During the Spring Festival, I took a cruise to Dubai. We also went on a route that we promoted ourselves. The average price for an 8-day, 7-night balcony room is 4,276 yuan per person (we are 2 adults and 1 child), which is really cheap. Just think about it—staying at any decent hotel in Dubai or Abu Dhabi would probably cost over 2,000 yuan. The cruise is all-inclusive, so it’s truly not expensive. The link to our previous article—early bird pricing for the Spring Festival is unbelievably cheap.
The early bird prices for overseas cruises are exceptionally low. Additionally, leveraging the different countries’ and companies’ understandings of peak and off-peak seasons makes it even more cost-effective. For Chinese people, the Spring Festival is a peak travel season. For foreigners, there isn’t much difference in pricing between the Spring Festival and regular days.
However, after this year’s Spring Festival, many foreign cruise companies have acknowledged the significance of the Chinese Spring Festival. I take the blame for this; on the MSC Persian Gulf route departing on February 10, there were over 1,300 Chinese passengers, the highest proportion from any country, and most of them were sold through our previous article. Next year’s Spring Festival on similar MSC routes and ships (Goddess Ship) has already reached 5,904 yuan per person for an inside cabin for four; while for a double occupancy balcony, it climbs to nearly 8,000 yuan per person. This year, the 4-person inside cabin we promoted averaged 2,359.5 yuan per person, and the double balcony averaged 5,889 yuan per person. The significant price difference between this year and next year is because foreigners have recognized the importance of the Chinese Spring Festival.
Therefore, we will not recommend MSC’s Persian Gulf route during the Spring Festival in 2025. We are preparing to continue searching for price advantages, as there will always be cruise lines that are slow to react to market changes.
As a result, we actually found one.
I’ll post the details of the product directly. Departing on January 25, 2025 (New Year’s Eve is January 28) and February 1 (February 4, Lunar New Year), the Costa Smeralda cruise for an 8-day, 7-night Persian Gulf route starts at 4,999 yuan per person (price for a double occupancy inside cabin; if choosing a 4-person inside cabin, it can fall to as low as 3,999 yuan per person). The unobstructed balcony starts at 6,999 yuan per person (double occupancy balcony room price; for 4 people, it can be as low as 4,999 yuan per person).
We ensure 100% arrangement for Chinese-speaking staff throughout the trip, so even if you have poor English, you can find staff who speak Chinese on the ship if you have any issues.
The route includes Dubai, UAE – Muscat, Oman’s capital – Doha, Qatar’s capital – Abu Dhabi, UAE – and back to Dubai. These places are all visa-free for cruise passengers; you can travel as long as you have a passport. This route has no notable waves at sea because it is in a bay, and the Strait of Hormuz blocks most of the waves. Furthermore, the Costa Smeralda is a massive ship weighing 185,000 tons, making it even more stable.
**Product Highlights:**
1) Visa-free for the entire journey; you can travel with just a passport.
2) Two nights in Dubai, allowing for deep exploration at your leisure while saving on expensive hotel costs.
3) The onboard itinerary is straightforward, with tour buses at the port for easy independent travel.
4) High cost-performance, as Costa has not raised prices for the Chinese New Year; January and February are ideal travel months for the Persian Gulf, with comfortable weather.
5) A fantastic ship: Costa Smeralda, the flagship of Costa Cruises, is newer and larger than domestic ships like the Glory and Spectrum.
6) Staff will be on board to assist with any issues, especially helpful for those who may face language barriers.
Among all these highlights, the best feature is definitely the two-night stay in Dubai. Let me show you the schedule. The first two nights are docked at the Dubai cruise terminal, remaining stationary in Dubai. Everyone knows how expensive hotels are in Dubai, so this effectively turns the cruise into a hotel.
The cruise terminal in Dubai is right in the city center with an excellent location. A few days ago, when I was in Dubai, I saw the Costa cruise parked next to Palm Island while I was exploring it. This location is fantastic, and you can enjoy the beautiful views of the Palm Island when the cruise is coming and going. Getting around is also very convenient, as many attractions in Dubai are nearby.
Honestly, if you choose to stay at an Intercontinental hotel in Dubai, it would cost nearly 2,000 yuan per night, while other reputable brands are even more expensive. Staying on the cruise is even better since it includes multiple meals per day, along with childcare services included.
