A port day is short, so weigh what a session costs
Cruise ships berth at Zayed Port, which Abu Dhabi's official tourism site describes as the place where commercial ships and visiting cruise liners dock, and the route box above measures from the cruise terminal there. This page is for passengers and crew who want to know whether a gym session belongs in their hours ashore.
RPM is not at the port. It is a single club on Level 4 of AD HUB Sports Complex in Al Manhal, and what RPM can offer on a single port day gives the basics. A session means the trip across the island, the workout and the trip back, all inside the ship's schedule. For some readers that trade is worth making, and for others a walk ashore and the ship's own fitness room will be the better choice.
Passenger or crew: two different days ashore
| Your situation | Does a session fit? | What to plan |
|---|---|---|
| Passenger on a short day call | Rarely, unless training matters more to you than sightseeing | A walk ashore and the ship's fitness room may serve you better |
| Passenger on a long or overnight call | Often, on the second morning or before an evening ashore | Access for that date, and the trip both ways |
| Starting or ending the cruise in Abu Dhabi | Yes, on the days you are in the city before or after sailing | Where you will leave luggage, since a gym is not the place for it |
| Crew with a few hours off | Possibly, if those hours fall while the club is open | A fixed return time with a wide margin, agreed before you leave the ship |
If your ship has a fitness room, it may cover cardio and light weights. A full club adds a squat rack, plate-loaded machines, a functional area with a sled and ropes, and coaching. Whether that is worth part of a port day depends on how much the session matters to you.
Budget the time before you go ashore
Work backwards from the time you must be on board, using the ship's own figure, and subtract each block in turn. If what is left for training is less than you would accept at home, skip the session and enjoy the city instead.
- The margin you keep before the all-aboard time. Make it generous, since a missed ship is a far bigger problem than a missed workout.
- Getting from the ship to the road, which the route box does not include.
- The drive back from Al Manhal. The route box shows free-flow figures, and real traffic adds to them.
- Getting ready after the session, and checking in before it.
- The drive over from the terminal.
- What remains is your session. Plan it before you arrive, so no time goes on deciding what to do.
Check the club's hours for your date below. They run from early morning to late evening, with shorter hours on Fridays and possible changes in Ramadan.
| Days | Opening hours |
|---|---|
| Saturday to Thursday | 06:00–23:00 |
| Friday | 09:00–22:00 |
Hours can change, for example during Ramadan. Confirm with the team before a late or early visit.
What to bring off the ship
- Training clothes and shoes, worn ashore or packed in a small bag, plus a water bottle.
- Whatever the team asks you to bring to register. Ask before the day so nothing holds up check-in.
- Your phone with the club's address saved from the contact page, ready to show a driver.
- A change of clothes for the rest of the day. Keypad lockers in the changing area hold your things while you train, and it is worth asking about showers and whether towels are provided.
Ask the team whether a day pass is available on your date, what it covers and which section it includes. Passes are time-sensitive, so only the team can confirm whether one is running and the price. A woman who would rather train among women can ask for access to the Ladies section, which has its own equipment and the Pilates studio.
Spending a few days in the city before or after the cruise? Which gyms suit short-term visitors compares the options for a stay of that length.
From the cruise terminal to Al Manhal
The mapped route from the terminal uses the Sheikh Zayed Tunnel and Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Street (Salam Street), and the route box rates it a longer trip across the island. Those figures are for a car. If a friend collects you by car, AD HUB has free on-site parking and a lift to Level 4.
Sources
Questions, answered.
Is RPM at the cruise terminal or in the port?
No. RPM operates a single site, on Level 4 of AD HUB Sports Complex in Al Manhal. From the cruise terminal it is a longer trip across the island, and the route box shows the mapped estimates.
Can I arrange access before the ship reaches Abu Dhabi?
Yes, and you should. Message the team with your date and the hours you expect to be ashore, and ask what is available and what it includes.
What if the ship arrives late or the call is cut short?
Drop the session. Never eat into your margin for getting back on board, and let the team know if you had a booking.
I work on board and we call at Abu Dhabi regularly. Can I train each time?
Ask the team which short-term options fit a pattern of repeat visits. Availability and terms are confirmed on enquiry, so check them before your next call.
Is the recovery suite worth it after days at sea?
Some visitors like the Finnish sauna, aroma steam room and ice bath after a long trip, but ask first whether your access includes them. If you are pregnant or have a heart condition, check with a doctor before using heat or cold.