All things Dubai

[joanna23]

My understanding is that only certain countries have to fly with a negative certificate. Currently we are not one of those countries (certain airports in USA are, India etc.).
When you land you are tested for free and give details. You then travel straight to hotel and must stay in isolation until you get the test results.
I priced up postal PCR tests for a clinic in London which were £125 each.

I then realised it wasn’t on the list of exemptions. Spoke to Axa who I have annual insurance with. If a country is on the list you are still covered for everything except cancellation. They did say that if you book whilst the country is not on the exemption list but it then comes off then you are still not covered! The country must be exempt at time of booking. What a minefield.

[CarsonMac]

Originally Posted by joanna23

My understanding is that only certain countries have to fly with a negative certificate. Currently we are not one of those countries (certain airports in USA are, India etc.).
When you land you are tested for free and give details. You then travel straight to hotel and must stay in isolation until you get the test results.
I priced up postal PCR tests for a clinic in London which were £125 each.

I then realised it wasn’t on the list of expeditions. Spoke to Axa who I have annual insurance with. If a country is on the list you are still covered for everything except cancellation. They did say that if you book whilst the country is not on the exemption list but it then comes off then you are still not covered! The country must be exempt at time of booking. What a minefield.

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Following this as well as Dubai could be an option. Tho tbh we have never been or even considered it before!
Hubby would also want to hire a car, does anyone have experience of that? What is the dress code like, ie no vest tops or short shorts allowed?

How long would it take to get test results on arrival wouldn't want to be stuck in a hotel for days on end!

[floridasgirl]

Originally Posted by CarsonMac

Following this as well as Dubai could be an option. Tho tbh we have never been or even considered it before!
Hubby would also want to hire a car, does anyone have experience of that? What is the dress code like, ie no vest tops or short shorts allowed?

How long would it take to get test results on arrival wouldn't want to be stuck in a hotel for days on end!

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I cant see hiring a car being a problem. Not something weve ever done but they are fairly safe drivers from what I've seen. Just avoid rush hours as it gets busy!
The dress code in hotels is the same as anywhere. Out of the hotels its 'respectful' so cover arms and legs (shorts ok but like you say, prob not shorts ones)

[stanleycamel]

Originally Posted by CarsonMac

Following this as well as Dubai could be an option. Tho tbh we have never been or even considered it before!
Hubby would also want to hire a car, does anyone have experience of that? What is the dress code like, ie no vest tops or short shorts allowed?

How long would it take to get test results on arrival wouldn't want to be stuck in a hotel for days on end!

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Yes you can hire a car if you want to - but really, really don't recommend it. They drive like maniacs over there especially on Sheikh Zayeed Road and the trip over to Abu Dhabi is like a racetrack - I've done it a couple of times and never again. Taxis are cheap and plentiful so use those instead.

[Colette-S]

Originally Posted by joanna23

My understanding is that only certain countries have to fly with a negative certificate. Currently we are not one of those countries (certain airports in USA are, India etc.).
When you land you are tested for free and give details. You then travel straight to hotel and must stay in isolation until you get the test results.
I priced up postal PCR tests for a clinic in London which were £125 each.

I then realised it wasn’t on the list of expeditions. Spoke to Axa who I have annual insurance with. If a country is on the list you are still covered for everything except cancellation. They did say that if you book whilst the country is not on the exemption list but it then comes off then you are still not covered! The country must be exempt at time of booking. What a minefield.

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Definitely a minefield! I can’t see it being a requirement in Dubai for too long though. They are desperate for tourism plus they have a lot relying on the delayed Expo20/20

[Colette-S]

Originally Posted by CarsonMac

Following this as well as Dubai could be an option. Tho tbh we have never been or even considered it before!
Hubby would also want to hire a car, does anyone have experience of that? What is the dress code like, ie no vest tops or short shorts allowed?

How long would it take to get test results on arrival wouldn't want to be stuck in a hotel for days on end!

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Agreed with comments re taxis and dress code.
When are you thinking of going? Summer is exceptionally hot and outdoor activities and dining are curtailed.
We generally go twice a year - Easter and October - perfect weather for us then

[CarsonMac]

Thanks for your comments folks, all good points to consider.

Would be September

What about the water parks in Atlantis and other theme parks, would they be open or too hot then? And the off roading trips to the desert?

[Colette-S]

Originally Posted by CarsonMac

Thanks for your comments folks, all good points to consider.

Would be September

What about the water parks in Atlantis and other theme parks, would they be open or too hot then? And the off roading trips to the desert?

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September will still be hot but certainly cooling down after the summer. Water parks stay open all year (they chill the water in some places) and all activities are on. It’s best to do things early before the heat builds. Some of the theme parks have a lot of indoor space for this reason
It’s still a good time to go but just manage your time around the weather

[Colette-S]

Just to add, there are two main water parks - aquaventure at Atlantis and Wild Wadi at Jumeirah Beach Hotel (which serves all Jumeirah hotels)
At the minute there is a lot of building and renovation work at JBH so even though it’s where I would normally recommend I’d avoid it and head to Atlantis.

[Rac20]

Originally Posted by Colette-S

Just to add, there are two main water parks - aquaventure at Atlantis and Wild Wadi at Jumeirah Beach Hotel (which serves all Jumeirah hotels)
At the minute there is a lot of building and renovation work at JBH so even though it’s where I would normally recommend I’d avoid it and head to Atlantis.

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If you do go to Aquaventure at Atlantis please consider wearing swim shoes or make sure you take your flip flops with you (don’t leave them in the locker). We left our footwear in the locker and the floor was unwalkable. Much hotter than the floor at the water parks in Orlando.