A cruise is already an incredible holiday, but pairing it with a hotel stay takes the whole experience to another level. Cruise & Stay packages give you the best of both worlds – time to explore a city on land and then days of sailing at sea with all the perks of a cruise.
From Dubai residents flying out to Europe for a Mediterranean cruise, to families looking at Caribbean adventures, or couples dreaming of a short break cruise with an overnight stay, these packages are designed for travellers who want more than just a standard sailing.
A cruise and stay holiday combines a hotel stay before or after your cruise. For example, you might spend two nights in Rome before boarding your Norwegian Cruise Line ship, or enjoy a few days in Barcelona after an Princess Cruises' Mediterranean sailing. The idea is simple: extend your holiday and make the most of both destinations and sailing.
See More in One TripA cruise and stay holiday lets you combine the best of land and sea in a single trip. Instead of flying in and rushing straight to the port, you can add days in world-class cities like Rome, Barcelona, or Miami before you sail. Spend time exploring historic landmarks, cultural attractions, or beach resorts, then board your ship for a new adventure at sea. With cruise and stay packages, you don’t just tick off destinations—you truly experience them.
Flexible Options to Suit Every TravellerWhether you’re short on time or planning an extended holiday, cruise and stay deals can be tailored to you. Choose one or two nights in a city before your cruise, or enjoy a week-long stay after your sailing. Travellers from the UAE especially love this flexibility—it means you can turn a simple Mediterranean cruise or Caribbean cruise into a full holiday with extra time on land.
All-in-One Package ConvenienceWhen you book a cruise and stay package through a trusted travel company, everything is arranged in advance. Flights, hotel stays, transfers, and the cruise itself are bundled together. This means no juggling separate bookings or worrying about connections—it’s all taken care of. Many options also include all-inclusive cruise and stay holidays, where meals, drinks, and activities are covered, making it a stress-free way to travel.
Ideal for Families, Couples, and GroupsA cruise and stay holiday is one of the most versatile types of travel. Families can combine city sightseeing with days of entertainment on board the ship. Couples can enjoy a romantic city break followed by a luxury sailing through the Greek Islands or Caribbean. Groups of friends can mix nightlife in a city with relaxation at sea. No matter your travel style, there’s a cruise and stay deal that fits.
From Short Breaks to Once-in-a-Lifetime JourneysNot every holiday needs to be two weeks long. In fact, short break cruises and overnight stay cruises are growing in popularity for UAE travellers looking for a quick getaway. On the other end of the scale, you can book extended Caribbean cruise and stay holidays or Mediterranean cruise and stay packages, giving you both city exploration and a full cruise experience in one booking.
The Mediterranean is one of the most popular regions for cruise and stay holidays from the UAE. Imagine spending two nights in Rome, wandering through the Colosseum and enjoying authentic Italian food, before boarding your cruise ship to explore the Greek Islands or the Western Mediterranean. Many travellers also choose to start in Barcelona or Athens, combining iconic cities with scenic ports like Santorini, Mykonos, Cannes, or Naples. With year-round flights from Dubai and Abu Dhabi to Europe, a Mediterranean cruise and stay package is convenient, affordable, and packed with culture.
For UAE residents looking for something more exotic, a Caribbean cruise and stay package is ideal. You can begin with a stay in Miami, known for its beaches and nightlife, or in Orlando, perfect if you want to visit world-famous theme parks before your cruise. Then set sail across the Caribbean to islands like Bahamas, Jamaica, St. Lucia, and Barbados. These packages combine the excitement of US cities with the tropical beauty of the Caribbean, making them perfect for families, honeymooners, or anyone who wants both adventure and relaxation.
Royal Caribbean is one of the most searched cruise lines in the UAE, and with good reason. Their cruise and stay packages let you add extra hotel nights before or after your sailing. For example, you can enjoy a few days in Rome or Barcelona before boarding Wonder of the Seas, or extend your holiday in Miami after a Caribbean itinerary. With Royal Caribbean’s innovative ships offering water parks, fine dining, and world-class entertainment, pairing the cruise with a land stay gives you the best of both worlds.
MSC Cruises are extremely popular among UAE travellers thanks to their Mediterranean and Northern Europe itineraries. With an MSC stay and cruise package, you could spend time exploring Barcelona, Athens, or Dubai before setting sail. In Europe, MSC often pairs cruises with stays in cities like Milan or Venice, giving you extra time to enjoy the local culture. For Gulf sailings, you can combine a stay in Dubai or Abu Dhabi with a week-long cruise around Qatar, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia. MSC’s packages are flexible, family-friendly, and often more affordable compared to other cruise lines.
Not all cruise and stay packages are the same. If you’re after something more premium, there are luxury cruise and stay holidays designed for travellers who want the very best. Stay in 5-star hotels in cities like Rome, Athens, or Dubai, then board luxury lines such as Celebrity Cruises, Silversea, or Regent Seven Seas. For something unique, you can even book a stay on the iconic QE2 hotel in Dubai, pairing a historic ship experience with a modern cruise. These packages are tailor-made for honeymooners, luxury seekers, and travellers celebrating special occasions.
Not everyone wants a two-week holiday. That’s where short break cruises and overnight stays come in. These packages are designed for travellers in the UAE who want a quick escape without taking too much time off. For example, you could enjoy a 2-night cruise with an overnight stay in Doha or Abu Dhabi, or book a weekend getaway from Dubai that combines one night in a hotel with a short cruise. These trips are affordable, easy to plan, and perfect for birthdays, anniversaries, or even last-minute breaks.
Many packages also come with all-inclusive options – covering your hotel, meals on board, drinks packages, and even airport transfers. This makes budgeting easier and gives you more freedom to enjoy your trip without worrying about hidden costs.
Whether you’re planning a family trip, a couple’s escape, or a once-in-a-lifetime Caribbean adventure, Cruise & Stay holidays are one of the most flexible ways to travel. Start with a city, end with a cruise, or do it the other way around – either way, you’ll create a holiday that’s richer, longer, and more memorable and CalmGetaways can assist you from the start to end of your holiday!
