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155: Dubai UAE (Revisited)

Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers

Release Date: 09/22/2014

What Smart Cruisers Do To Guarantee Adult-Only Cruising (Podcast #505) show art What Smart Cruisers Do To Guarantee Adult-Only Cruising (Podcast #505)

Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers

It is a great time to be cruising if you are a family with kids. But if you’re looking for kid-free cruising it is getting harder than I have ever known it to be. In this video I talk about guaranteed adult-only cruise lines and ships, how to minimise your chance of having kids on a cruise on non-adult only lines, and if you're on a cruise line with lots of kids, what can you do if you want a more adult-only experience. Become a Tips For Travellers Patron: and get exclusive Patron-only content, downloads and livestreams Visit my Tips For Travellers YouTube: 

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River Cruise Lines Everyone Is Raving About RIGHT NOW (And Why) (Podcast 504) show art River Cruise Lines Everyone Is Raving About RIGHT NOW (And Why) (Podcast 504)

Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers

I decided to see how today’s travellers spending their own hard-earned money river cruising in Europe are rating the lines on review sites. I quickly discovered the rankings were not as I expected them to be and were different to those of the magazines and sites. So, I let you in on the top 8 traveller best rated river cruise lines right now, and why. Become a Tips For Travellers Patron: and get exclusive Patron-only content, downloads and livestreams Visit my Tips For Travellers YouTube: 

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Don’t Break These 6 Rules Or You’ll Drive Other Cruisers Crazy (Podcast #503) show art Don’t Break These 6 Rules Or You’ll Drive Other Cruisers Crazy (Podcast #503)

Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers

Reports of an incident of passengers breaking cruise rules with costly consequences, got me thinking about what cruise rules I see being broken often. It struck me that some rule breaking bothered me and some did not, for while they might have nasty consequences for those involved many do not directly affect my cruising experience. I wondered if everyone felt the same. So, I did a poll of cruisers and discovered there’s 6 key rules that when broken drive cruisers crazy more than any others, and in this video I reveal what they are and why they drive other cruise passengers crazy. Become a...

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Too Many Cruisers Are Making These 4 Costly Mistakes Right Now (Podcast #502) show art Too Many Cruisers Are Making These 4 Costly Mistakes Right Now (Podcast #502)

Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers

I am frequently contacted by stressed cruise passengers at the end of their tether, seeking my help on how to get out of a costly blunder they've made. In recent weeks, several cruisers have been in touch about the same four issues that seem to keep catching people out these days. I thought I needed to warn cruisers about them. As well as telling you about them, I will suggest how to solve them if you have, or do, find yourself caught up by one. Links mentioned in the video: VentureAshore cruise port excursions: ShoreExcursionsGroup port excursions: Become a Tips For Travellers Patron: ...

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These 17 Ports Are About To Ruin Your Cruise Plans (Podcast #501) show art These 17 Ports Are About To Ruin Your Cruise Plans (Podcast #501)

Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers

It feels to me like the world is getting smaller for cruise passengers. I keep seeing reports of yet another port banning, reducing how many ships or the size of ships that can call there. And even in ports without cruise restrictions, more locals seem to be protesting about cruise passengers being there once we get off the ship. As the news of these developments tends to be sporadic and not many are aware of the total picture, I decided to pull together what's happening so you can consider these when planning your upcoming and future cruises. Become a Tips For Travellers Patron: and get...

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Here's What It's REALLY Like On A Viking Ocean Cruise These Days (podcast #500) show art Here's What It's REALLY Like On A Viking Ocean Cruise These Days (podcast #500)

Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers

When I told friends, family, and followers online that I was headed off on a Viking Ocean cruise to Alaska, I was struck by how much misunderstanding and myths they all had about what it's really like to go on a Viking Ocean cruise. Because it had been a while since I'd last been on a Viking Ocean cruise, I also had many questions on what it was like these days and how and what had changed or was different. This is what I discovered it is like going on a Viking Ocean Cruise today. Become a Tips For Travellers Patron: and get exclusive Patron-only content, downloads and livestreams Visit my...

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Cruise Buffet Dining: What SMART Cruisers Do (And DON'T Do!) (Podcast #499) show art Cruise Buffet Dining: What SMART Cruisers Do (And DON'T Do!) (Podcast #499)

Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers

On my last cruise, Cunard Queen Anne, I never ate in the buffet restaurant, on a recent Holland America cruise I ate lunch in there every day and on my Royal Caribbean Symphony of Seas cruise I ate most meals there. Why? It’s because I have a set of cruise buffet rules that I've developed over time that determine when I eat in the buffet, how I use it if I do, and what I will and won’t eat in there. After talking to other regular cruisers, I found they also follow a similar approach that I want to share with you. Become a Tips For Travellers Patron: and get exclusive Patron-only content,...

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I Put Cunard's New First Class I Put Cunard's New First Class "Ship-Within-Ship" To The Test (Podcast #498)

Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers

While there's been many reviews about cruising on Cunard's new Queen Anne, there's not been much about what it's like to travel in their costly first-class Grills “ship-within-a-ship” on it. I spent 14 nights testing that out and having also been in it on every ship in their fleet too, I think I’m well positioned to report back on what they’ve changed, got right and frankly not got right at all. Video link mentioned in the video Visit Us Video again Become a Tips For Travellers Patron: and get exclusive Patron-only content, downloads and livestreams Visit my Tips For Travellers...

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9 Things You Can Take From A Cruise Without Getting Into Trouble (Podcast #496) show art 9 Things You Can Take From A Cruise Without Getting Into Trouble (Podcast #496)

Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers

What can you take home from your cruise without any fear you're doing the wrong thing, either morally or legally? This question hit me while I was packing at the end of a recent Cunard Queen Anne Cruise, as in the disembarkation letter a section was highlighted with a list of items that I was not allowed to take home, warning that if I did there would be penalties. I did a double take, as it included items I often take home from a cruise. It got me questioning what we can take from a cruise these days without any fear of getting into trouble. Become a Tips For Travellers Patron: and get...

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This Cunard Regular Puts Their Brand-New Ship To The Test (Podcast #496) show art This Cunard Regular Puts Their Brand-New Ship To The Test (Podcast #496)

Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers

I believe I can bring a unique take on Cunard's new Queen Anne as I’ve been on 23 Cunard cruises and spent 210 nights across all their fleet, including most recently 14 nights on board Queen Anne, which gave me ample time to fully test out their latest cruise ship. I was keen to discover if, as some believe, Cunard is trying to chase people like me away from Cunard with their new ship and replace me with new and younger cruisers, or whether they're just trying to offer another ship for me as a regular Cunard cruiser to experience. Become a Tips For Travellers Patron: and get exclusive...

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Gary Bembridge of Tips for Travellers shares observations, tips and advice for visitors to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.

Subscribe free to the show on iTunesStitcher Radio or TuneIn Radio.

This show covers among other topics:

Observations

  • You either love Dubai or you hate it!
    Some say : Surreal, bizarre , draconian, soulless, superficial
    Others say : dynamic, bold, modern and adventurous
  • Mix of conservative and liberal with lots of inconsistencies (e.g. full burka wearing women next to skimply dressed ones and lack of alcohol tolerance but heavy drinking in hotels).
  • Seen as a shoppers paradise although I am not sure prices are that amazing despite being duty free nature.
  • Mix of nationalities in the population of around 2,5 million with less than 20% of the population being UAE nationals.
  • Safe and not lot of petty crime

History
British controlled the area until 1971 when 6 other states formed UAE (Abu Dhabi, Ajman,Fujairah , Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah and Umm al-Qaiwain). Each has lots of autonomy though is a Supreme Council of Rulers that overseas total UAE

Dubai has biggest population and 2nd in size after Abu Dhabi - oil was discovered in Dubai in 1963 turning a quiet pearl diving, fishing and trade port into wealthy  oil producer - but unlike neighbours like Abu Dhabi it does not very large reserves and as will run out the ruling family (Constitutional Monarchy  ruled by the Al Maktoum family) has invested into creating a major hub for finance, transport, trade and tourism and went on vast ambitious program of infrastructure building. It almost came undone in the 2008 crash but neighbouring Abu Dhabi bailed them out.

Best time to go
Hot pretty much all year  round
Best time Sept to May

Getting there
Possibly best airline hub in the world !
Cruise lines increasingly calling here and the port is close to town

Where to stay
Jumeirah Beach areas - where most resort hotels with beaches are
More business hotels are on Sheikh Zayed road

Getting around

  • Drivers generally are poor!
  • Metro - modern, cheap, air conditioned , easy to work out - smart card tickets - get day pass - ticket machines / signs / on-board voice also in English - some carriages of women and children only at peak times
  • Monorail from base of the Palm Atlantis - not connected to the metro.
  • Taxis are cheap and efficient to use - though traffic can be bad at all times of day and night.
  • Busses  best left to locals.
  • Cross Dubai Creek on small boats called abras (water taxis).
  • Hop-on Hop-off bus operated by Big Bus includes tickets into attractions like Dubai Museum, Al Maktoum's house, Arabian dhow, water bus ride and some walking tours


General tips

  • Remember you are coming to an Islamic country.
  • Wear respectful clothing (avoid shorts, exposed shoulders and ankles ).
  • Topless suntanning not allowed.
  • Avoid public signs of affection like hand holding kissing.
  • Same sex affection real taboo.
  • Illegal to drink or be drunk in public - drink driving will get you in prison.
  • Drugs and pornography laws very draconian and strict - even some prescription drugs are illegal.
  • Restrictions on some publications and affiliations like Jehovah Witness.
  • Take care what photograph - do not photograph women in traditional dress without prior permission.
  • English widely spoken.
  • Western-style toilets are not everywhere - but are in malls

Tips on must do things to see and do

Visit the new iconic buildings
Burj Khalifa
When opened in 2010 became tallest man made structure - viewing platform on 124th floor. Pre booking is much cheaper but need to do well in advance. Fast Track on the day for immediate entry 400 Dhiramas (about £60 or $100).

Burj Arab Hotel
Most luxurious hotel in world - designed to resemble a sail and has heli-pad above 27th floor. Entry only with a reservation - afternoon tea is classic - strict dress code of smart casual.

The Palm and Atlantis
Man made reclaimed land - visible from space - 4000 villas each with own beach front - 5000 apartments - restaurants -sports facilities - cinemas - Marina docking

Atlantis Hotel - based on original Bahamas hotel billed as a "watery world of wonder" - aquarium with 21 water exhibits including lost Chamber and waterpark

Activities

  • Wild Wadi Waterpark - in my view the best in the world!
  • Ski Dubai is  -4 degrees C with a big ski slope, tabogan run and ski lift - entry includes gear except hats and gloves which can be bought.
  • Four-Wheel Drive Sand Dune expeditions - high speed rides which also take you desert camps to do camel rides and dune surfing

Historical
Al Faheidi Fort
Dates from 1800s - oldest surviving building in city - now popular museum opened in 1970 -  tells story of development of UAE life and history with models and exhibitions.

Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum house - former ruler who died in 1958 lived here - built around central courtyard in 19century around 30 rooms and traditional wind towers (old fashioned air conditioning system )

Grand Mosque - near the museum
(though the Jumeirah mosque is more impressive building


Shopping

  • Explore the famous and traditional Souks - traditional ones all close to each other in Deira area across Dubai Creek (get there by traditional boat, metro or taxi ). Gold (priced by weight with small charge for work done to craft into an item) and Spice are the most impressive. Haggling expected!
  • Malls - lots of them - huge air conditioned and up market. Three of note in my view:
    • Dubai Mall - sometimes referred to as biggest in the world - ice rink and also massive aquarium - go through to get to Burj Khalifa - free wifi - fountain show at night (like Bellagio Las Vegas).
    • Mall of the Emirates - more dated - Dubai Ski based here.
    • Emirates Towers Boulevard - luxury boutiques and reputation for being the most expensive and prestigious.

Other things to do

  • Helicopter or seaplane trips.
  • Arabian Dhow evening cocktail cruises on Dubai creek
  • Catamaran tours along beaches and around The Palm
  • Explore the Dubai Marina area