Dubai

[campolady]

https://scontent-mad1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/v/t1.0-9/12019768_10155891794755467_8996355179464932319_n.jpg?oh=6daffbaa541020ed0dcf51486e936159&oe=56A4931C

[Sheila49]

Just seen it on FB too!

Edited September 18, 2015 by Sheila49

[Huddersfieldtourist]

DUBAI NAMED AS NEW HOME PORT FOR THOMSON CELEBRATION CRUISE SHIP

 

Two new itineraries announced featuring seven new ports of call: Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Manama (Bahrain), Doha (Qatar), Khor Fakkan (UAE), Muscat and Khasab (Oman)

Six regional airports will be serving Dubai: Manchester, Cardiff, Birmingham, Newcastle, Glasgow and London Gatwick

Thomson Cruises to operate in Dubai for Winter 16/17 season

 

 

Thomson Cruises has today announced that the Thomson Celebration cruise ship will be operating from the vibrant port of Dubai for the first time next winter. With 13 million tourists visiting the destination in 2014, Dubai’s popularity is soaring and with Brits visiting more and more destinations each year, it will provide the perfect starting point for travellers to experience two exciting new itineraries from December 2016.

 

 

 

On sale from November 2015, the two seven night itineraries – ‘Arabian Nights’ and ‘Cities of Gold’ – will stop overnight in Dubai and visit six new destinations including Khasab and Muscat in Oman, Manama in Bahrain, Doha in Qatar, Abu Dhabi and Khor Fakkan in UAE.

 

 

 

With the announcement of the new destinations comes an inspiring excursion programme, which is sure to excite the modern day holiday-maker and provide stunning backdrops – with 36% of the nation admitting a key factor for choosing a destination was whether it would look spectacular on their Instagram account.*

 

 

 

Excursion highlights include the spectacular sites of the Burj al Arab and Burj Khalifa in Dubai, and the Grand Mosque in Muscat. If the outdoors holds an exotic appeal, customers can explore the magnificent Musafi Mountains in Khor Fakkan and dine on the glamorous Dubai Dhow cruise. Customers exploring Abu Dhabi will be able to grab a taste of the action at Ferrari World, as well as taking in the dazzling Emirates Palace and test their adventurous side with desert safaris.

 

 

 

Customers wishing to combine their cruise with a seven night stay in Dubai can stay in luxury hotels including the spectacular Atlantis the Palm. Offering further flexibility, cruise customers can fly direct to Dubai from six regional airports including Manchester, Birmingham, London Gatwick, Cardiff, Newcastle and Glasgow.

 

 

 

Managing Director for Thomson Cruises, Helen Caron said:

 

 

 

“At Thomson Cruises we know that destinations are one of the key deciding factors for our customers and our decision to set sail from Dubai will allow holiday-makers to see and experience more destinations than ever before. As Dubai becomes more and more popular for winter sun and incredible excursions, we know our customers will be as excited as we are to welcome this destination to our programme. With the average Brit visiting more than 14 foreign countries in their lifetime*, we can’t wait for everyone to discover Arabia, from the glamour and opulence of Dubai and Abu Dhabi to the ancient heritage sites in Oman.”

[all-afloaty]

Wow very interesting [emoji41]

[Malch_uk]

Anybody know flight duration time?

 

 

 

Sent from my Hudl 2 using Tapatalk

[Sheila49]

Is it not about 7 hours to Dubai? Maybe a bit less.

[geomagot]

this is great news... fab-u-lous! .... the repositioning cruise from dubrovnik should be interesting:cool:

[skioncruises]

this is great news... fab-u-lous! .... the repositioning cruise from dubrovnik should be interesting:cool:

 

Totally agree geomagot. Just found an itinerary in reverse which would fit the bill.

 

... Dubai, Fujairah, Muscat, At Sea, Salalah, At Sea, Aqaba, Safaga, Sharm El-Sheikh, Passage Suez Canal, Haifa, At Sea, Heraklion, At Sea, Dubrovnik ... sounds good.

 

We did a repo from Heraklion (Crete) to Singapore on OV2 in 2009 and it was absolutely out of this world. Bought jewellery in Dubai when price of gold was high. DH and the shopkeeper nearly had a heart attack at my bartering but I got it a price I was prepared to pay:D Oman was lovely too, especially the Mosque but people had to buy sweathshirts:eek: because they had not listened to the advice about women wearing long sleeves and covering up. Boy was it hot! Going through the Suez Canal was great as we had a commentary along a fair bit of it.

 

Oh the memories and the wish to repeat it. Hope Thomson sleuths are looking in.;) Don't really fancy a week in Dubai - not beachy people as we have it on our doorstep (literally).

 

Just over 7 hour flight not too bad either.

 

Keep hoping.:)

[geomagot]

Totally agree geomagot. Just found an itinerary in reverse which would fit the bill.

 

that would be fabuous wouldnt it .... aqaba for petra, safaga for the valey of the kings... would love to see dubai again havnt been there since the 80's (it was small then) this is v exciting:cool::cool:

[all-afloaty]

that would be fabuous wouldnt it .... aqaba for petra, safaga for the valey of the kings... would love to see dubai again havnt been there since the 80's (it was small then) this is v exciting:cool::cool:

 

 

This sounds amazing would love to see Petra.

[happy v]

I think this is rocking my boat too. (pun intended, especially as it's on the Celebration;):rolleyes::D).

[WeeCountyMan]

Why Celebration ?

 

She's getting a bit long in the tooth.

 

I would have thought Discovery would have been the logical choice - unless she's destined for some other new route ?

[happy v]

When I read it I thought it would be the new ship or Dream.

 

Maybe they're playing safe to see how popular it is. But if Discovery and Dream are both in the Caribbean that's a lot of cabins to fill.

[Sheila49]

I also assumed it was the Discovery until I read it properly!

[skioncruises]

If they were to do the repo from Dubrovnik in December my "find" would be brilliant.

 

I assume Celebration would return to Dubrovnik for the summer season in 2017. Therefore it would be the same set up as the Transatlantic crossings ... repo each way at beginning and end of the winter season.

 

Also, if the cruises are not starting until December Celebration must be going for maintenance/clean up before heading to Dubai.

 

We'll just have to keep watching and hoping.:)

[happy v]

Yes, I think I would prefer the repo, but the return as December isn't good for me.

 

Of course a sunny break in January flying from Newcastle would be good too.:)

 

I'm looking forward to the brochures coming out now.

[Sailaway487]

Hello all! Long time no post. All okay?

 

Just been reading about the Dubai cruises. Good they're looking at something new for the winter, would have preferred Far East though. Perhaps when the Louis ships are gone and they've got 5 ships in the winter to play with they'll introduce Far East then.

[geomagot]

Hello all! Long time no post. All okay?

 

Yay! good to see you sailaway:cool:

[happy v]

Hi Sailaway.

 

Now you're back you can tell us the itineraries and sailing days before the brochure comes out!;):rolleyes::D