AIDA Transfer Cruise 2017

Our journey began on Tuesday at 10.15 a.m. in Hanover, with a flight via Paris to Dubai. With Air France the journey was very relaxing, as on previous flights, and all our wishes were fulfilled on board.

We landed punctually in Dubai at 11.30 p.m. local time (+3 h). Quickly get the suitcases and off to the ship, we thought. But we had reckoned without immigration in Dubai. The long queues didn't bode well, and when we were finally through passport control, the clock showed 45 minutes later – so a bit of patience is needed.

The suitcases were already waiting, and right outside the airport the taxis were queuing. Before we left the terminal, we withdrew 500 dirhams (about 110 euros), the UAE currency, from a cash machine. Be sure to take a taxi with a yellow or red roof – these are official taxis with a meter. The black limousines are private drivers and like to charge a bit more. We hadn't booked the arrival package offered to us, with a transfer from the airport to the ship and a city tour the next day. Firstly, we didn't want to do a city tour, certainly not at 8 a.m., and secondly the cost of 90 euros per person was too high for us. So at 1 a.m. we took a taxi towards the ship, and the first thing that impressed us was that the roads were very busy – partly even jammed – and the building sites on both sides of the road were fully staffed and working. After 20 minutes we reached Port Rashid and Cruise Terminal 3, where AIDAbella lay at the quay in all her splendour. The taxi driver dropped us right at the terminal, and the ride had cost only 15 euros. Once through the beautiful cruise terminal to check-in.

After a short check-in we went straight onto the ship. We were amazed to be offered food and drinks in the Pier3 Bar, especially for late arrivals. Great service from AIDA. The next morning – or rather the same morning – after a few hours' sleep and breakfast, we took a taxi to the Dubai Mall. We had actually wanted to take the shuttle bus on offer, but unfortunately we waited a very long time in vain. At the bus stop we simply asked the other AIDA guests around us who wanted to share a taxi to the mall. Four AIDA guests joined us straight away, so we took a taxi to the mall about 25 minutes away, costing 30 euros for all of us together.

In front of the mall there were a few "normal" cars.

The mall is so impressive that it can't really be put into words. All the well-known global brands are represented, and there's a huge aquarium with sharks and rays.

My wife was blown away by the shoes on offer, such as Manolo Blahnik and so on. For internet lovers, it's worth mentioning that there's free Wi-Fi throughout the mall. Outside the mall, of course, you'll find the most famous buildings.