Queen Mary 2
April 7, 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.

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.

Suez Canal Transit, Egypt, offers scenic cruising without docking. Travelers view canal locks and desert landscapes from the ship. Excursions include onboard lectures. No facilities exist; provisions are ship-based. The peak season, October to April, brings mild weather for canal cruising. Photography captures engineering marvels and Suez vistas. Dining onboard includes koshari, an Egyptian favorite. Souvenirs, like canal replicas, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover canal history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the arid climate, while binoculars enhance scenery viewing. Suez Canal’s historic allure offers a vibrant Egyptian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of engineering feats and desert vistas, making the Suez Canal an engaging destination for exploration.

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.

Barcelona, Spain, offers docking at Barcelona Port. Travelers explore Sagrada Familia and Park Güell. Excursions visit Montserrat Monastery. Local markets sell paella. The peak season, April to October, brings warm weather for city tours. Photography captures Gaudí architecture and Mediterranean vistas. Dining onboard includes tapas, a Spanish favorite. Souvenirs, like ceramic crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Catalan history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance city walks. Barcelona’s cultural charm offers a vibrant Spanish stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of modernist landmarks and scenic coasts, making Barcelona an engaging destination for exploring Spain’s Catalan region.

Cádiz (Seville), Spain, offers docking at Cádiz Port with excursions to Seville. Travelers explore Seville’s Alcázar and Cádiz’s old town. Excursions visit Jerez’s sherry bodegas. Local markets sell gazpacho. The peak season, April to October, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures Moorish palaces and Atlantic vistas. Dining onboard includes jamón ibérico, a Spanish favorite. Souvenirs, like fan crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Andalusian history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance historic walks. Cádiz’s cultural gateway offers a vibrant Spanish stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic landmarks and scenic coasts, making Cádiz an engaging destination.

Southampton (London), England, offers docking at Southampton Port with excursions to London. Travelers explore Tower of London and Buckingham Palace. Excursions visit Stonehenge. Local markets sell fish and chips. The peak season, May to September, brings mild weather for city tours. Photography captures historic landmarks and Solent vistas. Dining onboard includes roast beef, an English favorite. Souvenirs, like tea crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Anglo-Saxon history. Light layers and waterproof shoes suit the temperate climate, while comfortable shoes enhance city walks. Southampton’s urban gateway offers a vibrant English stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of iconic landmarks and historic sites, making Southampton an engaging destination.

New York, New York, offers docking at Manhattan Cruise Terminal. Travelers explore Statue of Liberty and Central Park. Excursions include Broadway shows. Local markets sell bagels. The peak season, May to September, brings mild weather for city tours. Photography captures skyscrapers and Hudson River vistas. Dining onboard includes pastrami sandwiches, a New York favorite. Souvenirs, like I ❤️ NY crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Lenape history. Light layers suit the temperate climate, while comfortable shoes enhance city walks. New York’s urban charm offers a vibrant American stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of iconic landmarks and cultural experiences, making New York an engaging destination.