On a cruise to Dubai you can see the world’s tallest building, shop at some of the fanciest stores in the world, stroll the bustling markets of Old Town and explore spectacular sand dunes on camel back.
MSC Cruises has lots of options to choose from, and we like that most of its itineraries cost less than $100 a night. Norwegian Cruise Line and Princess Cruises also have affordable cruises to Dubai, while Crystal Cruises has luxury voyages on small ships that dock at boutique ports.
Most cruises to Dubai start in other ports around the Middle East. But there are plenty of longer itineraries that start in Europe, South Asia and even Australia. So before booking your cruise to Dubai, decide how many days you want to be gone and which region you want to see.
Here’s where cruises to Dubai typically begin:
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Athens, Greece
Bahrain, Kingdom of Bahrain
Barcelona, Spain
Cairo, Egypt
Doha, Qatar
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Khasab, Oman
Khor Fakkan, UAE
Los Angeles, California
Mumbai, India
Muscat, Oman
Sir Bani Yas Island, UAE
Sydney, Australia
Princess is the only cruise line we’ve seen with cruises to Dubai from the US, but keep in mind that these are world cruises that last a minimum of 111 days, leaving from Fort Lauderdale or Los Angeles.
Traveling during COVID-19
The CDC continues to advise caution when traveling within or outside the US, though it no longer requires self-quarantine or a COVID-19 test for fully vaccinated travelers as of April 2021. It recommends that you delay travel if you are not fully vaccinated to protect yourself and your family from getting or spreading the virus.
When traveling, follow safety measures that include wearing a mask in public, social distancing and washing your hands. If you are diagnosed with, have symptoms of or are waiting for COVID-19 test results — or are otherwise at risk of illness — do not attend gatherings or travel for 14 days.
Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises both come up on the first page of Google when you search for “cruises to Dubai” but these cruise lines don’t actually offer itineraries that include Dubai as a port stop.
Best for longer trips: MSC
Besides its shorter cruise trips around the Middle East, combine your visit to Dubai with stop-offs in India, Sri Lanka, Thailand and even Japan. Be prepared to set aside about a month for one of these longer voyages.
A trip with Costa gives you the chance to visit Dubai without the high price tags for a hotel. Rates start from as little as $499 per person for a week-long trip with stops in Muscat, Doha and Abu Dhabi before anchoring up in Port Rashid, Dubai.
With no more than 60 guests on board and an average of 1.5 staff to guest ratio, cruising on the Crystal Esprit is nothing short than a five-star experience. Spacious suites, daily wellness activities, and dining experiences to rival Michelin starred restaurants have all been seamlessly intertwined with a well-paced cruising schedule.
Best for seeing Africa or the Mediterranean Sea: Norwegian
Norwegian has cruises to Dubai that kick off in Greece or South Africa, depending on whether you want to see countries like Turkey and Israel or Mauritius and Seychelles. Since it's an American cruise line, the onboard atmosphere may be more familiar than the Italian Costa or MSC Cruises.
Room service included
No free alcohol
Food included
No price matching
Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Diners, Discover Card
If you absolutely love the idea of being on a cruise for longer than a month at a time, book one segment of a world cruise — or an entire world cruise — with Princess. Not only will you see Dubai, you'll get to explore some of the furthest corners of our world, from tiny Italian islands to the pyramids of Egypt.
Room service included
No free alcohol
Food included
No price matching
Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Diners, Discover Card, JCB
Price ($-$$$):
How we picked the best cruises
Different people cruise for different reasons, and we get that. That’s why we’ve focused our shortlist on different types of trips and travelers.
To make sure cruises are good value overall, we look at itineraries, cabin facilities and dining options available, and compared these to the price points on offer. We made sure to use our own first-hand experiences and compare these to the opinions of trusted travel websites, unbiased reviews, and blogs to bring you the most honest information.
When is the best time to go to Dubai?
Summer days in Dubai can reach upwards of 105°F, which is why most cruise companies offer trips between November and March. During this time, temperatures are much more manageable, so you can avoid the nearest air-conditioned mall. Instead, days are spent exploring the streets of the Old Town and riding a dune buggy.
The city gets especially crowded throughout January which is also the month of the Shopping Festival. Locals and foreigners flock to Dubai at this time to get their hands on discounts of up to 75%. If quieter streets are more your thing, try planning your trip in the shoulder months of November and March.
What are the must-do cruise excursions in Dubai?
There’s a lot more to Dubai than just high-end shopping and the world’s tallest building. Here are some of the city’s top sights that you can easily fit into a day or two of sightseeing.
Dubai Museum. Housed in Dubai’s oldest building, spend a couple of hours here to learn all about the evolution of this world-class city.
Dune Bashing. Head out of the city to the stunning sand dunes where, dune bashing — a thrilling drive through the sand in an SUV — has become increasingly popular.
Camel Ride. For something a little more relaxed, travel over the golden sand dunes on your very own camel.
Dubai Mall. Even if you’re not looking to buy anything, the world’s largest and most luxurious mall is a must-visit while in the city.
Al Fahidi District. Wander the streets of old Dubai where you’ll find delicious, and surprisingly cheap, street eats and traditional cafes housed in sandstone buildings.
Where do cruises dock in Dubai?
Cruises arriving into Dubai will dock at Port Rashid, which is around a 20-minute drive from the city center. It’s considered to be one of the most luxurious ports in the world, so it’s worth doing some window shopping before you jump in a taxi to town.
Up to $1,000 to spend on board with Norwegian Cruise Line
Just book your next cruise vacation with Priceline Cruises and get up to $1,000 to use as a liquor, dining, and spa credit, along with other purchases made on the ship! T&Cs apply.
Once considered to be an exclusive stopover destination for long haul flights, Dubai has become a must-visit port for any cruise ship sailing through the Arabian Sea. The best part? It doesn’t have to be expensive. Check out these deals on a cruise to Dubai.
Lily Jones is a travel writer at Finder. She also writes for other titles and manages her own blog, A Lil Guide. Lily graduated with a degree in Russian and Management studies from University College London in 2016. Having discovered her passion for travelling at a young age, she has lived in many cities around the world including St Petersburg, Melbourne and London. Other than travel, Lily has an innate passion for all things food.
With babysitting and tot-friendly activities, these are the best cruise lines for toddlers that will have your little one smiling at sea from ear to ear.
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