Muscat, Oman - Middle East Cruises

Your scenic drive will take you through the Hajar Mountains en route to Nizwa, one of the largest cities in Oman and the capital of the interior region. Nizwa has a wealth of cultural and ancient landmarks; the most prominent is Nizwa Fort built over a period of 12 years.

The Fort is located in the city centre, where you may explore and learn of its interesting history. The Fort is surrounded by ancient traditional souks where locals trade and where you can see fabulous collections of gold and silver in the various shops.

Nizwa is a sight to behold being set in an oasis enclosed by a series of mountains, including Al Jabal Al Akhdar, the famous green mountain.

A buffet luncheon will be served at a local hotel and includes refreshments of water or a soft drink. Your tour is rounded off with a photograph stop at the impressive Grand Mosque in Muscat on your return journey.


This excursion will operate by coach and on foot. The tour involves walking over rough and inclined ground with some steps. The drive to Nizwa is approximately 2½ hours. In accordance with local customs, please wear clothing that covers the shoulders and knees. Guests are requested not to take photographs of the local people without prior permission. The itinerary of this excursion may be reversed.

A wonderful opportunity to get to know the highlights of this diverse and unusual capital with its amazing combination of traditional customs and new developments.

Your excursion includes a visit to the stunning Grand Mosque, which covers an area of over one million square feet and can accommodate up to 20,000 worshippers.

Drive into the capital for a stop in front of the Sultan's Palace, flanked by the Portuguese forts, Jalali and Mirani. Next, visit the magnificent Bait Al Zubair Museum, which highlights the history of the country and its people. Exhibits consist of many fascinating artefacts including traditional costumes, jewellery, handicrafts and weapons.

For an authentic shopping experience, visit the Muttrah Souk where the stalls sell the traditional Omani items such as Dallah (bronze coffee pots), exotic spices and frankincense.

This excursion will operate by coach and on foot. This excursion involves approximately one hour of walking over mostly paved areas. In accordance with local customs, whilst visiting the Grand Mosque, women must wear modest clothing that covers the body. Arms and legs must be covered to wrists and ankles and a scarf must cover the head, including all hair. Gentlemen are advised to wear modest clothing befitting the sanctity of the Mosque. Guests are requested not to take photographs of the local people without prior permission. Please note that the itinerary of this excursion may be reversed and may arrive back at the ship earlier dependant on traffic conditions.

This exciting excursion is for adventurous explorers, who wish to sample the thrill of driving through breathtaking desert scenery and meet the people of Bedouin on their own territory.

Your four wheel drive vehicle takes you through the fascinating and spectacular Hajar Mountains; the terrain is rugged and is a whole world away from the modern landscape of Muscat.

Get ready for the ride of your life as you enter The Wahiba Desert, where you will put the four wheel drive vehicles through their paces on an exciting dune drive. Crossing rolling sand dunes as far as the eye can see, you may be lucky enough to spot a herd of camels.

Make a stop to meet Bedouin families who have made their homes in these harsh desert conditions and gain an insight into their way of life. Luncheon will be served at a desert camp with hand washing and toilet facilities.


ACTIVITY EXCURSIONS
You and all those in your party should be aware that, in undertaking activity excursions, you will be involved in a degree of physical exertion and/or activity such as hiking, biking, snorkelling, kayaking, diving etc. By booking the excursion you confirm that you and all those in your party are in good physical and mental condition, with no history of conditions such as seizures, dizziness, fainting, heart condition, respiratory problems or back/neck problems (by way of example only). You should also ensure that no one in your party is taking medicine that carries a warning about impairment of physical or mental abilities. If you are pregnant this type of excursion may not be appropriate for you. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are fit and well enough to take part in the activities booked and you are reminded to take care for your own safety. Because of the risks associated with activity excursions, you may be asked by the excursion provider to sign a document which may affect or limit the excursion provider’s liability. Comfortable flat walking shoes are recommended.

LIABILITY
Cunard will arrange for the excursions to be performed by the relevant excursion provider. Cunard does not provide or supply the excursion services. Cunard will exercise reasonable care and skill in the selection of the excursion provider, but will not in any circumstances have a greater liability than the excursion supplier and Cunard shall not be responsible for the negligent acts/omissions of the excursion supplier. Please note that in relation to all excursions Cunard is not responsible or liable for any loss, damage, or injury sustained by you unless such loss, damage or injury arises out of a breach of legal duty of Cunard.

TRAVEL INSURANCE
Before booking any activity excursions it is essential that you ensure your travel insurance extends to cover the specified activity. It is your responsibility to obtain adequate insurance.

