Making the most of Ras al
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
Ras al Khaimah Port houses a brand new, state-of the art cruise terminal. With the port located directly adjacent to the historical and cultural centre of Ras al Khaimah Old Town.
Cruise passengers can avail of multiple features within the terminal including concierge service, café, wifi and wheelchair accessibility.
Ras Al Khaimah is renowned for its outstanding nature, leisure, adventure and authentic offerings. With an extraordinary history dating back over seven millennia, the northernmost Emirate in the UAE has become one of the most sought after destinations in the Middle East.
Whilst 80% of the population of the United Arab Emirates is made up of non-UAE nationals, you must remember that this is a Muslim country and local traditions and customs should be respected. People in Ras Al Khaimah are modern and liberal.
Jebel Jais Zipline- Guiness World Record Longest Zipline dropping 2.83 km in length. The experience will start in the Jebel Jais Mountains and will be filled with exhilarating height and speed. At all times you will be accompanied by qualified safety guides and protected by a high quality safety equipment.
Getting around
Walking around Ras Al Khaimah is not easy due to the traffic, lack of sidewalks and zebra crossings and it is something not done and not recommended. For a pleasure walk, Corniche Road and beaches are the best and safest option.
Taxis or rental car are your only option to move around Ras Al Khaimah. Taxis use meters, are reasonably priced, easily available and honest. You can book a taxi 800 1 700 or just flag one on the street; it should not take more than a few minutes to find a taxi.
Nearby places
Khasab, about an hour and a half away offers wonderful dhow cruises.
Money
The currency is the United Arab Emirates dirham (AED, local abbreviation dhs). The Dirham is pegged to the USD, so rate variations with this currency are unlikely.
Staying connected
The official language is Arabic, but it is safe to say that the majority of the population doesn't speak it (Iranian, Indian, Asian and Western expatriates are more numerous than Arabs in Dubai, and usually have very limited knowledge of Arabic). English is the lingua franca.