5 last-minute Eid Al Fitr cruise...

From the Middle East to the Med, Norwegian Cruise Line shares five spring sailings

With Eid Al Fitr fast approaching, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has selected five itineraries for March and April 2025 for travellers from the Middle East, from regional sailings that explore the Red Sea and Arabian Peninsula to adventures in the Caribbean.

Middle Eastern Oasis: UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar
Dates 12 to 19 April
Price From AED2,089 per person
Staying close to home, this week-long adventure sets sail from Doha in Qatar, visits Damman, a city on Saudi's east coast, Manama in Bahrain and cruise hotspots in the UAE. This includes taking in the diverse cultural and entertainment attractions of Abu Dhabi, spotting wildlife on Sir Bani Yas Island, and explored Dubai, named the safest cruise ship stopover in 2025, and with the highest number of activities (3,000-plus), ranging from safaris to hot air balloon rides.

Sir Bani Yas Island, Abu Dhabi

Mediterranean Adventure: Italy, France & Spain
Dates 28 March to 7 April
Price From AED5,028 per person
Head to the Med this Eid and set sail from Catalan capital Barcelona, one of Spain's culinary capitals, renowned for the architecture of Gaudi and brimming with museums, markets and Michelin-starred restaurants. This itinerary takes in three countries hugging the Mediterranean, and visits historic coastal towns such as lively Livorno in the heart of Tuscany, just 20km from Pisa.

Barcelona

Mediterranean & North Africa: Gibraltar, Ibiza & Naples
Dates 30 March to 10 April
Price From AED3,448 per person
Starting in Portugal’s vibrant Lisbon, a historic city filled with cobbled alleyways, ancient ruins and white-domed cathedrals, passengers on this cruise also have the opportunity to party on the beaches of Ibiza, or explore the Unesco World Heritage Site old town. The itinerary also takes in Gibraltar, one of the most dramatic landforms in southern Europe, and the Spanish city of Cádiz, thought to be the most ancient in the western world, as well as Naples in Italy.

Caribbean Escape: Curaçao, Aruba & Dominican Republic
Dates 31 March to 12 April
Price From AED4,772 per person.
Further afield for those with time to spare is this Caribbean cruise that takes in some of the region's finest island nations, with their palm-fringed beaches, technicolour coral reefs and laidback fishing villages. Departing Miami in Florida, highlights include the city of Willemstad, capital of Curaçao with its pastel-painted buildings, some of the world’s best beaches on Aruba, and the multi-layered history, cuisine and culture of the Dominican Republic, which is also home to the Caribbean’s tallest mountain (Pico Duarte).

Dominican Republic

Transatlantic Voyage: France & England
Dates 27 April to 11 May
Price From AED3,010 per person
Looking beyond Eid, this spectacular transatlantic sailing across the Atlantic from New York showcases Canada’s Nova Scotia coastline before heading to volcanic Iceland and its capital Reykjavik. Here guests can experience frozen glaciers before heading to France and England.

To partner with NCL, email Rebecca Ransom, Business Development Manager Middle East, rransom@ncl.com, call/WhatsApp: +44 7961 300 729; for more information, visit www.ncl.com

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