Splendid Sands Expedition – Abu Dhabi & Doha

About this cruise

You sail from Abu Dhabi on February 1, 2027 and spend 7 nights visiting Manama, Doha, Dubai and Sir Bani Yas Island. It's a well-tested route and there's a reason people keep booking it. There's a stretch of back-to-back port days, so those days are busy, but the sea days around them give you time to recharge. The Middle East & Arabian Gulf route takes in Bahrain, Qatar and United Arab Emirates, 3 countries, and the differences show up in the food, the architecture, and the mood. Most ports give you about 10 hours, so you can do more than just tick off the main sights. As for the ship itself, MSC World Europa keeps you well fed. 9 places to eat, with 4 included in the fare and a few specialty spots if you're in the mood. If you like having options (restaurants, bars, activities, entertainment), a big ship delivers that. The timing adds to it: swapping cold weather for sunshine and sea air is the whole pitch for a winter cruise. Whether you've cruised before or not, this 7-night itinerary is a genuinely good one.