Staycation has garnered a lot of popularity in the last few years, especially after the pandemic of 2020. The idea of staying at a luxury hotel or resort to just relax without any itineraries and things to see and do has a certain appeal. Even today, when the world has opened to tourism, a staycation during the weekend is one of the most popular ways that singles, couples, and families like to unwind. But do you want to try a unique staycation plan? Rather than going to a hotel, why not try the cruise for your staycation plans. Costa Cruises has the perfect staycation cruise for you, where you can enjoy their luxury cruise while exploring the two amazing cities of the UAE: Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Here is everything you need to know about 2 nights Friday sailing Abu Dhabi-Dubai cruise.
Details of the Cruise
This 2-day cruise is scheduled to sail from January 2025 to March 2025. The cruise will run from Friday to Sunday, offering you the perfect weekend getaway. The cruise will begin from Abu Dhabi and end in Dubai. Costa Smeralda, one of the best of Costa’s fleets, will be used for sailing.
Cabins Available on the Cruise
When you book this cruise for your weekend staycation, the first thing you need to do is book your cabin. Four types of staterooms are available on this cruise, each designed to provide you with the ultimate comfort.
Interior Cabin: The interior cabin is for those who plan to use their stay to explore the cruise, retiring to their room only to crash at night. The interior cabin comes with a double bed or two single beds and amenities like a washroom, television, hairdryer, safe, phone, adjustable air conditioner. But it does not have any window to give you the view of the ocean while you are sailing.
Sea View Cabin: Sea View Cabin is like the interior room in aesthetics, amenities, and comfort. The only difference is that it comes with a window that gives you the view of the ocean. This is also a room for two people. Two extra people can be accommodated on the sofa bed and folding bed available in the room (same is available in the interior cabin).
Sea Balcony: This room is a notch higher than the sea view cabin. If you want to laze around in your room during most of your stay, this cabin would be perfect for you. If you want to enjoy the view of the sea, you do not need to visit the cruise deck. Rather, you only need to step out of your room onto your balcony. The large balcony area is spacious enough to enjoy some sun and sea view with your partner.
Sea Terrace: The Sea Terrace cabin comes with a spacious balcony or terrace and a veranda. It is the perfect place to relax and unwind. If you are on a romantic holiday, this is an ideal location to have a cozy breakfast with your partner. Plus, you get an incredible, panoramic view of the sea.
About the Cruise Ship
An epitome of Italian luxury and hospitality, the cruise ship will not fail to impress. Measuring 1105 feet in length and consisting of 20 decks, this cruise ship can accommodate 6554 people. It has 2612 passenger cabins, out of 1550 are cabins with balconies. A star attraction of this cruise is the large skywalk on the upper deck, where you can take a walk and enjoy the beautiful views of the sea. Apart from offering luxurious accommodations, this cruise also has several other amenities, including numerous 11 restaurants and snack bars/cafes as well as 19 bars and lounges.
What to Expect on the Cruise?
The Costa Smeralda Cruise from Abu Dubai to Dubai promises to be a powerhouse of fun and entertainment. It has everything to make your stay the most memorable one.
Restaurants and Bar: One of the best things about going on a cruise holiday is the food. Most cruises have multiple restaurants serving different cuisines, and Smeralda is no different. From Italian to Pan Asian, you will get to try a variety of foods here. Some of the restaurants you must try here are Food Lab, Archipelago, Teppanyaki Restaurant, Pummid’ OPO Pizzeria, Sushino at Costa, and more. Kids would have a fun time exploring the menu of Nutella at Costa, a restaurant dedicated to lovers of this famous chocolate spread. You can also enjoy cocktail hour at Frescobaldi Wine Experience, Aperol Spritz Bar, etc. For dessert, do visit Gelateria Amarillo for some delicious homemade ice creams.
Theater and Shows: Those inclined towards art and culture would be delighted to know that you will see several theatrical shows, live musical shows, and dance performances on the cruise almost every day. The cruise also has a nightclub where you can drink and dance till the wee hours of the morning.
Pools and Hot Tubs: Your children may not be too interested in theater and music shows, but there is rarely a child who would say no to swimming pools. There are around 11 swimming pools and hot tubs in the cruise. But the most popular is on the upper deck as it also includes a water park (Aqua Park), complete with some fun and thrilling slides.
Amenities: There is no dearth of amenities on the cruise. The cruise has a fully functional gymnasium to ensure that you do not miss out on your daily workout. It also has a luxury spa where you can get some much-needed pampering sessions. The cruise has a strong broadband service named Starlink to keep you connected to the outside world. You can also check out Smart City, an outdoor space, where you can sit, work, meet people, and have conversations. The cruise also offers special clubs for engaging and entertaining kids.
Ports
You can visit two ports if you opt for this cruise: one is Abu Dhabi, and the other is Dubai.
Abu Dhabi: The cruise begins in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. If you are not a resident of the UAE, you can arrive early to explore the city. Home to beautiful cultural attractions as well as fun modern ones, Abu Dhabi has everything to offer you a complete holiday package. The Grand Mosque, Qasr Al Watan, Emirates Palace, Warner Bros. World, Louvre Abu Dhabi, The National Aquarium Abu Dhabi, The Heritage Village, and Observation Deck at 300 are some of the attractions you must see in Dubai.
Dubai: Your cruise ends in Dubai, easily the most famous city of the UAE. Dubai is one of the favorite holiday destinations of people all around the world. The tourist attractions here include iconic buildings, entertainment avenues, theme parks, shopping malls, and cultural attractions. Some attractions to check out in Dubai are Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, Dubai Frame, Dubai Souks, Dubai Creek, Dubai Marina, Palm Jumeirah, JBR Beach, Burj Al Arab, Ain Dubai, Al Fahidi Neighborhood, Jumeirah Mosque, IMG Worlds of Adventure, Atlantis Aquaventure, and more. Dubai also offers unique experiences like desert safari and dhow cruise.
Important Things to Know Before Going on Costa Cruise
- If you are a resident of the UAE, make sure your UAE residency visa has a minimum validity of 3 months.
- All tourists should have a UAE single entry visa, including infants above 6 months.
- All visitors should have a valid passport (minimum 6 months). An original passport is a must at the time of checking in.
- Pregnant women above the gestational age of 24 weeks will not be allowed to embark on this cruise. A medical certificate from the gynecologist must be carried by all pregnant visitors.
- The cruise line should be informed about special needs’ passengers at the time of booking the cruise.
- The booking rates of the first and second passengers would be the full adult price, irrespective of the person’s age. For instance, if you are going on the cruise for a mother-child holiday with your daughter or son who is 4 years of age, you will have to pay the complete price for him or her as well.
- You need to pay 25% of the total amount at the time of booking the cruise. Full payment must be made 55 days before the cruise date.
If you need to cancel your cruise holiday for any reason, you will get a refund after a certain percentage is deducted from the total amount. The percentage is decided depending on the number of days before you make the cancellation. You do not get any refund if you cancel it 20 days before departure.
If the 2 days Costa Smeralda’s Abu Dhabi-Dubai cruise seems interesting to you, you can contact Rayna Tours Seacation to book your cruise staycation today.
