Doha: The Grand Cruise Terminal of the renovated Old Doha Port will witness its first arrival this Thursday, November 10, 2022, when the MSC World Europa is expected to arrive. This is the first of three cruises that will serve as floating hotels for World Cup visitors.
The about-to-be-inaugurated Grand Cruise Terminal will ensure marine access to Doha and the Gulf during the World Cup and beyond.
Named one of the world’s most beautiful cruise terminals by Forbes, the Doha Port’s Grand Cruise Terminal honours traditional Arab architecture and restores the historic link between Doha and its sea.
With its 24,000 square meters built-up area, the terminal is also exceptional in its open terraces, located on the first-floor level. These spaces can be used for separate events to provide additional commercial revenue, and during the off-season when there are no ship movements, they can be integrated with the first-floor halls of the terminal, thus generating more flexibility in the use of the building. The halls on the ground level can also function as exhibition centres.
Passengers using the facility will experience a trip through an aquarium to discover local fish types and through a city gallery that introduces them to miniature models of main landmarks in Doha. In order for this experience to be fairly shared between the passengers of both mega-ships, the aquarium and the city gallery are located between the two terminals at the centre of the building.
According to Qatar Tourism, the terminal is expected to receive more than 300,000 tourists annually.
