |
| Port calls | 9 |
| Departures | 1 sailings |
| From fare | $11,100 per person |
| Year built | 2023 |
| Guests | 1473 |
| Cabins | 461 |
| Crew | 640 |
| Length | 248 m |
| Beam | 32 m |
| Cruising speed | 18.0 kn |
Dubai makes a striking first impression, but its older quarters reward a slower look. Visit Al Fahidi’s wind-tower lanes, then cross Dubai Creek by abra to see the city’s trading heritage. Elsewhere, the Burj Khalifa rises above Downtown, while the Gold and Spice souks bring color and commerce to Deira. Choose your day deliberately: Dubai’s distances are considerable, and summer heat can make outdoor sightseeing demanding.
Dammam is the Eastern Province’s Gulf-facing capital, where Saudi Arabia’s oil story meets a palm-lined waterfront. Walk the Corniche for sea views, or follow the coast to nearby Al Khobar’s cafés and promenades. In Dhahran, the striking King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture, known as Ithra, offers galleries, a library and performances. Here, travelers find regional history, modern architecture and a revealing view of the kingdom’s eastern edge.
Doha is a city of striking contrasts, where glass towers rise beside the blue waters of the Gulf. At Souq Waqif, spice stalls, cafés and falcon shops keep traditional trade close to daily life. The Museum of Islamic Art and the National Museum of Qatar offer two rewarding ways to understand the country’s past. Between visits, stroll the Corniche for broad harbour views, then choose a terrace for Arabic coffee or a long lunch.
Abu Dhabi pairs the confidence of a modern capital with the measured pace of the Gulf. At the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, white marble, intricate mosaics and vast courtyards make a visit memorable. The Louvre Abu Dhabi brings world art beneath Jean Nouvel’s striking, latticed dome. Along the Corniche, a waterfront promenade opens views across the city’s islands and calm blue water.
Ras Al Khaimah offers a quieter, more varied view of the United Arab Emirates. Here, the Hajar Mountains descend toward mangrove-fringed lagoons and a long Arabian Gulf coast. Explore the old town and National Museum, set in a former fort. Dhayah Fort rewards the climb with views across palm groves and mountains. For a change of pace, Jebel Jais brings dramatic highland scenery and cooler air, roughly an hour inland.
Dubai makes a striking first impression, but its older quarters reward a slower look. Visit Al Fahidi’s wind-tower lanes, then cross Dubai Creek by abra to see the city’s trading heritage. Elsewhere, the Burj Khalifa rises above Downtown, while the Gold and Spice souks bring color and commerce to Deira. Choose your day deliberately: Dubai’s distances are considerable, and summer heat can make outdoor sightseeing demanding.
Sur is Oman’s old seafaring town, where whitewashed houses face a sheltered lagoon and the Indian Ocean. At its dhow yards, craftsmen still shape wooden boats by hand. The work recalls Omani sailors who traded across the Indian Ocean with East Africa. Cross the lagoon to Al Ayjah for its lighthouse, historic watchtowers and views across town. Nearby, Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve offers guided visits to beaches where green turtles nest.
Set between the rugged Hajar Mountains and the Gulf of Oman, Muscat has a striking natural setting. Whitewashed buildings and careful development preserve its low-rise character. At Mutrah, browse the historic souq, then follow the corniche past the harbour and its traditional wooden dhows. Make time for Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, a landmark of modern Omani architecture open to non-Muslim visitors at set times.
Khor Fakkan offers a different face of the United Arab Emirates. Its crescent bay meets the Gulf of Oman, with the Hajar Mountains rising close behind. On shore, the amphitheatre and waterfall make an easy first stop. The restored heritage village recalls the town’s trading past. Come for the beach or a boat trip to snorkel near Shark Island. A drive inland to Al Rafisah Dam adds mountain scenery and a glimpse of the region’s rugged interior.
Khasab sits on Oman’s Musandam Peninsula, where limestone mountains meet the waters of the Strait of Hormuz. Traditional dhows thread inlets known as the “fjords of Arabia,” passing quiet villages beneath sheer cliffs. On shore, Khasab Fort offers a concise introduction to local history and Omani architecture. Take a boat trip for mountain scenery and a chance to spot dolphins, though sightings are never assured.
Dubai makes a striking first impression, but its older quarters reward a slower look. Visit Al Fahidi’s wind-tower lanes, then cross Dubai Creek by abra to see the city’s trading heritage. Elsewhere, the Burj Khalifa rises above Downtown, while the Gold and Spice souks bring color and commerce to Deira. Choose your day deliberately: Dubai’s distances are considerable, and summer heat can make outdoor sightseeing demanding.
Published August 27, 2026
Last updated October 3, 2026
Author: J. Richard
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!
