First time to Muscat, Oman

[raspberry ridge]

We will be visiting Muscat on a Friday.We are only in port for a few hours and of course many things will close early due to it being an Islamic holy day.There are very few shore excursions offered through the cruise line (Celebrity).I'm wondering first of all if the port is close enough to anything of interest you'd recommend within walking distance?Secondly ,has anyone had experience with cruise line booked excursions here and would you recommend this? Any and all advice is appreciated!

[sddsddean]

We didn't really know what to do either, so we just walked out of the port and along the Corniche. https://goo.gl/maps/ErtKEaMRYvj

If you look at the map (in link), the cruise port is top left (you will be bussed to the gate). Then we walked along the coast past Mutrah Corniche. On the way back, we climbed the Mutrah fort ( just to the left of the Museum of Modern Art). Be aware, its 160 steps to the top, but its free! A very pleasent way way to spend a couple or 3 hours.

 

Simon

[sailco]

The HOHO does a very thorough loop around the city. You can see a lot without having to get on or off. It stops and starts outside the main market and even on a Friday you'll find many of the stallls operating. A stroll along the corniche is also very rewarding.

[sddsddean]

When we were there, the HOHO was operating from dockside beside the ship. We thought about it, but it was around US$70 for a 2 hr route. Bearing in mind we had just paid less than that for a 5 day ticket in Dubai, we thought it was very expensive.

 

Simon

[buchhalm]

9 minutes ago, sddsddean said:

When we were there, the HOHO was operating from dockside beside the ship. We thought about it, but it was around US$70 for a 2 hr route. Bearing in mind we had just paid less than that for a 5 day ticket in Dubai, we thought it was very expensive.

 

Simon

I agree on the assesment of Muscat' s HoHo bus. A few years ago it started under great Fanfare,  but is now a fizzer. 

Like nearly all international ideas and franchises, that are pretty decent somewhere else,  the Omanis manage to stuff it up. They copy the look, but then short cut left, right and centre.

Don't bother.

 

Being in MCT port on a Friday is bad planing on Celebrity's side. Even the lively Muttrah Souq will be closed for the most part until mid afternoon. The mosques are a no-go on a Friday. 

 I would suggest a taxi to Muscat Hills resort (the former dive center) for a nice beach day.

Otherwise , take a ships tour.   

[sailco]

We were there on Friday 9 March 2018 on Celebrity's Indian cruise. Constellation - Singapore to Abu Dhabi.

 

I don't remember the HOHO being that expensive. We bought it on the ship. It did start from dockside. The route was fabulous and we went around twice, once before and once after exploring the souk. The Muttrah Souk was open all morning. Some of the traders had shut down when we got back from our second loop but many were still open for business and doing very well! 

 

It was great to be travelling on the bus and seeing everyone rushing to various mosques following the call to prayer.  It seemed like cars and people were everywhere. On the return of our second loop we hopped off at the start of the corniche and meandered back to the souk enjoying the sights on sea and land.

 

Our only complaint with the HOHO was with the free wifi. It messed with my email log ins for the next week until they reset. So as a word of advice don't be tempted to access the internet while onboard the bus.

 

There was a ship's tour that covered only half of what we saw from the HOHO and being Friday there was no entry to most of the spots it visited. Friends did the ship's excursion to Nouvele Nakhl Fort and loved it.

Edited February 7, 2019 by sailco

[sailco]

I was just reminded on another thread that you can buy a combined hoho ticket that covers Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Muscat. If you're stopping at all three ports this is a real money saver. Check Viator.

[Northbay]

On 2/6/2019 at 6:49 AM, sddsddean said:

When we were there, the HOHO was operating from dockside beside the ship. We thought about it, but it was around US$70 for a 2 hr route. Bearing in mind we had just paid less than that for a 5 day ticket in Dubai, we thought it was very expensive.

 

Simon

Hi Simon, can you advise, please, where and how you purchased your 5 day hoho bus ticket in Dubai for $70?  Going there in a couple of weeks.  This beats taking the metro.

 

liz

[sailco]

I was just reminded on another thread that you can buy a combined hoho ticket that covers Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Muscat. If you're stopping at all three ports this is a real money saver. Check Viator.

[sddsddean]

8 hours ago, Northbay said:

Hi Simon, can you advise, please, where and how you purchased your 5 day hoho bus ticket in Dubai for $70?  Going there in a couple of weeks.  This beats taking the metro.

 

liz

Hi Liz

I meant £70...sorry, but its still a good deal I think. We bought the Deluxe 5 day ticket which has several 'extras' on it too. https://www.bigbustours.com/en/dubai/dubai-tour-tickets-and-passes/dubai-bus-tours/?focus=select-your-ticket%2F

Don't right off the metro though. Its great for getting about quickly and if you buy a silver NOL card (a NOL card is needed for the metro...its cashless) you can also use buses if you need to. We just bought one at the Dubai airport metro station for AED 40 (about £8) and it lasted us the 6 days we were there!

 

Simon

 

[Northbay]

21 hours ago, sddsddean said:

Hi Liz

I meant £70...sorry, but its still a good deal I think. We bought the Deluxe 5 day ticket which has several 'extras' on it too. https://www.bigbustours.com/en/dubai/dubai-tour-tickets-and-passes/dubai-bus-tours/?focus=select-your-ticket%2F

Don't right off the metro though. Its great for getting about quickly and if you buy a silver NOL card (a NOL card is needed for the metro...its cashless) you can also use buses if you need to. We just bought one at the Dubai airport metro station for AED 40 (about £8) and it lasted us the 6 days we were there!

 

Simon

 

Thanks for the tip, Simon.

How was the traffic in Dubai when you were there?  I realize it was during New Years time.

Besides a few tours we are planning on using taxis and metro which is very close to our

hotel.  We hope to also go to the Miracle Gardens one afternoon if there is time.

Liz

[sddsddean]

Traffic was much like any big city...nuts!!, but the locals cope well enough! The Miracle Gardens was one of our favourite things. We spent 3 or 4 hours there...absolutely great. Easiest way there is get the metro to Mall of Emirates. Take the bridge towards the mall and you will come to a door leading to steps down to road level for the bus station (there is a sign for the bus station by the door). Go and find the 105...its a shuttle to the Miracle Gardens. Costs 5AED each way (use your NOL card). The bus doesn't start until 2pm and its about a 15 min trip each way.  Here's a picture of the 'big' cats to whet your appetite!

 

Simon

[buchhalm]

Note the title of this thread....

[Northbay]

6 hours ago, buchhalm said:

Note the title of this thread....

I sure did. 

Relax fella.

I was reaching out to Simon.

 

Thanks so very much Simon for the lovely photo and info.  Very much appreciated.

Liz

[ducruiser01]

You can see a lot without having to get on or off. 

[raspberry ridge]

Thanks to all of you for the suggestions and especially for the amazing cat topiaries photo!

[framboesa]

On 3/3/2019 at 12:38 AM, raspberry ridge said:

Thanks to all of you for the suggestions and especially for the amazing cat topiaries photo!

Pay attention that the Miracle Garden is in Dubai, not Muscat ;)