This is a city that loves shopping there is even a monthlong festival dedicated to it. Designer goods of all sorts are offered in buying malls such as Dubai Mall (the world’s biggest) and Mall of the Emirates.
If you’re looking for some thing far more classic, gold in practically any kind is a terrific remembrance, particularly coupled with the encounter of going to Dubai’s old souk (marketplace) on the Deira side of the creek. Standard coffee pots — identified as dallah and sold in sets with tiny cups — are also wonderful gifts. Dubai is the place to stock up on beautiful scarves, a lot of in luxe fabrics with elaborate beading.
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Language
Arabic is the major language, but everyone speaks English. As a outcome of its expansion boom, Dubai has opened its gates to supplement its function force. (Even so, these expats, who make up the majority of the population, can not become citizens and, as such, have fewer rights.) You are going to encounter Indians, Bangladeshis, Pakistanis, Filipinos, Russians and a plethora of other nationalities — all of whom speak passable English.
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Currency & Very best Way to Get Money
The currency is the UAE dirham (dh) check xe.com or oanda.com for present exchange rates. Dollars are generally not accepted. Taxis take currency only (no credit cards), so exchange money at the airport, or use an ATM.
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Where You are Docked
Dubai has embraced cruise travelers, and the Port of Rashid is expanding at a fast pace there are now three distinct terminals. The Port of Dubai facility delivers a coffee bar, a deli/lunch operation, souvenir shops and cost-free Internet on 5 terminals in its company center. There is a currency exchange office, an ATM, a post workplace and a concierge who can set you up with day tours. Several main purchasing malls also supply cost-free shuttles from the port.
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Hanging Around
Other than the cruise terminal, the port facility also handles cargo shipping, so there’s nothing at all else to do there. Carrefours, a French supermarket, is located just outdoors the port gates and is a excellent location to stock up on necessities, but you are going to have to take a taxi to get there.
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Acquiring Around
By Taxi: Metered taxis line up at the port. They’re your very best bet for day visits to Jumeirah, an upscale region of hotels, shops, restaurants and beaches, or to Bar Dubai, exactly where most of the historic sites are positioned. Fares to both locations are reasonable.
By Bus: A hop-on, hop-off bus leaves proper from the port. Totally free purchasing shuttles head to Dubai’s main malls from the port, as effectively.
By Metro: Dubai is a sprawling city, but numerous of its downtown sights are effortlessly accessible by Metro (alas, not from the port). Tickets are sold based on how a lot of zones you are going to cross. “Ladies cars” are offered for ladies traveling together or with children.
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Watch Out For
Although Dubai looks freewheeling on the surface, the United Arab Emirates is nonetheless a strict Muslim nation. Girls ought to cover their shoulders and knees, even while sightseeing coverings are a necessity for visits to mosques or other religious sites, and malls have a conservative dress code. Displays of affection in public are forbidden, specifically among unmarried or identical-sex couples. Also avoid photographing Arabs or Emiratis in their native dress with out asking permission.
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Never Miss
Historic Dubai: Knowledge the city’s history before you indulge in its present. Start off at Khor Dubai, otherwise identified as Dubai Creek, a river which runs via the heart of the city. It separates Deira, a company-oriented portion of the city, from Bar Dubai, where numerous tourist attractions are situated. The Dubai Museum is a fabulous ode to the past that is built around the Al-Fahidid Fort, dating back to the late 18th century. Exhibits here do a excellent job of explaining how Dubai went from a small fishing village to a globe capital in just a few decades (Al Fahidi Fort, Al Fahidi Street open Saturday to Thursday, eight:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Friday, 2 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.). Not far is the Sheikh Saeed al-Maktoum Residence, the 1-time property of the present ruler’s grandfather. It offers an outstanding appear into the pre-oil times of the late 19th century (Al Shindagha Road open Saturday to Thursday, 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Friday, 3:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.).
Burj Khalifa: The world’s tallest manmade structure has an observation deck on the 124th floor that provides stunning aerial views of the city’s other fantastical architecture. For those looking for a more exclusive encounter (and in Dubai, there’s always somebody), you can go even higher to the 148th floor, which has the world’s highest observation deck. Tickets can be purchased at the bottom level of the Dubai Mall (Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard, Downtown Dubai open day-to-day, eight:30 a.m. to midnight, with the final tickets sold 45 minutes ahead of closing).
Buying Malls: Dubai’s shopping malls are the largest and most luxurious in the world tax cost-free and containing fashion designers from the pages of Vogue, they are tourist attractions in their personal correct. Shopaholics can’t miss the sprawling Dubai Mall, the world’s largest, in Downtown Dubai correct subsequent to Burj Khalifa (Financial Center Road). In addition to designer shops and restaurants (including numerous familiar to North Americans such as the Cheesecake Factory), Dubai Mall boasts an aquarium and underwater zoo, the Waterfall (featuring life-size fiberglass sculptures of human divers), an ice skating rink and a manmade lagoon with the Dubai Fountains, which light up at evening in a water show. Along Sheikh Zayed Road close to the Dubai International Finance Centre (DIFC), Mall of the Emirates holds Ski Dubai, an indoor winter wonderland exactly where you can ski, snowboard and sled, as well as “zorb” (roll down a hill in a giant plastic hamster ball). Hop on, hop off buses quit at each, or you can take a taxi several cruises and independent tour operators also supply purchasing excursions.
