MSC Cruises’ ships dock at Port Rashid, also known as Mina Rashid, when stopping in Dubai. The address is: Hamdan Bin Mohammed Cruise Terminal 3, P.O. Box 6769, Port Rashid, Dubai, UAE.

The cruise terminal is located around nine kilometres from the Old City of Dubai, where you can find a number of historical souks, the Dubai Museum, and traditional dhow cruises along Dubai Creek. It is also located within 20 kilometres of Jumeirah Beach and downtown Dubai, where you’ll find the majority of Dubai’s most famous attractions, such as the Burj Khalifa tower and Dubai Mall.

Sitting on the coast of the Persian Gulf on the Arabian Peninsula, Dubai has a hot and arid desert climate. The hottest months are typically in summer, with average daily high temperatures of between 40-41°C from June to August. Meanwhile, the coolest months of the year, from December to February, would be considered hot in many other parts of the world, with average daily highs of between 24-26°C.

And as you’d expect from a desert city, it rarely rains in Dubai, with the wettest months – December through to March – averaging just one day of rainfall per month. With low humidity, Dubai’s hot climate often feels more pleasant than many tropical destinations, while the city is full of air-conditioned shopping malls and museums, so you can comfortably escape the heat whenever needed.

While Dubai is known as being typically more expensive than most tourist destinations across the globe, it is possible to experience this fascinating city on a small budget. There are many free things to explore, including the city’s most popular bathing spot – Jumeirah Public Beach – and a number of parks, including Zabeel Park, home to the famous Dubai Frame.

You can also spend hours walking around the souks of the old town, taking in the sights and scents, or strolling along Dubai Creek.

Dubai sits on the Persian Gulf and has a wide range of beaches to choose from. One of the most popular is Jumeirah Public Beach (also known as Nessnass Beach), which has become a firm favourite with families. Sunset Beach is also a fine option for those wanting an early evening dip (a chance not to be passed up), while Kite Beach is the go-to for kite-surfers and other adventurous types.

To the north is Al Mamzar Beach Park, a large complex with several beaches alongside swimming pools, making it ideal for families with young children. Those are just a few of the options on the table – you won't be short of choice when it comes to brochure-worthy beaches.

Dubai International Airport is located around 16 kilometres to the east of the cruise port. The easiest way to reach the cruise terminal from Dubai Airport is to request an MSC transfer service via the MSC call centre.

Taxis are also abundant at Dubai Airport and should take around half an hour to reach the cruise port, no matter which terminal you fly into. A taxi from the airport to the cruise terminal should cost around £30. There are also two metro stations at Dubai Airport (Airport Terminal 1 and Airport Terminal 2) which you can use to get to Al Ghubaiba (Change at Union), the closest station to the cruise terminal. The metro costs around £3.

Dubai is positively bursting with first-rate sights and attractions to enthral visitors. You could easily spend a few days exploring, although you can also tick off some fantastic sights and activities in just one day.

If you have just one day in Dubai, you could head downtown to go to the top of the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest skyscraper, which offers panoramic views of the city amongst the backdrop of the Persian Gulf and the Arabian Desert. You can then explore nearby Dubai Mall, which has an array of shops, but also houses an indoor theme park, an aquarium and underwater zoo, and an ice rink.

After stopping for lunch, head to Burj Al Arab, an iconic hotel shaped like a sail, sitting on a beach. After grabbing photos and taking a quick dip in the warm waters, head over to the Old City of Dubai, which has a more traditional feel. Here, you can browse various historical souks and markets, and stop for dinner in one of the many restaurants along Dubai Creek before heading off for an evening cruise on a dhow, a traditional masted ship used by merchants of the region for centuries.