Marvel at the iconic futuristic buildings that have transformed Dubai and then travel to Sharjah, an emirate whose cultural heritage has been preserved in museums and the UAE’s oldest souk.
DAY 1
Arrive via international flights to Dubai. You are met outside the terminal and transferred to your deluxe hotel.
Check in time is at 3:00pm. Although every effort will be made to have the rooms available sooner, this cannot be guaranteed. Should your flight arrive very early in the morning you may wish to book an additional night. You could also store your luggage and start enjoying the facilities of your hotel upon arrival or perhaps take a stroll to see some of the sites close by while you wait for your room to be ready.
Conveniently located at the Burj Khalifa district, the hotel is walking distance away from The Dubai Mall and the luxury Downtown area with the iconic landmarks like Dubai Opera and The Dubai Fountain.
Meals are on your own today.
Day 2
After breakfast, meet your guide and set out for Abu Dhabi, the capital city of the United Arab Emirates - named after a breed of gazelles by a Sheikh of the Bani Yas tribe. This magnificent city which was founded in 1761 is situated on a small peninsula surrounded by a cluster of islands.
Your tour today offers an ideal introduction to Abu Dhabi. The first stop is the magnificent Grand Mosque of Abu Dhabi. The majestic Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Mosque is probably the most imposing religious and national landmark in Abu Dhabi to date. It is also arguably one of the most important architectural treasures of contemporary UAE society - and one of the most beautiful in the world - initiated no less by the late president HH Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who is fondly thought of as the father of UAE.
Also pay a visit to Qasr al Watan Palace. Prepare to walk through majestic hallways, uncover centuries of Arabian knowledge, marvel at the beauty of Arabian craftsmanship, express yourself with interactive installations, and delve into the region’s rich heritage of artistic contributions.
Following your enlightening visit at the Palace, visit the Louvre Abu Dhabi – the first universal museum in the Arab world. This museum brings the Louvre name to Abu Dhabi and presents both ancient and contemporary works of historic, cultural, and sociological interest from around the world. Virtually surrounded by the sea, the dozens of buildings that comprise the museum are linked by waterfront promenades and by the museum’s most arresting feature – its dome. As sunlight filters through the dome’s perforations, it creates a “rain of light” effect in the museum galleries below.
Before returning to Dubai, enjoy lunch at the Jumeirah Etihad Towers.
Back in Dubai, the remainder of the day is at your leisure and dinner is on your own.
**Note: The Grand Mosque does not provide ladies a headscarf or abaya free of charge and there is no shop on sight to buy them. Ladies please come prepared with something to cover you head or entrance will unfortunately be denied. For men and women: no transparent clothing, no shorts or skirts, no sleeveless shirts, no clothing with profanity and no tight clothing (including leggings) or beachwear.
Day 3
Following breakfast at the hotel, meet your guide and proceed into the heart of Dubai to behold its most innovative and futuristic architecture. Thanks to the staggering wealth that came from a somewhat recent oil boom, the urban landscape of Dubai was transformed.
Along the way, you will see engineering feats such as the Dubai Canal, a nearly $3-billion project with a mechanical waterway that meanders through the city on the way to the Arabian Gulf. You will also view the Swiss Cheese Building, whose undulating white concrete exterior has more than a thousand holes that naturally cool the interior. Other highlights include the Opus, which features an organic void in the center, and Atlantis The Palm, a themed resort on the city’s famed manmade, palm-shaped island.
You will also stand atop the world’s tallest observation deck, which perches on the 124th floor of the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building. On the way the elevators, you will be entertained by a multi-media presentation that chronicles Dubai’s exotic history and the fascinating story of the Burj Khalifa.
Then, you will zip up to the observation deck on an elevator that travels 32 feet (10 meters) per second. As the doors open, you will be treated a breathtaking, unobstructed 360-degree view of Dubai, the desert and ocean. It’s an experience you will not soon forget.
Following a traditional Emirati lunch, you will visit the Shindagha Museum in the Dubai Creek area. It was developed as part of an initiative to transform the creek into a regional culture and traditional center. While browsing the exhibits, you will gain insight into the city’s modern innovations and a heritage that reveals the true Emirati culture.
Afterwards, you will return to the hotel for some time to freshen up before heading out to see La Perle. Featuring a cast of 65 artists, each will bring their own unique set of skills to the performance ranging from acting, acrobats, aquatic and aerial stunts. These often gravity-defying performers will mesmerize as they dive into an on-stage pool, creating a visually captivating experience both below and above the stage level.
Return to your hotel where the remainder of the evening is at your leisure and dinner is on your own.
Day 4
After breakfast and check out, meet your guide and begin the drive to the Emirate of Sharjah. Your coach will follow a panoramic route that will have you passing by some of this Emirate’s landmarks, such as the King Faisal Mosque, the Pearl Monument symbol of the country, the Blue Souk and the Ruler’s area. Worthy to know is that, in 1998, Sharjah won the UNESCO award of being the Cultural capital of the Arab world. This Emirate really takes great pride with its commitment to art and preserving the local heritage and hosts very interesting museums, such as the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization.
A visit of this museum will allow you to deepen your knowledge the country’s official religion, Islam, and to understand how the Arab civilization developed throughout the centuries. Of particular interest is also the building in which the Museum is located. Once hosting the Souk Al Majarrah, it is characterized by an impressive architecture and traditional, Arab-Islamic design elements in its ground-plan and décor. Most outstanding feature is its majestic, gilt central dome, decorated on the inside with an intricate mosaic depicting the night sky and the signs of the zodiac.
Next, walk to the nearby Souk Al Arsa, the oldest souk in the UAE. Arsa is a local Arabic word meaning ‘the area where goods are being sold in a traditional open space way' and it correctly defines this souk. Here you can find displayed various traditional items and goods, such as copper, silver and wood items, traditional jewelry, pearls and garments.
