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Vasco Da Gama, 18 Night World Cruise sector Heraklion to Dubai ex Heraklion to Dubai
Cruise Vasco Da Gama, 18 Night World Cruise sector Heraklion to Dubai ex Heraklion to Dubai
Cruise Line Nicko Cruises
Ship Vasco Da Gama
Destination World Cruises & Sectors
Brief Description 18 Night World Cruise sector sailing from Heraklion, Crete onboard Vasco Da Gama. Includes 5 night Overland Oman programme in Salalah.
Type of Cruise Contemporary
Departure Date 23 Oct 2024
Cruise Description 19 days | Crete • Cyprus • Hurghada • Safaga • Overland programme Oman (5 nights in Salalah) •
Muscat • Fujairah • Abu Dhabi • Dubai

Starting in Crete, the cradle of the earliest advanced European civilization, you set sail on the VASCO DA GAMA. The mysticism that has surrounded the island for thousands of years will accompany you throughout the 19 days of your trip. You board an aircraft in Safaga for a safe and comfortable flight to Salalah in Oman. From your base at a 5-star hotel, you then have plenty of time to discover the culture and history of Oman for yourself before the VASCO DA GAMA docks in Salalah to pick you up again. You then continue your cruise at sea. When you arrive in Dubai, you will notice you have definitely landed back in the here and now – if not in the future.

Highlights:
- You sail through the breathtaking Suez Canal. A dream for every cruise enthusiast!
- You travel safely and comfortably by plane from Safaga in Egypt to Oman.
- In Oman you will marvel at the unimaginable wealth that surrounds you there wherever you look.
- You spend five nights in a 5-star hotel in the Salalah region, giving you ample opportunity to explore the “land of frankincense” particularly intensively on our overland programme.
- Once you have re-embarked, the VASCO DA GAMA sets course for the United Arab Emirates. The fascinating mixture of the traditional and the modern here will leave you spellbound.

30.10. – 04.11.2024 - 5 nights in a hotel | Salalah
All-inclusive accommodation in 5-star hotels and excursions programme

Four wonderful days in Oman lie ahead of you. Nicko have included two half-day excursions in the price of the overland programme to ensure you do not miss out on any of the highlights. There are also opportunities to take part in optional excursions.

To guarantee that all guests have an unforgettable experience in Oman, the excursion groups are kept as small as possible. The timing of the excursions on individual days may thus vary for the different groups. All guests have at least one day for independent exploration in Salalah at their disposal.

Half-day excursion to Salalah (included in price of overland programme)
This excursion will allow you to get to know Salalah better. A visit to the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque is on the programme, as is a visit to the “Museum of the Land of Frankincense”. Afterwards you will have free time in the Al Baleed Archaeological Park, where the museum is situated. Now that you have already learnt so much about frankincense, it is high time you bought some – and what better place to do so than the souk in Salalah? So plunge into the colourful hustle and bustle and discover the perfect souvenir – whether it is for yourself or for your loved ones back at home.

Half-day excursion to Taqah & Dhofar (included in price of overland programme)
You start with a visit to the old fishing village of Taqah. A tour of Taqah Castle, the former official residence of the “wali” (governor) of the region, is of course a must. Then you move on to the ancient ruins of the once famous city of Sumhuram (Khor Rohri). In former times, this was an important port on the coast of the Dhofar region, and one of the main trading centres for frankincense. It is thought to have been the key hub for trading in this precious commodity. And so it makes sense that it is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Your next stop is Ain Razat, a natural spring at the foot of the Al-Qarā Mountains, where you can marvel at the Dhofaris’ traditional irrigation system. Finally you visit a plantation where you can sample delicacies such as coconuts and other exotic fruits.

Half-day excursion to Mughsail and its “blowholes” (bookable on board - additional cost)
Your excursion begins with a visit to Mughsail beach, where pristine white sand contrasts sharply with the deep blue of the ocean. At high tide, the waves break through the natural so-called “blowholes” in the rocks at the far end of the beach. The tour continues along the dramatic road with its hairpin bends and breathtaking cliffs on either side. Here you will also have the opportunity to see the historical frankincense trees in their natural habitat, deep down in the valleys of this arid and rugged landscape. Finally there is a photo stop at the Al Shanfari Mosque. It was named after its architect, a well-to-do businessman. The building’s magnificent architecture makes it an absolute must when you are visiting Salalah.

Whole-day jeep expedition into the desert (bookable on board - additional cost)
Your first stop is the “Wadi Dawkah” (UNESCO World Heritage site) that is also know as “Frankincense Wadi” and home to the largest collection of naturally growing frankincense trees in the region. Your guide will explain the process of frankincense extraction to you, as well as the uses of frankincense in the past and in the modern world. From here the tour continues to the “Lost City of Ubar”, another UNESCO World Heritage site. This legendary ancient kingdom is supposed to have existed here in the Rub’ al-Khali desert, in what must surely be one of the most inhospitable places on Earth. According to legend, the desert swallowed up Ubar. In the truest sense of the word, it sank without a trace – to become the legendary “Atlantis of the Sands”. Once completely buried, the town was rediscovered by satellite. The visit gives you a broad insight into the valuable work carried out by a research team under the leadership of the explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes in 1992. You then continue to the “Empty Quarter” to experience the world’s “largest sand desert” and to enjoy the sunset from the top of the sand dunes. After sundown, you drive to the local desert camp for a simple evening meal (no alcohol in the camp), before returning to your hotel in the evening.

Please note: As this excursion by jeep takes you off road, it is not suitable for guests with restricted mobility or back problems.
Sailing Dates
23 Oct 2024
Pricing
Please enquire for pricing
Cruise Itinerary
Date Port Arrive Depart
23 Oct 2024 Heraklion, Greece
24 Oct 2024 At Sea    
25 Oct 2024 Limassol, Cyprus
26 Oct 2024 At Sea    
27 Oct 2024 Suez Canal
28 Oct 2024 Hurghada, Egypt
29 Oct 2024 Safaga (Luxor)
30 Oct 2024 Safaga (Luxor) Disembark Fly to Salalah
30 Oct 2024 Salalah, Oman Transfer to hotel
31 Oct 2024 Salalah, Oman
1 Nov 2024 Salalah, Oman
2 Nov 2024 Salalah, Oman
3 Nov 2024 Salalah, Oman
4 Nov 2024 Salalah, Oman Embark
5 Nov 2024 At Sea    
6 Nov 2024 Muscat, Oman
7 Nov 2024 Fujairah, United Arab Emirates
8 Nov 2024 Abu Dhabi, UAE
9 Nov 2024 Dubai, UAE Overnight
10 Nov 2024 Dubai, UAE Disembark
All itineraries and ports of call at the discretion of the cruise line subject to local weather conditions and may change without notice.

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