Doha Port held a ceremony on Saturday, November, 30th marking the arrival of Celestyal Journey, which signalled the start to Qatar’s 2024/25 cruise season. 

The ship docked on November 28th as part of its inaugural Arabian Gulf homeporting season, which features several dozen 7-night itineraries, highlighting Qatar’s growing appeal as a regional cruise destination.

Qatar’s upcoming cruise season will feature 95 cruise calls at Doha Port, including 33 turnaround calls, 11 homeporting operations, and five maiden visits. 

Representatives from Qatar Tourism, Mwani Qatar, and local and international media attended a ceremony to welcome Celestyal Cruises to the country. 

Guests were treated to a traditional Ardah performance and displays of local crafts, showcasing Qatar’s cultural heritage.

“The arrival of Celestyal Journey at Doha Port marks a significant milestone in our partnership with Celestyal and further solidifies Qatar’s position as a premier destination in the Arabian Gulf,” said Omar Al Jaber, Chief of the Tourism Development Sector at Qatar Tourism. “Homeporting from Doha, this collaboration highlights the growing appeal of Qatar as a gateway to unique cultural and travel experiences.” 

Celestyal Journey will operate throughout the Arabian Gulf, offering passengers 7-night itineraries sailing roundtrip from Doha. 

The ship features premium accommodations, including junior suites with modern amenities, designed to provide a comfortable travel experience. There are also seven restaurants and cafes, three pools, a kids club, and a full-scale theatre offering nightly cabaret-style performances.

Celestyal Cruises has signed a three-year homeporting agreement with Doha Port.

“The selection of Doha Port as the homeport for the Celestyal Journey reflects the growing confidence in Qatar’s world-class maritime infrastructure and aligns with the nation’s vision of enhancing sustainable tourism while boosting the sector’s contribution to the national economy,” said Abdulrahman Saad Al Baker, Manager of Doha Port.

Lee Haslett, Chief Commercial Officer at Celestyal, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership with Qatar. “We’re incredibly excited to see our first ever Arabian Gulf season get underway. I would like to thank our partners at Qatar Tourism, Mwani Qatar and Qatar Airways for their continued support and warm welcome to the region,” he said.Qatar’s 2024/25 cruise season is set to deliver robust growth, with additional ships such as Costa Smeralda and MSC Euribia expected to bring thousands of visitors to the country, further solidifying Qatar’s position as a prominent destination for cruise tourism in the Arabian Gulf.