Change of port – Abu Dhabi instead of first day in Muscat, I’ll take that!

We had booked afternoon tea in Muscat and thankfully shore excursions were able to swop this over for us to Afternoon Tea at The Emirates Palace Hotel

On learning about the change in port a friend had told us we simply must have a gold cappuccino at the Emirates Palace Hotel. I ordered this as my drink understanding that it would cost extra!

I can say I’ve drank gold! I can also assure you that it hangs around in there for some time, there were sparkles in the bathroom for maybe a week – too much information there!

The surroundings were superb, the presentation spectacular, the coffee opulent and unique, but the service atrocious

I’d ordered vegetarian, I’d written it on the booking form but the waiters didn’t know what was in the sandwiches when the food eventually did arrive. We actually only got served when one older, northern chap took control, and bossed the waiters around in such a pleasant and charming way they thanked him for his help

Then they tried to take one stand away, but what was Jane to eat. They suggested she move, we all declined. I was brought some sort of a tasteless vegan bun. When I asked for the manager, and I had to insist, when No Vegetarian food was forthcoming a delicious cheese platter did arrive before the manager

The manager explained that the ship hadn’t ordered vegetarian but did accept my points that the waiters should know what’s in the sandwiches and that it was reasonable in a six star hotel to expect that someone could rustle up a cheese sandwich

Another solo lady was asked to move from her friends and sit beside a man she didn’t know, again she refused and no food was brought for her

Those on our table who asked for a top up in their teapot or a second cup of filter coffee where told only one cup was included

My verdict 6 star hotel 1 star service though to give the manager credit when I was searching for someone to pay for our coffees at the end, service hadn’t improved, I was told they were complimentary

Abu Dhabi itself is spectacular, really clean and really safe. We had taken the shuttle to the Mall that morning and discovered the Discount Store Max Fashion – more dresses!

Our tour stopped at two viewpoints on the way back where our guide assured us there we’re definitely dolphins last week…

We had been before, but if you haven’t The Grand Mosque is definitely worth seeing, they are very strict on dress code there, so I’ll leave you with Jane & I robed up on a previous visit I’d also recommend the Emirates Palace itself, really interesting and not crowded, reasonable taxis are available everywhere