{"id":8329,"date":"2023-03-02T05:54:33","date_gmt":"2023-03-02T05:54:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/zeweekendtraveller.com\/?p=8329"},"modified":"2024-02-08T07:21:06","modified_gmt":"2024-02-08T07:21:06","slug":"middle-east-cruise-on-costa-toscana-embarkation-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/zeweekendtraveller.com\/index.php\/middle-east\/middle-east-cruise-on-costa-toscana-embarkation-day\/","title":{"rendered":"Middle East Cruise on Costa Toscana – Embarkation Day"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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We postponed our previously booked cruise to the Middle East to February 2023 due to the Corona pandemic. Most of the ports of call were closed the previous year and we were pleasantly delighted to hear that this time round all were open again. We also got the opportunity of sailing on the relatively new Costa Toscana which began service in March 2022.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Flight Arrival in Dubai<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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We had the Emirates night flight from Vienna to Dubai. There was a strike situation in Germany and we were lucky to have not flown out from there – but it also goes to show , there is a need to buffer for unforeseen situations like these. It was a 5 hour 35 minutes flight and we were greeted by a stunning sunrise as we flew into Dubai.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Sunrise\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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We are familiar with the Dubai airport and breezed through the passport control with relative ease. Check out my previous post about Dubai airport tips\u00a0<\/span>here<\/a>. We collected our checked-in luggage and headed out to the Metro station .\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

We had plenty of time as it was almost 8:00am and our embarkation time was at 15:00. I had called Costa before the trip to confirm which port the ship would be docked at. Be aware that there are 2 cruise terminals in Dubai. One is the Port Rashid terminal near the Burjuman area relatively close to the airport and the other the new cruise terminal at the Dubai Marina near to the Palm Islands – the Dubai Harbour Cruise Terminal. The Costa Toscana would be embarking at the one at the Dubai Marina.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

\u00a0I had already planned what to do to fill our time from now till then. Visit JBR Beach and Souk Madinat Jumeirah. First things first though, we needed a place to store our big luggage.<\/span><\/p>

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Baggage Storage before Cruise<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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Once I got confirmation where the embarkation of the Costa Toscana is going to be, I started to actively look for baggage storage. I was happy to find one that fit my criteria; which was, it had to be near to the metro station for 2 reasons. We would not have to walk too far with our luggage before storing it and also there would be a higher possibility to catch a taxi to the port near to a metro station.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

I used Bounce Luggage where I had booked and paid online in advance. We stopped at the Sobha Realty Metro Station , a direct metro ride from the Dubai International Airport and walked 700m which more than half the distance was through a covered walkway from the metro station. After the exit , we had only to walk along the main road before we found the address. At first it looked pretty dodgy as it was a smoke shop and not what I expected. However I followed the instructions and asked them to scan the code I received in my booking. I took a photo of my luggage also for good measure and for remembrance (should this be the last time I ever see it…)\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Luggage\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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To be honest I was skeptical at first as to whether we would get our luggage back but I am very happy to report that it worked out well. We headed back towards the metro and managed to hail a taxi to bring us to the Dubai Harbour Cruise Terminal which was only 3.5km away.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

The Bounce Luggage charges by number of luggage.\u00a0 So we crammed everything into one bag for the storage.\u00a0 We paid AED35 for a bag + AED6.80 for insurance.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Don’t forget to bring out whatever you need (eg hat, sun block, water bottle, comfy walking shoes) before storing your luggage.\u00a0 Here is the\u00a0link<\/a>\u00a0for the storage.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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How we spent the time while waiting for embarkation<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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As we waited for embarkation, I had already a list of things to see and do around the area which included Dubai Marina, JBR Beach , Souk Madinat. However I didn’t anticipate the exhaustion which came with\u00a0 non-sleeping the night on the flight.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

After our luggage deposit, we hopped on to the tram towards JBR Beach. I wanted to see if I could spot the Costa ship from there and sure enough there it was docked in the distance. Very nice views of the Ain Dubai from this beach as well.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"View\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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We looked for having some coffee and found the prices to be very expensive around that area including from the mobile stands around 5 Euros more than what we were willing to pay for a cuppa.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

The daybeds and loungers were available for rent but the prices were high as well and only made sense if we were planning to stay the whole day. At that point I was tempted to book a day room to get some shut eye. However even that was not available around the area. We set out looking for a McDonald’s which appeared to be not very far away , situated at The Walk. Lo and behold I found Karak chai for 1 Euro and was happy with it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

*Money $aving Tip: JBR is a luxury area – with expensive cars zipping around and <\/b>the prices are high here. Stick to fast food chains or the food court in Dubai Marina Mall for more decent prices.\u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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The time went by with nice views to admire. We went to Dubai Marina Mall Food court for lunch. Check out a summary below.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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