Chasing Constellation from Rome to Arabian Nights November 2016

[need2bespoiled]

As we left the hotel, this man was also leaving. I didn’t know who he was at the time, but others were taking his pictures so I jumped on the band wagon. A Formula 1 fan was able to easily tell me later who he was 

 

The archway, around the circle in front of the presidential palace. Remind you of anything?

 

After the trip to the Souk, we didn’t stay long and made sure we were back on the ship by 1pm for a rare lunch on board followed by a 3:00p meeting and 3:15p departure for the track and the races (which started at 5pm).

 

As I stated earlier, our gate was 6&7 for easiest access even though gates 4&5 was closer. The problem is that if you miss gates 6&7 you end up on an off ramp and can’t get back to the track unless you pull into a parking lot and walk a long way to the pedestrian crossing. Security checks were tougher and lines longer to get into day, no water or outside food was allowed. Which reminds me, no water OR cameras with detachable / professional looking lenses are allowed into the concert venue. You can check them, but I can’t imagine what the line would be like to wait to get them back.

The South Oasis and Bar area was much more crowded than the day before

 

Buy your souvenirs early as sizes due run out.

We were in our seats by roughly 4pm for warm-up on the track. At 4:45p the opening ceremonies started, complete with a fly over of the A380 I felt like I could almost touch it

 

Complete with an escort with the UAE flag colors and inverted jets

 

To be continued . . .

[need2bespoiled]

The cars are very fast, and very loud.

[YOUTUBE]https://www.youtube.com/embed/d0WLNsdZtRI[/YOUTUBE]

If the above doesn't work

 

[YOUTUBE]https://www.youtube.com/embed/d0WLNsdZtRI[/YOUTUBE]

if the above doesn't work

 

From our seats we got to see some good passing, racing and even a number of cars off the track

 

The race ended without a single safety car (don’t I sound like an expert now) and only a small yellow flag area in front of us for a couple of minutes so it was all over in a bit more than 90 minutes. The fireworks after the race were AWESOME! With nearly two and a half hours before Rihanna would go on, and the fact we had made plans with some friends to meet up for dinner since this was the last night of the cruise, I decided to miss out on the concert that night. I do regret it, but also think it was a good move. Dinner was pretty bad at the track the night before and I am not sure what I would have done for the long time in between the race ending and Rihanna and then getting back to the ship so late if I could find a taxi easily. So we left the track, flagged down and forced (by nearly standing in the road) for a taxi to stop and we all (5 of us) piled into the sedan (Camary). Probably not a good move as the driver could have been fined. We were sure to leave him a nice tip. We were back onboard by just after 7:15p. Not long after I offered our tickets to a few friends who gladly grabbed them and off they went to the concert which I heard they enjoyed but didn’t get to see as they had an early flight out the next morning.

 

We enjoyed our final evening in Tuscan with a nice meal and a great bottle of wine and reminisced about what we would do for our next adventure.

 

Next up is our two very full days in Dubai!

 

Happy sailing

Jenna

Edited December 3, 2016 by need2bespoiled

[caribill]

We assumed, elbows and knees covered and a scarf on our heads, would be OK but you need to be covered, wrists to ankles and head.

 

How much of a man's arms needed to be covered?

[need2bespoiled]

How much of a man's arms needed to be covered?

 

I'm fairly certain I saw men in shorts and short sleeves but maybe not inside. All of the guards and men inside were completely covered. Women were much more conservative. One of our party had long pants and a long top, but it was too sheer (I couldn't see through it), it can't be sheer at all.

 

To be safe, I would ask your guide and / or go with long pants (a must to even drive into the Emirates Palace) and long sleeves that you can carry with you.

 

Everywhere or nearly everywhere else (as I don't want to include an absolute) in the UAE was very westerinzed.

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

[Castaway24]

The cars are very fast, and very loud.

