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.

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.

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.

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 despite 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.

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.

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.

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.