And here we go! Again. A little week long interlude for mid term break has seen us escaping from Dubai on the Costa Diadema for some R&R. Actually, I will be working and there is some concern over the current COVID-19 pandemic but, here we are, decision made and ready to go cruising Dubai again.
Day 1, Embarkation
It is rather nice to pack up from home and, after a 30 minute taxi ride, be at our destination and ready to embark. This takes a bit longer than anticipated and we amuse ourselves at the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Cruise Terminal at Port Rachid until the process begins. It is a bit of a process today. Although we have already registered online, we have to be scanned, temperature checked and there are a few extra questions before we are on our way.
First things first and we grab a bite to eat then off to explore the ship. Three story atrium, tick. Bars and restaurants galore, tick. Kids’ club, pool, playground, tick, tick, tick. We head up to the top deck to check out the views and then navigate our way through the afternoon with the sports court, arcade, table tennis and finding our cabin all included in the fun. Not to mention several flights of stairs.
By dinner time we are all pretty famished and make our way to the restaurant for something to eat before hitting the hay in the cabin, with only a short dispute over the top bunk!
Day 2, Dubai
The next day is a work day for me and I head into the office from Port Rachid while the boys continue to explore and enjoy the ship. When I return in the afternoon, they are braving the chilly waters of the pool. I skip the cold water but agree to a spa which takes us through to dinner time.
After our meal we make the most of the on board entertainment and head to the theatre for some musical numbers. A stop in at the Gelateria is a sweet finish to the day.
Cruising Again
Read about the other ports, sights and activities in the remainder of the series:
Good To Know
The Costa Diadema can usually be found on its Middle Eastern itineraries between October and March each year. Middle East destinations may vary but most cruise lines will offer a variety of ports including:
- Abu Dhabi (UAE)
- Khor Al Fakkan (UAE)
- Sir Bani Yas Island (UAE)
- Doha (Qatar)
- Muscat (Oman)
- Salalah (Oman)
- Khalifa Bin Salman Port (Bahrain)
- Kuwait City (Kuwait)
- Aqaba (Jordan)
- Eliat (Israel)
- Suez Canal (Egypt)
Would I Return?
Yes. Cruising is a highlight of each year.
4 Replies to “Cruising Again, Dubai”