Marella Discovery | 07 Nov 2019 Arabian Adventure 1

[BLJ1]

Hi, is anyone going on this cruise? I have put a few posts out, but no replies. Does anyone have any advice on trips, we want to go to Petra, thinking of booking a driver before we Cruise. Just myself and Husband, we don't normally book excursions with the Cruise Ships as they are expensive, any info really would be gratefully appreciated, we haven't travelled to the Middle east before.  

Could anyone out there advise if I will need different currency for the various stops as in the Itinerary  below :

• Aqaba (for Petra), Jordan
• Aqaba (for Petra), Jordan
• Port Rashid (for Dubai), United Arab Emirates
• Port Rashid (for Dubai), United Arab Emirates
• Manama, Bahrain
• Doha, Qatar
• Sir Bani Yas (Abu Dhabi), United Arab Emirates
• Port Zayed (for Abu Dhabi), United Arab Emirates
• Khasab, Oman
• Port Sultan Qaboos (for Muscat), Oman

[Pensioncruiser]

Hi can only give advise on Petra it's one of those must do visits but it is very hard work, it's an easy walk down to the chancellery but in our case we went further on down and had tea with the Bedouins it was fantastic but it's then a long walk back uphill at the hottest time of day, you can come back on a cart but are a cruel to the horses and we witnessed one tip over. Just take plenty of water it is really worth it.

[BLJ1]

Thank you, I would not want to use the cart, due to the cruelty. I'm not that fit, however, I think if I take my time then should be Ok.  I have had a telephone no of a driver recommended by someone on Trip advisor who visits there quite frequently so will probably give him a ring and hopefully book him. Thanks again

 

[edinburgher]

You could check websites such as whatsinport, (a personal favourite) cruisemapper and others, also here on CC under DESTINATIONS (select from the RESEARCH dropdown)

 

They will give you info on where you dock, currency and other useful info on each port.

 

Also use the SEARCH with the THIS FORUM box ticked for each individual port over on the Africa and Middle East Forum. Loads of info on all of the ports you mention on that one. You can read previous threads and answers.

Edited October 13, 2019 by edinburgher

[dronnygirl]

Petra is amazing,  we always do DIY trips  but this is one of the few I would advise doing a ship trip as it's about 2 hours away and a very long day. Lunch was also included.  Our guide was excellent  and told us all about life in Jordan on the way. If you have 2 days in Aquaba, Wadi Rum is also  great place to visit.

Muscat you can DIY and the souk is great to visit, plenty of souvenirs. The Mosque is beautiful but if you want to see this you may need a trip as it's open at certain times for non muslims and women. Don't forget to dress accordingly or they can refuse entry

 

[edinburgher]

Agree that you should book Petra through the cruiseline. Sometimes they are actually worth paying for.

 

We also DIY unless we cannot do something ourselves or the timings don't fit with sailing times, or the distance is too far, but we booked Petra as a shorex for several of these reasons, also in part for the cost of individual entry to the site.

 

thinking of booking a driver before we Cruise. Just myself and Husband, we don't normally book excursions with the Cruise Ships as they are expensive,

 

Sometimes private tours do work out cheaper, but it depends on several factors. In this instance I would be very surprised if a private tour from Aqaba to Petra would be cheaper than a shorex.

 

If you search online (or over on the Africa and Middle East Forum) you will get an idea of the cost involved for a private tour for only two persons. Driver, car, and entry to Petra.

 

If you think it might be cheaper to simply have a car and driver and pay separately to go in, be aware of the high entry cost, details on the official Petra website.  And you would need to check if cruise pax are considered overnight visitors or not as otherwise you will see how very expensive it is even for a one day pass.

Edited October 13, 2019 by edinburgher

[BLJ1]

Thank you for your replies, unfortunately have received an email to day from Marella, they have changed the itinerary, which gives 2 extra sea days, however they have also changed two of the stops, which I am not happy about. I may have a refund which is an option they are offering, just not sure where to go instead, thinking of Thailand, but so disappointed at the moment, I need to have a long think about, thanks again much appreciated

[Vitalsign]

BLJ1 Sorry to hear about your cancelled stops. We are doing Dubai back to Palma in April next year and have been worried about cancellations due to the Iranian capture of a British Stena oil tanker recently, which has now been released but Khasab is very close to where it was taken. 

Maybe it is too expensive to have armed guards aboard or gun boats shadowing the boat  (Cruise ships do have armed escorts when sailing past Somalia) I have read on this site that P & O have cancelled a whole cruise to the area although they were offered to switch to a Costa cruise. Obviously as P & O ships have a union flag prominent and are registered in London they would have been sitting (sailing) targets.

At least you are able to get a refund. Perhaps a discount might have been a good idea too for the lost ports of call and extra sea days.

Can you please advise of the cancelled ports and what new ports have been added to give us an idea of what to expect on our cruise.

 

[BLJ1]

Hi Vital sign, sorry I have not replied earlier having trouble with lap top.

