Sponsored by Celestyal Travel

With major European cities facing a sharp rise in over-tourism, the Arabian Gulf is fast becoming the ideal winter escape – offering sunshine, luxury, and high-octane adventure

The Arabian Gulf, that’s dotted with its many glittering metropolises ticks several boxes as within seven hours from the UK – clients can bask in reliably balmy weather and avoid the exhausting time zone shuffle.

Beyond their reputation as prime business hubs, cities in the UAE, Qatar, and Oman, offer a distinctive winter escape that blends luxurious coastal living with cultural heritage, along with desert adventures on towering sand dunes and fine dining at award-winning restaurants.

Being a household name in the cruise industry, Celestyal Travel offers a wide array of holidays exploring some of the most iconic cities along the Arabian Gulf, combining them with outstanding escapades in the desert as well as exclusive beach access to some of the region’s pristine coastlines.

The holidays also include flights, onboard WiFi, port taxes, transfers, hotel stays, and excursion credits, plus every trip is ATOL and ABTA protected.

With the rise in demand for sports tourism, the Middle East has also become a major hub for sporting events such as Formula 1, football, tennis and boxing, resulting in travellers booking holidays in tandem.

Get to know the Arabian Gulf’s incredible offerings on a journey with Celestyal that will leave your clients with cherished memories.

Culture Fix

On select excursions, guests can learn about the region’s rich past, while admiring world-famous mosques and soaring skyscrapers. There’s also plenty to explore in the vivid, traditional souks where friendly locals will happily engage in conversation about life in the Arabian Peninsula.

Along the way, guests can stop by dramatic mountains and oases as well as savour the region’s unique flavours – from local Emirati rice and meat dishes to brilliant, Michelin-star restaurants specialising in French, Japanese and Italian cuisine.

For a quintessential Arabian adventure, guests can go on camel rides into the golden dunes or try stargazing under the vast sky of Rub’ al Khali – the wilderness that encompasses a third of the Arabian Desert. There are also free days to indulge in luxurious shopping or spend the day at a ritzy spa in Dubai.

Family Fun

There’s more to cruise family holidays than exploring historic landmarks. Excursions with Celestyal also include visits to theme park visits, where guests can choose from the likes of Ferrari World, Yas Waterworld and Warner Bros World. Select itineraries also include a beach day at the exclusive and private Sir Bani Yas Island.

If adventure calls, there are water sports, ATV rides and even racing events to get your adrenaline fix.

Grand Prix Escape

This winter, Celestyal is combining a desert adventure with tickets to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The package features overnight stays in the city, three days at the race, exclusive onboard talks from F1 legend David Coulthard, a visit to Sir Bani Yas Island, a stop in Dubai, and all airport transfers.

Whether your clients are after excitement or relaxation, the Arabian Gulf has something to entice every type of cruise traveller.

Get on board

Celestyal’s seven-night Iconic Gulf Explorer on board Celestyal Discovery calls at Dubai, Sir Bani Yas Island and Abu Dhabi. The holiday includes overnight stays in Dubai and exclusive access to Sir Bani Yas Island. Cruises depart December 2025 onwards from £1,199pp, including flights.