Costa Smerelda 2024/25 Arabian Gulf season positions Oman as key destination

Khimji Ramdas Shipping LLC (KR Shipping), a leading shipping and multimodal logistics service provider in Oman, has played a key role in facilitating the home-porting season of Costa Smeralda in the Arabian Gulf since her debut in the region in 2021, contributing to Oman’s growing importance as a regional cruise hub.

Costa Smeralda called in Oman on December 19th, 2024, after completing a transcontinental voyage from the Mediterranean via Africa. The ship operated one-week round-trip itineraries from Dubai throughout the season, calling in Muscat, Doha, and Abu Dhabi.

On March 3rd, 2025, Costa Smerelda departed Muscat on a 37-day repositioning voyage to Genoa, Italy, with scheduled port calls in Mauritius, South Africa, Namibia, the Canary Islands, Morocco, Spain, and France.

KR Shipping was instrumental in managing Costa Smeralda’s operations at Port Sultan Qaboos in Muscat, ensuring smooth port services and logistical support, contributing to Oman’s broader strategy to position itself as a premier cruise destination in the region.

“The successful conclusion of Costa Smeralda’s maiden season in Oman reinforces the Sultanate’s growing appeal as a global cruise tourism destination,” Malvika Khimji, Director of Khimji Ramdas, told Times of Oman. “As Oman’s cruise industry continues to expand, Khimji Ramdas Shipping remains committed to contributing to its diversification.” 

“Our well-trained national staff managed Costa Smeralda’s port call, ensuring a seamless experience for passengers aboard. We are honoured to have handled the port operations for this prestigious vessel during its scheduled calls to Muscat,” he added.

With Oman welcoming an increasing number of cruise ships, KR Shipping has strengthened its role in the industry, handling 35 of the 66 cruise calls at Port Sultan Qaboos in the 2024/25 season—more than 50% of total cruise traffic in Muscat. 

This level of engagement positions the company as a key enabler of Oman’s cruise sector expansion.

Built in 2019 by Meyer Turku in Finland, Costa Smerelda was the first LNG-powered cruise ship in the Costa Cruises fleet, and the largest ever operated by the line, carrying 6,600 passengers and 1,678 crew. Alongside MSC World Europa and AIDAnova, which have previously homeported in the region, she is one of the largest cruise ships to sail in the Arabian Gulf, reflecting the significant growth of the sector, especially Oman.

Oman’s cruise industry has seen steady growth, with Port Sultan Qaboos serving as a key gateway for international cruise itineraries. The sultanate’s strategic location, rich cultural heritage, and expanding port infrastructure continue to attract major cruise lines. 

KR Shipping is hoping to play an increasingly pivotal role in Oman’s maritime tourism development.

As the regional cruise market evolves, partnerships between shipping service providers and cruise operators will be instrumental in sustaining growth and enhancing Oman’s position as a premier destination for global cruise lines.