Located at the south-eastern corner of the Arabian peninsula, Qatar is fast emerging as a prominent cruise destination in the winter season, not least due to the opening of the new Grand Cruise Terminal in 2022.

The deluxe new terminal can welcome up to 12,000 passengers per day, with dual terminals serving two berths. The elegant Arabic-style design features 1,174 arches.

Covering more than 24,000 square metres, the terminal offers passengers seamless immigration and customs services, foreign exchange services, taxi and bus stands, a duty-free shop, café, specially designed waiting areas for cruise passengers and staff, and other tourist information services.

Passengers arrive and depart via stunning glass tunnels that feature the region’s largest aquarium.

The aquarium is located between the two terminals in the centre of the building and within City Gallery, which is open to the general public and surrounded by gardens outside. Open-air events can also be hosted on the large terrace stretching across both terminals.

Qatar predicts bumper 2023/24 season

Strategically located in the heart of Doha, the Grand Cruise Terminal is close to a few of the city’s most popular tourist attractions, such as the Corniche, the Museum of Islamic Art, the National Museum of Qatar, Msheireb Downtown and Souq Waqif, the traditional market.

The terminal is also adjacent to Mina District, home to winding lanes and colourful buildings in pink, orange, teal, blue and yellow. The district is home to shops selling clothes, beauty products, paintings, oud or perfume, fishing equipment and more.

Food lovers can take their pick from a wide range of restaurants and cafes – including Chabrat Al Mina, the fish restaurant located in the fresh fish market in Mina District.

For the 2022 calendar year, Qatar Tourism forecasts more than 200,000 cruise visitors and 95 calls. Confirmed cruise lines include MSC Cruises, Costa Cruises and Ponant, among others.

Looking forward to the 2023/24 season, Qatar anticipates a wider variety of cruise lines calling into Qatar, including small luxury ships from operators such as Windstar Cruises and Oceania Cruises.

The rise of Qatar’s cruising industry follows on the heels of the world’s largest sporting event, the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, which put the country on the map for billions of avid fans around the world.

During the tournament, Qatar hosted three cruise ships – MSC Europa, which also had its official naming ceremony in Doha – MSC Poseia and MSC Opera.

Thousands of football fans stayed on the ships during the World Cup, providing an opportunity for those who’d never before set foot on a ship to experience a taste of cruising.

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