Cruising to Muscat with the Clipper Odyssey

Cruising to Muscat’s Mina Sultan Qaboos is always an experience, the harbour really looks great from the sea.

Muttrah from the Clipper Odyssey
Muttrah from the Clipper Odyssey

Of course though enjoying the views it was also Continue reading “Cruising to Muscat with the Clipper Odyssey”

Sea and Sun in Musandam

Waking early enabled me to enjoy sunrise over Musandam as we entered Khasab on the Clipper Odyssey.

Bukha Fort Musandam
Bukha Fort Musandam

It was a treat to visit Continue reading “Sea and Sun in Musandam”

Zodiacs onto Sir Bani Yas

The Zodiacs of the Clipper Odyssey (now renamed Silver Discoverer) ably lead by John Yersin came in handy to get us onto Sir bani Yas .

John and the Clipper Odyssey off Sir bani Yas
John and the Clipper Odyssey off Sir bani Yas

Once on the island I joined other Continue reading “Zodiacs onto Sir Bani Yas”

Zegrahm’s ‘Sands of Time’ cruise

I arrived in Dubai to join Zegrahm’s ‘Sands of Time’ cruise and the ‘Clipper Odyssey’ to give lectures on board about this region to the passengers.

Burj Khalifa
Burj Khalifa

Remarkably Zegrahm’s had booked me into the hotel I slept in when first visiting Dubai in 1986, the Continue reading “Zegrahm’s ‘Sands of Time’ cruise”

Noble Caledonia’s Island Sky

from Salalah to Dubai

This time next year I should be on board the MS Island Sky for a wonderful cruise from Salalah along Oman’s coast and on up to Sir bani Yas in Abu Dhabi – plenty of subjects for talks.

Its 10 years since I first stepped on board a ship as cruise lecturer. This was also with Nobel Caledonia’s Shearwater when it undertook their first Gulf Cruise in 2000 – we ventured from Muscat up to Bahrain .

Shearwater in Oman
Shearwater in Oman

 

Cruising in the Gulf has become more popular since then – warm winter sun might be a factor! But the Island Sky  will go where other ships cannot reach and add in spectacular scenery, extraordinary birdlife along the coast, the historical monuments in Oman and of course the fabulous Omani’s themselves and it should again be a journey to remember.

Oman’s Ministry of Tourism enters the Cruise business

Loaloat Al Behar at berth in Mina Sultan Qaboos Oman

With the arrival of the Loaloat Al Behar in Mina Sultan Qaboos, Oman’s Ministry of Tourism enters the Cruise business.  This was the last yacht of H.M. Sultan Qaboos and was given to Oman’s Ministry of Tourism on arrival of the new very splendid Al Said – its replacement.

Loaloat al Behar at berth in Mina Sultan Qaboos
Loaloat al Behar at berth in Mina Sultan Qaboos

Loaloat Al Behar has been refitted in Dubai as a mini (if that’s the right word for 100meters) cruise ship  or maxi yacht. Though the deck does not have a pool it does have a mini Jacuzzi is available to cool off in. It will probably appeal to large families or a holiday with friends .

I wonder what the chartering fee will be .