This fall, we’re embarking on the adventure of a lifetime with some very special guests: our loyalty members! The 10-Night Arabian Gulf & Emirates Voyage features onboard perks for LCV members, and carefully curated onshore experiences that are bound to blow our guests away.
There’s no better way to travel in the Middle East than onboard the newly renovated, beautiful Azamara Journey. Our reimagined ships feel like new, and guests are already raving about the upgrades. We’ve taken the Azamara experience to the next level both onboard and onshore.
We’ve already showcased ten unique shore excursions to enjoy during this voyage. But it gets even better! Here are five more ways to explore the Arabian Gulf, exclusive to our loyalty members.
Spend the night at a Bedouin camp in Oman.
Some of Oman’s greatest treasures are found inland – but this doesn’t mean they’re inaccessible to cruisers. While the Azamara Journey is docked in Muscat, we’ll take you on an overnight adventure inland to explore all the desert has to offer.
We’ll traverse dunes and wadis on a four-wheel drive tour that will take you to some of the most beautiful spots in all of Oman. The Bimmah Sinkhole is one of the most breathtaking places in all of the Middle East. This limestone sinkhole is filled with photogenic clear, turquoise water that makes it popular for swimming.
Nearby, Wadi al Arbaeen and Wadi Shab offer gorgeous fresh water pools, waterfalls, hidden lagoons, and terraces of plants.
You’ll spend the night at a luxury Bedouin camp, where you’ll enjoy local music, food and more. The next day, you’ll visit the famous Wadi Bani Khalid, where streams that flow year-round sustain plant life that make it a desert paradise.
Enjoy an exhilarating 4x4 extreme tour in the desert of Bahrain.
Just outside Al Manamah, Bahrain, you’ll find the Bahrain International Circuit. This unique motorsport venue is home to the annual Bahrain Grand Prix, among other events.
The 4x4 off-road circuit will give you the adrenaline rush of a lifetime. An expert rally driver will navigate you through daring natural and manmade obstacles. Talk about the ride of your life!
Cruise Muscat’s coastline during a luxury dolphin-watching trip.
Oman’s desert is beautiful, but it’s also worth exploring from the water. A 75-foot luxury catamaran is the best way to travel the coastline, and a marine life specialist will be onboard to share fun facts about the sea.
Dolphins that swim and play alongside the boat will delight you. It’s believed that there are eleven different species of dolphins found in the Omani Sea, including common dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, and spinner dolphins. Spinner dolphins are particularly fun to watch, and can be identified by their long beaks, small size, and impressive leaps and mid-air spins.
During your trip, you might even spot a whale! Humpback whales, sperm whales, and orcas can all be found in the waters off the coast of Muscat. Bring your camera along, not only for wildlife but to capture photos of the beautiful city views.
Abu Dhabi by Seaplane
Abu Dhabi is stunning from every angle, but there’s no better viewpoint than by air. A seaplane tour is an ideal way to take in the iconic cityscape that makes Abu Dhabi one of the most architecturally interesting cities in the world.
Soar over the sweeping curve of the waterfront Corniche and soak in views of beaches, parks, and skyscrapers. You’ll see the famous Sheikh Zayed Bridge from a unique perspective. Designed by the renowned, late architect Zaha Hadid, the rolling dunes of the desert inspired the bridge’s arches. From the air, you’ll also see the iconic Emirates Palace and the Yas Marina Circuit.
Abu Dhabi Desert Experience
There’s a Bedouin saying that goes “the gift of the camel is proof that God is fair”. Camels are integral to life in the desert and you can experience that firsthand on a 4x4 desert safari. This tour takes you away from the bustling metropolis of Abu Dhabi to a camel farm in the Al Khatim Desert.
But the main event is a visit to a desert camp. There, you’ll be able to ride a camel, go sand boarding (think surfing, but riding sand dunes instead of waves), and enjoy some delicious refreshments.
These incredible experiences have been created exclusively for loyalty members and we know you'll just love them! Suites and staterooms on this voyage are booking up fast, and for good reason – it will be an adventure to remember. Will you join us? Click here to book this voyage today.