Royal Caribbean to sail from Dubai

Dubai is also emerging as new the cruise destination.

Following Costa Cruises, the Royal Caribbean will become the second major cruise line to base a ship in Dubai. Between January and April 2010, the ship will run seven-night sailings from Dubai, with details yet to be confirmed.

FCO advice obn travel to United Arab Emirated

Foreign and Commonwealth Office advises high vigilance while travelling United Arab Emirates, including Dubai. Its website reads:

There is a high threat from terrorism. We believe terrorists may be planning to carry out attacks in the UAE. Attacks could be indiscriminate and could happen at any time, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers such as residential compounds, military, oil, transport and aviation interests. You should maintain a high level of security awareness, particularly in public places.

Full information is available on FCO's United Arab Emirates page, to follow, please click here.

Dubai to launch cheap airline

Dubai’s government is to establish a low-cost airline, which will be managed by the biggest Arab airline Emirates.

Dubai is also spending $33 billion to build what it intends to be the world's largest airport at Jebel Ali in the south of the emirate. The six-runway al-Maktoum International Airport will be 10 times the size of Dubai's existing airport and bigger by area than London's Heathrow and Chicago's O'Hare airports combined when completed in 2012.

Dubai looks into the future with Rem Koolhaas concept

Dubai is leading the world in architectural cutting edge design and technology. They already have three artificial island developments, two palm shaped and one made of small islets creating archipelago formed as the continents of the world. It seems Dubai will push boundaries even further.

12 years ago the Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas published ‘The Generic City’ essay in which he envisioned a fractal metropolis of repeatedly shaped buildings. The ‘generic city’ has no architecture as such, it does not posses its own history, except the one of the region and is not planned. It just emerges. Therefore, in the conclusion; everyone there is a tourist and hotels offer everything one may need – there is no reason to leave.

And now, Rem Koolhaas’ vision may be realised in the development of the 1.5-billion-square-foot Waterfront City in Dubai. The island will form perfect square to highlight its isolation. The tallest skyscrapers will be built along the southern edge to shield the ‘city’ from the blazing sun. All these sharp edges will be balanced by the gigantic sphere placed at the water’s edge.

The whole concept is very practical and logical. Not a bad response to ‘Bilbao syndrome’, not bad at all.

Worlds of Discovery - new gem in The Palm Jebel Ali 'crown'

SeaWorld, Aquatica, Busch Gardens and Discovery Cove join forces to create the Worlds of Discovery on The Palm Jebel Ali in Dubai. Worlds of Discovery will occupy a section of The Palm Jebel Ali known as “the Crown,” which will resemble a giant killer whale when reclamation work is complete.

“Dubai has become one of the world’s leading tourist destinations, and a key part of the strategy has been attracting world-class entertainment brands to the emirate. We have already concluded partnerships with major brands such as Trump, Cirque du Soleil, and Atlantis, and the partnership with BEC is a further example of Dubai’s growth as a city of global prominence,” O’Donnell said. “We are extremely honored that The Palm Jebel Ali will become home to the first Worlds of Discovery theme parks outside of the U.S., which is not only a major coup for Nakheel, but for the whole of Dubai.”

In addition to SeaWorld and Busch Gardens, plans call for the construction of a Discovery Cove similar to the park adjacent to SeaWorld Orlando in Central Florida. Discovery Cove in Orlando is an all-inclusive, reservations only park that features a variety of animal interactions and resort experiences, most notably swimming with bottlenose dolphins, rays and exotic fish.

Preliminary design work and site planning is underway, with the first phase expected to open in 2012.

Travelling on a shoestring, Monolo's shoe that is.

Ever wonder if luxury hotels offer bargains? It seems they do, well kind of. The Business Week has compiled a list of the cheapest rooms in the priciest hotels.

1. Four Seasons, New York
Most expensive: $30,000 *
Cheapest: $755

The architects designed the Tower to set back as it gently cascades down to the 90 foot street wall of East 57th Street. The 367-room hotel has a variety of guestrooms from the one-bedroom suites to the most luxurious accommodations, which is the 4,000-square-foot, two bedroom presidential suite, which occupies the entire top floor of the hotel. This Presidential Suite has 14 foot coffered ceilings, a formal dining room for entertaining, and bathrooms that have saunas and steam rooms.

