A Resort World Dubai Cruise Review

After two incredible trips with Celebrity Cruises, hubby and I fell in love with cruising. So when I spotted the Resorts World Dubai Cruise—a three-night trip to Oman (a place we’d always wanted to visit but weren’t keen on the long drive)—it felt like a no-brainer. The price was great, so I thought, Why not?

I knew it wouldn’t be the same luxury we were used to, but it seemed like the perfect little escape from Dubai.

Here’s everything I wish I’d known before boarding…

The Itinerary: Dubai to Oman

Our Resorts World One Dubai Cruise took us from Dubai to Khasab, then Muscat, and back to Dubai in just three days. Boarding started at 5 p.m., and we were back on dry land by 2:30 p.m. on the final day.

Pro Tip: Drive to the port and park your car—it’s the easiest option. Getting a taxi from the port, was a real headache! And whatever you do, don’t forget your passport AND Emirates ID! No passport, no cruise—no matter how convincing your sad puppy eyes are.

 

The Price Looks Like a Steal… Until It’s Not

At first glance, the price for this cruise looks like a steal—almost suspiciously so. It’s like booking a budget flight: the ticket’s cheap, but they’ll charge you for everything, even the air you breathe. Although, disclaimer, the air was complimentary.

• Gratuities: These aren’t included in the price. Expect to be charged $30 per person per night in a balcony cabin and $20 per person per night in an inside cabin. For us, this added a hefty $180 to our final bill.
• Drinks: Not included. Yep, even soft drinks, coffee, and tea will cost you extra.
• Excursions: Also not included. So if you’re dreaming of the Khasab Dhow Cruise, get ready to fork out more cash.
• Wi-Fi: Surprise! Not included.

Pro Tip: Look for deals—our Balcony Class cabin came with $38 drink credit per night, 10% off excursions, and free Wi-Fi on two devices, which helped offset some of those extra costs.

 

Drinks: Avoid the All-Inclusive Package – Here’s Why!

Let’s talk drinks prices—because, frankly, they don’t make it easy to figure out what you’ll actually be paying. You order a drink, and poof, it magically appears on your bill, with no signature required?

We booked the Balcony Class cabin, which included a $38 per night drink credit—enough for two drinks each. At dinner, we added a bottle of Bottega Prosecco for just $22, which was more than enough for us. In the end, pay-as-you-go turned out to be a much better deal than the package.

Unless you plan on drinking non-stop from morning till night, skip the package and just pay as you go. And just a heads up, the cocktails weren’t great, so you might want to steer clear of those.

I couldn’t find any drink prices online before the trip, so here’s a peek at the beverage menu, plus some special offers they had on board…

Book Your Excursions Early… Or Miss Out!

As soon as you board, head straight to the shore excursions desk to book your activities. You’ve got until 8 p.m. on the first night—and that’s a lot of pressure, considering you won’t even board until 5 p.m.! I know, I know—you’ll want to explore the ship first, but trust me, you don’t want to miss out on the excursions, especially the Khasab Dhow full-day cruise. It was incredible (more on that soon).

Oh, and the excursions are surprisingly reasonably priced—which is a nice change!

 

The Balcony Cabin

We were pleasantly surprised by how spacious the cabin was, especially for a cruise. The bed was comfy, the shower had great pressure, and we had all the basics we needed. However, the furniture was all scuffed and scratched—it looked like it had been in a fight and lost. It definitely didn’t feel luxurious, more like a budget hotel room.

Pro Tip: Bring a small carry-on bag on board. It’ll save you space in the cabin and make boarding and disembarking a lot easier without having to wait around for checked luggage.

What’s in the Cabin?

• Fridge
• TV
• Safe
• Tea and coffee facilities
• Water jug (refillable by the elevators)
• Bathroom with full amenities
• Hairdryer
• Bathrobes and slippers
• Dressing table
• Sofa

The cabin has UK three-pin sockets, but also takes EU plugs, so no adapter is needed if you use either of those.

 

The Pool Area: Almost Perfect

Easily one of the best parts of the ship! A stunning pool, plenty of sunbeds, jacuzzis, and a fun water slide—honestly, more impressive than any Celebrity Cruises pool (there, I said it).

But at 5 p.m., the music suddenly blasts, turning a peaceful afternoon into a full-blown rave. Why?. One minute you’re lounging in peace, the next, you’re suddenly at a party beach club you never signed up for.

