Trip Overview
Explore Dubai, Qatar, Abu Dhabi, and Oman as you cruise this thriving Arabian Gulf region aboard the Crystal Esprit. The area is a fascinating crossroads of modernity and tradition in the Islamic world. Start among the skyscrapers and museums of the United Arab Emirates, a business and cultural hub of the Middle East. Continue to Qatar, an absolute and hereditary emirate since the mid-19th century, that has taken a prominent geopolitical role in the region. Finish the cruise with Oman’s compelling cultural and natural attractions. Visit the mosques, souks, educational institutions, and historical and art museums that best reflect the past and present. The educational program focuses on the role of Islam in this part of the world; on the social, political, cultural, and economic development of these countries; and on Western influence on them. Deepen your understanding of the tensions and symbiosis of tradition and modernity in this vital crossroads of the world.
Aboard the privately chartered and recently refurbished 31-stateroom Crystal Esprit, you will sail at the pinnacle of luxury. This nimble yacht-like vessel provides a private butler for each suite, innovative cuisine from award-winning chefs, all-inclusive beverages including premium spirits, a variety of included aquatic equipment, and additional touches you will appreciate.
Schedule by Day
- Jan 2: Depart U.S.
- Jan 3: Arrive Dubai, UAE / Embark Crystal Esprit
- Jan 4: Dubai
- Jan 5: Doha, Qatar
- Jan 6: Doha
- Jan 7: Abu Dhabi
- Jan 8: Abu Dhabi
- Jan 9: Musandam Peninsula, Oman
- Jan 10: Muscat / Disembark Crystal Esprit
- Jan 11: Muscat
- Jan 12: Return home
Pricing
Pricing per person double occupancy:
- Yacht Suite S4: $12,990
- Yacht Suite S3: $13,490
- Yacht Suite S2: $13,990
- Yacht Suite S1: $14,990
- Owner's Suite OS: $21,990
Pricing per person single occupancy:
- Yacht Suite S4: $19,490
- Yacht Suite S3: $20,240
Accommodations
- Seven nights aboard Crystal Esprit
- Two nights at the Shangri-La Hotel Muscat Al Waha
Optional Extensions
Pre-Extension: Dubai
January 1-3, 2020
Explore "Old Dubai" on this one-night pre-extension. Depart on Wednesday, January 8 and fly overnight to Dubai, arriving on the following evening. On Friday, board an abra (water taxi) to cross Dubai Creek and explore the historic Bastakia district. Learn about Dubai's history at Al-Fahidi Fort and Dubai Museum. Enjoy a special presentation on Island and lunch at the Sheikh Mohamed Centre for Cultural Understanding before embarking the Crystal Esprit late that afternoon to begin the main tour.
- $790 per person double occupancy
- $990 per person single occupancy
Post-Extension: Oman's Interior
January 12–15, 2020
Explore the Bedouin culture of the desert on this post-cruise extension. After your arrival night in Muscat, depart for Oman’s interior the next day to spend two nights at the Alila Jabal Akhdar Hotel. Enjoy excursions to Nizwa’s fort, and the date plantations, orchards, and handicrafts of Oman’s villages in the awe-inspiring Al Hajar Mountains. Continue to the Desert Nights Camp and meet a Bedouin family at the Sharquiya Sands (formerly known as Wahiba Sands), a vast, undulating red-and-white sea of sand dunes that rise to more than 650 feet high.
- $2,990 per person double occupancy
- $4,180 per person single occupancy
What to Expect
This is a fast-paced, moderately strenuous program that is at times physically demanding and busy, with considerable walking at some sites. Daily activities can involve up to one mile of walking at a time. Sightseeing within historic palaces and mosques is on foot. Shoes must be removed in mosques, but socks can be worn. In some instances, such as archaeological sites and museums, stairs are unavailable or do not have handrails. These busy times will be offset by leisure time on board Crystal Esprit. You should feel comfortable walking on a rocking surface. Travel on land is by modern air-conditioned motor coach on modern roads and highways. There is one tour in four-wheel-drive vehicles from Doha through the sand dunes to Qatar’s Inland Sea, and an excursion in a motorized traditional wooden dhow to explore the scenic inlets of Oman’s Musandam Peninsula.
Participants should be fit and in active good health. The prospect of illness or hospitalization while traveling in this region should not be taken lightly. If you have any questions about your ability to participate in this program, please contact Criterion Travel. This promises to be a memorable journey, but as with all travel, a spirit of adventure and a degree of flexibility will enhance your enjoyment of the tour.
Study Leader(s)
For More Information
Please email haatravels@harvard.edu or call our office at 800-422-1636 or 617-496-0806
.