This was supposed to be a relaxing UAE cruise holiday for solo travellers, booked through Passion for Cruises. The package included return Etihad flights to Abu Dhabi, a hotel stay, transfers, and a week-long cruise exploring the UAE. What unfolded instead was a dramatic mix of sightseeing, missile alerts in Dubai, cancelled itineraries, and unexpected luxury hotel stays.
Planned Itinerary for the Celestyal Discovery Arabian Cruise
Arriving in Abu Dhabi and Meeting Fellow Solo Travellers
Before travelling, Passion for Cruises created a Facebook group so passengers could connect. That’s how I met Daniella, who was also flying from Heathrow. When we arrived in Abu Dhabi, two more ladies arrived from Manchester, though we were all placed in separate taxis to the hotel.
I had booked an Abu Dhabi afternoon tour through GetYourGuide, but it was cancelled that morning. Fortunately, the others had arranged a private car to explore the city, and I joined them.
We visited the Royal Palace and the iconic Palace Hotel—two of Abu Dhabi’s most impressive landmarks.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t enter the mosque because my instructions only mentioned covering knees and shoulders — but full arm and head covering was required. Instead, one of the others and I enjoyed a Costa coffee while the rest explored inside. That evening we had a buffet dinner at the hotel, although due to Ramadan, no alcohol was served.
Boarding the Cruise Ship and Sailing Toward Dubai
By the next morning, more travellers had arrived from Scotland, Ireland, and Heathrow. Our group eventually totalled ten women and one man. After a rooftop swim, we were taken to the ship—again in separate taxis. That evening we sailed toward Dubai.
The next morning, Saturday 28th February, many of us had excursions booked. I chose an open-top bus tour that looped around the Dubai Palm. It took about four hours, much of it spent stuck in traffic.
Missile Alerts in Dubai and the First Signs of Trouble
That evening, as we met in the bar before dinner, news began circulating about missile attacks from Iran. Reports mentioned the Fairmont hotel on the Palm, Dubai Airport, and even fake news about the Burj Khalifa. We could see the Burj from our ship—completely intact.
We were supposed to sail to Yas Island overnight, but the ship didn’t move. Just as I fell asleep, my phone jolted me awake with an emergency alert.
The next morning, the only visible sign of damage was a small plume of smoke rising from the old town area.
Cruise Cancelled: Staying Onboard During the Uncertainty
Celestyal Cruises issued a letter announcing that the cruise was cancelled. However, we were allowed to stay onboard temporarily. We could leave the ship, but only at our own risk. We were also advised to register with the FCDO.
Despite the tension, the weather was perfect. We spent the next couple of days sunbathing, enjoying the food, and hearing occasional fighter jets overhead. One evening, we even saw a drone pass the ship, followed by a jet and a loud bang as the drone was destroyed.
Dubai Mall Fountains: A Much-Needed Escape
By Wednesday, boredom had set in, so five of us took a taxi to Dubai Mall to see the famous fountain show. We explored the mall, visited the waterfall and aquarium, wandered through a souk, and walked around the lake.
Just as we were about to stop for coffee, a waiter called out that it was happy hour. We grabbed a lakeside table and ordered half-price cocktails.
We stayed for a couple more rounds of cocktails and snacks, enjoying a perfect view of the fountains once the display began. Then we Ubered back to the ship for more cocktails on the top deck.
Disembarkation and Unexpected Luxury at the Marriott Marquis
Overnight, Celestyal announced that all passengers would be disembarked a day early on Thursday afternoon and put up in hotels for the night.
A call was made to Passion for Cruises to change our taxi pick‑ups from the ship to the hotels. On Thursday morning, we checked whether we could check in for our flights — and to our relief, we could. Boarding passes appeared with seat numbers.
We spent the rest of the morning on the sundeck until around a thousand passengers were disembarked in waves of coaches. Our group was split across two hotels, with just myself and Monica (flying to Manchester) placed at the very exclusive Marriott Marquis at Dubai Creek.
During dinner, another alert sounded, but no one reacted. Overnight, we learned that the Manchester flight was cancelled, while Heathrow still looked safe. The next morning, Friday, we rebooked Monica into the Towers Rotana with the rest of the group, and five of us set off for Abu Dhabi Airport with plenty of time to spare.
Airport Chaos, Overbooked Flights, and One Final Alert
It turned out to be just as well we were early. At the luggage drop-off desk, we were told the flight was overbooked and our bookings had been cancelled. We joined a long, slow-moving queue to try to rebook.
Not long after, another alert sounded. Airport staff rushed indoors, and everyone in the departure hall was ushered into the security area. Once the all-clear was given, we returned to the queue for another hour until we finally reached the agent’s desk.
Now we were told there were no seats left on the plane and we’d have to fly the next day. Daniella, my companion, complained politely but firmly — and it worked. Eventually the manager was called, and after another hour of uncertainty, we were handed boarding passes at last.
By then, the flight was already boarding, but security was empty and the gate was close, so we made it on without trouble.
The flight home was uneventful — a welcome contrast to the days before. At the time of writing, my friends heading to Manchester, and one going to Dublin, are still in their hotel hoping their rescheduled flights will finally depart tomorrow, two days later.