Costa Cruises has confirmed that it will be offering Doha in Qatar as a homeport, in addition to Dubai and Abu Dhabi, for the 2023/24 cruise season in the Arabian Gulf.

Costa Cruises’ Flight & Cruise offer for its European home markets will be expanded to include departuresfrom Doha aboard Costa Toscana.

As an example, a round-trip Paris-Doha flight with Qatar Airways, one night in a 5-star hotel and a week-long cruise aboard Costa Toscana out of Doha is being offered for €1456 per person, including tax.

Costa Toscana

Costa Toscana is homeporting in the Arabian Gulf from November, 2023 to March, 2024, sailing 7-night roundtrip cruises primarily from Dubai, with passengers able to opt to board and disembark in either Abu Dhabi or Doha as well.

The itineraries feature all three cities as ports of call, in addition to Muscat in Oman. Costa Cruises previously used to visit Sir Bani Yas Island off Abu Dhabi as well, but this year she will instead spend two nights in port in Dubai instead of one.

This gives passengers more time to explore the city and decide between ascending the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, explore the vibrant souks of Deira, take an abra ride on the historic Dubai Creek, visit the iconic Palm Jumeirah, or indulge in a desert safari adventure.

Souq Waqif, Doha

Costa Toscana also stays longer in port in Abu Dhabi, departing at midnight, giving passengers the opportunity to explore the city ​​with its grand mosque and imposing skyscrapers. Seeing the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque at night is particularly impressive.

Doha meanwhile is a city of contemporary and avant-garde architecture, and landmarks such as the Museum of Islamic Art home to a vast collection of Islamic art spanning 1,400 years.

The West Bay skyscraper district is a spectacular urban landscape, juxtaposed against Souq Waqif, a traditional souk teeming with shops selling spices, carpets, jewellery, traditional clothes and authentic Qataridishes.

Mutrah Fort, Muscat

Oman is home to the majestic mountains of Jebel Shams and the tranquil beauty of Wadi Shab. In its capital, Muscat, guests will find the architectural marvels of Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, as well as the Mutrah Corniche and Souq, Royal Opera House, and Bait Al Zubair Museum showcasing the country’s heritage.