RED SEA, ARABIA and INDIA – the Souk and Spice trail
To get this far, these ports are either on long cruises, legs of a world cruise, or Fly-cruises. This is a list of ports on the Red Sea, side of the Suez Canal, throughout Arabia, and then across to India. It is an exciting route. Official Government Advice page
It is an understatement to suggest The Middle East is a complex place. Dubai is a multicultural cosmopolitan city, where 80% of the population is non-Dom. It is a party and drink-filled country, but you dare not be seen drunk on the street. The ‘do and don’ts’ are a serious list that those who live there understand. We have over 10 films on Dubai – tall buildings, beaches, shopping, history and old souqs.
ARABIA - Cruise ports in the Middle East to India
CURRENCY: Egyptian pound or LE is divided into 100 piastres, or ersh, or 1,000 milliemes.
LANGUAGE: “Hello” is “is salām ‘alaykum.” The response is “wa ‘alaykum is salām.”
“Welcome,” is “ahlan wa sahlan.” The response is “ahlan beek.” An informal response is “ahlan.
“Goodbye,” is “ma’is salāma” or “bai.”
VISA: Cruise passengers see operator as they may be dealing with any relative requirement.
A hugely busy canal with goods travelling from Asia to Europe. It is a gateway for Cairo.
CAIRO city, history and culture explained in an amazing 3D model
The most fascinating way to discover the history and features of Cairo.
PORT TAWFIK, SUEZ HARBOUR, for CAIRO, Egypt – available TOURS
Suez Harbour is a gateway to Cairo (2hrs 20 mins) as it sits on the outskirts of the sprawling city.
Suez Canal expansion opens cruise routes – Arabian Adventures
8.4 Billion dollars expanding the Suez a few years ago is having a positive effect.
Jordan.
CURRENCY: The Jordanian dinar is pegged to the US dollar which is accepted in many places. The dinar is divided into 10 dirhams, 100 qirsh or 1000 fulus.
VISA: You’ll need a visa to enter Jordan. You can buy a single entry visa valid for 1 month on arrival. Cruise passengers see operator as they may be dealing with any relative requirement.
Aqaba is right next to Eilat, Jordan and Israel joined by a double fenced walk. However, it is unlikely many will make that cross on a day visit, because you are at the gateway of one of the wonders of the world, PETRA. Plus there is also the Wadi Rum is also a desert adventure or Jerash for the adventurous.
AQABA – stopover port for Petra, Wadi Rum & Dead Sea.
Aqaba, the gateway to Petra, Wadi Rum, the Dead Sea and so much more.
AQABA port for an ambitious trip to the greatest Roman ruins in Jerash, Jordan
The Roman Ruins of Jerash north of Amman, Jordan.
CURRENCY: The Israeli new shekel or sheqel is also legal tender in the Palestinian territories of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. It is divided into 100 agorot.
VISA: Cruise passengers see operator as they may be dealing with any relative requirement.
In December 1971, the UAE became a federation of six emirates, the seventh joined the year after. Abu Dhabi City is the capital.
- Abu Dhabi
- Dubai
- Sharjah
- Ajman
- Umm Al-Quwain
- Fujairah
- Ras Al Khaimah
CURRENCY is UAE dirham (AED or Dhs) which is divided into 100 fils and is pegged against the US $ (US$ 1: AED3.6725)
PHRASES
- Hello. Marhaba.
- How are you? Kaeefhalak.
- Good morning. Sabah el khair.
- Good evening. Massa el khair.
- Greetings. TaHiat.
- Goodbye. MaAaes-Salama.
- Excuse me. MaAzera.
- Sorry. Asef.
VISA: Cruise passengers see operator as they may be dealing with any relative requirement.
The Abu Dhabi Heritage Village is a reconstruction of a traditional oasis village and is a contrast to the modern seafront.
It has its own safari island. The largest natural island in the UAE. Giraffe and cheaters are amongst the 10,000 species you can see on a jeep safari.
Dubai is a fantastic place where 80% of the population is ex-pat. The drinking culture is immense with bars and clubs everywhere, but don’t dare be drunk or drink in the street. Tall buildings, big shopping, long lunches.
Dubai – Tallest Building in the world in one of the oldest creeks
For a while the tallest skyscraper in the world at 829.8m high – the Burj Khalifa. NOT FOR LONG.
Dubai Aquarium is in the shopping mall
Not everyone who shops will want to look at fish. But they will.
Dubai Gold and Spice Souk near the cruise terminal
Dubai is a long way away to be on a short cruise unless you fly cruise.
The Tallest Building in The World !!! It is like looking down from a plane.
The Burj Khalifa has a viewing platform
Dubai, Eating Out, for richer, for poorer – the two sides of Dubai or any city
The world’s Party town – each, drink, be merry & behave. Dubai
Dubai Emirates Mall
The Mall is slightly older than the Dubai Mall and is a little smaller.
Shopping in Dubai, Jean takes us to the biggest Mall. Dubai Mall.
The Suez Canal widens for bigger business and the ships sail through
The Port of Khalid contains 21 berths as it is a major container port. Azamara, MSC, P&O and others use this port. Don’t dare be drunk or drink in the street.
