There are many United Arab Emirates cruises because Dubai is a major cruise port. Many cruises pass through the Suez Canal which brings you right alongside the UAE. You can find cruises that just visit the cities in the United Arab Emirates or other cruises that stop in the country but also travel to Africa and Southeast Asia with a stop at Dubai.

The most popular time to cruise in the United Arab Emirates is from October to May as the weather is not as hot as it is during the summer. The winters in the United Arab Emirates are quite warm as the Tropic of Cancer runs through this country.  Cruises are available all year though there are not as many in the summer.

Cruising in the Persian Gulf

There are many cruises that just visit the main cities such as Abu Dhabi, Muscat, Dubai, Fujairah and Bahrain. Generally this cruises last about a week and are offered by well known cruise lines such as Costa Cruises, Royal Caribbean and Silversea.

There are specialized cruises in the United Arab Emirates that focus specifically on the culture and history of the region as well as on the local foods that offer a gourmet experience.  There are cruises that are geared for romantic events and others that have special events.

Stopping in Dubai

You will stop in Dubai when sailing to Athens on a Silversea cruise. Seaborn cruises will take you through the Suez Canal, stopping in United Arab Emirates before ending in Athens. Holland American Line cruises will start in Rotterdam, travel to Dubai and then end in Kenya. The Royal Caribbean cruise ends in Dubai. When traveling to New York, Southampton Cunard cruises stop at Dubai as well.

Dubai Cruise Terminal

Dubai is the main stop for cruises in the Middle East so there are plenty of cruises to choose from. The Dubai cruise terminal, located in Port Rashid, allows for 4 ships to dock simultaneously. With the new terminal and additional cruise ships in the area, the number of visitors going to the United Arab Emirates on a cruise is expected to increase by 40 percent in the next few years. 

You can find currency exchange, tour offices, free Internet access, restaurants, cafes, palm gardens, information centers, duty free shopping and much more at the terminal. The terminal covers 3,300 square feet and uses a special mobile design so it is very easy for passengers to customize their travel.