[YOUTUBE]https://www.youtube.com/embed/d0WLNsdZtRI[/YOUTUBE]

If the above doesn't work

 

[YOUTUBE]https://www.youtube.com/embed/d0WLNsdZtRI[/YOUTUBE]

if the above doesn't work

 

From our seats we got to see some good passing, racing and even a number of cars off the track

 

The race ended without a single safety car (don’t I sound like an expert now) and only a small yellow flag area in front of us for a couple of minutes so it was all over in a bit more than 90 minutes. The fireworks after the race were AWESOME! With nearly two and a half hours before Rihanna would go on, and the fact we had made plans with some friends to meet up for dinner since this was the last night of the cruise, I decided to miss out on the concert that night. I do regret it, but also think it was a good move. Dinner was pretty bad at the track the night before and I am not sure what I would have done for the long time in between the race ending and Rihanna and then getting back to the ship so late if I could find a taxi easily. So we left the track, flagged down and forced (by nearly standing in the road) for a taxi to stop and we all (5 of us) piled into the sedan (Camary). Probably not a good move as the driver could have been fined. We were sure to leave him a nice tip. We were back onboard by just after 7:15p. Not long after I offered our tickets to a few friends who gladly grabbed them and off they went to the concert which I heard they enjoyed but didn’t get to see as they had an early flight out the next morning.

 

We enjoyed our final evening in Tuscan with a nice meal and a great bottle of wine and reminisced about what we would do for our next adventure.

 

Next up is our two very full days in Dubai!

 

Happy sailing

Jenna

 

 

Quick Jenna with your Dubai post please [emoji12][emoji1360] we are flying out next Friday and sail from Abu Dhabi on Saturday to Dubai arriving in Dubai for 2 nights/3 days from Sunday to Tuesday. I NEED your tips and hints. You really should do this for a living. Reading your posts has been far more interesting and informative than any travel book I've read. Well done. Where's your next cruise?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[Cotswold Eagle]

 

With views of the new Hotel in Abu Dhabi, I was told maybe a St Regis, does anyone know? This is by the Marina mall.

 

To be continued . . .

 

That's the new Fairmont Marina Resort and Residences.

 

There is a St Regis near by on the Corniche with a suspended floor, but that is between two sleek, tall towers of glass.

 

Really enjoying your review, thanks.

[kernow]

Thanks for the great review.

 

I've been following along for a while as we are doing this cruise next year. We are hoping to go to the formula one so really grateful for the detailed review. I was a bit concerned about transport but it sounds easy. Just wondered where you (or anyone else who went) purchased your tickets? Is it best to purchase them direct from the track or somewhere else?

 

Thanks,

 

Julie

[Moonraker7]

I purchased direct from yas Marina. They normally do a discount. I booked mine last April and got 30% off. I paid £256 for sat and sun in north stand.

[Moonraker7]

Jenna!!! I Can't believe you got a pic of the big boss of f1 Bernie Ecclestone!!

[need2bespoiled]

Quick Jenna with your Dubai post please [emoji12][emoji1360] we are flying out next Friday and sail from Abu Dhabi on Saturday to Dubai arriving in Dubai for 2 nights/3 days from Sunday to Tuesday. I NEED your tips and hints. You really should do this for a living. Reading your posts has been far more interesting and informative than any travel book I've read. Well done. Where's your next cruise?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

Coming right up!

 

Thanks for the great review.

 

I've been following along for a while as we are doing this cruise next year. We are hoping to go to the formula one so really grateful for the detailed review. I was a bit concerned about transport but it sounds easy. Just wondered where you (or anyone else who went) purchased your tickets? Is it best to purchase them direct from the track or somewhere else?

 

Thanks,

 

Julie

 

DEFINITELY Buy them from Yaz Marina, on the phone (I used skype) to be able to chose our location. I received email confirmation right away. Buy earlier than we did (August) as they send the tickets out in order of purchase and I had to stamp my feet to get them before we left (a month before the races). If you're only leaving a bit before, you'll be fine. This is by far the least expensive way as far as I can tell. Celebrity marks up the tickets a TON, and their transportations doesn't add much value at all. Find folks to share a taxi with and you'll have the cheapest way, but even with your own taxi each way, it wouldn't be too bad.