This excursion will operate by 4x4 vehicles. Guests are requested not to take photographs of the local people without prior permission. This tour is not suitable for those with injuries or conditions, which may be affected by the bumpy ride. Pregnant women and children under 12 may not participate. This tour is weather dependent as heavy rain can lead to flooding in the Wadis. The drive to enter the Wahiba Desert takes around two hours and is on tarred road and the tyres will need to be deflated and then inflated again for the dune drive part of the tour.

Embark your speedboat at a local marina and head out to sea in search of dolphins in their natural habitat; these lively, intelligent and fascinating creatures can be spotted swimming in the warm waters off the coast.

Experience the excitement of the sea air and wind rushing past as you give chase on the speedboat to catch sightings of dolphins; then feel the adrenaline as you get closer, charged with sensation you are about to see these mammals out in the wild as nature intended.

Although sightings are not guaranteed, the experienced boatmen are in constant contact with each other and will notify other boatmen of sightings – so there is a good chance of encountering the dolphins at close hand. Many species of dolphin are spotted in the area, including common dolphins, spinner dolphins and bottlenose dolphins; if you are very lucky you may even see sperm and hump back whales.

Mineral water and soft drinks will be served during your boat ride.


BEACH/WATER RELATED EXCURSIONS
For any excursion involving water, guests are reminded to exercise particular care. Alcohol and eating a full meal should be avoided before swimming. If buoyancy aids are provided for an activity they must be worn at all times. You should bear in mind that the sea is unpredictable. Lifeguards are unlikely to be present and there may not be a flag system to indicate whether or not it is safe to go in the water. In addition, beach activities may not be supervised or accompanied and so you should take care to satisfy yourself as to the safety of the beach and/or the sea at the time of your excursion. Please exercise caution when entering the sea as the seabed and aquatic environment is capable of springing surprises and we have not inspected the beach or seabed for its safety. Children must be supervised by you at all times near water. All activities on the beach, water and in the sea are undertaken at your own risk. You’ll need to take swimwear, a towel, sunscreen and flat shoes that can be worn in the water.

LIABILITY
Cunard will arrange for the excursions to be performed by the relevant excursion provider. Cunard does not provide or supply the excursion services. Cunard will exercise reasonable care and skill in the selection of the excursion provider, but will not in any circumstances have a greater liability than the excursion supplier and Cunard shall not be responsible for the negligent acts/omissions of the excursion supplier. Please note that in relation to all excursions Cunard is not responsible or liable for any loss, damage, or injury sustained by you unless such loss, damage or injury arises out of a breach of legal duty of Cunard.

TRAVEL INSURANCE
Before booking any activity excursions it is essential that you ensure your travel insurance extends to cover the specified activity. It is your responsibility to obtain adequate insurance.

This excursion will operate by minibus and speedboat. There are several steps and a walk of approximately 900 feet through the floating marina to board the boats. This tour is not suitable for those with injuries or conditions, which may be affected by the bumpy ride. Pregnant women and children under 12 may not participate. The boats have awnings for shade. Sightings of dolphins or whales cannot be guaranteed. Space is limited, therefore early booking is recommended.

Sun, sea and sand await at the Oman Dive Centre Beach, unwind on the beach or take a refreshing dip, during three hours at the seaside.

A refreshment of a soft drink will be offered to you during your stay and a local escort will be present during the excursion.

Sun beds and umbrellas are available at the beach and there are toilet facilities in the dive centre. Guests are reminded to wear swimwear, take a towel and sunscreen.


BEACH/WATER RELATED EXCURSIONS
For any excursion involving water, guests are reminded to exercise particular care. Alcohol and eating a full meal should be avoided before swimming. If buoyancy aids are provided for an activity they must be worn at all times. You should bear in mind that the sea is unpredictable. Lifeguards are unlikely to be present and there may not be a flag system to indicate whether or not it is safe to go in the water. In addition, beach activities may not be supervised or accompanied and so you should take care to satisfy yourself as to the safety of the beach and/or the sea at the time of your excursion. Please exercise caution when entering the sea as the seabed and aquatic environment is capable of springing surprises and we have not inspected the beach or seabed for its safety. Children must be supervised by you at all times near water. All activities on the beach, water and in the sea are undertaken at your own risk. You’ll need to take swimwear, a towel, sunscreen and flat shoes that can be worn in the water.

