Sir Bani Yas Island - excursion or not?

Sir Bani Yas Island is a stop on our upcoming cruise. Seabourn are offering two excursions, a safari or a visit to archaeological sites. We don't fancy either. Can we simply go to the resort I've read about and spend some time there or can that only happen as part of a tour?

Three years ago Seabourn also offered a coach transfer to a hotel/resort with beach facilities.

If you go ashore on your own there is little or no infrastructure and not much to see if you go for a walk.

The trip to the remains was not offered when we visited.

I also avoid Zoo's.

Not really sure why Seabourn continue with this port.

We were there earlier this year, MSC had an area set aside for Yacht Club guests to use on the beach area, they had golf buggies to take you there and it had its own facilities for lunch etc, although the seating was not that comfortable, Seabourn may use this area?

We did the Safari tour and it was a very enjoyable couple of hours and our guide gave an informative overview of the history of the UAE, we would be happy to go again

I thought I heard that they sometime have the beach bbq there , perhaps someone could confirm this ?

We were there in April on the Encore. Barbecue and champagne and caviar in the surf at Sir Bani Yas island. A really nice spread !

We went on the safari this year. We were not impressed.

If the bbq is on the day of your visit is should not be missed, one of the best days we have had on a Seabourn cruise

Thank you all. Let's hope they offer a beach BBQ and caviar in the surf!

Besides the BBQ, the beach isn’t much, nothing there. It’s hot and not much shade, a few umbrellas. Not one of my favorite stops.

We are on the Encore from Athens to Singapore via Dubai in October 2018 and we actually visit Yani Bas twice as its part of 2 legs . I've asked the New Zealand agent for Seabourn if we will have the Caviar in the Surf on either day and they said that decision wont be make until we have sailed and they know what the weather conditions would be like .

We stopped there two years ago. We’d booked the archaeological excursion, but it was cancelled because too few people signed up. We decided against the beach day because SB’s materials made it clear that there would be very limited shade.

We’re glad that we skipped this beach event — we’re not sun worshipers and there were some badly sunburned passengers who returned to the ship. If you decide to go, be sure to take appropriate protection — the sun is intense.

This is the designated beach BBQ / Caviar in the surf stop off. Designed to cater for larger ships than Seabourn everyone is guaranteed beach loungers and a sun shade on the beach for no charge. No need to sign up to any VIP or Club area.

The BBQ is Seabourn's usual impressive spread with lobsters in abundance and toilet facilities are provided in a proper hotel type building rather than a shack. Whilst it might not have the natural charm of Thailand's Ko Kood stop off it's a good day not to be missed.

To answer the original question there are probably better places to take an excursion. For my money this is a chill out on the private beach day and most definitely worth getting off the ship for.

You can see Sir Bani Yas briefly from 5.13 onwards in this video

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Henry :)

While the Seabourn bbq was delicious the beach area itself is artificial, treeless and charmless. Just a series of loungers, umbrellas and pavilions for the hundreds of tourists who might visit from a mass market ship. Nothing like other Seabourn beach party places in the Caribbean or Thailand. The water is dark and the day we were there uninviting and rather rough. Oh, and there are no locals there adding any sort of cultural element.

Sorry I cannot advise about alternative ideas.

Happy and healthy sailing!

is the beach bbq an included activity? or a pay for excursion?

thanks

is the beach bbq an included activity? or a pay for excursion?

thanks

It is included and no capacity limitations.

It is included and no capacity limitations.

Thank you, sounds great

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