Cruise holidays
Cruises from Abu Dhabi and Dubai: Gulf Sailings and Fly-Cruises
Cruises from Abu Dhabi leave the cruise terminal at Mina Zayed on Arabian Gulf sailings in the cooler months, calling at ports such as Dubai, Doha, Muscat and Sir Bani Yas Island.
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At a glance
Cruising from the UAE at a glance
Checked 7 November 2026
- Gulf cruise season
- About November to March
- Abu Dhabi departure point
- Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal, Mina Zayed
- Price from
- On request
01
Gulf cruises that start in Abu Dhabi
A Gulf cruise lets you board in Abu Dhabi with no flight at all. You check in at the cruise terminal at Mina Zayed, close to the city centre, and the ship sails overnight to the next port.
Arabian Gulf round trip from Abu Dhabi
- Nights
- 3 to 7
- Ports
- Ask us
- Suits
- First cruise, families, no flight
- Price from
- On request
AROYA Red Sea short cruise from Jeddah
- Nights
- 2 to 5
- Ports
- Jeddah, Sharm El Sheikh, Aqaba
- Suits
- Halal dining, Arabic-speaking families
- Price from
- On request
MSC or Costa Western Mediterranean from Rome or Barcelona
- Nights
- 7
- Ports
- Italy, France and Spain
- Suits
- First fly-cruise to Europe
- Price from
- Ask us
Disney Adventure from Singapore
- Nights
- 3 to 4
- Ports
- At sea, or Langkawi
- Suits
- Families with young children
- Price from
- Ask us
Princess Vietnam and Halong Bay from Singapore
- Nights
- 10
- Ports
- Vietnam and Thailand
- Suits
- Couples and longer breaks
- Price from
- On request
Havila coastal voyage, Bergen to Kirkenes
- Nights
- 7
- Ports
- Norwegian coast
- Suits
- Northern Lights in winter
- Price from
- On request
Sample cruise holidays from the UAE. Fares change daily and are confirmed when you book.
| Sample itinerary | Nights | Ports | Suits | Price from |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arabian Gulf round trip from Abu Dhabi | 3 to 7 | Ask us | First cruise, families, no flight | On request |
| AROYA Red Sea short cruise from Jeddah | 2 to 5 | Jeddah, Sharm El Sheikh, Aqaba | Halal dining, Arabic-speaking families | On request |
| MSC or Costa Western Mediterranean from Rome or Barcelona | 7 | Italy, France and Spain | First fly-cruise to Europe | Ask us |
| Disney Adventure from Singapore | 3 to 4 | At sea, or Langkawi | Families with young children | Ask us |
| Princess Vietnam and Halong Bay from Singapore | 10 | Vietnam and Thailand | Couples and longer breaks | On request |
| Havila coastal voyage, Bergen to Kirkenes | 7 | Norwegian coast | Northern Lights in winter | On request |
02
When the Gulf cruise season runs
Most Gulf cruises run from about November to March, when days are warm rather than hot and the sea is calm. Summer sailings from the UAE are rare.
- UAE National Day weekend in early December fills first; pair it with our National Day holiday packages if a cruise is sold out
- Christmas, New Year and the school winter break are next; book two to four months ahead
- January to March has more choice and often lower fares
- Europe and Norway fly-cruises run mainly from spring to autumn; Singapore sailings run most of the year
03
Ports a Gulf cruise calls at
Dubai
- Country
- UAE
- What passengers usually do
- Old Dubai souks, Burj Khalifa, beach time
Sir Bani Yas Island
- Country
- UAE
- What passengers usually do
- A beach day on the island off the Abu Dhabi coast
Doha
- Country
- Qatar
- What passengers usually do
- The Corniche, Souq Waqif and the Museum of Islamic Art
Muscat
- Country
- Oman
- What passengers usually do
- Mutrah Corniche and souk, the Grand Mosque
Khasab
- Country
- Oman
- What passengers usually do
- Dhow trips into the Musandam fjords
Manama
- Country
- Bahrain
- What passengers usually do
- The fort, the souq and the old town
Ports Gulf itineraries commonly include.
| Port | Country | What passengers usually do |
|---|---|---|
| Dubai | UAE | Old Dubai souks, Burj Khalifa, beach time |
| Sir Bani Yas Island | UAE | A beach day on the island off the Abu Dhabi coast |
| Doha | Qatar | The Corniche, Souq Waqif and the Museum of Islamic Art |
| Muscat | Oman | Mutrah Corniche and souk, the Grand Mosque |
| Khasab | Oman | Dhow trips into the Musandam fjords |
| Manama | Bahrain | The fort, the souq and the old town |
You can explore on your own or book the ship's shore excursions. Organised tours wait for the ship; on your own, you must be back before the all-aboard time.
04
Fly-cruise holidays in Europe and Asia
A fly-cruise means flying from Abu Dhabi or Dubai to the port, usually with a hotel night before you sail so a delayed flight does not cost you the cruise.
Disney Cruise
Family cruises from Singapore with Disney characters, shows and kids' clubs, three and four nights.
AROYA Cruises
A Saudi cruise line created with Arabian travellers in mind. On board you will find family spaces and halal dining, with routes across the Red Sea and the Mediterranean.
