fCruise vacations are the best way to explore the many beautiful destinations in the world. Over the course of years, many cruise liners have come into the industry with state-of-the-art ships with a wide range of activities onboard and exciting excursions offshore. Catering to a diverse range of travellers, cruise vacations have become a popular holiday choice for those who prefer a convenient and hassle-free travel experience. Leisure cruise vacations eliminate the need for cumbersome travel planning, such as booking accommodation, arranging transportation, and organizing sightseeing tours. For those planning a cruise holiday from India or UAE, you have an eclectic choice of destinations to discover, along with the vast open seas and stellar sunsets. Here is a collection of destinations to voyage to on a cruise from India or UAE.
Cruises From India
India’s coastal geography presents a unique opportunity to embark on exciting cruises to nearby islands and countries. If you are sailing from India, you have the opportunity to explore fascinating destinations in Asian waters. Some of the best cruise vacation providers to check out for a cruise trip from India to these stunning places are Celebrity Cruise, Costa Cruises and Silver Sea Cruises.
Sri Lanka
The charming, petite island country with proximity to South India is an incredible destination to visit. Teeming with gorgeous beaches, ancient ruins and colonial architecture, tea plantations and verdant wilderness, Sri Lanka offers an enticing journey offshore. Cruise ships from India often dock at ports of call at Colombo, Jaffna, Trincomalee and Hambantota. These places offer an insight into the Sri Lankan culture and its captivating lifestyle before heading to the next leg of the sea sojourn.
Thailand
The Land of Smiles welcomes you to explore its exciting nightlife, stunning beaches, mouthwatering cuisine, and culturally rich atmosphere. It’s a popular destination for travellers worldwide and a great spot to visit while on a cruise trip from India. Phuket is often the main port of call in Thailand for cruises departing from India. The island is the most visited place in Thailand, and with good reason: it has beautiful beaches, a wide variety of food, and excellent water activities.
Singapore
Singapore needs no introduction. The island-state destination has made its name as one of the best destinations in Asia for cruise holidays, with some of the world’s most famous cruise ships docking at its port. Most cruises from India conclude at Singapore at Marina Bay Cruise Centre Singapore, giving visitors the opportunity to disembark and explore this fascinating country at their own leisure. So, stay an extra night or two at a hotel and marvel at Singapore’s cultural melting pot, modern architecture blending with natural scenery, and myriad other attractions before taking a flight home or continuing your onward journey.
Maldives
Synonymous with luxury, serenity and relaxation, Maldives is the ultimate paradise for beach lovers. It offers a picture-perfect pitstop during your sea sojourn to replenish yourself amidst breathtaking sceneries of sun-kissed beaches and endless turquoise ocean views. Take a journey where the final stop is Maldives so that you can continue your amazing holiday on land basking in the luxury of overwater villas, exploring vibrant coral reefs on snorkelling sessions, lounging on a hammock while enjoying the sea breeze with a cocktail in hand, going on island hopping adventures and more!
Cruises From UAE
UAE has become a star player in cruise holidays. With many luxury cruises departing from Dubai and Abu Dhabi, a cruise from the UAE offers access to dramatic seascapes of Arabian destinations. Costa Cruises from Dubai have some amazing cruise ships departing to these destinations. Other cruise lines to check out are Celebrity Cruises, Resorts World One, Celestyal Cruises, MSC Cruises and Azamara Cruises, to name a few.
Bahrain
A cluster of islands in the Persian Gulf, located off the coast of Saudi Arabia, sparks curiosity in travellers, only to be captivated by its unique charm as soon as they alight here. The nation offers a more understated alternative to the extravagant, refined, and glitzy UAE. Tourists find a trip to Bahrain carefree and joyful since it is less rigid and more relaxed than its neighbouring countries. In addition to its beautiful beaches, Bahrain is known for its blend of modern architecture with more traditional Arabic elements. If you’re looking for an Arabic location that’s less crowded and more suited to beachgoers, water sports enthusiasts, and sightseers, Bahrain is the perfect destination.
Qatar
One of the most popular destinations as a port of call for cruise ships, Qatar welcomes you to take a break from the sea sojourn amid a futuristic realm and modern conveniences. Stepping down onto the Doha’s Grand Cruise Terminal itself will leave you in awe of its sheer architectural beauty. Most cruises are scheduled to coincide with the dates of the Qatar Grand Prix. This allows guests to enjoy a wonderful time cruising on the Arabian Sea and then further enhance your holiday with an exhilarating experience of racing Formula One cars. If you enjoy motorsports or are a Formula One fan, a cruise that includes Qatar is the perfect option to combine a race with a relaxing sea vacation with Arabian flair. For a short yet fun-filled, lavish sailing experience in Qatar, the Resorts World One cruise from Dubai, which lasts only two nights, is the best cruise holiday to plan.
Oman
Set right next to the UAE, Oman is a premier destination to visit for cruises from Dubai. Perched in the north of UAE, the destination is a treat for the eyes with its stunning landscapes, rich culture, and warm hospitality. Cruises dock at Muscat, the capital city of Oman. Here, apart from visiting attractions like Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, the Royal Opera House, and the bustling Mutrah Souq, stunning fjords of Musandam or the beautiful beaches of Salalah wait for you eagerly to entice you with thrilling adventures. Let’s not forget about the breathtaking desert landscapes! You can even go dune-bashing or take a camel ride as well! It’s the perfect stop on a cruise from the UAE.
Madagascar
This pristine island on the southeastern African coast is known for its diverse, unique wildlife and stunning natural sceneries. Once your cruise docks, you can dive into some epic nature adventures such as exploring the Avenue of the Baobabs, diving into crystal-clear waters and swimming with colourful fish, and viewing famous indri lemurs and a plethora of other wildlife. Spend some time discovering a unique UNESCO World Heritage Site – Tsingy de Bemaraha. Norwegian Cruise Line has a wonderful 14-day cruise holiday departing from Dubai in April 2025. For 2026, check out Costa Cruises’ extensive 36-day cruise package departing from Abu Dhabi and visiting Madagascar, among other fascinating places through Arabia and Africa, till it concludes in Italy.
Conclusion
Choosing cruises from Abu Dhabi or Dubai or sailing from India brings to you a multitude of sights and scenery to experience throughout Asia and the Middle Eastern destinations. The journey goes beyond just visiting new places. It is also the opportunity to relax in a luxurious mega-ship that resembles a resort, your comfortable carrier to new adventures during your holiday. So, take time to pause from your hectic schedule and consider your next vacation as a cruise holiday. We can’t recommend enough choosing a cruise holiday with tons of awesome things to do, sailing from India or the UAE to these incredible places.
