An Extended Journey of Enchanting Old Worlds & Shimmering Modernity

Bold, brash and brilliant, Dubai’s explosion of wealth and wonder has created a dizzying, logic-defying desert wonderland. Boundary-pushing architecture, which gently nods to the region’s past - and a relentlessly futuristic vision - makes Dubai one of the most dynamic destinations on the planet. The hyper-speed transformation, from fishing village to glitzy mega-city, has been truly astounding, and it’s hard to avoid feeling humbled, as you stand dwarfed by cloud-scraping architecture, and some of the most elaborate, audacious engineering projects ever conceived. Fuelled by abundant oil reserves, it’s an understatement to say that there is cash to splash here. Whether it’s the gleaming sports cars that purr along the streets, or the luxury shopping malls that are decked out with colossal aquariums and amusement parks, credit cards are flexed with abandon here. The sheer scale of Dubai is stupefying, and the sight of the iconic Burj Khalifa towering over its not inconsiderable neighbours is surreally spectacular. Rocketing up a staggering 830 metres, the world’s tallest building is an elegant affair, tapering up into the ever-blue sky, and headlining this record-breaking city’s list of architectural wonders. The Dubai Fountain performs here each evening - a blur of colour and haze, its waters dance before the almighty tower behind. Dubai isn’t all about the skyward scramble, however, and the Miracle Garden is a vibrant, violent explosion of multicoloured flowery landscaping. Elsewhere, white-sand beaches like Sunset Beach grant sanctuary to take it easy, and enjoy splendid views of instantly recognisable buildings like the Burj Al Arab, and the reclaimed islands that fan out across Dubai’s warm sea waters. Desert landscapes of rolling sand dunes raise the pulses of the adventurous, while fine-dining and lively nightlife makes Dubai a luxury destination that truly has it all.

Bold, brash and brilliant, Dubai’s explosion of wealth and wonder has created a dizzying, logic-defying desert wonderland. Boundary-pushing architecture, which gently nods to the region’s past - and a relentlessly futuristic vision - makes Dubai one of the most dynamic destinations on the planet. The hyper-speed transformation, from fishing village to glitzy mega-city, has been truly astounding, and it’s hard to avoid feeling humbled, as you stand dwarfed by cloud-scraping architecture, and some of the most elaborate, audacious engineering projects ever conceived. Fuelled by abundant oil reserves, it’s an understatement to say that there is cash to splash here. Whether it’s the gleaming sports cars that purr along the streets, or the luxury shopping malls that are decked out with colossal aquariums and amusement parks, credit cards are flexed with abandon here. The sheer scale of Dubai is stupefying, and the sight of the iconic Burj Khalifa towering over its not inconsiderable neighbours is surreally spectacular. Rocketing up a staggering 830 metres, the world’s tallest building is an elegant affair, tapering up into the ever-blue sky, and headlining this record-breaking city’s list of architectural wonders. The Dubai Fountain performs here each evening - a blur of colour and haze, its waters dance before the almighty tower behind. Dubai isn’t all about the skyward scramble, however, and the Miracle Garden is a vibrant, violent explosion of multicoloured flowery landscaping. Elsewhere, white-sand beaches like Sunset Beach grant sanctuary to take it easy, and enjoy splendid views of instantly recognisable buildings like the Burj Al Arab, and the reclaimed islands that fan out across Dubai’s warm sea waters. Desert landscapes of rolling sand dunes raise the pulses of the adventurous, while fine-dining and lively nightlife makes Dubai a luxury destination that truly has it all.

Once a central trading port for East Africa and India, Sur was also renowned for the wonderful wooden ships it produced. Having lost some of its prestige when the French completed the Suez Canal in the 19th century, and struck by a cyclone in 2007, the city has nevertheless retained its scenic dunes and crystal waters. Sur’s most recognisable monument today is the Ras al Haad castle, a gem of Islamic architecture built in the 13th century to protect locals from Christian attacks, and which now serves as a regional political centre. While in town, science aficionados will be lured by the impressive Ras Al Jinz Scientific & Visitor Center, offering modern facilities and apps to discover the local wonders of fauna and flora. Alternatively, for an in-depth discovery of the city’s history, the maritime museum is an excellent choice.