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

Edited December 4, 2016 by need2bespoiled

[need2bespoiled]

Jenna!!! I Can't believe you got a pic of the big boss of f1 Bernie Ecclestone!!

 

A few other people had their pics taken with him, I probably could have too, but I didn't know who he was at the time, and I didn't want to be a groupie so I just snapped the pic and walked away, LOL.

 

Right place at the right time :)

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

[need2bespoiled]

Our final morning was very sad, how could it not be? We sat down at roughly 8:59:59 in Luminae on Monday morning for a final breakfast (well, Dee did anyway, I came in a few minutes later). After saying goodbye to the wonderful staff and leaving them with gift and extra tip we headed back to our cabin to collect our cabin bags, we saw this sad sight. The full aft balcony was to be no more.

 

We collected our bags and waited in Michael’s Club until our car to Dubai was due to arrive at 9:15a. Even at 9am there was a line in the terminal to get to the area where you pickup bags as they were scanning hand luggage, but again, not bothering to look at the screen so it was pointless except to show that maybe they could scan bags.

 

I say car, but only a small van would fit the three of us (with Toni) and our 9 bags between us. You might think that was 2 checked, plus a roll aboard each but in actuality Dee and I accumulated an extra checked bag on the way with shopping and souvenirs and Toni would take it home for us to keep us under the 2 checked bag limit each. I really wish I had a pic of the over-packed mini van.

 

It’s about 90 minutes at the 140km/hour they drive between the two cities to our hotel, the JW Marriott Marquis in Dubai. I chose this hotel for a few reasons, but the most important by far was that it is the tallest hotel in the world. A couple of years ago we stayed at the highest hotel in the world (Ritz Carlton, Hong Kong) so I wanted to check the box for tallest. As a loyal Marriott Rewards guest, I’ll have more than a thousand credited nights by the end of the coming year, reasonable suite prices, free lounge access, guaranteed late checkout and the tallest hotel designation it was a sure thing.

 

We arrived in Dubai and it is just amazing. You can’t miss the size, height and newness of the buildings, lots of cranes and construction.

 

We arrived at the hotel and it’s tall, but it doesn’t look much taller than the buildings around it.

 

You can’t miss the flowers in the lobby

 

Or this Camel by the elevators

 

To be continued . . .

[need2bespoiled]

We headed to the executive lounge on the 37th floor to check-in, which was a suggestion they made in the pre-arrival email. They also knew we would be there early from the communication (another reason to be loyal, the email asking for preferences in advance). Our room wasn’t quite ready, but by about 11:15a it was and our luggage was promptly delivered. The Deluxe corner suite about $1100 dirham on a Marriott Rewards rate was well worth it. We were assigned the 55th floor with views of the new canal, the ocean and the Burj Al Arab. The location isn’t the best and there is a lot of construction going on, but it isn’t bad either and it isn’t far from the Burj Kalifka.

 

We were flying out on Wednesday morning, but only booked for 1 night since our flight was so early (3:45a) from Abu Dhabi we planned to leave for the airport at 9:00p on Tuesday night, arrive about 10:30 and check out the lounge in Abu Dhbai, then do the long walk and clear customs before boarding the flight (more on that later). During check-in when they confirmed our request for a late checkout at 4pm I asked if they would store our bags from when we left in the afternoon until our car came. Since we had so many bags (between the three rooms with Toni having one room and Donna, Jane and Jen in another) she asked if we would like to check out later so I asked for 8pm and it was graciously offered. So nice!

 

After checking out the room we were planning to head to the pool. The room itself was great.

 

A view from bed!

 

To be continued . . .

[need2bespoiled]

Room continued, towards the bath:

 

A tub view? Sure!

 

One oddity, no door on the water closet, but there was a second half bath.

 

Shower

 

To be continued . . .

[need2bespoiled]

55th floor views

 

Burj Al Arab in the distance

 

We planned to head to the pool. The pool is not large, or overly resort like, and due to the tall buildings, the sun hits different parts at different times of the day so plan on moving around, but it worked well for the short while we relax and had lunch.