2. Ritz-Carlton , Tokyo
Most expensive: $18,773
Cheapest: $625

The Ritz-Carlton occupies the top nine floors of the 53-story Midtown Tower, the tallest building in Tokyo, and provides stunning views of the city. Opened in March, 2007, the high point of Frank Nicholson's dramatic classic design is the magnificent 81-meter-high sky lobby on the 45th floor.

3. Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Moscow
Most expensive: $17,555
Cheapest: $1,370

The Ritz-Carlton, Moscow lies at the edge of the famed Red Square - site of countless coronations, conflicts and celebrations Featuring the most spacious guest room in Moscow, it is also home to three-star Michelin chef Heinz Winkler's new venture, Jeroboam.

4. Burj Al Arab Hotel, Dubai
Most expensive: $14,974
Cheapest: $2,314

This all-suite hotel reflects the finest that the world has to offer. A chauffeur driven Rolls Royce, discreet in-suite check in, private reception desk on every floor and a brigade of highly trained butlers will make sure you will have luxurious and unforgettable stay.


5. Le Bristol, Paris
Most expensive: $12,055
Cheapest: $951

Hotel Le Bristol Paris is situated in the prestigious Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honore. Considered by many to be the most elegant, refined, and quietly dignified hotel in the world. Filled with soft hues, refined woodwork and sumptuous fabrics, they all feature a separate entrance hall and generous marble bathrooms. Raphael Courant, two Michelin stars Restaurant Manager, welcomes guests every day for lunch and dinner.

6. Claridge's Hotel, London
Most expensive: $10,642
Cheapest: $939

The art deco jewel of Mayfair, the home to visiting royalties oozing of style and grandeur. Allegedly, in 1947, just before the wedding of then Princess Elizabeth, a harassed diplomat telephoned Claridge's and asked to speak to the King. "Certainly, sir," was the response. "Which one?"

7.Pudong Shangri-La, Shanghai
Most expensive: $5,938
Cheapest: $283

With memorable views of the Bund and the Huangpu River, the award-winning Pudong Shangri-La, Shanghai is the city’s preeminent luxury hotel, offering warm and attentive Shangri-La service and world-class dining. The recently opened Grand Tower contains 375 luxurious rooms and suites, with the Premier rooms, at 54 square meters, being the largest in Shanghai and offering panoramic, floor-to-ceiling views of the historic Bund.

8.Raffles Hotel, Singapore
Most expensive: $5,209
Cheapest: $830

Declared a National Monument in 1987, the hotel has grown from strength to strength. It was named after Sir Stamford Raffles, the founder of modern Singapore. Raffles Singapore Hotel offers hotel guests an experience that embodies absolute comfort and old world charm.


9. Island Shangri-La Hotel, Hong Kong
Most expensive: $4,103
Cheapest: $339

Known locally as "Island Shang"—because there is another Shangri-La on Kowloon—this elliptically shaped building has become a Hong Kong icon. Located in the heart of the city's Central district, its 56 floors offer stunning views of The Peak, Victoria Harbor, and the distant mountains of China.

10. The Setai Hotel, Miami
Most expensive: $3,870
Cheapest: $715

Its design vision artfully combines the rich architectural history of the neighborhood and its cultural diversity with the International Art Deco movement, particularly its influence in Asia. Infused with natural materials, space and light, The Setai bears the unmistakable imprint of legendary hotelier Adrian Zecha.


Cheap as chips, don't you think?!

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*Note, all prices are per night

Three Cunard’s Queens meeting in New York

This historic meeting took place on 13th January, when three maritime queens; the Queen Elizabeth 2, the Queen Mary 2 and the Queen Victoria met for the first time in New York.

As the Queen Elizabeth 2 will retire later this year, eventually to be converted to luxurious hotel in Dubai, this was most certainly the only time these Cunard’s Queens will ever meet.

The next ‘royal appointment’ will take place in Australia on 24th February, when Queen Elizabeth 2 and the Queen Victoria cruise liners will meet again in Sydney.