Princess Cruises
Classic, comfortable cruising in Europe and Asia, including Vietnam and Halong Bay from Singapore.
Havila Voyages
Norwegian coastal voyages from Bergen to Kirkenes, with the Northern Lights in winter.
Celestyal Cruises
Smaller ships in the Greek islands, Croatia and the Eastern Mediterranean.
MSC Cruises
Big, modern family ships in the Mediterranean, the Norwegian fjords and Asia.
Royal Caribbean
Resort-style ships with plenty to do, from Singapore short breaks to Greek Isles weeks.
Norwegian Cruise Line
No fixed dining times, with sailings in Europe, Bermuda and the Caribbean.
Costa Cruises
Italian-style ships with a lively feel, popular for the Western Mediterranean.
Celebrity Cruises
Modern premium ships, with Greece and Mediterranean itineraries.
Resorts World Cruises
Two to five night getaways from Singapore, including suites with butler service.
Seabourn
All-suite ultra-luxury ships, such as Japan and South Korea voyages.
Most Mediterranean cruises need a Schengen visa, and US departures need a US visa. Combine the cruise with land days using our Europe tour packages, or browse all our holiday packages from Abu Dhabi.
05
Choosing a cabin
Inside
- Suits
- People who spend the day on deck or ashore
- Trade-off
- Lowest price, no window or daylight
Oceanview
- Suits
- Daylight without paying for a balcony
- Trade-off
- Window does not open
Balcony
- Suits
- Sea days, scenic routes such as Norway, families who want space
- Trade-off
- Costs more; worth it on longer cruises
Suite
- Suits
- Extra space, some with added benefits
- Trade-off
- Highest price; not needed for a good cruise
Cabin types compared.
| Cabin | Suits | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Inside | People who spend the day on deck or ashore | Lowest price, no window or daylight |
| Oceanview | Daylight without paying for a balcony | Window does not open |
| Balcony | Sea days, scenic routes such as Norway, families who want space | Costs more; worth it on longer cruises |
| Suite | Extra space, some with added benefits | Highest price; not needed for a good cruise |
- Worried about motion? Midship cabins on lower decks move the least
- Light sleepers should avoid cabins under the pool deck, theatre or nightclub
- Families: check whether the third and fourth beds are a sofa bed or upper bunks, and ask early for connecting cabins
06
Visas and documents for cruise passengers
Every port has its own entry rules, and they depend on your passport. Check before you book, not at the port.
Checklist
- Passport valid for at least six months after you return
- UAE residence visa and Emirates ID
- Visas for the departure country and each port that needs one, such as a Schengen visa for Mediterranean cruises
- Cruise tickets, flight tickets and hotel confirmation, printed and on your phone
- Travel insurance covering every day of the trip
- For children travelling with one parent, a consent letter from the other parent
For a Mediterranean fly-cruise, our Schengen visa help builds the visa file around the cruise dates, and we add travel insurance for the whole trip.
07
What the cruise fare covers and what it does not
- Your cabin for every night of the cruise
- Meals in the main restaurant and the buffet
- Shows, live music and most daytime activities
- Pools, the gym and kids' clubs on most ships
- Drinks packages, coffee and soft drinks on many lines
- Speciality restaurants
- Shore excursions
- Wi-Fi and spa treatments
- Gratuities, often added daily to your onboard account
- Port taxes, if not already in the fare
- Flights, transfers and hotel nights, unless booked as a package
Your written quote lists what is and is not included, so the final bill holds no surprises.
08
Booking through a cruise agency in Abu Dhabi or Dubai
- 01
Tell us the trip
Pick a line or route, or tell us where and when you want to sail.
- 02
Add the rest
One booking can cover your flights from Abu Dhabi or Dubai, a pre-cruise hotel night, transfers, visas and insurance.
09
Short dinner cruises in the UAE
Looking for an evening on the water rather than a week at sea? A two-hour dhow dinner cruise along the Corniche is a simple night out for visitors and families. See our dhow cruise in Abu Dhabi for times, pickup and what is included.
Can I take a cruise from Abu Dhabi?
Yes. Several cruise lines run Arabian Gulf sailings from the Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal at Mina Zayed, mostly in the cooler months. .
When is the cruise season in the Gulf?
Most Gulf cruises run from about November to March, when temperatures are mild. Sailings around the UAE National Day weekend, Christmas and New Year fill first, so book two to four months ahead for those dates. Summer sailings from the UAE are rare.
Do I need a visa for a Gulf cruise?
It depends on your passport and the ports. UAE residents can often enter GCC ports on arrival, but some nationalities need visas for Qatar, Oman or Bahrain. Check before you book, not at the port. .
What does the cruise fare include?
The fare usually covers your cabin, main restaurant meals, entertainment and the pool. Drinks packages, shore excursions, speciality restaurants, Wi-Fi, gratuities and port taxes are often extra.
Can you book a cruise in Europe or Asia from the UAE?
Yes. .
Which cabin should I choose?
Inside cabins cost the least and suit people who spend the day on deck or ashore. Oceanview and balcony cabins cost more but are worth it on sea days or with children. Midship cabins on lower decks move the least in rough water.
It's your smart choice
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