 

At 3pm the 6 of us, plus Tatiana and Nick from our cruise (we knew them from past cruises) were heading into the desert for a hummer tour including dune bashing, dinner, camel riding, etc, etc. We left the pool at 2:40 or so for a quick change and to head back down to the lobby. Due to a small miscommunication, at about 3:20 or so we found out our drivers weren’t supposed to be there until 4pm so we went back up and waited in the executive lounge and had tea. During this time we made plans for a half day tour (11a-3p) the next day with Abdullah (remember him from Aqaba, Petra and Wadi Rum, he was back in Dubai) as we really had not made pans. When we came back down at 3:55p, we found out our drivers had been there the entire time we were looking for them.

 

Off we went to the desert for dune bashing, dinner, camel riding, henna tattoos, local dancing and dress. While I have some nice photos, this was a TOTAL tourist trap. The desert where they took us was littered with trash, there were hundreds (literally) of others bashing the dunes on similar tours, the dinner was at a large camp built totally for tourists, and we could hear music from another nearby “camp” like ours, they camel ride was a circle of about 300 ft and less than 5 min and food was mass produced buffet. This was not and authentic experience of any type. I’m not saying not to go, but don’t set high expectations. This was not like what we did in Wadi Rum. Some of us were ready to leave not long after (including me) but we stuck it out and enjoyed what we could, a few of us skipping dinner.

While these are my pictures, there more like what I wish it was, than what I feel like it was. These pics are from the desert dune bashing

 

To be continued (more pics) . . .

[need2bespoiled]

 

To be continued . . .

[need2bespoiled]

My firend Jennifer Playing in the desert

 

Goodbye sun

 

After dune bashing was done, all the vehicles stop at tourists “super markets” to add air back into their tires.

 

We then drove off to “The Desert gate”

 

To be continued . . .

Edited December 4, 2016 by need2bespoiled

[need2bespoiled]

We saw some local dance, adapted for tourists

 

A belly dancer

 

Got henna tattoos

 

Dressed like locals (for pictures mostly)

 

To be continued . . .

[need2bespoiled]

And woke the camels to go for a short ride

 

And had fun with each other

 

We arrived back at the hotel at roughly 8:30p did a quick change and headed up to the Vault (78th floor of the hotel) for a nice drink. Drinks were good, views were awesome, decor was great, this bar would be AMAZING if only they didn’t openly allow smoking.

 

The neat reproduction vault door

 

View of the second tower and the Burj Kalifka from the Vault

 

Stairway between the 77th and 78th floors of the Vault

 

The smoking totally ruined it for so we quickly finished and headed down to one of the restaurants in the hotel for a bit to eat as we didn’t eat in the desert. We chose Positana, obviously Italian, and enjoyed a nice meal, that really wasn’t too expensive for a hotel but not very authentic either. No pictures needed as it wasn’t really special.

 

Next up, Dubai day 2 (tomorrow).

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

Edited December 4, 2016 by need2bespoiled

[need2bespoiled]

The next morning most of us met at 10a for breakfast I the Executive Lounge. It was crowded and busy and a bit tough to find seats. The fresh egg/omlet station was efficient and not too busy and qualify was good. The 4 of us who chose to tour headed down to meet Abdullah in the lobby at 11a. Meanwhile, I was dealing with a total snafu with our car to the airport that evening. I had reserved either 2 cars or a larger SUV/Van to get us and the luggage back to Abu Dhabi as part of the complimentary car service provided by Etihad for business/first class passenger but they told me that one was cancelled by mistake, and no more were available. I spent 3 hours or more on and off during the day until finally giving up at about 8pm that only one sedan would arrive. Just another challenge to overcome and story to tell, 9 bags and three people into a sedan. Moral of the story, travel light!