They are now docking at :  8 Fujairah (for Dubai), UAE 09:00       9 Fujairah (for Dubai), UAE 21:00       10 Khor Al Fakkan, UAE 07:00 18:00       11 At Sea       12 Salalah, Oman 11:00 19:00       13 At Sea       14 Muscat, Oman 08:00       15 Muscat, Oman Here was the original hope this helps Port Rashid (for Dubai), United Arab Emirates Port Rashid (for Dubai), United Arab Emirates Manama, Bahrain Doha, Qatar Sir Bani Yas (Abu Dhabi), United Arab Emirates Port Zayed (for Abu Dhabi), United Arab Emirates Khasab, Oman Port Sultan Qaboos (for Muscat), Oman

[Vitalsign]

Thankyou so much It's such a shame you are missing Khasabi as there is a woman nderful dhow trip there down what are like Norwegian fiords where you can see loads of dolphins If our trip there gets cancelled in April hubby will be really upset Luckily I've done it.

at least you get your overnight in Dubai there is a wonderful evening trip to the burj kaliffa 

the weather will be great - enjoy

[Cliffholl55]

1 hour ago, Vitalsign said:

Thankyou so much It's such a shame you are missing Khasabi as there is a woman nderful dhow trip there down what are like Norwegian fiords where you can see loads of dolphins If our trip there gets cancelled in April hubby will be really upset Luckily I've done it.

at least you get your overnight in Dubai there is a wonderful evening trip to the burj kaliffa 

the weather will be great - enjoy

There no overnight in Dubai . We flying into Dubai and a coach to Fujairah for overnight. Been offered a free coach into Dubai next day but with a 2 hour both way trip I think we’re give it a miss. Many on our roll call have cancelled.

[Cliffholl55]

1 hour ago, Vitalsign said:

Thankyou so much It's such a shame you are missing Khasabi as there is a woman nderful dhow trip there down what are like Norwegian fiords where you can see loads of dolphins If our trip there gets cancelled in April hubby will be really upset Luckily I've done it.

at least you get your overnight in Dubai there is a wonderful evening trip to the burj kaliffa 

the weather will be great - enjoy

 

[Vitalsign]

I meant that as you have an overnight and access to Dubai they should be offering the evening trip to Dubai which is well worth doing - better than sitting in port all night

[Cliffholl55]

1 hour ago, Vitalsign said:

I meant that as you have an overnight and access to Dubai they should be offering the evening trip to Dubai which is well worth doing - better than sitting in port all night

There not offering an evening trip. They’ve offered us a free coach into Dubai during day along with a couple of trips. 
 

[Vitalsign]

Are you sure it's not on the excursion list It's on ours for the repositioning cruise from Dubai to Aqaba to Palma in April 9th April 2020 Obviously it's not free 

[Cliffholl55]

1 hour ago, Vitalsign said:

Are you sure it's not on the excursion list It's on ours for the repositioning cruise from Dubai to Aqaba to Palma in April 9th April 2020 Obviously it's not free 

Nope. Not for us, this cruise was rearranged 2 days ago, and if there was a trip for a night trip to Dubai I can’t imagine what time u be back on board in Fujairah. Once again just like the cancelled PO cruise we were on here this one is going pear shape too. 2 extra sea days. You might want to check if ur still going to Dubai, looks like ships won’t cruise through the straits of hormuz for the foreseeable 

Edited October 17, 2019 by Cliffholl55

[Vitalsign]

We are flying to Dubai and as BLJ1 is calling into Dubai still don't think there will be a problem but doubt we'll call in at Khasab 

[Cliffholl55]

18 minutes ago, Vitalsign said:

We are flying to Dubai and as BLJ1 is calling into Dubai still don't think there will be a problem but doubt we'll call in at Khasab 

Yes we are to but ship won’t be there,got to be taken by road to Fujairah 

[BLJ1]

Hi we have now decided to cancel this trip and I'm currently looking for something else, thinking about the Caribbean but have been to most of the islands and a bit worried about the rainy season, due to work commitments we have to go in November, any suggestions, l like the weather to be hot. 

[edinburgher]

BLJ1, such bad luck to have not one but two itineraries cancelled or changed, but it is likely to be for safety reasons.

Think you were wise to cancel.

 

We have done more than one itinerary in that area and all the good ports have gone apart from Muscat, one of our favorites. Fujairah and Khor Al Fakkan offer little.

 

As for the Caribbean, hurricane season usually finishes around the end of November. We joined E1 on Nov 25th last year and had wonderful weather throughout. It was actually too hot for us at times.

 

Hope you find something.

 

 

Edited October 18, 2019 by edinburgher

[BLJ1]

1 hour ago, edinburgher said:

BLJ1, such bad luck to have not one but two itineraries cancelled or changed, but it is likely to be for safety reasons.

Think you were wise to cancel.

 

We have done more than one itinerary in that area and all the good ports have gone apart from Muscat, one of our favorites. Fujairah and Khor Al Fakkan offer little.

 

As for the Caribbean, hurricane season usually finishes around the end of November. We joined E1 on Nov 25th last year and had wonderful weather throughout. It was actually too hot for us at times.

 

Hope you find something.

 

 

 

[jaxw17]

11 hours ago, BLJ1 said:

Hi we have now decided to cancel this trip and I'm currently looking for something else, thinking about the Caribbean but have been to most of the islands and a bit worried about the rainy season, due to work commitments we have to go in November, any suggestions, l like the weather to be hot. 

it is usually late August September when the weather is bad in the Caribbean. hope you find something. I would have cancelled it as well 

[BLJ1]

Thank you everyone, I've been to see TA today and have rebooked for next year on The Edge, Celebrity, we paid extra but as this years cruise was for my 60th and the ship looks really good we decided to go for it. 😎

 

[Vitalsign]

Seems strange that Marella are not sailing into Port Rashid Dubai when an Aida ship is there today with Mein Schiff 6

[Vitalsign]

The Aida ship is Aida Vita and correction its Mein Schiff 5 and they must have sailed through the Strait of Hormuz Maybe the Iranians like the Germans 😎 Also Seabourne Encore and another cruise ship are travelling down the Red Sea and Aida Bella and MSC Orchestra are travelling up the Gulf of Aden

seems everyone else is happy to cruise the Middle East 

Edited October 29, 2019 by Vitalsign