Saudi Arabia and Qatar join Cruise Arabia Alliance
In a move that signals the definitive shift from regional competition to strategic consolidation, the Cruise Arabia Alliance has announced a landmark expansion with the formal inclusion of Cruise Saudi and Qatar Tourism.
Cruise Arabia Alliance now presents a unified, six-nation front designed to cement the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) as the world’s most ambitious maritime tourism hub, no longer a loose collection of ports but a formalised cooperative framework.
By aligning the Sultanate of Oman, Saudi Arabia, the State of Qatar, Bahrain, and the UAE’s heavyweights, Abu Dhabi and Dubai, the alliance is effectively rewriting the global cruise playbook.
The expansion is a masterclass in regional diplomacy and economic pragmatism. By integrating the unique portfolios of Saudi Arabia and Qatar into the existing framework, the alliance is strategically positioned to mitigate internal competition. Instead, it leverages the collective geographical proximity and diverse cultural landscapes of the six partners to offer global operators a seamless, high-value itinerary that spans the entire Arabian Peninsula.
For the world’s largest cruise lines, this coordination provides the one thing the industry craves most: stability. The collective investment capability of these six economies ensures that the infrastructure—and the deal flow—supporting this maritime undertaking is backed by sovereign-level commitment.
The alliance’s roadmap is built upon four pillars of development including infrastructure excellence, strategic port investment, joint marketing and operational sophistication. The roadmap puts a big focus on ensuring marine facilities and landside networks can handle the next generation of mega-vessels. Top priorities include upgrading existing facilities to create bespoke terminals that act as premium gateways to their respective nations; presenting a single, powerful Cruise Arabia brand to the global stage, streamlining the path for international passengers; and implementing smart technology and unified standards to expedite passenger processing and security, ensuring the guest journey is frictionless across borders.
Oman has been a vocal proponent of this expansion. Azzan bin Qasim al Busaidi, Undersecretary for Tourism in the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, highlighted that this strengthened cooperation is a vital asset for Oman’s own diversification goals. By guaranteeing a wide variety of unique programmes and cultural experiences, the alliance ensures that the Sultanate remains a permanent, high-value fixture on the global cruise map.
This expansion is more than a tourism play; it is a tangible manifestation of the region’s broader shift away from hydrocarbon dependence. By sharing best practices in green port operations and promoting environmentally responsible itineraries, the Cruise Arabia Alliance is positioning the Gulf as a living laboratory for sustainable maritime innovation.
Qatar named Favourite Cruise Destination
Qatar Tourism has announced that the State of Qatar was named Favourite Cruise Destination at the Wave Awards 2025, one of the United Kingdom’s leading events celebrating the cruise and travel industry.
The accolade was presented during a ceremony held late last year in London, underscoring Qatar’s growing position as a preferred cruise destination for international travellers.
Earlier this year, Qatar Tourism announced the launch of the 2025/2026 cruise season with the arrival of the luxury vessel MSC Euribia at the Doha Port Cruise Terminal. The season, running from November 2025 to May 2026, is expected to see 72 cruise calls, including 40 transit calls, 15 turnaround calls, and three inaugural visits to Qatar.
Omar Abdulrahman Al Jaber, Chief of the Tourism Development Sector at Qatar Tourism, said: “This recognition reflects Qatar’s growing status as a leading and preferred cruise destination in the region and globally. It reaffirms travellers’ confidence in the high-quality cultural and maritime experiences the country offers, supported by advanced infrastructure and a rich selection of leisure options that make Doha an essential stop on regional and international cruise itineraries. At Qatar Tourism, we remain committed to developing our offerings and enhancing visitor experiences to ensure Qatar’s position as one of the world’s foremost cruise destinations is further strengthened in the years ahead.”