From Dubai to Singapore – A 17-day cruise story

For several years, I had been promising myself that I would go to the Maldives the year I turned 30. However, when it came time to plan, I thought twice.

You see, I’ve never really taken the time to really look at the cost of such a trip. I knew it would be more expensive than my usual trips – I’m a big fan of backpacking adventures in Asia – but I had no idea we were talking about a trip in the 5 figures!

I was VERY disappointed. So, when I stumbled upon the description of the itinerary of a cruise that was spending a day in the Maldives, I jumped at the chance. I called my mother, presented her with the idea of a trip for her 60th birthday and my 30th birthday, and voilà! We booked a 17-day cruise from Dubai to Singapore.

I admit, I was afraid I wouldn’t like cruises. I, who am used to little luxury, youth hostels, bus journeys and low cost airplanes from Europe: would I really enjoy such a trip on a liner, prisoner of a fixed, unchangeable itinerary?

I’ve got to be honest: I loved it. So in this account of my experience, I’ll try to share with you a little bit of the magic of cruises (even when you’re 30 years old!) and to undo some of the prejudices that people have (including myself) about them.

What’s the plan?

Dubai (UAE) – Abu Dhabi (UAE) – Khasab (Oman) – Goa (India) – Malé (Maldives) – Colombo (Sri Lanka) – Phuket (Thailand) – Penang (Malaysia) – Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) – Singapore

In Canada, we do not have access to cruise line credit cards, as may be the case in the United States.

To save money on this type of trip, there are solutions. For example, AIR MILES offers the possibility of using miles for cruises.

Finally, don’t forget the hotel nights or Airbnb before or after a cruise! This allows you to enjoy your trip more.

For this, hotel points such as Best Western Rewards or Marriott Bonvoy will be used. Or travel points for Airbnb.

When booking, we had several choices regarding the type of room and possible “bonus” benefits.

We took advantage of the offer that gave us the following benefits:

• Free Wifi (250 minutes)
• Credit of $50 per port of call for an excursion booked through NCL
• Unlimited alcoholic beverages

It is important to note that all meals are included on the boat. A buffet is offered three times a day, and in the evening, it is possible to eat at one of the restaurants “à la carte” of our choice. Specialty restaurants are also available, but you must pay (or purchase the appropriate package).

The boat arrives in the morning at the ports of call (we can disembark around 8:00 am, normally) and we had to return there before 4:00 pm (two hours before the scheduled departure). Depending on the port, these times vary a little, but we usually have at least 8 hours on site.

After a flight with Emirates (very comfortable in Economy class), we arrived in Dubai the morning of the boat’s departure.

As we were already leaving for 17 days at sea, plus the travel time to and from Dubai, my mother and I had decided not to spend any time in Dubai before the cruise. It wasn’t an easy decision, but on the spot it was the best one. So I only saw the taxi ride from the airport to the port.

I don’t recommend doing what we did, for two reasons:

• If the flight is late, the boat won’t wait for you…
• It’s good to arrive in good shape for the departure (I suggest arriving a day or two before the boat leaves)

Once on the boat, we took possession of our room. We had a mini-suite, which consists of a double bed, a sofa bed, a balcony and a bathroom.

It’s obviously smaller than a hotel room, but it was very comfortable and pleasant, all in all. A curtain separates the “bedroom” section from the “living room” section which contains the sofa bed.

My mother and I decided to book a double-decker bus tour to see as much of the city as possible. We took advantage of the credit of $50 per port of call to book with NCL. So we were able to leave directly from the port to visit the main tourist attractions of Abu Dhabi. The advantage with the “Hop on, Hop off” buses is that you can (as the name suggests) get on and off as you please throughout the day. We focused our visit at the Sheikh Zayed Mosque, the Yas Mall and the Emirates Palace.

Once back on the boat, we decided on our routine for the next two weeks: watching the beautiful sunset while sipping a cool drink, trying the food at the buffet, and relaxing.

Cruises that cover such a long distance involve spending several days “at sea”. That is to say, the boat is moving and all the passengers therefore remain on board. My mother was happy to spend time on our balcony reading, while I enjoyed the warm weather and the pool! I also took the opportunity to go to the gym – because yes, there is one! Very well equipped, by the way.

I had taken the time to look at the excursions offered by Norwegian Cruise, but nothing tempted me. It was too expensive. So I looked at Viator and I found a dhow boat trip to see the fjords and the dolphins, hopefully.

For a fraction of the price, we had a great day. In addition to the breathtaking scenery, the dolphins were there!

I took the opportunity to do my first snorkeling trip. The water was warm and I could see several species of fish. We ended the day with a quick visit to the village of Khasab before returning to the ship.

Verdict: I want to go back to that country. I now have a crush on Oman, its people, its landscapes…