Stepping ashore in Oman’s capital Muscat, when your MSC cruise takes you to Dubai, Abu Dhabi & Qatar, means stepping into one of the oldest cities of the Middle East. This is where incense was shipped to Greece and Rome as far back as the 2nd century. Today it is still possible to find traces of its glorious past in the old centre where, until the latter part of the past century, the gates that separated the various quarters would be closed three hours after dawn. Muttrah, the historic centre of trade and activity of the capital that you will see during the cruise, is one of the most intriguing and well preserved parts of the town centre. Its commercial vocation is due to its proximity to the large port, where your MSC ship, which is named after its sovereign Qabus, will be waiting for you. Dedicate part of your vacation to Muscat to visit the sites, like the fish market, the Portuguese fort and, above all Muttrah’s Souq, one of cruisers’ favourite destinations. You can continue along the sea road to the old town of Muscat where, about 200 years ago, the predecessor of the current head of state, built the Al Alam (the Flag), the palace which was restored in the Seventies and has become the Sultan’s official residence. It is a beautiful example of contemporary Arab architecture situated at the centre of the part of Muscat which is still surrounded by its 17th century walls. Nearby, in the quarter of Bawshar, you find the Great Mosque of Sultan Qabus. About 6500 devotees gather to pray in the main prayer hall which has a single, huge carpet of about 4200 sq.m., made of one billion and 700 million knots and weighs 21 tons. All the halls, which may be visited also by non-Muslims, are decorated with motifs that celebrate Arab culture.

See Khasab’s jutting fjords, and the dolphins playing in the emerald waters, and it’s forgivable to think you’ve stumbled across a surreal Norway. The burning sun and scorched earth, serve as a constant reminder that you're a long way from Europe, however - although the Portuguese roots mean there's a colonial tint to the city. Sitting on the Northern coast of Oman, reaching across towards Iran, this is an isolated and fascinating destination to explore. The remote location, and limited infrastructure here, until recent times, means Khasab has been left to live life at its own pace, and the city sings to its own song sheet. Even now you can see a blind eye being turned to the smugglers who whisk electronics across the Gulf to Iran, in small speed boats.

Bold, brash and brilliant, Dubai’s explosion of wealth and wonder has created a dizzying, logic-defying desert wonderland. Boundary-pushing architecture, which gently nods to the region’s past - and a relentlessly futuristic vision - makes Dubai one of the most dynamic destinations on the planet. The hyper-speed transformation, from fishing village to glitzy mega-city, has been truly astounding, and it’s hard to avoid feeling humbled, as you stand dwarfed by cloud-scraping architecture, and some of the most elaborate, audacious engineering projects ever conceived. Fuelled by abundant oil reserves, it’s an understatement to say that there is cash to splash here. Whether it’s the gleaming sports cars that purr along the streets, or the luxury shopping malls that are decked out with colossal aquariums and amusement parks, credit cards are flexed with abandon here. The sheer scale of Dubai is stupefying, and the sight of the iconic Burj Khalifa towering over its not inconsiderable neighbours is surreally spectacular. Rocketing up a staggering 830 metres, the world’s tallest building is an elegant affair, tapering up into the ever-blue sky, and headlining this record-breaking city’s list of architectural wonders. The Dubai Fountain performs here each evening - a blur of colour and haze, its waters dance before the almighty tower behind. Dubai isn’t all about the skyward scramble, however, and the Miracle Garden is a vibrant, violent explosion of multicoloured flowery landscaping. Elsewhere, white-sand beaches like Sunset Beach grant sanctuary to take it easy, and enjoy splendid views of instantly recognisable buildings like the Burj Al Arab, and the reclaimed islands that fan out across Dubai’s warm sea waters. Desert landscapes of rolling sand dunes raise the pulses of the adventurous, while fine-dining and lively nightlife makes Dubai a luxury destination that truly has it all.

