TUI Cruises is set to bring Mein Schiff 6 back to Dubai for the 2022/23 Middle East cruise season, with roundtrip Dubai cruises to destinations across the Arabian Gulf.

Mein Schiff 6 will sail week-long Dubai to Dubai itineraries between October, 2022 and March, 2023, with the first set to depart on October 30th this year.

There are 20 of these 7-night cruises scheduled, marking Mein Schiff 6’s second cruise season in the region, although TUI has been homeporting in Dubai annually for the winter cruise season for more than five years.

Mein Schiff 6 alongside in Dubai

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“Come on board and look forward to fairy-tale destinations and dazzling metropolises,” says TUI of these itineraries.

“Dubai, one of the most modern cities in the world, is the starting and finishing port of this Orient cruise. Look forward to oriental flair and take the chance to visit the largest mosque in the United Arab Emirates in Abu Dhabi,” it adds.

Although all the cruises are 7-nights, they aren’t identical. Mein Schiff 6 will alternate between a port-intensive itinerary that visits Abu Dhabi, Doha, and Khasab, Damman, Muscat or Sir Bani Yas in addition to Dubai, and a leaner itinerary that only calls in Abu Dhabi and Doha.

These leaner itineraries, however, will appeal to passengers wanting more time for exploring ashore as the ship stays overnight in Dubai on the first and last night of the cruise, as well as in Doha and Abu Dhabi.

“Dubai is one of the most famous cities in the United Arab Emirates and is a city of superlatives,” TUI says of its homeport. “Beautiful beaches, endless shopping opportunities, an exciting nightlife and unique luxury resorts attract discerning visitors to Dubai.”

The cruise line points out that the city is home to the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa, which measures 828 meters, as well as man-made islands such as The Palm Jumeirah, and a plethora of cultural and historical attractions. These include the Dubai Frame, Ain Dubai and souqs of the Deira neighbourhood, to the new Mohammed Bin Rashid Library, one of the largest in the world.

Louvre Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi, meanwhile, features The Louvre Abu Dhabi, the Formula 1 race track on Yas Island, the pristine beaches of Al Maya Island, the Jubail and Eastern Mangroves, and the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the largest in the country.

“Take a city tour or embark on a very special adventure, a jeep safari in the Al Khatim Desert, where you will be completely captivated by the Arab world,” suggests TUI.

The next port of call is Doha, the capital of Qatar and the largest city on the peninsula nation. The city offers modern museums, oriental markets, horse racing and desert safaris. “Stroll through the old town with the famous Falcon Market or admire the 300 meter high Aspire Tower,” says TUI.

On the itineraries featuring additional destinations, the ship will call at either Sir Bani Yas, Dammam, or Khasab. Sir Bani Yas is an island lying just off Abu Dhabi, while Khasab is a small seaside town in Oman, and Dammam is a bustling coastal city in Saudi Arabia.

Sir Bani Yas Cruise Beach

Sir Bani Yas features a kilometer-long private sandy beach for cruise passengers, with various water sports equipment available for rent. The interior of the island is also home to a nature reserve with around 10,000 animals, including giraffes, gazelles and antelopes, which passengers can discover during a jeep tour arranged by TUI Cruises.

The fjord landscapes of Khasab are its main attraction, with jeep tours on offer to the historic 16th-century Fort Khasab, which commands views of the offshore bay, as well as dhow trips around the fjords on which passengers can spot dolphins and other marine life.

Dammam, meanwhile, sits nestled in a spectacular desert landscape, boasting a Heritage Village with historical artefacts and a collection of souks, such as the Share Al-Hob Traditional Market, where passengers can peruse local arts and crafts. Passengers can also explore the Dammam Corniche, an oceanfront promenade that offers a magnificent view of the Arabian Gulf and the offshore island of Tarout.

Tarout Castle in Dammam was built by the Portuguese in the 15th century.

Mein Schiff 6 will remain in the Arabian Gulf, cruising roundtrip from Dubai, until March, 2023, when she will depart the region for the Mediterranean with a 16-night cruise to Antalya in Turkey.

This repositioning voyage via the Red Sea and Suez Canal, departs Dubai on March 20th, 2023, with port calls in Khasab and Muscat in Oman, Aqaba in Jordan, and Safaga and Alexandria in Egypt before her arrival in Turkey on April 5th.

This cruise is noteworthy for its long stretch of sea days between Muscat and Aqaba, with the ship spending a full week at sea between the ports.

While most cruise lines are now including port calls on Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast on their repositioning voyages via Suez, TUI has not, which is unusual given that Dammam is offered as a destination on some of its Arabian Gulf itineraries out of Dubai.