The ship is Costa Smeralda, which we have previously promoted. It’s a great ship that sails Mediterranean routes in summer and Persian Gulf routes in winter. Here are the cruise specifications:
– Maiden Voyage: 2020
– Decks: 20
– Tonnage: 185,500 tons
– Passenger Capacity: 6,518
Costa has a rich history, being over 60 years in the cruising business. Let’s say that this year’s popularity of domestic cruises stems from designs and operational standards taken from Costa; even the onboard services are modeled after Costa’s practices. Costa does not have routes with Chinese home ports this year to pave the way for domestic cruises.
If some of you are unfamiliar with these specifications, I can confidently say that this ship is newer and larger than the MSC Glory and Royal Caribbean Spectrum currently operating from Chinese home ports. If it were to operate from a Chinese home port, it would probably be top-tier. It’s even larger than the MSC Lirica, which I just took on the Persian Gulf route this Spring Festival (dubbed Honor Plus). In the world of mega cruise liners, being the largest and newest, with more decks, is the ultimate truth.
The top deck of the ship has water slides. During the Spring Festival, the Persian Gulf is perfect for traveling—neither too hot nor too cold—so the water park will be open for all to enjoy.
Additionally, the cruise features saunas and an ice room, as well as infinity pools facing the sea.
There’s also a kids’ club for child care.
Dining areas total over a dozen, with meals included from breakfast through dinner within the tickets. Those who have traveled with Costa know that their dining is quite good. The two ships this time are flagships, so the dining experience will be a benchmark for Costa. However, to be fair, the food does cater primarily to Western tastes, which may not necessarily appeal to all Chinese tourists. Onboard Chinese food is not available.
Let’s talk about the rooms.
Inside cabins range from 10 to 14 m², with either one double bed (or two single beds); triple or quad rooms will have one or two foldable beds added. Honestly, if four people are staying in an inside cabin, it can feel quite cramped.
Balcony rooms are about 17 m² and include one double bed (or two single beds) and one single sofa bed (with an extra foldable bed for quad occupancy).
Next, let’s discuss the itinerary. Since I just returned from the Persian Gulf route, I can speak with authority. This area is wonderful, and most cities in the Persian Gulf (Doha, Abu Dhabi, Muscat) can be explored in one day. Using a cruise allows for visa-free travel and you won’t have to pack and change hotels every day, making it easy to tour the region.
The highlight of this route is definitely the two-night stay in Dubai, meaning you can spend two full days exploring the city. Two full days is ample time to visit most of the core attractions in Dubai.
Doha (the capital of Qatar), Abu Dhabi, and Muscat (the capital of Oman) are all major Middle Eastern cities, and the cruise docks in the city center for easy independent exploration. I visited both Doha and Abu Dhabi on this trip, and there were tour buses right at the cruise terminal that provide earphones for guided commentary, stopping at the cities’ tourist destinations. Exploring at your own pace is quite stress-free, and it saves you money.
Now, let’s break down the itinerary day by day.
**Day 1, Day 2, Day 3: Dubai**
The cruise terminal in Dubai is very close to the Palm Island and city center, making travel extremely convenient. After arriving in Dubai on the first day, I suggest boarding the ship directly.
Dubai is quite fascinating; it’s a metropolis that rivals Shanghai, New York, London, and Singapore, built in the desert.
You must visit the Museum of the Future; it’s one of the most beautiful museums on Earth, showcasing visions of the future world.
The old town of Dubai is worth exploring; it represents the most traditional landmarks, showcasing Dubai’s transformation into a modern city and giving you a glimpse into the world of “One Thousand and One Nights.”
The Burj Khalifa, Burj Al Arab, and Dubai Frame are best appreciated from a distance, in my opinion. The advantage of staying two nights in Dubai means you can return to the ship at any hour, even late at night, allowing for deep exploration of the city. The night views here are stunning.
Hotels in Dubai are prohibitively expensive, and dining is equally costly, making the cruise, which serves as a hotel, incredibly cost-effective.
**Day 4: Muscat, Oman**
Oman is one of the oldest countries on the Arabian Peninsula, and Muscat is an ancient Islamic city surrounded by wilderness.
