Costa Toscana
March 9, 2024

Dubai, UAE, offers docking at Port Rashid. Travelers explore Burj Khalifa and Dubai Souk. Excursions visit Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Zayed Mosque. Local markets sell shawarma. The peak season, November to March, brings mild weather for city tours. Photography captures skyscrapers and Persian Gulf vistas. Dining onboard includes kabsa, an Emirati favorite. Souvenirs, like gold crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Bedouin history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the arid climate, while comfortable shoes enhance city walks. Dubai’s modern charm offers a vibrant UAE stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of futuristic landmarks and cultural markets, making Dubai an engaging destination for exploration.

Returning to Dubai — see Day 1 above for port info.

Abu Dhabi, the UAE’s capital with 1.5 million residents, welcomes cruise ships at Zayed Port, 5 kilometers from downtown. The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, a 20-minute drive, accommodates 40,000 worshippers and features 82 domes and a 12-ton chandelier. Saadiyat Island, 10 kilometers away, hosts the Louvre Abu Dhabi with global art exhibits under a geometric dome. Excursions to the desert offer 4x4 dune drives or camel treks, 45 minutes inland. The Corniche, a 8-kilometer waterfront, provides cycling paths and public beaches. Souk-style markets at Al Mina sell dates, spices, and gold jewelry. Dining includes Emirati mezze and seafood at waterfront restaurants. Ferries connect to Yas Island for theme parks like Ferrari World, 30 minutes away. October to April offers cooler weather for outdoor tours. Dress codes apply at cultural sites; guided tours ensure compliance.

Muscat, Oman, provides docking at Port Sultan Qaboos. Travelers explore the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque and Muttrah Souq. Excursions visit Nakhal Fort’s desert oasis. Local markets sell frankincense. The peak season, November to March, brings mild weather for sightseeing. Photography captures Islamic architecture and Arabian Sea views. Dining onboard includes shuwa, an Omani dish. Souvenirs, like silver khanjars, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Oman’s maritime history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the arid climate, while comfortable shoes enhance souq walks. Muscat’s blend of tradition and modernity offers a vibrant Omani stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of grand mosques, bustling markets, and desert forts, making Muscat an engaging destination for exploring Oman’s cultural richness and coastal allure.

Salalah, Oman, offers docking at Salalah Port. Travelers explore Al Baleed’s UNESCO ruins and frankincense markets. Excursions visit Wadi Darbat’s waterfalls. Local markets sell halwa. The peak season, September to April, brings mild weather for coastal tours. Photography captures ancient sites and Arabian Sea vistas. Dining onboard includes shuwa, an Omani favorite. Souvenirs, like frankincense, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Dhofar history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the arid climate, while comfortable shoes enhance ruin walks. Salalah’s cultural allure offers a vibrant Omani stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic sites, scenic wadis, and frankincense culture, making Salalah an engaging destination for exploring Oman’s southern coast.

Aqaba (Petra), Jordan, docks at Aqaba Port, 2 kilometers from downtown, with shuttles or taxis for 10-minute rides. The port city, population 200,000, serves as a gateway to Petra, 2 hours north, with Nabataean tombs like Al-Khazneh carved into rose-red cliffs. Local sites include the Aqaba Fort, a 14th-century Mamluk structure. Snorkeling at South Beach, 10 minutes south, explores coral reefs. Markets sell za’atar spices. Excursions to Wadi Rum, 1 hour east, offer jeep tours through desert canyons. Peak season October to April; taxis 5-10 JOD. Dining includes sayadiyah (fish rice) at port cafes. Souvenirs feature Bedouin silver jewelry.

Piraeus (Athens), Greece, offers docking at Piraeus Port with excursions to Athens. Travelers explore Acropolis and Parthenon. Excursions visit Cape Sounion. Local markets sell souvlaki. The peak season, April to October, brings warm weather for city tours. Photography captures ancient ruins and Aegean vistas. Dining onboard includes moussaka, a Greek favorite. Souvenirs, like olive oil, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Hellenic history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance historic walks. Piraeus’ cultural gateway offers a vibrant Greek stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of iconic landmarks and scenic coasts, making Piraeus an engaging destination for exploration.

Palermo, Sicily, offers docking at Palermo Port. Travelers explore Palermo Cathedral and Norman Palace. Excursions visit Monreale’s mosaics. Local markets sell arancini. The peak season, April to October, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures Arab-Norman architecture and Tyrrhenian vistas. Dining onboard includes caponata, a Sicilian favorite. Souvenirs, like ceramic crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Norman history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance historic walks. Palermo’s cultural charm offers a vibrant Italian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic landmarks and scenic coasts, making Palermo an engaging destination for exploring Sicily’s capital.

Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy, offers docking at Civitavecchia Port with excursions to Rome. Travelers explore Colosseum and Pantheon. Excursions visit Vatican City’s Sistine Chapel. Local markets sell gelato. The peak season, April to October, brings warm weather for city tours. Photography captures ancient ruins and Tyrrhenian vistas. Dining onboard includes carbonara, an Italian favorite. Souvenirs, like Murano glass, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Roman history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance historic walks. Civitavecchia’s cultural gateway offers a vibrant Italian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of ancient landmarks and scenic coasts, making Civitavecchia an engaging destination.