From Desert Sand to Skyscrapers: Cruise Around the Red Sea
If you’re looking for a cruise vacation that will allow you to follow the sun and enjoy a diversity of exciting locations then consider the Red Sea region.
Red Sea cruises offer a host of exciting routes and one of the most popular includes a departure from the Egyptian holiday hot spot of Sharm el Sheikh, with vibrant Dubai as your final destination.
Depart from Egypt’s beach capital
Sun-drenched Sharm el Sheikh is world famous for its beautiful beaches and has easily become one of the most popular beach destinations in North Africa. With over 60Km of coastline it’s not hard to find an idyllic stretch of white sand, and you can spend an afternoon diving in the crystal clear waters at Naama Bay or take a trip to the Sinai Desert.
The nightlife in Sharm is also a major attraction and there are plenty of restaurants, waterfront bars and nightclubs to enjoy. Sharm el Sheikh will be the perfect place to kick off your holiday before sailing on towards your next destination.
Follow the sun to Djibouti
From Sharm el Sheikh the most popular next port to stop at is Djibouti in the Horn of Africa. A stop here for a few days will allow you to explore the distinctly Arabic capital city and take sightseeing trips to Lake Assal with its dormant volcanic landscape. The town of Tadjoura can also be included on an itinerary and this relaxing location offers a mountainous setting as well as some beautiful beaches. The Foret du Day National Park provides an amazing scenic location, so don’t forget your cameras if touring through this immense and dramatic park.
Stunning beaches and dramatic deserts
Sailing east from Djibouti will take you to the popular city of Salalah in Oman. The city offers a number of nearby attractions including a beautiful mountainous backdrop and a number of equally stunning beaches along the Arabian Sea coastline. From Salalah the next destination should be unmissable Muscat to enjoy sightseeing opportunities such as the Royal Palace in the walled town as well as taking a sunset boat trip along the coastline. Other highlights can include dolphin spotting excursions and overnight camping in the magical desert area of the Wahiba Sands.
Relax in the mountains or on the beaches
After the delights of Muscat a stop in Fujairrah is great for sightseeing, before commencing to your final destination. Fujairah is an exciting Indian Ocean resort that offers the majestic Al Hajar Mountains as well some of the most beautiful beach locations. A number of sightseeing options are available depending on how long you dock including visiting the oasis mountain villages and viewing the Al- Bidyah Mosque. The beaches are a natural draw and a few hours should be spent rejuvenating before departing to Dubai.
The glamour of Dubai
Dubai may indeed be the highlight of your cruise and the amazing skyscraper skyline will be a contrasting sight after the previous idyllic beaches and mountain scenery. Yes, Dubai does offer a number of stunning public beaches along the coastline, but this glamorous city is more than just its beaches. Take a trip to the top of Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, although the city is about to outdo itself with an even taller construction. Spend some time swimming with the dolphins at Dolphin Bay, sightsee at the man-made Palm Islands or simply enjoy some of the best nightlife options in the world.
This amazing Red Sea cruise will usually take around 15 days to complete with a day or two’s stop at most of the destinations mentioned: a perfect amount of time to relax out at sea.
Images by WomEOS, aurelio candido, S A F 1 PHOTOGRAPHY, Bilal Sarwar and Michael Theis used under creative commons license.