German cruise ship AIDAprima docks at Doha Port

AIDAprima

Today, on December 12, Doha Port welcomed the cruise ship 'AIDAprima,' marking the commencement of the 2023/24 cruise season. The vessel, operated by AIDA Cruises and flying the Italian flag, boasts impressive dimensions at 300 meters in length and 37.6 meters in width.

AIDAprima, featuring 18 passenger decks and 1,643 staterooms, has a substantial capacity of over 3,300 passengers, solidifying its status as one of the largest ships in the AIDA Cruises' fleet.

Mwani Qatar has projected a total of 81 cruise arrivals at Old Doha Port for this season, with eight ships making their debut calls to Qatar. The cruise lineup for the season, extending until April 25, 2024, includes renowned vessels such as AIDAprima, MSC Virtuosa, Costa Toscana, Norwegian Dawn, MS Riviera, Silver Moon, MS Hamburg, Seabourn Encore, Queen Mary 2, and Artania.

In the previous cruise season (2022/23), Qatar witnessed a substantial surge, welcoming 253,191 cruise visitors from December 2022 to March 2023—an impressive 151% increase from the preceding season. The 2022/23 cruise season featured 54 calls, encompassing both transit and turnaround activities, indicating a remarkable 59% growth from the previous year.

The new passenger terminal at Doha Port, designed to accommodate up to 12,000 people daily, plays a pivotal role in enhancing the cruise experience. Its strategic location brings visitors closer to some of Qatar's most popular attractions.