Ultimate Dubai & Arabian Peninsula Cruise

LGBTQ+ group sailing aboard Explora II.

Dates: December 14, 2026 – December 21, 2026
Ship: Explora II · Explora Journeys
Published price: $4,230 USD

Sailing snapshot

This 7-night ocean sailing runs from Dubai, United Arab Emirates to Dubai, United Arab Emirates and lists 5 distinct stops. It is a hosted LGBTQ+ group within a regular sailing, so the group experience and wider ship run side by side.

Trip overview

Ultimate Dubai & Arabian Peninsula Cruise is a hosted LGBTQ+ group sailing from Aquafest Cruises aboard Explora II. It runs December 14, 2026 to December 21, 2026 and follows a route that includes Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Manama, Bahrain, Doha, Qatar, Dammam, Saudi Arabia. The itinerary starts and ends in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, with calls including Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Manama, Bahrain, Doha, Qatar. As a hosted LGBTQ+ group sailing aboard Explora II, it offers a built-in social calendar with room to enjoy the wider ship on your own terms. The listing pairs this Middle East route with Explora II and the Ultimate Dubai & Arabian Peninsula Cruise program. Current catalog pricing starts at $4,230 per person; cabin categories and room-by-room rates are listed separately when published. Availability and fares can change, so confirm the cabin category and final terms with the operator.

Editorially rewritten from the operator's published trip details · reviewed August 30, 2026.

Program itinerary

Confirm the current daily itinerary with the operator before planning ashore. Ports and times may change.

Price and availability

Published starting fare$4,230 · per person, double occupancy · Check current availability

Pricing note: Published starting fare is per person double occupancy; an onboard credit is advertised and rates are subject to change.

Availability note: The official page identifies this as a hosted group cruise. Its heading calls the December 14–21 sailing eight nights although those published dates span seven nights; confirm the exact duration before booking. Cabin inventory was not exposed.

Fares can change and may exclude taxes, fees, airfare, transfers, or single supplements. Confirm the final total with the operator before booking.

Is this sailing a good fit?

Who it tends to suit

Gay, lesbian, and LGBTQ+ travelers who want a hosted community, private social events, and a wide choice of mainstream, small-ship, and expedition itineraries.

What the trip feels like

Social and welcoming, with cocktail parties, group dining, optional excursions, and extra entertainment; the annual Halloween event turns the volume considerably higher.

Operator profile reviewed September 1, 2026 from the Aquafest Cruises official event guide.

About the operator

Aquafest Cruises organizes hosted group sailings for gay men and women across mainstream, small-ship, and expedition routes. Its calendar ranges from warm-water escapes to ambitious bucket-list itineraries, with trip-specific group programming, cabin pricing, and availability published on each sailing page.

Editorially rewritten from the operator's published information · reviewed August 30, 2026.

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