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Doha will be a hot global tourist destination in the next few days with the Qatari capital hosting an array of events, from the inaugural arrival of Celestyal Cruises’ Celestyal Journey to the Qatar F1 Grand Prix.
“It will be the busiest week ever in Qatar, since the World Cup in 2022, ” said one Visit Qatar insider, with the World Cup being the most successful event ever held in the tiny nation of just 3 million people, the majority of whom (about 92 per cent) live in the capital.
While it has made its money from pearls, then oil and gas, tourism is now high on the agenda for Doha authorities with the Grand Cruise Terminal signing Celestyal Cruises for the next three years, with Celestyal Journey making its debut in Doha later this week.
The Grand Cruise Terminal, completed in 2022, is at the end of a 3.2km causeway stretching into the semicircular Doha Bay, behind the Fruit Tingle-coloured Mina district, and visible from The Corniche – Doha’s 7.2km long waterfront promenade.
Celestyal Cruises has secured Doha as a home port for the next three years, showing the line’s commitment to the region which it has identified as the next hot new global cruise destination, including for Australians passengers.
Doha, Qatar is enjoying its biggest week in tourism since hosting the World Cup in 2022. Photo: Grant Jones
Celestyal Journey‘s maiden voyage in the Arabian Gulf is a seven-night Desert Days and Qatar Grand Prix cruise, sailing roundtrip from Doha departing 30 November 2024.
The voyage will be in Doha port for the first three days to cover the Qatar Grand Prix at the Lusail circuit, which will include a concert performance by Maroon 5, before passengers on Celestyal Journey enjoy an overnight stay in Dubai Marina with calls at Khasab, Sir Bani Yas Islands and Abu Dhabi.
Celestyal Journey is now offering a Formula 1 cruise on December 6, 2025. Sailing roundtrip from Doha, the seven-day cruise includes the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix as well as calls to Dubai, Sir Bani Yas Island and Bahrain. Priced from $1029pp twin share, with F1 grandstand packages starting from A$1132 for South Grandstand access.
The 219m-long Celestyal Journey carries 1,260 guests and 600 crew, houses seven restaurants, eight bars, two pools, and three hot tubs. In celebrating its first year of cruising, Celestyal Journey served some 85,000 coffees, 60,000 pints of beer, 150,000 cocktails, and 55,000 spirits, plus 20,000 juices and milkshakes were consumed onboard.
Stargazer Penthouse Suite (Exterior) Celestyal Journey.
Joining Celestyal Journey is the cruise line’s newest ship, Celestyal Discovery, which will also chase the sun to the Arabian Gulf for its first winter season from 2025, representing a 30 per cent increase in capacity for the line from 2023-24.
During its maiden Arabian Gulf season in 2025, Celestyal Discovery will homeport in Abu Dhabi and offer rotating three- and four-night itineraries, which can be combined into a seven-night sailing. The cruises will operate from November to March 2025-2026 and 2026-2027.
Celestyal has also introduced a new simplified fare structure, a prepaid food and beverage digital wallet and 47 new cabins to Celestyal Discovery in latest refit, as part of a major over of its offering.
The arrival of Celestyal Journey for the Qatar Formula One Grand Prix on December 1 coincides with other big events, including Legends El Clásico: Real Madrid vs Barcelona, at Khalifia Internation Stadium, today (Thursday).
A historic football match between the legendary players of Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, two of the world’s most iconic football clubs, will feature players including Iker Casillas, David “El Guaje” Villa,
Luis Figo, Patrick Kluivert, Clarence Seedorf, plus Ronaldinho and Rivaldo.
Also on the card today is Misfits Boxing: Qatar The Supercard, delivered in association by Visit Qatar, which will be held at the state-of-the-art Lusail Sports Arena. The highlight is expected to be the MF Middleweight championship epic between Gib and Slim.
Qatar Travel Mart 2023.
Doha has also just hosted Qatar Travel Mart2024, from 25-27 November at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre, which brought together the world’s top destinations to share the latest trends in sports, MICE, business, cultural, leisure, luxury, medical and halal tourism.
Entities such as DMCs, hotels, tour and cruise operators, travel agencies, travel technology companies and associations tourism boards were in attendance as almost 10000 visitors from 60 countries attended the event.
Set amid the West Bay business district in Doha, the DECC is a 47,700sqm space that offers a pillar-free event space of 29,035sqm, which can be divided into five halls ranging between 5,368sqm to 7,160sqm.
Visitors to Doha arrive at Hamad International Airport, awarded “Best Airport in the World” in 2024 by Skytrax, following on from its victory in 2021.
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