30 cruise ships to bring over 150,000 visitors this year

A total of 30 cruise ships are set to visit the Ports of Oman in 2023, bringing over 150,000 passengers to the shores of the Sultanate, according to the Oman Ports Authority.

The ports scheduled to receive these ships include the Port Sultan Qaboos in Muttrah, ports in Khasab and Salalah.

The cruise liners Costa Toscana, Aidacosma, MSC Opera, Mein Schiff 6, Queen Mary 2, and Norwegian Jade are among those scheduled to make port calls in Oman in 2023.

Ejaz Kazi, General Manager of the Oman Ports Authority, stated that Oman’s economy as well as businesses that rely on cruise tourism will greatly benefit from these port calls.

“It is a glad news that many vessels are visiting the Sultanate during the season of 2023 and I’m pretty much sure that the ports, businesses that rely on cruise tourism and the economy as a whole will be greatly benefitted out of this,” Kazi said.

The event ‘Let’s Cruise’, organised by E-travel, showcased multiple cruise options within the Gulf region with a special focus on Oman, offering a valuable insight into the world of cruising.

Fabian Fernandez, of Beyond Borders, which represents Costa

Cruises and other charter cruises, noted that cruising has become increasingly popular in the region thanks to the support offered by governments, particularly Oman’s policy of opening up its ports to cruise liners.

With holiday plans on the rise after two years of Covid restrictions, the event offered a welcome glimpse into a relatively untapped market for cruising in Oman, offering refreshing getaways for holiday-starved travellers.