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Best Dubai cruise lines
5 amazing adventures to the most glamorous city in the UAE.

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.
What's in this guide?
Ports with cruises to Dubai
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.
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.
Our favorite cruises to Dubai
Cruise line | Cruise | Itinerary | Price | Book |
---|---|---|---|---|
MSC Cruises | Dubai, Abu Dhabi & Qatar — 7 nights |
| From $389 per person | Book now |
Costa | Transoceanic from Barcelona — 23 days |
| From $2,689 per person | Book now |
Princess Cruises | Sydney to Dubai — 22-day world cruise segment |
| From $3,219 per person | Book now |
Norwegian Cruise Line | Athens to Dubai: Egypt, Jordan, Israel & Oman — 18 days |
| From $1,854 per person | Book now |
Crystal Cruises | Grand Journey: Southeast Asia, India & The UAE |
| From $4,939 per person | Book now |
Best cruise lines sailing to Dubai
- 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
- Room service included
- No free alcohol
- Food included
- No price matching
- Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover Card
Best for budget cruises: Costa
- Room service included
- No free alcohol
- Food included
- No price matching
- Visa, Mastercard, American Express
Best for extravagance: Crystal Ocean Cruises
- Room service included
- No free alcohol
- Food included
- No price matching
- Visa, Mastercard, American Express
Best for seeing Africa or the Mediterranean Sea: Norwegian
- Room service included
- No free alcohol
- Food included
- No price matching
- Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Diners, Discover Card
Best for extended adventures: Princess
- Room service included
- No free alcohol
- Food included
- No price matching
- Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Diners, Discover Card, JCB
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.
Top deals
Bottom line
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.
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