Bold, brash and brilliant, Dubai’s explosion of wealth and wonder has created a dizzying, logic-defying desert wonderland. Boundary-pushing architecture, which gently nods to the region’s past - and a relentlessly futuristic vision - makes Dubai one of the most dynamic destinations on the planet. The hyper-speed transformation, from fishing village to glitzy mega-city, has been truly astounding, and it’s hard to avoid feeling humbled, as you stand dwarfed by cloud-scraping architecture, and some of the most elaborate, audacious engineering projects ever conceived. Fuelled by abundant oil reserves, it’s an understatement to say that there is cash to splash here. Whether it’s the gleaming sports cars that purr along the streets, or the luxury shopping malls that are decked out with colossal aquariums and amusement parks, credit cards are flexed with abandon here. The sheer scale of Dubai is stupefying, and the sight of the iconic Burj Khalifa towering over its not inconsiderable neighbours is surreally spectacular. Rocketing up a staggering 830 metres, the world’s tallest building is an elegant affair, tapering up into the ever-blue sky, and headlining this record-breaking city’s list of architectural wonders. The Dubai Fountain performs here each evening - a blur of colour and haze, its waters dance before the almighty tower behind. Dubai isn’t all about the skyward scramble, however, and the Miracle Garden is a vibrant, violent explosion of multicoloured flowery landscaping. Elsewhere, white-sand beaches like Sunset Beach grant sanctuary to take it easy, and enjoy splendid views of instantly recognisable buildings like the Burj Al Arab, and the reclaimed islands that fan out across Dubai’s warm sea waters. Desert landscapes of rolling sand dunes raise the pulses of the adventurous, while fine-dining and lively nightlife makes Dubai a luxury destination that truly has it all.

The United Arab Emirates’ capital, Abu Dhabi, where your MSC cruise ship awaits your return, offers an intriguing contrast to its freewheeling neighbour Dubai, a little over an hour’s drive down the coast. Leading attractions on your Dubai, Abu Dhabi & Qatar cruises to Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates include the extravagant Emirates Palace hotel and the even more spectacular Sheikh Zayed Mosque, while the various attractions of Yas Island, home to the vast Ferrari World theme park, lie just down the road. The blockbuster attraction at Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island is a dream excursion for any F1 fans. The “world’s biggest indoor theme park”, it offers a wide range of Ferrari-themed rides and displays which will appeal both to kids and grown-ups, including the chance to drive an F1 simulator or to ride the Formula Rossa roller coaster (the world’s fastest) or to experience race-day acceleration in the G Force “tower of speed” – as well as numerous gentler family-oriented rides. Dedicated motorsports enthusiasts will also enjoy the big display of classic and contemporary Ferraris , and the virtual tour of the firm’s famous Maranello factory. Some 15km from central Abu Dhabi, the mighty Sheikh Zayed Mosque dominates all landward approaches to the city, its snowy-white mass of domes and minarets visible for miles around and providing a spectacular symbol of Islamic pride at the entrance to the capital of the United Arab Emirates. Completed in 2007, the mosque was commissioned by and named after Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al Nahyan, who lies buried in a modest white marble mausoleum close to the entrance. The mosque is one of the world’s biggest and certainly the most expensive, having taken twelve years to build at a cost of around US$500 million. It’s also unusual in being one of only two mosques in the UAE open to non-Muslims.

