Friday 20 / September / 2024
Cruise tourism continues to grow in Muscat as the tour operators and agents here are abuzz with a wide range of international cruise packages for the coming summer. Now the focus is shifting to international options as the cruise season in Middle East is coming to an end. The cruise lines react to the demands of their passengers and there is much demand for the Mediterranean and Alaska packages, travel agents in Muscat say. This is the time of the year where they make their biggest revenues is summer and that’s because of Europe and Alaska.
On a cruise, you unpack once and your floating hotel takes you from city to city or from island to island. Every morning, you'll wake up in a new place. From tots to teens, grandparents to grandkids, family cruises are fun for all ages. According to Rajeev Thomas, Assistant Manager, Holidays, Eihab Travels LLC, the ideal cruise ship for one person may be a mega-ship outfitted with onboard rock-climbing walls and outdoor movie theatres, while another will prefer an intimate ship with an upscale ambience. “Cruise ships are like floating cities with everything you could possibly want onboard. Today's vessels are outfitted with Wi-Fi, cell service and satellite TV so you can stay in touch with the real world during your cruise.”
“Eihab Travels offers the most modern and exciting world-class cruise, with exciting destinations and wide choice of itineraries, committed to quality service, efficient infrastructure, and highest safety standards. We offer an exciting yet affordable range of local and international cruises to cater for your every desire,” he said.
Khimji’s House of Travel also offers several attractive summer itineraries for cruise enthusiasts through Costa Cruises as well as other well-known cruise companies. Clients can choose from 7 to 12 night itineraries covering different parts of the world. Most popular are Costa’s Mediterranean cruises starting from, Barcelona, Rome or Venice and covering Spain, France, and Italy. Costa Cruises is the only cruise company to operate Mediterranean cruises throughout the year.
For those who have dreamt of visiting Russia, Costa Cruise offers beautiful itineraries to Northern Europe starting from Copenhagen or Stockholm covering Denmark, Finland, Germany, Sweden, and Russia. If one books the on-shore excursions through the cruise ship then the visit visa to Russia for the tours, is taken care of by Costa Cruises.
Cruise ships offer a range of cabins starting from inside cabins on lower decks to suites in the upper decks. Clients can make a choice that suits their budget. Rates start as low as OMR280 per person in a double sharing cabin and include accommodation and all three meals.
Families who are keen on a holiday completely focused on kids can opt for the enchanting Disney Cruises. With breathtaking interiors, realistic Disney characters and fantastic Disney entertainment offered every day, the Disney cruise line is an absolute “dream come true” for kids and adults alike.
Disney cruises also offers the popular Mediterranean and Northern Europe cruises. One can get within reach of Europe’s most storied cities as the ship sails to the Renaissance city of Livorno (Florence, Pisa), Italy and Civitavecchia, the port closest to Rome. For those who opt for sunshine and beautiful beaches, Disney offers the natural reefs of Grand Cayman and Cozumel to the decadent shopping in St. Maarten. The excitement does not end there as the itinerary also includes a visit to Disney’s very own private island paradise, Castaway Cay. Rates start as low as OMR568 per person in a double sharing cabin and offers accommodation, all free meals and entertainment onboard. [email protected]
Popular Options
Western Mediterranean
7 nights/8 days
Cruise starting from Barcelona in Spain or starting from Civitavecchia in Italy.
Ports of Call: Barcelona, Palma De Mallorca, Marseilles (Provence), La Spezia (Florence/Pisa), Rome (Civitavecchia), Naples (Capri), Barcelona.
Rates starting from OMR520 ($1,349) per person
Bahwan Tourism
bahwantravels.com
+968 9923 1184
[email protected]
Norwegian Star
9 nights Baltic Capital Cruise
Sailing 2016: May 8, 24; June 2, 25; July 4, 13, 22, 31; Aug. 9, 18; Sept. 5.
Ports of Call: Copenhagen, Berlin, (Warnemunde), Tallinn, St Petersburg, Helsinki, Stockholm, Copenhagen.
Rates starting from OMR486 onwards
Norwegian Pearl/Jewel
7 nights Glacier Bay/Sawyer Glacier
Sailing 2016: May 7, 14, 15, 21, 22, 29, 29; June 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, 26; July 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24, 30, 31; Aug. 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, 28; Sept. 3, 4, 10, 11, 18.
Ports of Call: Seattle, Washington, Juneau, Alaska, Skagway, Cruise Glacier Bay, Ketchikan, Victoria, British Colombia, Seattle, Washington.
Rates starting from OMR312 onwards.
Harmony of the Seas
7 nights Western Mediterranean Cruise
Sailing every Sunday from June 12 to Oct. 16.
Ports of Call: Barcelona, Palma De Mallorca, Marseilles, Florence/Pisa (La Spezia), Rome (Civitavecchia), Naples/Capri, Barcelona.
Rates starting from OMR521 onwards
Vision of the Seas
Greek Isles 7 nights Cruise
Sailing 2016: May 7, 21; June 4, 18; July 2, 30; Aug. 13, 27; Sept. 10, 24; Oct. 8, 22; Nov. 5, 19.
Ports of Call: Venice, Kotor, Corfu, Athens (Piraeus), Mykonos, Argostoli, Venice.
Rates starting from OMR298 onwards.
lPrice range is per person in Rial Omani based on double occupancy in an interior stateroom and excludes port charges, taxes, and service charges. These prices are subject to availability and may increase without notice.
Eihab Travels LLC
eihabtravels.com
+ 968 2468 3900, Fax: + 968 2468 3901
[email protected]
Costa Cruises and Disney Cruises
Mediterranean cruises and Northern Europe
Khimji’s House of Travel
khimjishouseoftravel.com
+968 9804 9431
[email protected]
