IS CRUISING THE ARABIAN GULF FOR ME?

As a winter alternative to winter cruising in the Caribbean, winter time cruises around the United Arab Emirates have been growing in popularity for a few years now. It's a destination with a difference for British passengers, and that doubtless exotic allure gives it a freshness and mystique that some of the more jaded parts of the Caribbean can sometimes seem bereft of.

It also seems much easier to get to. Most ships sail from the glittering , skyscraper studded metropolis of Dubai. Many UK regional airports offer direct flights into Dubai on Emirates Airlines, a generally very good, high quality flight experience that turns that vital first leg of the trip into a holiday by itself. Once landed, the transfer process from Dubai airport to the ship is usually painless and hassle free, especially in contrast to the often less than warm welcome you get at airports like Miami.

There's also usually the opportunity to add on a stay in Dubai, both before and after your cruise. While the city may be a bit over glitzy and brash for some, there's no doubt that Dubai's commanding mix of magnificent retail shopping and high rise, ultra luxury hotels is a compelling draw for millions. Most people do stay at least one or two days pre cruise, just to get their bearings.

Then there's the climate. It is impossible to overstate the huge psychological boost that feeling warm sun on winter stunted flesh can give. And the UAE as a region has winter sun in spades. And, with a whole host of adventures ashore, from dune buggy racing to horse racing, and seaborne offerings such as jet skis and sunset yacht cruises, there's no shortage of exotic, novel diversions at hand- albeit for a price.

And the ships that tend to cruise these waters tend to be pretty spectacular, resort style ships with bags of cutting edge facilities for all the family. They tend to belong to MSC, Costa and Royal Caribbean in the main, though even upscale lines such as Crystal and Silversea tend to make at least one or two cruises in the general area each winter.

These cruises are great value, too. Pound for pound, the combined cost of airlift, transfers and cruise can beat almost anything in the Caribbean circuit out of Miami each winter. For an alluring, alternative fun week in the sun over a bone chilling winter, a cruise in the UAE has some pretty impressive credentials for you to ponder.