Cruising the Arabian Coast – with Smithsonian Journeys

Begin your voyage in Dubai, an extraordinary metropolis of innovation and luxury, with an overnight stay aboard your ship. Enjoy views of the skyline, including the iconic Burj Khalifa, or take a leisurely evening walk along the waterfront.

Discover the extremes of Dubai, the largest city in the United Arab Emirates, where bold, futuristic architecture meets rich cultural heritage. Begin with the iconic Burj Khalifa, soaring to 828 meters, nearly three times the height of the Eiffel Tower. Continue to the Palm Islands, Dubai’s man-made marvels shaped like a palm tree, where opulent resorts line the shores. Venture into the city’s historic quarters, where the traditional souks of Deira, including the bustling Gold Souk, offer an authentic glimpse into Dubai’s past. For a deeper dive into history, visit the Dubai Museum in the 18th-century Al Fahidi Fort, which recounts Dubai’s transformation from a fishing village to a global metropolis.

Included Excursion

Dubai Highlights: Explore Dubai's highlights with visits to Jumeirah Mosque and Burj Al Arab, followed by Palm Jumeirah and Burj Khalifa's observation deck. Enjoy an authentic Emirati lunch at the Sheikh Mohammed Center of Cultural Understanding, paired with a Q&A session about local traditions. Walk through old Dubai’s charming lanes, cross Dubai Creek by water taxi, and browse the Spice and Gold Souqs.

The political capital of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi stands out thanks to its exceptional cultural offering. In the Saadiyat Island district, the Louvre Abu Dhabi, designed by Jean Nouvel as a museum town inspired by traditional Arab architecture, creates a dialogue between objects and works from civilizations from all over the world around the great universal questions. A little further, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque boasts a sumptuous decor of marble, gold, and glass. Abu Dhabi is also the gateway to the Al Ain oasis and its 150,000 date palms, a remarkable testimony to the settling of nomads in the region since Neolithic times, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Included Excursion

High Tea at Emirates Palace: Explore Abu Dhabi's highlights, including the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Heritage Village, and Ferrari World. Visit the opulent Emirates Palace for a private tour of its gold-adorned suites, ballrooms, and amenities. Conclude with afternoon tea at Le Café, featuring gold-sprinkled coffee, gourmet sandwiches, and indulgent desserts.

Best of Abu Dhabi: Visit three UAE icons: the Grand Mosque, Masdar City, and Louvre Abu Dhabi.
Admire the mosque's intricate design and message of peace. Explore Masdar City's sustainable innovations. End at the Louvre, showcasing global art under its iconic dome.

You’ll make a port of call on the island of Sir Bani Yas, a real naturalist dream that has been dedicated to the conservation of endangered animal species since 1971. This enchanting former reserve of the Emir of Abu Dhabi is planted with more than two million trees. Nominated “The World’s Leading Sustainable Tourist Destination”, it has one the largest populations of Arabian oryxes. The ruins of one of the oldest Christian monasteries of the pre-Islamic era, dating back to 600 AD, are visible there.

Included Excursion

UAE's Nature Reserve: Sir Bani Yas Island, transformed by Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is now a wildlife reserve hosting Gulf and East African species. Explore the reserve in luxury Land Cruisers, spotting oryxes, gazelles, cheetahs, and more while learning about conservation efforts. Photography stops are included, and guides are available for questions.

On the banks of the Persian Gulf, discover Doha, the capital of Qatar. Rising out of the desert, the city has managed to maintain its traditions in spite of a frantic race for modernity. The cliff bordering Doha Bay has magnificent views over the city center’s enormous constructions. The silhouette of the Museum of Islamic Art rises up near the quays, where the region’s typical sailboats, known as dhows, are docked. This “fortress”, designed by Ming Pei, the architect of the Louvre pyramid, is home to the finest collections of Islamic art in the world. Not far away, the lively district of Souq Waqif and its colorful stalls are also an unmissable visit.

Included Excursion

Highlights of Doha & Dhow Cruise: Discover Doha's modern marvels and rich heritage on this panoramic city tour. Start at Katara Cultural Village, showcasing diverse architecture and global arts. Visit The Pearl, a luxurious island development with upscale apartments and world-class dining. Stroll through Souq Waqif's vibrant market and along Al Corniche, home to the iconic Museum of Islamic Art. Conclude with a relaxing dhow cruise, enjoying skyline views and a refreshing breeze.

