Friday March 22^nd

Dubai Arrival

Yay! We are finally in Dubai!!!!!!

After all my plans to not over pack on this trip, I finally had to accept that we were going to have to drag along 3 suitcases.  I was having a good time watching Keeping Up Appearances “Sea Fever” and the Murder She Wrote episode “The Grand Old Lady” and there just seemed to be more and more stuff to pack – duct tape, zip ties, bungee cords, shower caddies, over the door shoe organizer, velvet coat hangers etc, not to mention 4 weeks worth of clothes, shoes, and accessories. All of a sudden I was faced with 4 over filled large suitcases, 2 stuffed carry on bags, Brian’s bursting briefcase, and my BOAC cabin travel bag which was failing to be allowed to be zipped up. No chance to take my beautiful handbag with me. I surveyed the mound of baggage. No way was I going to start over again and pack with more efficiency. So with much effort, we were able to cram all of the luggage into my car, as well as several bags of garbage that we needed to take to the garbage dumpster, and off we set for the airport.

On embarking on our Emirates flight, I was greeted with a glass of Veuve Clicquot. I knew right away that the 14 hours ahead of me were to be well spent, but I did have to be careful not to appear intoxicated when I arrived in Dubai because they arrest you for being drunk in public. It turned out not to be an issue – right after dinner I fell asleep, and sleep through breakfast, only waking up shortly before landing.

It is difficult for a tourist to buy alcohol in Dubai, but Dubai Duty Free has a very nifty program whereby you pre purchase your drinks before you fly, and they are then waiting for you in their store in the customs area on arrival. We collected all of the bags and piled them on to 2 over laden trolleys, added our supply of Veuve Clicquot and single malt Scotch, and headed for the exit.

The only things that had been worrisome about this itinerary were whether or not we needed visas for Oman, and the fact that we were flying in to Dubai. Dubai has very strict rules about bringing medications into the country, and if you get it wrong you could end up in jail for 4 years, and miss your cruise.

We carefully poured over the extensive list of forbidden medications, and read all of the information about needing to submit an online application to the department of health requesting permission to bring your pills into the country. I emailed the department of health to ask for clarification as to what we should do. They never responded to my email. So with much trepidation we decided to bring a copy of our prescriptions from our doctor, as well as a print out from our pharmacy along with us. As we approached the customs man, instead of him quizzing us on what we were importing in to the country, he smiled at us and told us to enjoy our time in Dubai. Phew!

While the customs man appeared pleased to see us, the same could not be said for the driver I had arranged to meet us. He sadly shook his head, and informed us that there was no way he could fit us and all of our luggage in to his car.  Not a good start. However, he obligingly said he would call for a bigger car, and sure enough several minutes later one arrived, and off we set for QE2.

It was a quick drive to the port, and soon there was QE2 in all of her magnificence in the distance.

The reception area is in a terminal right next to the ship. Check in was quick and efficient, and in no time at all we were off to see our cabin. We are in 1114 – one deck aft. Previously we had sailed in 1001, and we had hoped to stay there again, but alas, someone else had booked it. Still, our cabin is beautiful, with 2 portholes and a bathtub. What more can one want in life!

After settling in to our cabin we went back to the terminal building and had a light snack there, and then it was off to bed. I had just woken up a few hours ago, but it was now 11:00 PM and I was looking forward to sleeping on board QE2.