Palm Court & Other Cool Amenities

Another favourite spot to unwind was at the Palm Court Bar, which offered great ocean views. It had a stylish yet relaxed vibe, and quickly became our go-to hangout.

 

Palm Court Bar

If you’re looking for some action, there’s also an arcade—great for kids and adults who secretly love a good game of Pac-Man. The gym was adequate, and there were plenty of activities like karaoke, foam parties, casino and theatre shows—a lot of fun if that’s your thing.

Resort World Cruise Dubai – Dining Options

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included in your cruise fare, with three main restaurants to choose from:

• Lido Buffet – A self-service buffet with a decent variety of food.
• Dream Dining – A sit-down restaurant where you pick from Western, Indian, or Chinese menus when you enter.
• Pavilion – Another sit-down option, though it was closed during our trip due to low occupancy.

If you’re after something fancier, there are specialty restaurants on board—but be ready to pay extra for those.

 

Let’s talk about the food…

Let’s break down the food situation, night by night, because—well, it was a bit of a bumpy ride.

Night 1: BBQ

On the first night, only the Lido buffet was open, and they had an amazing outdoor BBQ setup by the pool. Highlights included:
✔ Mongolian lamb
✔ Grilled steak
✔ Vegetarian Indian dishes (served inside, not by the BBQ)

There were also plenty of Indian food options and desserts inside the Lido restaurant, making it a great mix of flavours. The meal was delicious, and I was feeling pretty optimistic about the food on board!

Night 2: The Fawlty Towers Experience

We went to Dream Dining for the Western menu. I had the lamb shank with rice, and my husband went for turkey. It was a disaster.

✘ Service was painfully slow 
✘ Staff were friendly but had no clue about table service.
✘ The food was bland.

Night 3: Indian Food

After the Western menu mishap, we decided to go for the Indian menu on the final night—and what a difference it made!

✔ Packed with flavour – Every dish was rich and perfectly spiced.
✔ Service was much smoother – A real improvement from the previous night, making the experience more enjoyable.
✔ A mini buffet on the table – We were treated to a variety of delicious dishes, and every single one was a winner. It felt like a feast.

Good Breakfast

Breakfast was consistently good and had its highlights.

✔ Unlimited tea & coffee included – Perfect for kickstarting the day.
✔ Eggs cooked to your liking – Always a win!
✔ The buffet offered a great mix of Western, Chinese, and Indian options, plus pastries and fruit.

But then, there was the orange juice…

✘ Orange juice tasted pretty artificial—definitely not fresh. We stuck with tea and coffee instead.

Overall, breakfast was solid, just avoid the juice!

Pro Tips for a Smooth Exit:

• Disembarkation Time: The ship docks at 2 p.m., but you must vacate your room by 1:30 p.m. — a reasonable checkout time.
• Carry-On Luggage: Use a small carry-on instead of a large suitcase. Large cases are collected a few hours earlier than your room checkout time, so you’ll need to pack everything ahead of schedule — which is a hassle when you’re trying to enjoy your last few hours.
• Passport Pickup: Please be aware that when you board the ship, they take your passport from you. You’ll need to collect it on the last day, but it wasn’t immediately clear where to pick it up from. Make sure to collect it from reception on Deck 7 from 12 p.m. onwards on disembarkation day.
• Theatre for Disembarkation: Head to the theatre for a staged exit. They let passengers off in groups to avoid crowd congestion at the exit.
• Settle Your Bill Online: Skip the reception line by paying online — it’s fast and saves time.

 

Resort World Cruise Dubai: Final Thoughts

If you’re after a budget-friendly trip with decent amenities and an interesting itinerary, this cruise is a good option. We booked through Rayna Tours, who offered the best price and communicated well. I think this cruise is ideal for a girls’ trip, but if you’re seeking luxury, it might not be for you. The food and service were inconsistent—good at times, but very hit and miss.

Overall, we had a fun and relaxing time, especially on the Khasab Dhow cruise (stay tuned for that story!).

You may be interested in reading…

• Atlantis The Royal Cloud22 Rooftop Pool Review
• ZETA Seventy Seven: Brunch in the Sky
• Dubai Places To Visit For Free – Our Top 10!
• AURA Skypool Experience: Is it worth it?