Burj Al Arab: You might have seen photographs of the iconic hotel Burj Al Arab (Jumeirah Beach Road), which promotes itself as the world’s only seven-star rated establishment. (As there is no technique for ratings above five, we cannot vouch for the claim, but it is a single of the world’s most glamorous hotels.) The 27-floor hotel, developed to look like a sailboat’s sail, has a seemingly underwater restaurant (you have to take a “submarine” to get there) and a foyer with water ballet fountains decked out in gold leaf. The ideal way to acquire entrance is to make a reservation at one particular of its restaurants (note that there’s a seriously enforced resort-casual dress code right here). A selection of high teas are accessible for a splurge.
Jumeirah: Beyond Burj Al Arab, in the chic Jumeirah location, nearby resorts cluster around Souk Madinat. This sanitized version of an actual souk elegantly showcases a range of nearby treasures, ranging from home decor to pashmina scarves and bottles of “designer” sand. Bargaining is not encouraged. Beyond all this, Jumeirah has its own public beaches that are lovely and secure. The city’s most prominent mosque (and the only one particular open to the public), Jumeirah Mosque, is nearby with tours at ten a.m. daily, except Friday.
Manmade Islands: For true beach lovers, Dubai has a handful of manmade island complexes that stand as audacious monuments to the city’s culture of out-there development. Shaped like a palm tree, Palm Jumeirah is rife with luxury high-rises and world-well-known resorts such as Sofitel and Atlantis. Come here for outstanding pool complexes and water sports such as standup paddleboarding and kayaking. Cruisers can obtain day passes. Even newer is The Planet, 300 islands shaped like continents producing up a world map. Whilst the islands are still getting created, The Planet has earned its space in Dubai’s tourism pantheon as the focus of the city’s helicopter tours.
Culinary Tours: Beyond the chain restaurants you can find anywhere else in the world, Dubai has a meals culture that encompasses the whole Middle East and then some, thanks to the expat workers that make up the majority of the city’s population. Access this foodie wonderland via Frying Pan Adventures, a tour organization that focuses on street meals. The company’s 5-hour tours lead you by way of the Deira, exactly where you’ll sample Palestinian, Emirati, Iranian, Syrian, Arabic and Egyptian specialties shorter tours by way of Bur Dubai focus on the city’s sizable Indian population, as well as the Emirati spice souk.
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Been There, Done That
Water Parks: Waterparks are a confident bet to preserve young ones entertained Dubai’s regularly warm weather makes this a no-brainer. The Wild Wadi Waterpark, subsequent to the swank Jumeirah Beach Hotel, attributes 23 rides, some interconnected, and on truly hot days the water is cooled. Atlantis Hotel on Palm Jumeirah also has a waterpark, as properly as a Dolphin Encounter.
Sheikh Mohammad Cultural Centre: Developed to market understanding between cultures, the Sheikh Mohammad Cultural Centre has a popular brunch exactly where tourists (and a sizeable quantity of expats) can nosh on Middle Eastern specialties and ask native Emiratis queries about their lives. During our visit, volunteers took on almost everything from arranged marriages (widespread) to polygamy (not so common) to human rights (UAE follows Islamic law) detailed explanation was given to the crisp white tunics and detailed abaya/hijabs that Emirati males and ladies put on. The Centre also runs Heritage and Creek tours. (Al Musallah Road. Hours vary, based on the meal)
Desert Safaris: Desert safaris are a rite of passage, especially if you arrive a day or two prior to your cruise (or stay a couple of days afterward). Tour firms, bookable each by way of your cruise and independently, drive you, in Toyota Land Cruiser 4 x four autos, 50 minutes into the desert, where the dunes appear like hillsides out of “The English Patient.” Component one of the experience is a mad ride up and down the dunes (bring your motion sickness remedy) with a handful of other Toyota Land Cruisers undertaking the same issue we counted about 20 various cars on our trip. You quit occasionally for photo ops or when drivers get stuck in the sand. Afterwards, you head to a camp exactly where you’re feted with a barbecue dinner (Middle Eastern chicken, lamb, ribs, salads — quite scrumptious) and given a possibility to ride a camel, “snowboard” down a sand dune, have your feet henna’ed and watch an amazingly trim bellydancer. You can either stay overnight or be ferried back to your ship.
Horse Racing: The sport of horse racing is huge in Dubai races are held at Meydan Racecourse from November via April. As you may expect in this hangout for the international set, polo is also popular you can even take a 90-minute lesson at the Dubai Polo Academy on the grounds of the Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club (Studio City 971 5 887 9847). For one thing distinct, check out camel racing it really is held at the Al Marmoum track periodically for the duration of winter months.
