Exactly one year ago, I was standing on the deck of the Costa Firenze, fireworks exploding over Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE, and the Italians and I were shouting “Buon Annooo!”
Since then it’s been forever, the world has changed. Well, I decided to celebrate the New Year again on a cruise on the Persian Gulf 🙂 It looks especially fabulous on the page with the table of contents, I have the impression that I don’t go anywhere but the Persian Gulf. Why so – because last time the ship was returned to the port of Dubai because of the covid, I remember how I grieved about it. I just didn’t know what would happen in a couple of months…
Well, I’m flying to Emirates again! More precisely in Sharjah, because I needed a morning flight, and in Dubai there were afternoon and evening flights. Lifehack – this airport is very close to Dubai.
I was flying with Air Arabia
From Sharjah, I made my way with little adventure to my port of Rashid in Dubai. Our turn to Rashid Port was blocked and it took the driver a long time to find the right road. Finally, at 3pm, I found myself at the Rashid Port cruise terminal. It is as huge and pompous as the new terminal at Port Harbour. And Rashid Port is very close to Deira, where I holidayed on my first trip to the Emirates.
I liked Virtuosa less than Costa, alas. The food is decent, but not as restaurant-style as on Kosta. This is a buffet in the Marketplace restaurant, there are also a la carte restaurants on the ship, but I never got to them, I like the buffet better 🙂
Walking around the ship, waiting for dinner. I liked Virtuosa less than Costa Firenze in terms of design, although there are some fun and notable decisions too. Virtuosa is huge and functional rather, Costa Firenze is smaller and cosier. Then I went to the theatre for an evening show. These shows were free, and there were also paid shows from Cirque du Soleil, very cool.
When I went on the cruise, I was a little worried about the possible unfriendly atmosphere on the ship, the company is still Italian. One thing is Asia has a ship of an unfriendly country. Friends, forget it, there is nothing to worry about. This is where we set sail, and we are walking along the velvet sea darkness.