Attractions in Muscat are quite concentrated, making it perfect for a one-day cruise stop. However, our cruise this year did not visit Muscat, so I can’t provide specific details about activities there. Nonetheless, friends who have been there said it was fun.
**Day 5: Days at Sea**
January and February are wonderful months to enjoy sea days in the Persian Gulf. The weather is comfortable, so all the ship’s facilities will be fully operational. You can soak up the sun on deck, truly indulging in the cruise vacation experience.
The water park will be lively, and entertainment shows will take place.
There’s a Co.De museum on the seventh deck.
Regarding kids, if you don’t want to bring them along, you can take advantage of child care services. The cruise is very family-friendly, with a kids’ club that offers supervised activities, especially on sea days when schedules are packed. You should consider that enrolling a child in an international summer camp would cost a lot; entrusting them to onboard care is a better deal.
**Day 6: Doha, Qatar**
A day in Doha is adequate since the city is relatively small and attractions are concentrated. You should visit Souq Waqif and check out the Islamic Museum of Art, the last work by architect I. M. Pei, which is truly stunning.
If time allows, visit the Qatar National Museum, designed by contemporary French architect Jean Nouvel. The architecture is inspired by the desert rose, a local geological feature, with dozens of huge cream-colored discs interwoven.
These few points of interest can definitely be completed in a single day without a rush. If time permits, there’s a colorful town near the cruise terminal that’s perfect for photos, which you can also explore.
There are tour buses available at the Doha cruise terminal, which can take you to these attractions. Of course, if you prefer an easier route, you can join an onboard day tour.
**Day 7: Abu Dhabi, UAE**
I absolutely love Abu Dhabi. We had an enriching and fulfilling experience in just one day. After disembarking, we visited the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, which I can confidently say is the most beautiful mosque I’ve ever seen, without a doubt.
We also visited the Presidential Palace, known for its opulence and grandeur.
Additionally, we toured the Louvre Abu Dhabi, which is designed uniquely and has a rich collection of artworks.
These three locations encapsulate the essence of Abu Dhabi. For families with children, options like Warner Bros World and Ferrari World are available, but that means missing out on the aforementioned sites in a single day, depending on personal preferences.
Of all the destinations in this Spring Festival cruise, my favorite was Abu Dhabi, as the attractions are compact, concentrated, and engaging. Abu Dhabi also has tour buses, making getting around straightforward.
**Day 8: Return to Dubai**
The cruise arrives back in Dubai early at 8 AM, so theoretically, you can catch flights after 2 PM.
In my opinion, this itinerary perfectly integrates independent exploration of Dubai with the cruise experience. Plus, it’s highly cost-effective—two nights docked at the Dubai terminal genuinely saves on hotel costs.
I booked my flights rather late; three round trip tickets cost a total of 14,677 yuan. Airline tickets this year were rather expensive, but I don’t anticipate next year’s flights to Dubai being as costly as this year’s. Adding the cruise fare, you can secure a fantastic Spring Festival cruise to the Persian Gulf for just a little over 10,000 yuan, covering Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, and Muscat—all without the need for a visa, traveling with just a standard passport.
Lastly, let’s quickly summarize the prices. I recommend opting for balcony rooms, as they offer unobstructed views and a sea view. The weather in the Persian Gulf in January and February is excellent, making balconies even more valuable.
The fare includes the cruise ticket, three meals a day in complimentary onboard restaurants, entertainment activities, and more. The service fee, which is collected onboard, is 11 euros per adult per night and 5.5 euros for children aged 4 to 14 per night.
Only 100 cabins will be sold per voyage. The main reason for this limit is to ensure our onboard Chinese-speaking staff can effectively assist, as a larger group might lead to fewer opportunities for personalized service. This is also why there were over 1,300 Chinese tourists on this year’s MSC Lirica, most of whom we helped to book. While there will be English-speaking staff available, managing such a large group can be challenging, warranting the restriction on cabin sales to maintain quality service.
One important note: this is not a second-chance reservation; the travel dates are fixed. If you book but don’t travel, a cancellation fee will apply. Cancellations more than 92 days before departure incur a fee of 1,000 yuan per person. Thus, please think carefully before booking. Even though next year’s Spring Festival Costa cruise is an incredible deal, it does not allow for hassle-free cancellations.
