Emirates Skywards - Dubai in the summer...worth taking a couple of days to visit?

My wife and I are visiting the Maldives next July for our 10th anniversary. Here's my dilemma. I can book a First class fare from MLE>JFK for $3200pp, but would have to skip spending time in Dubai. However, I could spend two nights there, spending $500/night to stay at the Burj al Arab, but will need to spend ~$5100 in order to get the stopover.

It's the middle of the Arabian summer. I assume EK FT'ers have spend some time in Dubai over their travels. If you were on leisure travel, would you recommend spending two nights and the extra money (we'll probably never get back there again).

Your opinions are appreciated.

Eric

So you're saying $1900 extra pp, plus $1000 for hotel stay.
Altogether $4800 extra for 2 nights.

If you're really interested, there are ways to spend less, travel more, and still exprience it all. PM me.

July in Dubai is HOT to say the least. I was there this past July and it was about 125 degrees. Laying by the pool is tough as you dry off almost by the time you get back to your chair.

If this will be your only chance to see Dubai then I would do it. $500 for the Burj is probably a good deal. Spend the 2 days and just soak in Dubai.

It will be hot but you will survive.

You can spend $200 each for a coach ticket on jazeera airways from Male to dubai round trip. I would take it as a side trip and stick with your original ticket price.

For the the past 2 years, EK offered free stopover packages in Dubai for J & F passengers during the summer. Last Aug, I stayed a night in the Emirates Towers plus breakfast & $100 voucher or dune safari. F class passengers get 2 nights at a better hotel (can't remember, Ritz Calrton?) + other goodies. Maybe you can look into this when the time comes but then since F seats are limited, you'll have to book your tickets before the deal comes again.

You can spend $200 each for a coach ticket on jazeera airways from Male to dubai round trip. I would take it as a side trip and stick with your original ticket price.Given what the OP is planning to spend, he does not sound like the Jazeera-type. :)

Id' like to know where you get the $500 per night for the Burj Al Arab....

I can only get it for £1,000 per night (going in March next year).

Please let me know where you got the rate from!

Thanks,

JakesterUK

Given what the OP is planning to spend, he does not sound like the Jazeera-type. :)


I agree, it is unlikely. I hate totravel coach myself unless I have to. However, if I wanted to see Dubal and my options were to spend $1900 more per ticket or $200 more per ticket, I would find a way to slum it on jazeera for a afew hour flight...I could never make this logic work with my spouse either :cool:

I could never make this logic work with my spouse either:D. I Know what you mean.

Id' like to know where you get the $500 per night for the Burj Al Arab....


Dunno about $500 a night, but it definitely comes down during the summer months. It was less than £400 last year in July.

Cheers,
Rick

Sorry..bad math. It is more like $1000/night. I used the wrong conversion rate somehow.

For the the past 2 years, EK offered free stopover packages in Dubai for J & F passengers during the summer. Last Aug, I stayed a night in the Emirates Towers plus breakfast & $100 voucher or dune safari. F class passengers get 2 nights at a better hotel (can't remember, Ritz Calrton?) + other goodies. Maybe you can look into this when the time comes but then since F seats are limited, you'll have to book your tickets before the deal comes again.

That's correct. EK usually offers free stays for J and F pax in summer. This summer (2007) it WAS the Ritz Carlton for 2 nights. Maybe the OP can wait till EK announces the deal before making reservations.

Given the temperatures in DXB in Jul - Aug, it is unlikely you will be able to walk around anywhere. But taxis are cheap...:)

Also to attract tourists, the Dubai govt holds a shopping event called DSS (Dubai Summer Surprises). If you are in DXB for shopping, its not a bad time to be there.

You can spend $200 each for a coach ticket on jazeera airways from Male to dubai round trip. I would take it as a side trip and stick with your original ticket price.


I guess I'm missing something, but when I go to the Jazeera Airways site I don't find anything about flights to Male. Where did you find this?

I guess I'm missing something, but when I go to the Jazeera Airways site I don't find anything about flights to Male. Where did you find this?

Come on, it was three years ago so there might have been changes. ;)

Come on, it was three years ago so there might have been changes. ;)

Don't bother me with facts and details!:mad::D

I guess I should have looked at the date of that Jazeera post.:o

Isnt July the rainy season in the maldives ? :confused:

Yep, though (from what I've read, in planning our upcoming February trip there) if you're willing to take a chance you can get decent to very good weather, plus the resorts aren't full and there are increased chances of free or cheap upgrades. And I suppose sometimes for some families July is the best window of opportunity in terms of school schedules.