Introducing Dubai
The City of Dubai is a member of the seven emirates of the UAE. The city is situated on the shoreline of Arabia. Just sixty years ago Dubai was a quiet fishing and trading town. Today due mostly to incredible oil deposits a towering metropolis has risen. All around is bigger, taller, and more astonishing. Glass skyscrapers rise up out of the bleak sands and dreamworld islands have been built offshore, created like trees or unbelievably a world map.
Dubai is now a large trading zone and has become a key trading center in the vicinity. Dubai has the nickname the ‘City of Merchants’, thanks to the massive quantity of trade, and also 'City of Gold’, on account of its vast Gold markets. Dubai’s most distinguishing element is its wonderfully appointed hotels and its enormous shopping centres, sure to astonish even the enthusiastic traveler.
The weather is sizzyingly hot so all indoor areas are cooled. In wintertime, Dubai is superb, warm and dry, wonderful for outdoors. During summer the temperature can reach 100°F and it is tiringly hot.
Take a Tour of the City of Dubai
Dubai Museum
Al Faheidi Fort, built in the late 18th century, houses the Dubai Museum, which presents an extensive collection of cultural, artistic and military items. The fort, Dubai’s oldest structure, was constructed to guard the town from warlike tribes. Today tourists can see pearl diving tools, traditional musical instruments, copper jewelry, clay pots and alabaster statues. Sited on the southern bank of Dubai Creek.
Creekside Park and Dubai Creek
Dubai Creek, which divides the city’s Deira and Bur Dubai neighborhoods, is a saltwater thoroughfare which is hectic day and night with dhows on their way back and forth between East Africa, Arabia and India. Hire a water taxi for a trip up the Creek and back. Next walk along the creekside path, which connects the waters of the Gulf and verdant Creekside Park. Here the tourist will find gardens, a cafe, mini-golf and fishing piers.
Gold Souk
Whether or not you are thinking of buying something, a walk through the dazzling Gold Souk is enjoyable. The stores offer large amounts of silver, precious gems, diamonds, gold and platinum. It’s a good idea to negotiate. Either side of the alleys of the gold souk, each store front is crammed with gold necklaces, bangles, rings, watches and earrings. Gold prices are extremely competitive. Situated on the waterfront of Dubai creek.
Spice Souk
In the tiny alleyways of the spice market, you can smell the atmosphere and the smell of a wide range of spices. Enticing containers of spices, flower petals, incense, fragrances, aromatic oils and medicinal herbs are presented outside each stall. Close to the Gold Souk.
Burj Khalifa
At 160 stories and 2625ft Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the world. You can stop at the observation deck at story 124 or the Atmosphere restaurant at story 122. Reached from the lower basement story of the Dubai Mall.
Burj Al Arab hotel The fabulous Burj Al Arab is the star of the Dubai coastline. It’s 7 star rating may be preposterous, but everyone agrees upon its amazing design.One way to enter without paying for a room is to reserve a table at one of its pricey eating places.
Bastakia Quarter
The traditional Bastakia Quarter is reminiscent of the era when Dubai was a little Gulf town. Meander through the maze of lanes and witness the characterful buildings with their functional wind towers that directed any wind downwards to the home so lowering the heat indoors. The Quarter is found on the north bank of Dubai creek.
Al Mamzar Beach Park
Al Mamzar is a big park with sandy beaches and gardens. You’ll find playground, lifeguards, restrooms, picnic areas, cafes and showers.Wednesdays are restricted to women and children. Al Mamzar Beach Park is around three miles north-east of the cruise port.
Available Cruises
The most popular cruise is a circuit of the Gulf of Arabia stopping at beautiful centers such as Abu Dhabi, Fujairah, Bahrain and Muscat. Longer cruises to Far East and India are also available. A further choice is a cruise through the amazing Suez canal to the Mediterranean. See the full range of cruises available at cruises from Dubai.
Cruise Ship Terminal
In 2010 a new cruise ship facility was opened forming part of a wide-ranging redevelopment of the Rashid zone. Ornate inscriptions, domes and arches are the main architectural features of the building’s outside. This facade reflects contemporary Arabic design, and reflects Dubai’s long heritage as a trading port. The terminal contains many facilities like a post office, souvenir shops, duty free shop, ATM machines, business center and currency exchange.
The terminal is able to cater for four cruise ships simultaneously.
The port terminal provides free bus shuttles into Dubai city center.
The cruise port website is at Dubai Tourism.
Getting to the Cruise Terminal
Dubai Airport is situated about 3 miles northeast of the city center. The new airport is at Jebel Ali about 15 miles south of the city center. The simplest way to transfer from either airport to the cruise port is by cab.