Discover Doha: Explore Doha's modern marvels on a panoramic drive along Al Corniche, featuring landmarks like the I. M. Pei-designed Museum of Islamic Arts. Visit Katara Cultural Village, showcasing global art, performances, and diverse architecture, including a Roman amphitheater and a modern mosque. Stop at The Pearl, an artificial island with luxury apartments and world-class dining. Conclude at the National Museum of Qatar, a striking desert rose-inspired masterpiece celebrating Qatar's heritage and culture.

The Desert Experience: Experience Qatar’s desert beauty on a thrilling dune drive. Meet your English-speaking driver and board a luxury 4x4 SUV for a 25-mile journey south. Reach the stunning Khor al-Adaid (Inland Sea), where Qatar meets Saudi Arabia, and capture scenic views while enjoying refreshments.

Museum of Islamic Art, Education City, & Souq Waqif: Explore Qatar’s Education City, a hub for global education and research, and visit the Museum of Islamic Art, home to an extensive collection spanning 1,400 years. End the tour at Souq Waqif, a lively market offering a wide range of goods.

During your journey at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness center. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This journey without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, depending on the activities offered, or to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the PONANT photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they will be able to visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest, and entertainment.

Located in the country’s north, on the Musandam Peninsula, Khasab is a city in the Sultanate of Oman. In the Strait of Hormuz, which connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman, this small port built by the Portuguese in the 16th century and surrounded by a chain of rocky mountains was established at the mouth of Wadi Khasab. You will love its authentic scenery and particularly its fjords, which cut through the landscapes in a spectacular fashion and have earned it the moniker “Norway of Arabia”. In the city, Khasab Castle and its atypical architecture are well worth a visit to discover the history and culture of Oman.

Included Excursion

Musandam's Mountains and High Desert: Explore the rugged Musandam Peninsula on a four-wheel-drive adventure. Ascend to Jebel Harim, its highest peak at 6,850 feet, passing the serene Bedouin village of Sayh. Enjoy panoramic views of valleys, the Indian Ocean, and Khawr Najd's stunning fjord lagoon before returning to Khasab.

Cruising Musandam's Fjords: Explore the stunning Musandam Peninsula, known as the "Norway of Arabia," on a traditional dhow cruise. Sail through dramatic fjords, spot fishing villages, and watch for dolphins in turquoise waters against striking limestone cliffs. Stop near Telegraph Island for a refreshing swim or relax onboard with a drink while enjoying breathtaking views of the towering Hajjar mountains.

 

The easternmost of the United Arab Emirates unfolds onto the Gulf of Oman. Unique to the region, the geography of Fujairah is composed of lush mountains and fertile plains, as well as the vast deserts that the Emirate shares with its neighbors. It is the majestic massif of the Al Hajar Mountains that brought rain to the territory, creating the oases that were vital to the development of agriculture. Fujairah also offers travelers the possibility of visiting its historic treasures such as its castle, an old fort dating back to the 16th century, or the Al Bidya Mosque, the oldest in the United Arab Emirates, which was built in 1446.

Included Excursion

Fujairah's Coastal Plain: Explore Fujairah, the UAE's easternmost emirate, on a scenic tour highlighting its rich history and natural beauty. Visit the 300-year-old Fujairah Castle, the Al-Bithna Fort, and the lush Bithna oasis. Discover ancient artifacts at the Fujairah Museum and enjoy the vibrant Friday Market's colorful offerings. Conclude with a visit to Al Bidiyah Mosque, one of the country's oldest landmarks.

Dune Ride to Fossil Rock and Camel Rock: Discover Fujairah’s ancient desert, once a thriving seabed 80 million years ago. Journey in 4x4 vehicles across rolling red dunes, uncovering stunning landscapes. Visit Fossil Rock, rich with marine fossils, and Camel Rock, a wind-sculpted formation resembling a camel’s head.

Unlike neighboring metropolises, the capital of the Sultanate of Oman has chosen to ban towers and skyscrapers and to cultivate the peninsula’s traditional and refined architectural style: low houses, domes, moucharaby windows, and wooden balconies. This authenticity adds to the charm of this small former maritime city protected by mountains and the forts constructed by the Portuguese in the 16th century. There is no doubt that you will fall under the charm of the treasures of Omani craftsmanship: the souk in the old district of Mutrah is a perfect example of this, as is the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque.