Jayayeff

23 minutes ago, kurgan said:

My cruise suppose to start Friday morning in November

The traffic would be much lighter on a Friday morning with it being the weekend so making the trip would not be as risky as on a weekday morning.  The garden is usually open from November until the end of April but I can’t see a confirmed opening day noted on the website as of now, but the beginning of the month does fall on a weekend so it may open then....

Anne..

27 minutes ago, kurgan said:

Thank you very much!  Another question- How far this Sheraton Dubai creek from Miracle Garden? Do we have enouph time to visit Miracle Garden at morning before embarking cruise of it will be too risky?

Thanks

It’s quite a long drive from the Creek out to Miracle Garden.  It opens at 9.00am but in morning traffic I’d say it could take 45mins to 1 hour to get out there, and a similar time to get from there either back to the hotel or directly to the port...Depends what time you want to get to the cruise terminal for embarkation whether it’s worth making the trip or not... What day of the week are you looking at???? 

Anne..

31 minutes ago, kurgan said:

Anne, I have a question about Sheraton hotels. I see there are 3 Sheratons- 4 points Sheraton Downtown, 4 points Bur Dubai and Sheraton Dubai creek. Which one is better for access from airport (our flight  suppose to arrive around 10 pm), for sightseeing  and for access to cruise port?

Thanks

The Sheraton Dubai Creek Hotel is the most convenient for a late arrival into Dubai International airport.  It’s one of the earlier 5* hotels in Dubai but still very popular due to it’s location right on the Creek.   The two 4 points ones are on the cruise terminal side of the Creek but the Creek Hotel is a better location, and via the Shindaga Tunnel it’s a fairly short taxi ride to the terminal.   If you can get a Creek view room that would be even better!!!

Anne..

22 hours ago, clojacks said:

Thanks for all your "eyes on the ground" perspectives Anne. As always, I have another question for you. I'm sure you are aware of the TripAdvisor numerical rankings of Hotel Properties...as an example, Raffles is listed is #1 out of 633 properties in Dubai. What makes the Oberoi, #11 versus the Zabeel House Al Seef being #173? Prices are comparable for similar rooms. We were considering Zabeel House, due to its location, until clicking on its rating. Is the difference between, say the top 200, negligible? Is there a significant difference that makes the Oberoi at #11, better the Jumeirah Zabeel Saray at #78, or the Zabeel House Al Seef at #173? In looking at pictures, location, etc, I would pick anyone of these, but am I missing something?

No I don’t think you are missing anything, and like you I would be happy to stay in any of those three.   I think the reviews vary so much because many of these hotels are very new so they may not have built up a broad enough volume of reviews be they consistently good or not so good ones.   Also, they are in very different parts of the city and some reviewers may not have been aware of where in the city their selected hotel was, how accessible it was to what they wanted to see or do, etc.  I wouldn’t worry too much about the ranking and pay more attention to the actual review content....

Anne...

2 hours ago, clojacks said:

I do have 1 additional question if we choose either the Oberoi or Al Bandar Rotana Creek, which both appear to be near the Dubai Creek...is it easy to transit or use the water taxis?

The Oberoi and the Al Bandar Rotana Creek are nowhere near each other.  The Oberoi is in Business Bay which is the new development area south of Dubai Mall and the Burj Khalifa.   The Al Bandar Rotana Creek is on the Deira side of Dubai overlooking the Creek.  The Voco is located directly on Sh.Zayed Road quite close to the World Trade Centre metro station...  

The abras on the Creek are used for local trips between points along the Creek only not to other parts of the city.   The RTA operates some larger enclosed water taxis between various points from Dubai Marina, Jumeirah Water Canal, Business Bay, Al Jadaf, Festival city but they work on a set timetable so you can only use these for planned trips from Point A to Point B not for random trips....

Anne...

8 hours ago, Teabelly69 said:

That's great thank you  do you have any idea of the cost of a journey that long? Also can I pay in us dollars?

Thanks 

I just entered the trip in my Uber app and the estimate was Dhs80-Dhs100 for their ‘x’ service (roughly equivalent to a taxi) which is approx $20-$25... Whilst the Dirham is pegged to the US$ and the official exchange rate never varies, I   would always recommend exchanging them and using local currency for local shopping and/or services.   I feel certain there is both a money exchange and ATM in the cruise terminal...

Anne..

22 hours ago, Teabelly69 said:

Hi, off to Dubai next Febraury on Oceana with hubby and two teenage boys. Thinking of going to IMG the indoor theme park. Anybody been? Can we get a taxi from the port?

Thanks for any advice

You would need to get a taxi, and they are usually readily available from the cruise terminal when ships are in port, as the theme park is out of town on the E311 highway.  Depending on traffic to get across the city to the E311 it’s a good 30-45 minutes drive from the cruise terminal to the IMG World of Adventure theme park... Drive past it regularly but it was not there when I had kids at home so can’t help with ‘how it is’...

Anne...

On ‎6‎/‎14‎/‎2019 at 11:48 AM, Globaliser said:

 

More like scare-mongering, IMHO. What's going on is evidently very precisely targeted, for reasons (as I said) that are not difficult to understand. If a general shooting war were going on, with anti-ship missiles flying around indiscriminately, there would be genuine cause for concern. But that's not what's happening.

Spot on.....  

Anne...

3 hours ago, josumello said:

First I would like to thank you for all the wonderful knowledge you so generously share with us. Secondly I would like to ask your advice. 

We will be arriving Dubai on Tues Mar 24 at 11:45pm and will spend the next 3 days touring Dubai and possibly visiting Abu Dhabi. Then we leave for a cruise. I was considering The Grand Hyatt or The Hyatt Regency. The Hyatt Regency is quite economical which worries me!! Lol. 

Thanks for any help. 

 

Sue

Sue,

it’s nothing sinister, just that the Hyatt Regency is one of the older hotels in Dubai and it’s located over on Deira side of the Creek.  It’s actually quite close to the port but a bit out of the way for any of the sights other than the gold souq and the spice souq.  The Grand Hyatt is a larger and newer property on the Bur Dubai side of the Creek, quite close to the Wafi Centre and the Raffles Hotel.  It’s more convenient for ‘new’ Dubai, just a short taxi ride away from Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa etc...The Frame and Miracle Garden are also very close as is the recently redeveloped Jadaf Waterfront where you’ll find the lovely Jameel Arts Centre and the soon to be opened Mohld Bin Rashid Library...

Anne..

11 hours ago, bearette said:

Thanks for the recommendations, I will check out these places. Would you recommend a downtown area or marina area for a family? We are looking at going to one or two of the theme parks, a dessert safari, Burj Khalifa, the mall, and maybe dinner in the 7 star hotel, (but that may be out of budget with kids, we mostly want to see inside without the $1000 hotel room night bill). We will have 5 days.

For a family I would say the Downtown/Business Bay (which is the area around the Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall) is preferable to Dubai Marina as it is more accessible, and if you are going to either of the water parks or the theme parks then you will need a taxi from either area as they are not on the metro line...

Anne..

16 hours ago, bearette said:

We are doing a few days pre-cruise.  I like to do home/ apartment rentals because I have twins who will be 7, turning 8 on our trip.  I find I get extra space and amenities like washers and dryers that come in handy.  For an apartment rental, is there a location or place you would recommend?  We will be there mid-March.

Airbnb is still in its infancy here as foreign ownership freehold property was not permitted until fairly recently however, you can find some properties on there with most of them being in the new development areas of Dubai Marina, Downtown, Palm Jumeirah.  It may be worth taking a look on some of the hotel booking websites using the self-contained filter as several of the hotel companies operate serviced accommodation in buildings often right beside the hotel they operate.  You can also check Rotana Hotels website - they are a regional hotel group who from the start have had a portfolio of 5* hotels (Rotana Hotels), Residences (Arjaan, Residence, Amwaj brand names) and the newest brand Centro (3/4* hotels).  I think you may find the various hotel managed residences could be better located than an Airbnb rental..

Anne..

5 hours ago, grayjay said:

Finding a hotel in Dubai is not as easy as I thought...

We're now considering Azamara's choice hotel , even if their prices are a bit higher when booked via the cruiseline - the Intercontinental Dubai Festival City - because we'll arrive just before midnight and will be boarding our cruise ship a few hours later after a short night's sleep. So what we're looking for is a comfortable bed, a good breakfast and easy and quick access from the airport... And transfer to the ship on the day of embarkation is included which is always an easy choice for a tired traveller. What I couldn't find out yet : do hotels usually offer hotel shuttles at the airport or will we have to find a taxi to take us?

Thank you for your answer.

The 5* hotels do not usually operate airport shuttles but will arrange a private car pick-up for you if requested.  Some of the 3* or 4* hotels do have shuttles.   However, if you are planning on staying at the Intercontinental Festival City it is only 5 minutes from the airport so just getting taxi is fine...

Anne...

5 hours ago, cruise kitty said:

 

Hi, yes, I definitely need the "D" part 🙂

I checked this for you and it is the ‘D’ substance (pseudoephedrine) that is on the controlled list however according to the list it does not require any supporting documentation with it if you are carrying it with you, just the quantity you can bring into the country is restricted.  Personally, I would get my GP to issue a prescription for the use of Claratin D  and keep that with the medicine, in its original packing just in case one does get spot checked upon entry.

Anne...

9 hours ago, irisbax3 said:

Thanks,again, Anne. Are the rooms at the ZH Mini extremely small?

As hotel rooms go yes they are ‘mini’ - the Pocket rooms are just 23sq.m. which is about the average size of a regular cruise ship cabin.  The Family rooms are slightly larger (29sq.m.) to allow for an extra bed to go in them.    The ZH rooms are more traditional hotel room size, their Popular room is 35sq.m.   There are lots of reviews and traveller photos for both the ZH and ZH Mini on Tripadvisor  which give you are better idea of size/layout of them all....

Anne

18 hours ago, irisbax3 said:

Hi Anne,

 

Hi Anne, I've narrowed my hotel choices to Arabian Courtyard and the Jabeel House Mini.   Can you give me an idea of the major differences between these two hotels. Thank you.

The Arabian Courtyard Hotel is a more traditional style hotel albeit with an Arabic theme to it and it is in the middle of Bur Dubai quite close to Dubai Museum.  Zabeel House and Zabeel House Mini are both very new hotels in a very modern style, similar to Aloft hotels.  Location is great, right by the Creek at the beginning of the Al Seef heritage redevelopment area...

Anne

11 hours ago, cruise kitty said:

Hi all,

 (this is for flying into UAE, DUBAI)

I've looked over the list of medications that are allowed &/or banned.   It appears that an ingredient in Claritin-D  is on the list with remarks that say:  "Quantity for period of stay or one month, whichever is less"

 

Does this mean that I can bring my Claritin-D ) ( I'll keep in in the original, sealed box)  without preauthorizing it?  Do I have to declare it, or can it just be in my checked luggage?   thanks in advance 🙂

There is no need to preauthorise any medication, that is just an option.  If you are entering the country with an item that is on the controlled list then you can carry it with you along with the supporting documentation listed, i.e. original prescription, medical report etc.  If a substance or medicine is on the list then it is available only by prescription in the UAE not as an OTC item.  You do not need to declare, but the medication should be in you hand baggage for inspection if requested when you pass through immigration and customs....

Anne...

22 minutes ago, Lunenburg said:

Thanks Anne. I thought if you book the flight from Abu Dhabi to Madrid on Emirates website the bus was automatically included.  You mean you have to request it seperately?  I will make sure to look into that. The cruise ends on a Friday  - is that an issue getting a cab say at 9.00 am at the port?

I believe the complimentary coach transfer should be confirmed prior to travel as does the complimentary chauffeur-drive service for premium class ticket holders.   Friday is the quietest traffic day as that’s the main weekend day here so the transfer from the port should be very straightforward at that time....  If Abu Dhabi port is anything like Dubai then taxis are always readily available when cruise ships are docked however, you will be able to confirm that is the case if you are also there the previous day.

Anne...

2 hours ago, Lunenburg said:

I asked this on the Costa Board but no one replied so I hope someone might be able to give an opinion here.  I am looking at a Costa cruise that ends in Abu Dhabi. It arrives the previous day and the cruise ends the next morning.  I am looking at an Emirates flight to Madrid from Dubai that includes catching the bus at 9.45 am. from Abu Dhabi.   How much in advance do you need to get to the bus station?  Is a taxi from the port the best option?  Thanks.

I looked on the Emirates website but it doesn't give a minimum check-in time so I would just allow a sensible amount of time for them to check you in, stow your luggage etc.  and be on the bus before its departure time.  It did say that bookings should be made at least 48 hours in advance to guarantee space so do make sure you have requested the inter-city shuttle transfer beforehand... Taxi from the port should be fine as the Emirates office in Abu Dhabi is only a 15-20 minute drive along the Corniche from the port but give yourself a buffer to allow for traffic if you are making the trip on a week day...

Anne

14 hours ago, clojacks said:

Ironically, I have had quite a bit of difficulty getting package prices off of the Rotana website. Their website doesn't show any pricing for any rooms beyond the end of December, and they don't respond to any contacts through their website. Might make our decision easier if they won't respond. 

That's strange as I was on the Rotana website a few minutes ago amending an upcoming booking at one of the Abu Dhabi properties and just out of curiosity I tried making a booking at the Al Bandar Rotana for end of Jan thru to beginning of Feb. and the calendar was there for 2020 as were room rates for that timeframe.  Try again and if you still have problems I'll see if I can get a direct email address for reservations for you...

Anne..

54 minutes ago, little britain said:

Anne -  where can one find this list of drugs please? I am travelling with a group of first timers and I would like to share it with them.....?  

thanks.

i posted the link on the other thread you posted to...

Anne...

47 minutes ago, little britain said:

Thanks but that is just the form to fill in..... no list???!  I read somewhere that there were 71 items on the naughty list...I'm just looking for the brand names.....?

Click on the Annexe to Travellers link on that page it will take you to the full list but it is with genetic names of the drugs/substances not brand names, and there are a lot more than 71...

Anne

48 minutes ago, TLCOhio said:

 

In preparing for this trip late last year, we brought along all of the info, including letters from our doctor and the State Medical Board, in order to be properly prepared.  BUT, however, when we arrive in Dubai in early December, all was simple and very, very easy.  Nobody even asked about any such drugs, nor needed any of the documentation we had prepared.  Maybe that was good?  Maybe not?  

 

My guess, only speculation, is that either with cruise ship and/or overall, that the Dubai officials have realized the serious "complications" with these rules and have backed-off as to their enforcement and implementation.  Clearly what they had proposed was not very  "practical" for the millions and millions of tourists who visit the UAE yearly.  Maybe the link does not work as they have de-emphasized such requirements?   Other thoughts and better info?

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

For latest live/blog, see “Holy Lands, Egypt, Jordan, Oman, Dubai, Greece, etc.”, with many visuals, details and ideas for the historic and scenic Middle East.  Connect at:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2607054-livenautica-greece-holy-lands-egypt-dubai-terrypix’s/

Terry - Nothing has changed.  The rules regarding controlled drugs have been the same for as long as I can remember and the guidelines and warnings have always been there.  The media storm late last year was when the MOH launched the pre-approval for controlled drugs per personal use via their e-services, but it was always stated pre-approval was optional and visitors could still do as always has been the case, i.e. carry original prescriptions and/or medical reports etc. with them if they use any of the listed drugs just in case they are required to show them during entry to the country.   In all the years I’ve lived here and passed through Immigration and Customs I’ve never been checked for controlled drugs so I would expect very few visitors would be either....However, if you are and you have the supporting paperwork then it shouldn’t be an issue...

