Arabian Gulf Shore Excursions

In this Dubai City Tour Shore Excursions You will be picked up from your Dubai Port to discover the historic sites of Dubai and the ultra-modern venues. Explore the heritage area of Bastakiya with its Arabian wind towers, sail down the Dubai Creek on an authentic Abra and open the secrets of the 225-year old Al Fahidi Fort, home to the Dubai Museum. Shop at the Gold and Spices Souks before continuing on to Jumeirah Mosque, Burj Al Arab, Burj Khalifa and Dubai mall for photo opportunities. After your day out in the town, transfer back to the Port.

Leave your port after breakfast and drive through the beautiful embassy quarter of Muscat en route to Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque. Visit the grand mosque, a religious landmark of Muscat and splendour of unique Islamic architecture (Islamic dress code is compulsory). Witness the world’s second largest handmade carpet and huge chandeliers in the main prayer hall.
On your way back to the city centre you will go past the Opera House, the Gulf′s only concert hall, and reach the old town. Then visit the 16th -Century forts Jalali and Mirani. Stroll around the old city quarter and have a photo-stop at the Qasr Al Alam, the official Palace of HM Sultan Qaboos. Visit Bait Al Zubair Museum with its wealth of information and exhibits on the country’s culture, tradition and heritage.
Drive to Muttrah, a delightful quarter of Muscat. Muttrah souq is one of the most beautiful oriental markets in the Gulf States. Step into the fish market, stroll along the Corniche to admire the beautiful merchant houses and experience the shopping in the busy souk. The largest and oldest bazaar of Oman is traditionally divided into zones for selling a variegated array of shops with souvenirs, antiques, frankincense, gold, textiles, leather goods, jewellery, traditional sabres and many other goods. Drive back to your Cruise.

09.00 – 10.00 am Al Fateh Islamic centre – Grand Mosque
Bahrain’s Grande Mosque is set against a back drop of palm trees and the sea. Its exquisite architecture, crowned by the worlds most largest fibre glass dome.
10.15 – 11.00 am National Museum – Bahrain
You will not be able to comprehend much about the country unless and until you take a walk down the glorious past of this land. From the first inhabitants of this island to the foreign influences, you will know much about Bahrain like never before. The kingdom’s rich heritage and past steps to the fore with the presence of Bahrain Museums. And the one that comes to mind is that of Bahrain National Museum.
11.15 – 13.00 pm Manama Souq
The souk lies in the centre of the old town, near the archway of Bab al-Bahrain and, although much of the surrounding area is modern, the street layout and division of occupations still follow traditional lines: the gold souk, for example, is to be found to the south-east of the market area.
Finally, you will back to Port

Depart from the designated drive past the 7 km long Cornice Bay, the highlight of Doha sightseeing. The most picturesque part of the Arabian Gulf, it also houses the port of Doha. It’s well worth a walk around the dhow harbour, looking at the traditional fishing traps and admiring the wooden boats. Continue on to the souqs which by contrast, are a wonderful mixture of scents and sights. A very interesting place is the falcon market, located in the same souq. Breeding and training falcons is an ancient Qatari pastime and one of the numerous shops and you may get lucky if the owner lets you hold the birds. The next visit is a tour of the Museum of Islamic Art. Designed by the world renowned architect, I. M. Pei, it is an architectural masterpiece rising majestically out of the waters off Doha’s corniche. The museum houses a magnificient collection of artworks dating from the 7th to the 19th century. Later on, you will be escorted back to your cruise ship.