Lunching Sitting firmly at the crossroads of East and West, Dubai has each variety of cuisine you may possibly picture — and then some. Native Emirati dishes borrow heavily from Arabic Bedouin culture mezzes with hummus, baba ganoush and fattoush could taste familiar, whilst principal dishes may well be lamb curry or a bowl of lentils, chicken and rice cooked in a blend of spices identified as bezar. Yogurt and cucumber sauce are typically served as sides. Dates served with cardamom-flavored Arabic coffee are a standard symbol of hospitality. Alcohol is not served in most Middle Eastern restaurants.
Even in Dubai, native Emiratis make up only 14 percent of the city’s population the majority of people who reside in the city are foreign workers, and the food culture reflects this diversity. Indian cuisine is common, both in modest curry houses and fancy hotels, and you’ll discover steakhouses, sushi bars, shisha lounges, celebrity chef outposts and practically each and every chain restaurant on the planet across Dubai. Hotels are the easiest choices for a good lunch or dinner (especially if you want wine or a cocktail). As in most Muslim nations, Dubai’s weekend begins on Friday, and elaborate brunches and barbecues are usually served all day on Friday and Saturday.
Hotels are the easiest possibilities for a good lunch or dinner (particularly if you want wine or a cocktail).
Downtown Dubai: Close to Dubai Mall, the Armani Hotel has a 3-course Friday brunch menu in its Deli restaurant that looks absolutely nothing like any deli you have ever noticed elsewhere. Your three-hour nosh consists of unlimited visits to the “pork space,” as properly as masterful salads/starters and a decadent dessert bar. Oh yeah, there’s a principal course, also. (Armani Hotel, Burj Khalifa open daily, noon to 11 p.m.)
Jumeirah: Souk Madinat contains the ultra-casual Dome for coffee and sandwiches, and restaurants whose themes differ from Persian to steakhouse. Restaurant hours inside the mall vary. For familiar fare, think about Bikers Cafe, a motorcycle-themed eatery on Jumeirah Road that’s reportedly a favorite of Sheikh Mohammad. (Jumeirah Beach Road, Jumeirah 1 open day-to-day, 7:30 a.m. to two a.m.)
On the Creek: It can be pleasant in the cooler months to nosh alongside Dubai Creek, which is huge sufficient to be a river. Creekside Cafe, which is also an arts co-op, melds Western and Eastern flavors, and also gives breakfast until three p.m. (Baniyas Street/Creek Road open daily, 8 a.m. to eight p.m.)
Accommodations Hotels in Dubai are much more than locations to keep. Due to the fact of their looser alcohol restrictions, they are also social hubs and restaurants. A lot of on the water also offer you day passes to their manmade beaches.
For a splurge: Some of the most luxurious resorts in the globe front the Arabian Gulf in the neighborhood of Jumeirah (and what greater way to put your self in the Dubai spirit?). Alternatives include the infamous Burj al Arab, allegedly “seven stars.” A lot of individuals contemplate tea there a should. (Jumeirah Beach Road 971 four 301 7777) Yet another luxe selection is the 4 Seasons. (Jumeirah Road 971 4 270 7777)
Near Dubai Mall: A cluster of luxury hotels are also centered around Dubai Mall, like The Address, which is actually attached to the huge complicated (971 four 438 8888). In nearby Burj Khalifa, the Armani Hotel has views of the Mall’s dancing fountains (971 4 888 3888).
In Bur Dubai: Closer to historic downtown (and much more central) is the Bur Dubai location with far more reasonably priced possibilities. Properties to think about consist of the Hilton Dubai Creek (Beniyas Road, 971 four 227-1111) and 4 Points Sheridan, which is inside walking distance of a metro and is a well-known option with travelers looking to use their Starwood points (Khalid Bin Walid Street 971 four 397 7444).
Staying in Touch The port facility delivers free Net access.
Shore Excursions Best for an Overview: A city tour will take you to Jumeirah Public Beach, where you can take a photo of the sail-shaped Burj Al Arab hotel, followed by a quit at nearby Jumeirah Mosque. The trip will then take you into the old part of the city close to Dubai Creek, where you can see restored houses with the traditional Bedouin wind towers. Soon after a water taxi tour across Dubai Creek, your tour will end in Dubai’s spice and gold souks.
Very best for Name-Droppers: Look for “At the Top” excursions that take you to the observation deck of Burj Kahlifa, followed by shopping at Dubai Mall and lunch at Burj Al Arab, one particular of the world’s most luxurious hotels. Some trips also contain a quit at Palm Jumeirah, manmade islands developed in the shape of a palm tree.
Greatest for Adventure-Lovers: Many varieties of dune safaris are available, ranging from compressed four-hour adventures that focus on “dune bashing” with four x 4s, as effectively as your selection of a camel ride or “sand boarding.” Six-hour versions consist of a Middle Eastern dinner below the stars with shisha pipes and a belly dancer.
Very best for Shoppers: Ideal for these who can literally shop till they drop, the five-hour mall tours include stops at Madinat Jumeirah, the Mall of the Emirates and Dubai Mall, the world’s biggest.
Best for Massive Spenders: Aerial tours, either by hydroplane or helicopter, permit you to take in Dubai’s architectural marvels and oddly shaped islands. This is the best — and only — way to get a really very good photo of The Globe archipelago.
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