DOHA: Qatar Sunday kicked off the 2025/26 cruise season at the Old Doha Port, welcoming MSC Euribia, operated by MSC Cruises, carrying 5,000 passengers and a crew of 1,676 members.
One of the newest and largest vessels in the MSC fleet, MSC Euribia spans 331m in length and 43m in width, accommodating up to 6,327 guests and is powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) for cleaner, more sustainable voyages, Mwani Qatar said.
Throughout the season, which runs until May 2026, the ship will make 22 scheduled calls at The Terminal, managed by Mwani Qatar—reaffirming Qatar’s growing prominence as a premier destination on the global cruise tourism map.
Industry Growth and Strategic Location
Qatar has established itself as one of the most sought-after luxury cruise destinations in the Arabian Gulf’s winter cruise season. Mwani Qatar plays a key role in supporting this growth by managing the redevelopment of the port and its facilities.
Terminal Facilities: Doha port offers a wide range of passenger facilities, including seamless immigration, customs, foreign exchange, taxi and bus stands, city bus tours, Qatar Duty Free, a café, and waiting areas.
Previous Success: Qatar’s 2024/25 cruise season welcomed more than 396,000 visitors aboard 87 cruise ships, marking a 5% jump in visitors and a 19% rise in vessel calls against the previous season.
Strategic Location: The Doha Port’s cruise terminal is strategically located minutes away from key attractions such as the National Museum of Qatar and Souq Waqif, allowing cruise passengers to make the most of their time in the city.
Saad bin Ali al-Kharji, chairman of Qatar Tourism, noted that the Grand Cruise Terminal symbolises Qatar’s commitment to excellence, adding that the last season “has exceeded all expectations breaking the records of visitors and cruise ships from previous seasons.”
Qatar Tourism plans to strengthen its collaborations with more international cruise lines, which is vital for driving further growth in the tourism sector and contributing to Qatar’s economic diversification efforts. (GT)
For more details: Navamalayalam.com
