middle east cruises articles

Welcoming Celestyal Discovery Celestyal Cruises' new ship Discovery joined the Celestyal Cruises fleet in March following a substantial refurbishment and upgrades – she formally replaces Celestyal Olympia. Her upgrades included the transformation of her exterior to include a new livery. As well as interior upgrades across the ship from carpets to furniture. She boasts 2 main restaurants and five bars. Celestyal Cruises also sails the oceans with another great ship. Read about Celestyal Journey here. Celestyal Discovery and the Arabian Gulf Celestyal Cruises recently announced the line's expansion into the Arabian Gulf. This expansion is based on rapid booking growth in 2024, within the UK. Celestyal Cruises has also put its 2026 and winter 2027 itineraries on sale earlier to capitalise on early bookings. We’re excited to highlight some of the amazing destinations the ship will visit on her Arabian Gulf sailings! But, before we do, let us tell you that we have a variety of cruise and cruise-and-stay package options available. So, you can extend your cruise holiday to also cover a land stay. We can also include flights and transfers. Various Celestyal Discovery Arabian Gulf package holidays can be found here on our cruise website. Numerous other dates and options are available – speak to one of our cruise experts to find out more. Celestyal Discovery Arabian Gulf Destinations These are just a few of the exciting places you can visit in the Arabian Gulf with Celestyal Cruises. The Pearl-Qatar, Doha Doha The capital city of Qatar is located on the eastern coast of the Qatar Peninsula along the Arabian Gulf. It is the largest city in Qatar and serves as its economic, cultural, and political centre. Destination highlights include the Museum of Islamic Art, Souq Waqif Traditional Market, Doha Corniche, Al Thakira Mangroves, and the artificial island of The Pearl-Qatar. Dubai Frame Dubai One of the seven emirates of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Dubai is renowned for its modern architecture, luxury shopping, and vibrant nightlife. It has transformed from a small desert town into a global city and business hub in a few decades. Destination highlights include the Burj Khalifa (the tallest building in the world), Dubai Mall, the artificial island of Palm Jumeirah, Burj Al Arab (one of the finest hotels in the world), and the Dubai Frame. Qasr Al Watan, Abu Dhabi Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Abu Dhabi Abu Dhabi is the capital city of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the largest of the seven emirates. Known for its rich cultural heritage, modern skyline, and beautiful coastline, Destination highlights include the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque (one of the largest Mosques in the world), Louvre Abu Dhabi, Qasr Al Watan (the Presidential palace), Emirates Palace and Yas Island – home to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix circuit. Khasab Khasab is a town located in the Musandam Peninsula, which is an exclave of Oman separated from the rest of the country by the United Arab Emirates. Known for its stunning fjord-like landscapes, crystal-clear waters, and rich marine life, Khasab is often referred to as the "Norway of Arabia." It is a popular destination for those looking to experience traditional Omani culture. Destination highlights include Khasab Fort, Musandam Fjords, Jebel Harim, Dhow Cruises, Khasab Castle and Telegraph Island – used by the British in the 19th century to relay telegraph messages. Khasab Not to mention that Celestyal Cruises is popular for its Cruises around the Greek Islands. Learn about them in our cruise blog!