W
aking up to the warm glow of the sun shining over the shimmering waters of the Arabian Gulf, I realised my first-ever cruise would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, especially for someone like me who had rarely left the familiarity of my hometown in Kuala Lumpur.
A month ago, I set off on an enchanting voyage with Resorts World Cruises (RWC), a Singapore-headquartered company, aboard the Resorts World One, departing from Dubai’s Port Rashid Cruise Terminal to explore beautiful destinations across the Arabian Gulf.
Four local media representatives including this writer, regional media from Singapore, Thailand, China and the Philippines as well as travel agents, joined RWC for its inaugural, week-long, voyage from Dubai to the Gulf region. The launch ceremony was held on board the cruise liner on Oct 31, attended by RWC president Michael Goh and nearly 300 guests.
The towering 1,800-passenger vessel has 926 staterooms, comprising a variety of cabin types such as interior staterooms, ocean-view and balcony cabins, and luxurious suites aptly called ‘The Palace’.
During the trip, spanning about 6,465 kilometres by sea, we visited the wildlife reserve on Sir Bani Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, and the charming coastal towns of Khasab and Muscat in Oman.
As it was the start of the winter season, temperatures averaged around 31°C during the day and 19°C at night, making it slightly cooler than usual and the perfect time to be outdoors.
TRADITION MEETS MODERNITY
After the launch event, we ventured out to Dubai and, as the sun set that day, we gathered with thousands of others by the turquoise waters outside the world’s tallest structure Burj Khalifa to witness its fountain show at 7 pm local time. And, as the locals would say, “MasyaAllah, habibi!” What a spectacular sight it was.
A group of journalists from Malaysia is pictured at the Fisherman’s Village, located in the Musandam Peninsula of Oman and surrounded by towering limestone peaks and barren slopes, as a highlight of the shore excursion package offered to Resorts World One cruise guests in Khasab, Oman.
The next day was filled with excitement as we gazed at the sprawling city below – resembling a vast map surrounded by the gleaming waters of the Arabian Gulf – from the observation deck of the Burj Khalifa on the 148th floor.
In the afternoon, we made our way to the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding in the Al Fahidi Historic District, near Dubai’s Old Souq, to connect with locals in their beautiful courtyard houses made of locally sourced coral stone, a unique material that provides natural insulation to combat Dubai’s intense heat.
We were welcomed with Arabic coffee and dates, followed by a delightful Emirati lunch. One of their practices that caught my attention during the visit was ‘Sabbat Al-Heshma’ or the serving of coffee. According to tradition, the host should not pour a full cup of coffee as doing so would signal that the guest is not welcome and should drink quickly and leave. Instead, the host, as a gesture of hospitality and generosity, should serve a cup that is only one-third full.
WILDLIFE ENCOUNTER
The next day, the ship docked at Sir Bani Yas Island, where we went on a shore excursion in a large jeep to explore the island’s wildlife. This excursion, which is optional and available to cruisers for an additional fee, is a highlight of the Resorts World One cruise itinerary and is a truly worthwhile experience. For those who opt out, the ship offers them an opportunity to relax and enjoy its world-class onboard facilities.
Sir Bani Yas Island was established as a nature reserve by the United Arab Emirates’ founding father Sheikh Zayed Al Nahyan in the 1970s. Today, the animals far outnumber the island’s human population, with only about 37 people per square kilometre compared to over 17,000 free-roaming animals
A wild zebra is spotted on the grassy plains of Sir Bani Yas island in Abu Dhabi, feeding on grasses, leaves, and shrubs, which provide them with the nutrients they need to thrive in their semi-arid environment on the island.
The excitement of being up close and personal with Indian gazelles, giraffes, zebras, emus and other magnificent animals as they roamed freely in their natural habitat was just the cherry on top of my day.
Afterward, we took a stroll on the powdery white sands of the island while making our way back to the ship.
NORWAY OF ARABIA
Entering the sixth day of the trip, I woke up in the ‘Norway of Arabia’ – the port city of Khasab in Oman – and was greeted by the sight of majestic, rugged mountains meeting the emerald waters of the Musandam coastline.
After disembarking at the Port of Khasab, we boarded a coach to visit the historic Khasab Fort, a 17th-century structure that once served as a vital military stronghold for the sultanate, before our guide took us on the winding streets of Khasab towards an old fishing village tucked away in Musandam.
We could not help but feel small as we stood surrounded by the towering mountains in the village, offering a view so stunning it felt like a unique and unforgettable experience.
Then came the highlight of the day as we set off to the sea to board a traditional dhow or sailing boat, hoping for a chance to see the playful dolphins off Telegraph Island.
The view of the rugged mountains of Khasab, also known as the "Norway of Arabia" seen from afar that offers breathtaking landscape is a highlight of the shore excursion package offered to Resorts World One cruise guests in Khasab, Oman.
“Wooot... wooot!” The guide whistled to call the dolphins, and there they were, propelling themselves above the water and splashing around as if they were putting on a show for us.
And, as we were enjoying an Arabic-themed lunch on the boat, a curious dolphin followed our boat, showcasing its agility as it leaped and spun spontaneously.
MOSQUE, MARKET AND MEMORIES
Our ship arrived at Oman’s capital city, Muscat, the next morning, docking at the Sultan Qaboos Port near Muttrah Souq, an area famous for its picturesque waterfront and historic ambiance.
We then hopped onto a coach with our first stop being the beautiful Sultan Qaboos Mosque at Sultan Qaboos Street, a major highway in the city.
Every part of the mosque is meticulously designed, from the handwoven one-piece Persian carpet to the marble facade, all the materials carefully selected to keep the building cool despite Muscat’s arid climate.
Afterwards, we were treated to a cup of rich Arabic coffee and some dates at the mosque’s information centre where we were briefed on Islamic culture and Omani traditions.
Later we stopped at the Royal Opera House and then made our way to the vibrant Muttrah Souq to shop for souvenirs. The earthy aroma of frankincense filled the air as we strolled through the market.
For Omani people, frankincense is more than simply a fragrance, it is an essential part of their daily life as it is used in everything from daily rituals at home to important religious ceremonies.
The journey back to Dubai from Muscat took 20 hours and we spent our final hours on the cruise enjoying meals on board and relaxing on the deck while soaking in the views of the open sea.
For more information on this cruise, visit www.rwcruises.com or email reservations.en@rwcruises.com.
