Doha

The new two-berth terminal can handle 6.000 guests from large ships at the same time. Nearby luxury marinas suit smaller ships, with long-term plans for a dedicated smaller luxury-ship facility.

The Grand Terminal has two terminals around a central area containing arrival and departure halls, taxi and bus stands, specially designed waiting areas for guests and staff, and other tourist information services. Its façade reflects traditional Arab architecture through 1154 arches. An aquarium between the terminals at the centre creates a distinctive passage for guests.

Shuttle buses carry tourists into the city centre; whether they are paid or free depends on the cruise line.

Shuttles take tourists to Souq Waqif Square, home to a traditional oriental bazaar, in about 20 minutes; heavy night traffic may make the journey longer.

Doha, Qatar’s Persian Gulf capital, has a population of 370,000 and major oil and fishing industries. Nearby Education City is devoted to research and education.

Like other Persian Gulf Region cities, Doha combines old and new. Fine modern architecture stands alongside traditional Arabic Souqs (bazaars) and more than 260 mosques, with the multiple-domed Grande Mosque the largest. Its harbour remains a busy international port for modern commerce, while the traditional Dhow harbour is a popular attraction. Western-style nightlife is confined to international hotels, with state of the art bars and discotheques; local nightlife centres on shi-sha venues and coffee houses. The shi-sha is the Arabian water…

Al-Corniche is Doha’s defining sight. Landfill carefully shaped Doha Bay into an attractive crescent, edged by shaded paths, cycle tracks, the Al-Bandar restaurant complex, the Pearl Monument, moored dhows, a park and fine views. Heritage House, a restored 1935 building once an ethnographic museum, gives the best view of the badghir (wind tower). It is no longer officially public, but the friendly Qatari Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Agriculture staff now using it are sure to…

A popular outing is a small boat trip from the Corniche near the Sheraton to Palm Tree Island in Doha Bay. It remains a nature reserve and is bare except for 2 trees, which are not palms.

Cruise ship passengers can now obtain free 96-hour transit visas.

The classic option, if you have not done it before, is hiring a jeep to drive across the desert dunes. Expect to pay several hundred Qatari rials, and a minimum of four people may be required. Receptionists at international hotels can advise you and arrange a driver.

Doha has abundant shopping. Although few crafts are locally produced, its souqs and malls provide plenty of choice. In traditional souqs, shopkeepers commonly spend time with customers whether they buy or browse; despite crowds, they are safe to visit and bargaining is expected. Souqs normally trade 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. The City Center Shopping Mall is among the Middle East’s largest shopping palaces, with 350 shops, tented architecture, marble floors and glass…

U.S. Dollars are widely accepted. Qatar uses the Qatari riyal (QAR) as its national currency, with a dollar peg of QR 3.65 to US $1.

Arabic, especially the Gulf dialect, is the official language; English is the most widely used second language.

Shopping hours are generally Sat-Thurs 0800-1200 and 1600-1900 or later. Malls stay open until 2100 or 2200, while some shops close on Friday.