LIABILITY
Cunard will arrange for the excursions to be performed by the relevant excursion provider. Cunard does not provide or supply the excursion services. Cunard will exercise reasonable care and skill in the selection of the excursion provider, but will not in any circumstances have a greater liability than the excursion supplier and Cunard shall not be responsible for the negligent acts/omissions of the excursion supplier. Please note that in relation to all excursions Cunard is not responsible or liable for any loss, damage, or injury sustained by you unless such loss, damage or injury arises out of a breach of legal duty of Cunard.

TRAVEL INSURANCE
Before booking any activity excursions it is essential that you ensure your travel insurance extends to cover the specified activity. It is your responsibility to obtain adequate insurance.

This excursion will operate by coach and on foot. Guests are requested not to take photographs of the local people without prior permission. There may be independent suppliers on the beach that may offer watersports. These are provided by parties unconnected to Cunard.

Heading for Nakhl, drive along Oman's expressway and along the scenic coastal road. On the way, a stop will be made at the tranquil and picturesque Thowarah Hot Springs, charmingly set near a lush oasis framed by the majestic mountains.

Perched on a 200-foot-high hilltop, Nakhl Fort has commanding and spectacular views of the entire oasis and date plantation surrounding it. This pre-Islamic fortress used to be the stronghold of the Bhani Kharous tribe during the medieval era. Visit the ladies sitting room and the wali's barzas and majli's (the ruler's court and tent where he met his citizens). You will also have an opportunity to visit the old prison and split-level terraces and courtyards as you gain a unique insight into times gone by.

Enjoy a buffet luncheon at a resort hotel before heading back to Muscat for a photograph stop at the exquisite Grand Mosque in Muscat.


This excursion will operate by coach and on foot. The tour involves walking over rough and inclined ground with some steps. In accordance with local customs, please wear clothing that covers the shoulders and knees. Guests are requested not to take photographs of the local people without prior permission. The itinerary order on this excursion may vary and does not include any bathing in the springs.

Do something out of the ordinary with a unique opportunity to experience cruising on a traditional dhow through the glorious scenery of Muscat.

These amazing crafts were used to sail the sea routes between Oman, India and Iran. Oman’s connection with the sea stretches back many centuries when Omani sailors, using mast and sail, pioneered sea routes to the cities of the ancient world. Favourable factors were Oman's position at the crossroads of shipping routes which linked the Arabian Gulf to India, the Red Sea and East Africa and their knowledge of shipbuilding.

Board your traditional wooden dhow and cruise along the Muscat coastline taking in the fantastic sights at leisure and with plenty of time to capture that special photograph opportunity that other modes of transport do not offer.

Take in the scenery of rugged mountains and cliffs as you are served dates, Kawah (Arabic coffee) and assorted soft drinks on this memorable excursion.


BEACH/WATER RELATED EXCURSIONS
For any excursion involving water, guests are reminded to exercise particular care. Alcohol and eating a full meal should be avoided before swimming. If buoyancy aids are provided for an activity they must be worn at all times. You should bear in mind that the sea is unpredictable. Lifeguards are unlikely to be present and there may not be a flag system to indicate whether or not it is safe to go in the water. In addition, beach activities may not be supervised or accompanied and so you should take care to satisfy yourself as to the safety of the beach and/or the sea at the time of your excursion. Please exercise caution when entering the sea as the seabed and aquatic environment is capable of springing surprises and we have not inspected the beach or seabed for its safety. Children must be supervised by you at all times near water. All activities on the beach, water and in the sea are undertaken at your own risk. You’ll need to take swimwear, a towel, sunscreen and flat shoes that can be worn in the water.

LIABILITY
Cunard will arrange for the excursions to be performed by the relevant excursion provider. Cunard does not provide or supply the excursion services. Cunard will exercise reasonable care and skill in the selection of the excursion provider, but will not in any circumstances have a greater liability than the excursion supplier and Cunard shall not be responsible for the negligent acts/omissions of the excursion supplier. Please note that in relation to all excursions Cunard is not responsible or liable for any loss, damage, or injury sustained by you unless such loss, damage or injury arises out of a breach of legal duty of Cunard.

TRAVEL INSURANCE
Before booking any activity excursions it is essential that you ensure your travel insurance extends to cover the specified activity. It is your responsibility to obtain adequate insurance.

This excursion will operate by coach and dhow. There are five to ten steps to negotiate when boarding the dhows, as well as a walk of approximately 984 feet through the floating marina walkway. The dhows have a covered inside area and an open viewing area. Guests are requested not to take photographs of the local people without prior permission. Space on this excursion is limited, therefore early booking is recommended. This excursion is subject to weather conditions and as there is limited shaded area onboard the dhows, a hat and sunscreen are recommended.