Enjoy lunch at a luxury property in Sharjah before your return drive to Dubai. Your program concludes with a transfer to the port of Dubai where you will embark your awaiting ship.
Land Program Details Step by Step
•The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. Program times are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change. •Itineraries with the up-to-date details will be issued when you are emailed your final cruise documents 21 days prior to sailing. You will then receive a final itinerary from our ground operator with a Welcome Letter upon arrival or at your hotel. Please review the letter and your final itinerary carefully for further amendments.
•The hotels used for your land program will be the hotels listed in this document unless you have been advised otherwise in advance of the land program start date.
•Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered a no-show and their hotel space released.
Extra Nights
•If you book extra nights through the cruise line, you will be met as per the flight details provided and transferred to your hotel. Check-in is 3:00pm (subject to change). Meals other than breakfast, as well as activities, are on your own until day 2 of the program.
•If you have an early-arriving flight, you may wish to book an extra night as your room will not be ready for occupation until approximately 3:00pm.
•If you book extra nights on your own, transfers are not included.
DAY 1
Arrive at the Dubai International Airport
Meet and greet your Regent Representative in the meet and greet area after Immigration
3:00pm Check in time at your hotel
The remainder of the day is at your leisure
Meals are on your own
Overnight at the Taj Dubai or similar hotel
Meet and Greet and transfers
•Final cruise documents will be emailed 21 days prior to sailing. The local ground agent’s telephone number will be on page 1, if you can’t locate the meet-and-greet representative upon arrival. Be aware that the representative may be assisting others and may not be in sight when you first exit Customs and the luggage claim area.
•Look for someone holding a sign with the cruise line logo and possibly your name. If in doubt, ask the airport staff to direct you to the meeting area for transfers or to page our representative.
•Meet and Greet and transfers are arranged for guests arriving on Day 1 of a land program or for extra nights booked through the cruise line and are arranged based on the flight details received by guests at least 14 days before sailing. Guests arriving independently before the program start date will not have a transfer included.
•If we have not received your flight details or your flights have changed, and the Destination Services Land Team has not been notified, then a transfer cannot be provided, and guests will be responsible for getting to the land program hotel at their own expense. Please immediately contact our Reservations Department for any flight changes before departure.
DAY 2
AM Breakfast at your hotel
9:00am Depart for Abu Dhabi – visit to the Grand Mosque, Qasr al Watan Palace and the Louvre
with Lunch at Jumeirah Etihad Towers
4:00pm Transfer back to your hotel in Dubai
6:00pm Arrive at your hotel – dinner on own
Overnight at the Taj Dubai Hotel
DAY 3
AM Breakfast at your hotel
9:00am Modern Dubai architectural tour
1:30pm Traditional Emirati lunch
3:00pm Visit Shindagha Museum
4:30pm Return to your hotel
7:00pm La Perle Show
9:00pm Return to your hotel, dinner on own
Overnight at the Taj Dubai Hotel
DAY 4
AM Breakfast at your hotel
8:30am Depart for Sharjah and visit including lunch at a luxury hotel
1:30 pm Return drive to the port
3:00pm Arrive at Port Rashid
Expected Weather:
Warm and Sunny (Average temperature - 26 degrees Celsius /78 degrees Fahrenheit)
What to Bring:
Light loose clothing, comfortable shoes, sun glasses, hats, sunscreen. We recommend taking a light jacket for the dune dinner safari as the temperatures can be quite cooler in the desert at night.
For the visit of Grand Mosque -
•Modest, conservative, loose fitting clothing, long sleeves and trousers
•No transparent (see-through) clothing. No white cloths are allowed at the Mosque
•No shorts for men
•No shorts or skirts for ladies
•No tight clothing including leggings, no swimwear and no beachwear.
•Shoes will be removed before entering the mosque, so we recommend slip off shoes
•Headscarf for ladies is essential (these are no longer provided at the mosque – please bring your own)
Currency:
UAE Dirham. USD are not accepted
Electricity:
220 volts. We recommend bring your own adapters or converters.
Documents and Visa Requirements:
It is imperative that each passenger traveling to the United Arab Emirates possess a valid passport. The passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry into the United Arab Emirates. Some nationalities require a Visa to enter the UAE. Please consult your local embassy for further details.
Accommodations:
Taj Dubai
Burj Khalifa Street - Business Bay - Dubai - United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 4 438 3100
Program Includes for guests
•3 nights at the Taj Dubai including breakfast – Luxury Room City View
•Architectural tour of Dubai including lunch and Shindagha Museum visit (beverages not included)
• Entrance ticket for At the Top – Burj Khalifa (124th floor)
•Abu Dhabi tour - visit Grand Mosque, Qasr al Watan Palace and Louvre Museum
•Sharjah tour including lunch (beverages not included)
•Le Perle show
Please Note: Guests booking their own flights (independent of the cruise line) are responsible for ensuring that the cruise line has the updated arrival information, so your transfer can be arranged. If you book additional nights independently of the cruise line, an arrival transfer is not provided. If we do not receive flight details a minimum of 14 days in advance, transfers will not be provided.
Program Excludes for guests:
•Meals and beverages not listed above
•Gratuities to drivers and guides
•Portage at the airport and hotel
•Any personal expenses and hotel incidentals including mini bar and room service
Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies, and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include inclines, cobblestones, sand, and gravel or natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation. Weather appropriate clothing; hats; sunglasses; and flat, comfortable walking shoes are generally recommended.
Please note: All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations. Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change. Land Programs must be purchased no later than 60 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 60 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty. There are no refunds for unused portions of any program. Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered a no-show and their hotel space released.
Prices are per person, based on double occupancy and subject to availability.
