Dubia and what you can do

[olivia261]

We are sailing out from Barcelona (anyone want to share a taxi) on the 3rd Nov this year on the RCI Brilliance. We end the cruise in Dubia for 4 days. Its our first time in Dubia and have heard lots of frightening stuff about the price of meals etc. We are in a city hotel B/B and would appreiciate the prices of eating out from restaraunts to fast food takeaways. What prices are cups of tea/coffee and bottled drinking water in shops. Can you use dollar traveller checks or is it better to have just $$$ to change into their currency and where is the best place to change it.

 

We are not sure if we can bring tobbaco off the ship into Dubia to take home, or is it cheaper and safer to buy at Dubia airport.

 

Whats the best places to visit and whats the weather likely to be in November? Any other info from anyone who has visited would be appreciated.

 

Thank you

Sue and Rob

[eh2zed]

You should post this on the Middle East Ports of Call board.

[kitty9]

DUBAI UAE, is a wonderful area, and yes, it is expensive. Your best prices for things are away from the expensive hotels, in the local cafes. It's impossible to tell you the exact prices for food items because it can vary greatly. In places like McDonalds, you will pay more than you do in the US. Again, lunches and dinners in the big hotels will be very expensive.

 

Dubai (with all due respect it's not Dubia), is a rather conservative nation, but not nearly as bad as other Arab states. Remember to dress conservatively when away from your hotel, wearing long slacks or skirts. It's also better not to wear sleeveless tops (if you're a woman). Bathing attire is just fine at the hotels, but not in public places.

 

The weather will be quite warm, but not much humidity.

 

They do not accept US dollars, only their currency the Arab Emirati Dirham (AED). The current exchange rate is about 3.67 AED to $1 USD. Local ATM's give the best rate of exchange.

 

You can bring a limited amount of tobacco items off the ship, for what they call personal use.

 

I would suggest visiting the local souks. A souk is their term for shopping areas. There are gold souks, clothing souks, and anything else you can imagine. They have the most amazing mall with an indoor snow skiing hill. Don't miss that. If you can find a tour that takes you into the desert, book it. It's an amazing experience.

 

When flying home from Dubai, you need to get to the airport early. Their security screening can take a bit of time, especially if you're selected for extra screening. They will separate you by gender for security checks.

[Keith1010]

I agree with what Kitty9 has told you.

 

Duba will be fairly expensive when it comes to food but there is certainly lots of places to choose from. What is also extremely expensive is wine.

 

I would mainly rely on a credit card and most places where you might not want to use a card will take USA dollars and that includes the Taxis. Just know your conversion rates.

 

I would add one item about the malls. Yes, visit the mall with the indoor skiing but there is also an even newer mall than that one and it is even more amazing in terms of the finish out of the mall and not only the number of stores but also the number of restaurants it contains and it houses an indoor aquarium.

 

As to the Souks, be sure to visit the jewelry souk and the ones that has spices. It will come closet to the old Dubai.

 

Keith

[room010]

Cruisers talk about "bargain" jewellery in the Caribbean but you really will find some good deals in Dubai if you are prepared to haggle. Go to the gold souk in the old port. Rugs and other Middle Eastern arts and crafts are also on offer but vendors expect you to haggle so go for it!

 

While Dubai is less conservative than other parts of the region it's still an Islamic country so dress and behave appropriately in public. Keep arms and legs covered (pants are fine). In my experience it can be extremely humid depending on the time of year and it's always very hot although most modern malls and hotels have good aircon. If you are non-Muslim you are not permitted to enter any of the mosques nor take photos in the immediate viscinity. The locals also don't appreciate having their photo taken unless you ask them first and even they they may refuse.

[G.M.T.]

Have a look at www.tripadvisor.com as to whatt to see and do.

 

As already mentioned the Gold Souk, you pay bay weight and not for the workmanship, but with the gold price so high so will the gold items be priced accordingly.

 

Visit the old town with it's museum and shops (don't forgt to bargain), take a ride on Dubai Creek.

 

There is a Hoho bus with two routes, expensive but is gives you a good overview of Dubai. Other places Buji al Arab, the tower, shopping mails, water world.

 

There are several good tour companies in Dubai, offering tour to Abu Dhabi (cultural capital of UAE), dessert tours in 4x4 cars, visit to oasis, camel rides.

 

Getting around is very cheap by taxi.

 

Eating, avoid the large hotels and areas around them, our favourite eating place is in the old town overlooking Dubai Creek. As for money get local currency from ATMs and use credit cards for larger purchases.

 

Weather wise it will be warm to hot with very long sunny periods in November.

 

Buying tobacco products will be cheaper at Dubai duty free than buying on the ship.

 

So much to do there.

 

Ron

[olivia261]

Thank you so much for the replys sorry for the spelling error of Dubai. I have made notes of your tips. Our hotel is by the tallest building and fountains (sorry again I dont recall the famous names). I think for this trip of 4 days we wont try to do too much just visit a few places and experiances. Why we mention using $ is we have some left over travellers checks we were going to cash them in on the ship and use up in Dubai. I read on another post about places that give good rates in the city would this be the normal banks?

 

Is the gold in Dubai 9ct 14ct 22ct etc and of good quality or do you have to be careful of copies and rip offs? Is it a better value and quality than Uk or USA. Sorry to appear so ignorant of all of this.

[room010]

If you do a 'must see' trip then book one of the many 4WD trips into the desert with an 'authentic' Arab dinner and entertainment afterwards. It's a bit of a cliche but the scenary is spectacular and the food/music/floorshow is worth it.

 

As for the gold, you have to know a little about what you are buying so if you aren't sure then choose something you like and that you can afford as a wonderful souvenir of your cruise. Buy "heirlooms" back home from your local fine jeweller.

[G.M.T.]

OK you can get ripped off the world over, but probably the very least in Dubai. I have always found it to be better quality and value that in Europe and USA.

 

Don't buy in the first shop, take your time and have a look around and compare prices, always try to get the latest gold price.

 

When you see something you really want, don't show any interest and when it comes to purchase then bargain

 

Here is a link to make you both have water on your face (you with your mouth watering and your poor DH crying:D)

 

http://www.google.de/search?q=gold+in+Dubai&hl=de&rlz=1G1ACPW_DEDE449&prmd=ivnscm&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=10hvTt_aNvTb4QTy0YCPCQ&ved=0CHMQsAQ&biw=1152&bih=586

 

In Dubai they use the stand carat for gold 9ct 18ct etc.

 

Ron

 

PS. Another thing to take into concideration are the Customs back home and what you canbring back without having to pay duty / vat.