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The Irish Sun

I tried the Middle Eastern cruise trip with desert stays, five-star dining and wildlife safaris

DUBAI brags of having the biggest, longest and highest of everything – but the widest highway in the world? Really? Absolutely, says Ali, the most excitable guide in the world — but only if he is talking about his own country. Advertisement 6 Enjoy the high life in ultra-modern Abu Dhabi 6 Relax with a sea view from the onboard pool 6 Take in a wildlife safari 'We have no taxes, VAT is five per cent, the government is rich, we are rich, we have the richest country in the world,' he effuses. We are going to the That's almost three times the height of London's Shard. The lifts at Advertisement Read More on Travel What Ali fails to tell us is that getting to the lifts means enduring the slowest queue in the world. It took us a frustrating 90 minutes of shuffling and waiting from one queue to another but, once at the top, you're in selfie heaven. We're in Dubai with Celestyal, a charmingly Greek cruise line that spends summers in Greece and The cruise starts in Advertisement Most read in Cruise Our ship, But where that doesn't even get breakfast thrown in, on board our ship three meals a day are included. So is wifi (and you can also splash out on dinner in the speciality Asian or steak restaurant, which come at an extra charge). Martin Lewis warns about strict passport rule that could see you board your flight - only to get sent home on arrival If you fancy staying in a fab Grand Dream Suite, one of the fanciest staterooms on board, which comes with spacious living area, a sofa bed (on top of the large double bed) and balcony, it's £1,380pp more. It also comes with perks, including free access to an exclusive restaurant and the spa's thermal suite as well as priority check-in. Advertisement If you can tear yourself away from the room, there's a pool upstairs and numerous bars downstairs with non-stop live music every evening. Our favourite is Spirits & Ales, where barman JD and his team always have smiles on their faces and tricks up their sleeves. Literally. They not only pull a mean pint, but also wow us with a close-up magic show one evening. From Doha we cruise to Dubai, where we're staying overnight so we can go 4x4-ing in the desert on one of several shore excursions offered by the cruise line. Advertisement It's a thrilling rollercoaster of a ride as our driver revs up, down and along the shifting sands at angles you don't want to think about. Liberal beach culture 'I've never tipped one over,' our driver promises as the jeep suddenly tilts sideways, resulting in a shower of sand. The scary stuff over, we're then wined and dined under the stars, our mouths feasting on local dishes while our eyes feast on entertainment in the form of a fire juggler and whirling dervishes who go into a trance-like state and twirl around and around for at least ten minutes without falling over. It's one of those don't-try-this-at-home moments. Advertisement And very different to our next stop, Just 50 years ago, the island was deserted. But today it is home to millions of plants and trees, thousands of animals and 300 rangers to look after it all. It is also a mecca for cruise ships sailing the Arabian Gulf for the more liberal beach culture than on the mainland — bikinis! — and open-truck wildlife safaris. 6 Entertainment includes impressive magic shows Advertisement 6 Souq up the atmosphere at a traditional market in Bahrain Credit: Getty 6 Celestyal offers a seven-night Desert Days cruise round-trip from Doha and visiting Dubai, Sir Bani Yas Island, Abu Dhabi and Bahrain Credit: supplied It's not up there with Africa (no lions, tigers or buffalo) but there are two cheetahs, loads of deer, gazelles, Barbary sheep from It's a welcome respite after the excesses of Dubai, but things ramp up a gear again — literally — in Abu Dhabi with trips to Yas Marina F1 circuit, theme parks and SeaWorld. Advertisement Or you can go for a cultural overdose at the Louvre (Abu Dhabi has its own version of the French museum) or the shiny Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, which glows spectacularly white in the sun. In Plates of hummus, pitta bread, salad, kebabs, grilled sausages, chicken and more that just keep on coming. As does the wine. It's definitely the best mezze in the world (but shhh — don't tell Dubai). Advertisement GO: CELESTYAL JOURNEY GETTING THERE: Emirates flies from London Heathrow to Dubai from £544 return in January. See SAILING THERE: Celestyal offers a seven-night Desert Days cruise round-trip from Doha and visiting Dubai (overnight), Sir Bani Yas Island, Abu Dhabi and Bahrain from £539pp in January 2026. Price includes meals, soft drinks with meals and wifi. Flights extra. See