During an MSC cruise to Dubai, Abu Dhabi & Qatar, you will also disembark in Bahrain, an island 40km long and just 15kn wide in The Gulf. This country with a thousand-year-old culture, is also called “the kingdom of the two seas”, because its waters border with those of Qatar to the south and with those of Saudi Arabia to the west. In the course of your stop in Bahrain, an excursion will take you on a discovery of its charming capital, Manama. The city, where modern skyscrapers stand side-by-side with old buildings, has strong ties to nomadic traditions: its inhabitants often head out to the desert and stay in large white tents to participate in the ancient tradition of falcon hunting. The National Museum is an excellent starting point for a visit to the capital: an opportunity to learn about the history and customs of this territory. The Al Fateh Mosque, on the other hand, is a mystical experience. It is an immense holy building with two imposing minarets, which can host up to 7,000 faithful, built from materials brought from all over the world. For example, the thousand Indian lamps of inlaid wood, the gigantic Austrian chandelier of Swarovski crystal, and the Italian Carrara marble. A short distance from the capital, there is Qal’at al Bahrain (Bahrain Fort). Of great quality, in part due to recent reconstruction efforts, the fort in its current form is evidence of 16th century “raiding” by Portuguese sailors. However, the hill on which it is set has been the site of several human settlements over the centuries. Finally, you cannot leave Bahrain without having bought, or at least admired, the marvelous and extremely prized pearls gathered in its sea.

A journey to Qatar becomes special on an MSC cruise. A cruise to Dubai, Abu Dhabi & Qatar will introduce you to Doha, the country's futuristic capital on The Gulf. The city is preparing to host the 2022 World Cup, enhancing its already awesome skyline with new super modern skyscrapers. The Aspire Tower in Doha (300 meters) dominates the skylines. It is the highest building of the country, whose shape is akin to a torch. This building is located near the city of sport, which has already hosted events such as the XII Pan Arab games and which will have a central role during the World Cup. Much of Doha, including places of worship such as the new mosque in the Qatar Faculty of Islamic studies, seems to be already in the future. Don't miss a visit to the Pearl, a futuristic artificial circular port which is being developed to the north of the city centre, and yet, as you will notice on your MSC excursion, the ancient heart of the city still beats strong. In the historical centre of Doha you will find a Suq where everything – from camels to gold – can be exchanged, and the Al Khoot fortress, dating back to the end of the nineteenth century and now converted into a museum. During your cruise to Doha with MSC Cruises, some excursions will lead you on the discovery of the north of the country and the history of this fascinating Emirate. In Ash Shamal the Al-Zubara fortress rises up from the middle of the desert and dates back to the thirties. The building, which at first sight seems an enormous sand castle, has been completely restored and transformed into a museum. Near the fortress you can also visit the archaeological remains of another, even older, defensive structure, Qal’ at Murair. Also you will find Zubara, a village of traders and pearl divers, a settlement which dates back to the nineteenth century, and later abandoned.

Bold, brash and brilliant, Dubai’s explosion of wealth and wonder has created a dizzying, logic-defying desert wonderland. Boundary-pushing architecture, which gently nods to the region’s past - and a relentlessly futuristic vision - makes Dubai one of the most dynamic destinations on the planet. The hyper-speed transformation, from fishing village to glitzy mega-city, has been truly astounding, and it’s hard to avoid feeling humbled, as you stand dwarfed by cloud-scraping architecture, and some of the most elaborate, audacious engineering projects ever conceived. Fuelled by abundant oil reserves, it’s an understatement to say that there is cash to splash here. Whether it’s the gleaming sports cars that purr along the streets, or the luxury shopping malls that are decked out with colossal aquariums and amusement parks, credit cards are flexed with abandon here. The sheer scale of Dubai is stupefying, and the sight of the iconic Burj Khalifa towering over its not inconsiderable neighbours is surreally spectacular. Rocketing up a staggering 830 metres, the world’s tallest building is an elegant affair, tapering up into the ever-blue sky, and headlining this record-breaking city’s list of architectural wonders. The Dubai Fountain performs here each evening - a blur of colour and haze, its waters dance before the almighty tower behind. Dubai isn’t all about the skyward scramble, however, and the Miracle Garden is a vibrant, violent explosion of multicoloured flowery landscaping. Elsewhere, white-sand beaches like Sunset Beach grant sanctuary to take it easy, and enjoy splendid views of instantly recognisable buildings like the Burj Al Arab, and the reclaimed islands that fan out across Dubai’s warm sea waters. Desert landscapes of rolling sand dunes raise the pulses of the adventurous, while fine-dining and lively nightlife makes Dubai a luxury destination that truly has it all.