Four top shore excursions for exploring Abu Dhabi

Celebrity Cruises’ Ben Fogle’s Enchanted Desert excursion takes guests out to the desert for an evening of adventure with immersive experiences such as tasting traditional delicacies and the chance to try a spot of sandboarding. Claire Stirrup, director of sales, UK and Ireland, Celebrity Cruises, says: “The modernity of Abu Dhabi is amazing, but when you know where to look, you get a real sense of the tradition, culture and hospitality that makes the UAE such an exciting destination for agents to sell.”

Book it: Celebrity Cruises’ 11-night Arabian Coast Immersion Cruise onboard Celebrity Constellation starts from £1,649pp based on two sharing and a November 26, 2017 departure, including flights and transfers.

• cruisingpower.co.uk

For Formula 1 fans, Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina Circuit, which hosted the first ever Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in 2009, will be top of the list and P&O Cruises offers an excursion that offers a look behind the scenes. Guests will take in panoramic vistas of the circuit, pass by the Driving Academy and, should the day’s events allow, they may be able to visit the Race Control Centre for a photo opportunity of the starting grid, finishing line and podium. The tour also takes in the Pit Garages, F1 Team Villas and solar-powered VIP Shams Tower.

Book it: P&O’s Arabian Gulf 11-night cruise starts from £1,449pp, including flights, departing January 29, 2019 with an overnight in Abu Dhabi. The Yas Marina F1 circuit excursion costs from £54pp.

• pocruises.com

MSC Cruises has a new excursion that allows guests to experien­ce a night in the desert combined with time in the city. It begins with dune bashing, before heading to luxury Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa for an authentic Middle Eastern dinner, music and dancing, followed by camel and equestrian shows. The next day involves a mix of cultural immersion and shopping, plus time in Abu Dhabi or Dubai. Steve Williams, director of sales, says: “This is a truly immersive cultural experience, not only discovering the location and scenery of Abu Dhabi, but also tasting its local flavours. We want to ensure our guests really enjoy the local experience in each destination we bring them to. “Our Fly & Cruise packages with embarkation in Abu Dhabi offer guests complete peace of mind in terms of transfers. By working in partnership with Emirates and Etihad, we help guests connect with destinations in order to provide a hassle-free travelling experience.”

Book it: A seven-night sailing from Dubai starts from £999pp including flights. The excursion costs £139pp and is commissionable to agents.

• msccruises.co.uk