 

When we arrived in the lobby, it was almost like a festival, as National Day, celebrating 45 years of he UAE was just a few days away. The flowers had been changed to the colors of the flag

 

There was a traditional rest area set up similar to the one at the port. You could have your picture taken with a falcon (similar experiences are available elsewhere), native sweet treats being passed out and local ceremonial dances being done

 

Abdulla set a plan to deal with traffic and see a few sites including the Dubai Museum, a local historical village built about 80-100 years before that is now a commerce and cultural center with wonderful café called the Al fahidi historical neighborhood, a drive through of Palm Island, Atlantis, and the Marina as well as downtown. We ran a bit short on time as we spent a bit too much time at the coffee shop, but all in all we thought it was a wonderful tour. He dropped us off just a few minutes after 3p so we could relax for a few minutes before changing and heading over to the Burj Khalifa and our table at Atmosphere Lounge the world’s highest restaurant / lounge in the world’s tallest hotel for a sunset drink above Dubai.

 

We were supposed to go to Al fahidi historical neighborhood first, but the drive went the wrong way, so we went to the Dubai museum first, lots of flags everywhere

 

The door in to the oldest building in Dubai, the fort the museum is built into

 

To be continued . . .

[need2bespoiled]

There is a rich history of the sea in Dubai, including pearling which ships are an inspiration for many of the shapes you will see around Dubai

 

We explored the Bedouin hut replica both the summer section with porch

 

With a unique ventilation system in the roof which brings cool breezes into the room

 

And the more insulated winter section

 

We walked through the animatronic style and the very small gift store. I am guessing about an hour or so all told is sufficient for the museum. From there it was off to the Al fahidi historical neighborhood which I really enjoyed. The art and comfort resonated with me. We walked the alleys

 

To be continued . . .

[need2bespoiled]

Abdullah provided an explanation of a traditional village rest/meeting area

 

Explored sculptures

 

Wandered among artists

 

And Found ourselves as the artsy café, touting camel milk ice cream!

 

To be continued . . .

[need2bespoiled]

We explored the art

 

But we sat down for a drink, to discuss Dubai and travels and how could I resist trying Chocolate, Chocolate Chip Camel’s Milk Ice Cream?! It was VERY cream and oooo so yummy!

 

After a bit too long, shortening and hurrying us through other parts of the tour, we headed off for a drive “through” downtown, Palm Island and pictures in front of Atlantis, learning from Abdullah all the way.

The original Dubai Sky Scraper that started it all, in 1979 with 39 stories at the Dubai World Trade Center

 

To the 209 story Burj Khalifa

 

To be continued . . .

[need2bespoiled]

By our hotel

 

The iconic Burj Al Arab

 

The Al Kazim Towers

 

and the tallest residential cluster of buildings in the world

 

And a stop by the sea wall and pics of Atlantis

 

From there it was back to the hotel, some final packing and changing to our clothes for “tea” at 5pm at the Burj Khalifa. After more arguing with Etihad, we piled into cabs at 4:15p (incidentally, the hotel’s free shuttle at 4:30p would have gotten us there in plenty of time) to head to Atmosphere at the Burj Khalifa. We ended up waiting for a good 10 minutes in the lobby of the Armani hotel where we were told we would be met, before we asked to see if we were in the right place. We actually had to head down an elevator to a small reception area of the business suites. You check in, and when they’re ready send up up, and up, and up and in about a minute, you’re at the 123th floor.

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If the above doesn't load, try this:

 

To be continued . . .

Edited December 6, 2016 by need2bespoiled

[need2bespoiled]

You walk down a flight of stairs to the lounge (or restaurant), the worlds highest

 

From the Atmosphere lounge, you look down on EVERYTHING

 

Including the Dubai Fountain

 

Even the horizon and the sunset looked different.

 

I totally stole the idea from roll call member (and now friend) Adam, thanks Adam, to go at Sunset and have a drink, instead of simply go to the floor for observation. The minimum charge is higher than simply paying to go the observation floor a couple floors up, but it was worth it. We didn’t order tea but enjoyed totally overpriced Champagne and Oysters which easily met our minimum.

 

We left after dark about 7:30p thinking about dinner, but in the end, we chose to head back to the hotel and deal with how we’d, or more accurately, or bags, would be getting to the airport, and then simply eat in the airport lounge in Abu Dhabi. You’ll have to wait until tomorrow to see how that ended up, dinner and the flights but needless to say, it was pretty sad, as this amazing journey was coming to an end.

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna