Resorts World One’s first ever sailing from Dubai gets underway

Resorts World One is on its way to Sir Bani Yas, UAE in a first for the cruise line. It will arrive at the destination on Saturday, making its way back to Dubai on Sunday. 

The ship will then take on more passengers, as some guests disembark the vessel, and others remain on board for a longer break taking in Khasab on Monday and Muscat on Tuesday. The ship returns once more to Dubai on Wednesday.  

The plans have been two years in the making.

Close to 200 regional and international representatives from the media and travel trade will join the full six-day inaugural voyage or a segment of the cruise.

Media from across the the globe embarked on sightseeing tours of Dubai on October 31 and November 1 to experience the destination where Resorts World One will turnaround through to next spring.

Entertainment

Entertainment could be found in venues throughout the ship before and during the journey to Sir Bani Yas: Dancing and lyra performances were held in the Zodiac Theatre on deck seven, belly dancing featured in a 1001 Nights-themed show at the Seafood Grill on deck 13, and an Indian Idol Night took place at the Parthenon Pool on deck 12, among other festivities.

Discovering Dubai

The first leg of the journey was preceded by visits to some of the most recognised landmarks in Dubai. On Thursday, media embarked on a panoramic journey by coach that took them past Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest structure, the ornate Museum of the Future, and the Gevora Hotel – the tallest hotel in the world at 1,168 ft. Shopping at Souk al Bahar - Dubai Mall followed, where videos and selfies became the order of the day in order to capture its half hourly fountain show where jets of water are projected into the air in sync with music. The mall has 100 shops and 22 restaurants, cafés and lounges. 

The Museum of the Future. (PHOTO: HOLLY PAYNE)

Friday's programme was aimed at showcasing the most popular attractions for visitors to the city. For instance, a photo stop at Burj Al Arab, one of the tallest hotels in the world, located on an artificial island less than 300m from the white sands of Jumeirah Beach. More selfie opportunities followed at Dubai Frame, a 150m high and 93m wide frame shaped monument. An elevator to the top enables visitors to compare views of New Dubai with Old Dubai while walking over transparent glass for a feeling of walking on air. At the bottom of the megastructure, video animation and holographic images bring the past, present and hopes for the future of Dubai to life – including travels into space. The attraction is Autism Friendly, along with Hatta Heritage Village, Hatta Public Library, Al Shindagha Museum, Etihad Museum and Children’s City, and several other attractions. A gift shop can be found near the exit. 

The Dubai Frame and inside the Gold Souq. (PHOTO: HOLLY PAYNE)

Next came a water taxi from Deira Creek to Old Baladiya Street and the Gold Souq. The latter is named after the endless rows of gold and silver jewellery that gleams from every shop window – including the Star of Taiba, the world’s heaviest gold ring, recorded by the Guinness World Records as weighing 63.856kg. Decorative glass ornaments and chandeliers, confectionary, spices, perfume, incense and traditional clothing can also be found in the market. 

Male passengers and conservatively dressed female passengers can visit the Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque – also known as the ‘Blue Mosque.’ It is one of the largest mosques in the UAE with 21 domes, 124 stained glass windows and minarets measuring 65m high. Verses of the Quran adorn the ceiling, the work of 60 expert craftsmen from Morocco. 

The cosmopolitan 5-star hotel Al Bandar Rotana served as the lunch venue, offering mouthwatering cuisine with views over the waterfront.