Anne..

53 minutes ago, little britain said:

Hi, this page does not exist any more....?

Try the links on this page... http://www.mohap.gov.ae/en/services/Pages/361.aspx

Anne

3 hours ago, clojacks said:

Hi Anne. I've been researching hotels for a trip prior to a cruise that my wife and I are taking in February of 2020. Researching the hotels and geographical areas of Dubai is exhausting, but I've kind of narrowed my choices down to about 4 hotels, spread between what I have labeled 3 areas. 2 of them are in what I am referring to as the Dubai Creek area, 1 appears to be in Business Bay, and 1 is near the World Trade Center. Specifically, they are the Jumeirah Creekside, Al Bandar Rotana-Creek, Oberoi, and Voco Dubai. Is there any info you think might be helpful to me is deciding between any of these 4 or the areas they are located? 

A very eclectic mix you selected there.   I’ll start with the one that may be a problem - the Jumeirah Creekside, which is actually a bit of a misnomer as it is close to the Creek but not Creekside!!  It’s actually located adjacent to the Dubai Tennis Stadium and the Emirates Training Centre and whilst you don’t give visit dates in February, for a significant amount of the month it will be the host hotel for the Dubai Tennis Championships - back to back ladies and mens ATP events that I believe will run from 17th February in 2020 for two weeks... Other than that, it’s an excellent hotel but not in a central or easily accessible location...

The Al Bandar Rotana opened late last year and is located on the Deira side of the Creek in what used to be the CBD before DIFC, Downtown and Business Bay were developed.  Any of the Rotana Group hotels are good value for money and usually have very comfortable rooms and a good selection of F&B outlets too.  I’m not sure how close that one is to a Metro station but it would be very easy to explore both Deira side of the Creek (Spice Souq, Gold Souq) or get an abra (water taxi) across to the Bur Dubai side of the Creek to explore the historical/heritage area of ‘old’ Dubai from that location.  If you got  a Creek view room the you would see all of Dubai from the Creek over to ‘new’ Dubai...

I don’t know much about the Voco Hotel as it is a recently rebranded property..  It was a combined hotel/residence complex operated by the owners before joining the IHG portfolio as one of their new brand Voco hotels just last month.  Location is good, easy access to the World Trade Centre Metro station and within walking distance of several other Sh. Zayed Road hotels so lots of options for restaurants, bars, etc... 

The Oberoi Dubai in Business Bay is a beautiful hotel in a good location but not as close to the Metro however, taxis are reasonable and readily available.   Lots of restaurants etc. within walking distance and access to the Dubai Waterfront where you can get water taxis to various other locations that are now all linked via the Dubai Canal that runs from the sea right through the Business Bay area and beyond.   Quite close to Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa, Dubai Fountains and Dubai Opera....

Hope that helps but it really depends how long you have here and what your ‘to do’ priorities are whilst you’re here as to which would be the better choice...

Anne..

16 hours ago, laverendrye said:

I’m enjoying your posts and photos of Budapest. However, I’m puzzled by your guide’s remarks that you should stay within 3 blocks of the main area. I’m not sure what the limits of the main area may be, but I’ve found Budapest a very safe city, except perhaps for pickpockets, and have never felt in any danger there. Was he warning of possible muggings?  Or is there another reason to avoid certain areas of the city? It’s been a few years since I was last there so perhaps things have changed in the meantime. 

I have to admit that I was puzzled by the same thing.  I was last in Budapest a couple of years ago and spent one full day with a guide doing a tour 'by public transport' and we went all over the place using the trams, metro , local buses and of course on foot and I never noticed anything 'unsavoury' or felt uncomfortable at all.   I loved it so much that I am hoping to return later this year for a mini-break and continue my 'local experience' discovery of the city...

Anne...