The arrival of Seabourn Encore ship on Thursday marked the start of the 2017/2018 cruise season in the country, Qatar Ports Management Company (Mwani Qatar) has announced.
In a statement, Mwani Qatar, operator of the state’s commercial and touristic ports, said the cruise season will see the arrival of 21 cruise ships at the Doha Port. 
Five ships - TUI Mein Schiff 5, MSC Splendida, EUROPA 2, Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity - will make their maiden calls to Qatar.
All the ships scheduled for this cruise season, which will run until April 2018, will be in Qatar from early morning and departing at 6pm for their other destinations in the Gulf region.
Mwani Qatar has taken all the required measures to ensure the success of the new season and provide the best services for passengers and vessels visiting the port, in co-ordination with Qatar Tourism Authority, Ministry of Interior, and General Authority of Customs.



Seabourn Encore is berthed at Doha Port on Thursday.

Mwani Qatar noted that the success achieved in the 2016-2017 season has increased the attractiveness of Qatar as an important tourist destination in the region, prompting more international shipping lines to include Qatar on their destinations.
“This season will witness the arrival of two of world's largest cruise ships, the TUI Mein Schiff 5 (3,820 passengers) and MSC Splendida (4,000 passengers),” Mwani Qatar said. “This confirms Doha Port's status and its ability to receive all cruise ship types, following the success achieved last season in receiving the giant cruise ship MSC Fantasia.”
The 600-passenger Encore is due to return to Doha Port later on April 11 and 24, 2018. 
Seabourn Encore is one of the world's newest and most luxurious cruise ships with 300 suites, all with private verandas offering complimentary butler service. 
The ship also offers other facilities such as a panoramic fitness centre, spa, showrooms, duty-free shops and many more.
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