Flying to Dubai on Emirates Airline is a homecoming of sorts. Over 500 Emirates flights a day run through Dubai International Airport.  Normally just a stop along the way to somewhere else, I’ve been here before but never more than a few hours.  This time, I chose a flight plan that offered nearly 9 hours connection time. That lengthy layover triggered a complimentary hotel stay and meals along with a bit different take on long flights.

The flight plan called for 21 hours in the air and right at 30 hours total travel time from Orlando to Singapore. Much of that was by design.  Broken up into segments, in terms of potential sleep periods between home and Singapore, it was a 12-8-7 configuration.  12 hours to Dubai, 8 hours on the ground with a hotel room and 7 more hours to Singapore.  With me? Good, focusing on getting some sleep, I knew I would not sleep all three periods away unless I had died and was enjoying those plus an infinite number more sleep periods.  Not the case.

The first leg was doomed on sleep/blessed with wonder from the beginning.  Standing in line at Orlando International Airport I met a man who works for the airline, VP of gate operations. Interesting to talk to.  On board, I go directly to my favorite economy seat, 49A all the way at the back because I am serious about sleep.  15 minutes,maybe.

In Dubai, getting to the complimentary hotel was easy and included both lunch and dinner from a buffet with items reflecting the local fare.  Options at the hotel, even with just 8 hours to invest, include a 2 hour city tour ($30) which I almost did.  No. I am serious about arriving in Singapore to dance off the plane.  

The Dubai hotel itself was one of a number of properties used by Emirates to store passengers until they are needed to accompany their luggage further.  This is no palace but, for me, any bed not traveling 635 miles per hour through the sky usually produces better sleep.  This one did too.  Hours were slept until I remembered “I’m In Dubai” followed shortly by “must get back to airport”.  Dubai International Airport is one serious people watching bonanza.  

I did not need a Visa to enter the country. Easy.  I’ll stay longer some day.  Also available, a quick in and out of the country for registered travelers from a number of countries of which the United States is one.  At the time we made it through Dubai International Airport, just after the December/January holidays, the cavernous space was less crowded than normal.  Every time I have been there, it’s been wall to wall people which can be kind of intimidating to infrequent travelers.

Overnight to Singapore from Dubai was about like a flight from the U.S. to Europe in length.  Different: more service on the flight from North America. Probably because of demanding United States and Canadian citizens, both keen on value.  

At Singapore’s airport, a flawless transfer to the Westin Singapore completed this leg of the trip. Through some magic combination of cards and numbers, a friendly Westin reservation agent upgraded my room which had already been prepaid by the cruise line.

I have a 2018 New Year’s change to make (because I don’t do resolutions). From now on when walking into airport lounges or hotels, I’m going to just start throwing down the membership or credit cards at the check-in desk. I’ll mutter something to the effect of “Take your pick, whichever gets the best deal” and let them figure it out.  

 

See more of our Windstar Cruise here or see links below

Published Live As We Traveled

Live, From Star Legend

At ChrisCruises

• Here We Go: Follow Along On Our Windstar Cruise Through The Philippines
• Unique Windstar Feature: Hugging Upon Boarding
• A Fortunate Walk In The Woods With Windstar Cruises
• Better, Smarter Windstar Does Not Play Hide The Destination Game
• I’ll See Your Top Deck Attraction And Raise You Someone Who Cares
• 18 Thousand Words About Windstar Cruises Visiting Coron
• The Unexpected Windstar Cruises Family Day
• Cruise Unexpected Enabled By Windstar Focus On Crew Family

Posted In Reflection
After Travel- another look at our Windstar cruise, port by port

• The Republic Of Singapore- Windstar Embarkation In Singapore A Breeze
• Kuching, Malaysia- First Malasia Stop Highlights Hearty Windstar Travelers
• The Kingdom Of Brunei- Behold: The Kingdom Of Brunei
• Kota Kinabalu, The Philippines- Kota Kinabalu: One Of Those Places I Want To See Again
• Puerto Princessa, Palawan, The Philippines- Puerto Princessa: Destination Authenticity Confirmed
  
• Coron, The Philippines- Windstar Cruises In The Philippines: Crysta Clear Coron
  
• Manila, The Philippines- Windstar’s Brilliant Commitment To Doing It Right, Really Right
  
• Hundred Islands, The Philippines- Windstar Cruise Unexpected: Specific Examples

Posted In Reflection

Deeper On Related Topics Of Interest

On ChrisCruises:

• One From Each Place: Windstar Philippines & Borneo 
• Windstar’s Brilliant Commitment To Doing It Right, Really Right
• Windstar Cruise Unexpected: Specific Examples
• Windstar Onboard Booking, Yacht Club Bring Bonus Value
• Our Last Trip: The Windstar Instagram Version

At The Windstar Blog

• Windstar President’s Cruise Honors Crew, Promotes Understanding

At CruiseFever.net

• Windstar Honors Crew In Unique Unexpected Wa