Azamara, MSC, P&O and others use this port. Don’t dare be drunk or drink in the street.
Khor Fakkan belongs to the emirate of Sharjah but is geographically surrounded by the emirate of Fujairah.
Fujairah is located in the east along the Persian Gulf.
I a
CURRENCY Qatari Riyal is the currency. The currency code is QAR. You might be able to use other currencies like Dirham and Pounds but the change will be local.
PHRASES Doha Arabic
Good Morning: Sabah al khair
Good Evening: Sabah al noor
How are you?: Shlonik?
Hi or Hello: Salam alay kum
VISA Cruisers obtain a visa waiver upon arrival in Qatar. Check with your operator.
The capital & port of Qatar and one that has extensive plans to expand. Most cruise lines use this port. A modern city with a downtown, waterfront parks and the Corniche Promenade. Soul Waqif is a traditional market of crafts and spices. 15-minute transfer bus.
CURRENCY: Omani Rial is the currency of Oman. It is divided into 1000 baisa. The Omani rial is the world’s 3rd highest valued currency. U.S. dollars and sterling can be easily exchanged at banks and with money changers (maybe better rate from money changers)
PHRASES Arabic is the official language across the peninsula, but English is widely used and on many signs.
VISA Visas are required by all nationals except those of the Gulf States. The Visa stamps are normally done on the ship and without charge
A spectacular modern-day smugglers port, where all the deeds can be watched from the ship as evening falls, with a cocktail in hand. Daytime – Town is 5km on the shuttle bus, the beach is 5 minutes walk.
across from the cruise port; stroll the Mutrah Corniche promenade runs right along Mutrah bay, passing the Souk, Mutrah Fort, Riyam Park and old watchtower – views, cafes, seashore, and the town of Mutrah.
expect to dock in an industrial area surrounded by desert. Shuttle bus or taxi to town. Expect to negotiate and deal here.
CURRENCY: The Saudi riyal or SAR; is the currency of Saudi Arabia. Notes in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 50, 100 and 500 riyals, or coins for 1 or 2 SAR. Subdivided into 100 halalas = 1 SAR. Cards, digital and contactless payments are widely accepted.
VISA: Cruise passengers see operator as they may be dealing with any relative requirement.
Silverseas use this port.
The Jeddah Tower plans to be the worlds tallest skyscraper at 1km high. Beating the Burj at 830m.
MSC use this port.
CURRENCY – Bahrain dinar, which is divided into 1000 fils. USD is accepted widely.
- Salaam a’laykum- Formal hello
- Wa’ laykum Salaam- Formal response to hello
- Salaam- Hello
- Marhaba- Hello
- Halla- Casual hello
- Halla Walla- Casual response to hello
- Maa Salaama- Goodbye
- Ee- Yes
- La- No
VISA – At the time of writing, cruise passengers will get a visa upon arrival to Bahrain and a landing card for a stay no longer than 24 hrs
A very much a busy city, all beaches are private. A tour may be an idea.
The cruise for foodies and culture. From the big bustling city with more millionaires than any other city in the world, Mumbai, down through the beaches of Goa, to the food capital of God’s Own Country, Kerala. But you need a visa even if not going ashore!
CURRENCY Indian rupe.
VISA sadly immigration into India is far from easy. You must have the CORRECT visa, with the correct number of allowed entries. You will do face to face with officials on board the ship. E-Visa is only valid for those staying on board and disembarking a cruise in Cochin, Goa and Mangalore as long as their ship has not visited another port in India. Otherwise, all passengers on ocean-going ships that are visiting India must have a full Tourist visa – even if they do not intend to go ashore. And must have a correct number of entries.
PHRASES (language changes by region)
- Hello! or Goodbye = NA-MA-SKAR or NA-MA-STE
- Good, Okay, Oh, really? = ACH-HA
- please = KRIPAYA
- Thank you = DHAN-YA-VAD or SHU-KHRI-YA
A big city, crazy railway station. Advice is to see the slums by small tour and be discrete with photo taking. Don’t expect anyone to know where anything is. If you need your mobile phone mended, take it with you, kids in the back streets who may never have been to school will re-build the circuit board!
Doris Visits ends her leg of the world cruise in India, Mumbai
Mumbai, the capital of India where there ia amazing contrast betweenthe slums and the extremely wealthy. Mumbai we were told,
A beach tourist heaven if you can get there, The nearest town Panjim is 25 miles away. Settle a fee before getting into the taxi.
IN BRIEF – This is a new port in Panambur, 10 km from the town. There is normally a shuttle or taxi and tux-tuks from the port entrance. If you need your mobile phone mended, take it with you.
IN BRIEF – Go from the port into Cochin and find the very cosmopolitan cafes modern, ancient fishing, traditional mime dance, and our favourite the Malabar Hotel which is a converted British bank, very classy.
Tours available in Cochin, Kerala, India
This is a selection of tours for you to do some research.
Cochin, Kerala, India – the place of the Real Marigold Hotel on a world cruise stop
If you have a world cruise stopping at Cochin, Kerala
Cochin in Kerala; Marari Beach Indian cookery coarse
My desire to see Southern Indai, having done