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A cruise ship berthed at the Dubai Harbour terminal below the towers of Dubai Marina at dusk

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Cruise Ports and Terminals of the Middle East

The cruise ports of the Middle East include some of the most modern terminals afloat, from Dubai Harbour and Abu Dhabi to Doha's Grand Cruise Terminal and Istanbul's Galataport. Here is what to expect at each, and how to make the most of a Middle East cruise call.

Updated

At a glance

Cruise Ports and Terminals at a glance

Gulf cruise season
About November to April
Eastern Mediterranean season
April to November
Dubai terminals
Dubai Harbour and Mina Rashid
Tip
Allow a night or two ashore before or after your voyage

Arriving by sea

Gulf terminals were built for large modern ships and are generally efficient, air-conditioned and close to the city. In the Eastern Mediterranean, the ports of Istanbul and Limassol put you steps from great hotels and restaurants. Which ships call each season varies; see Middle East cruise lines for the current picture.

For commercial harbors, including the Port of Fujairah, see our ports guide.

Cruise ships berthed at the port of Doha, seen across the calm water of Doha Bay from the waterfront promenade.
Photo: Alena Belova for Exhibo · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Leading cruise terminals

The leading cruise terminals

Dubai Harbour Cruise Terminal

Dubai, UAE

A striking terminal beside Palm Jumeirah and the Dubai Harbour marina, close to the beach hotels and Dubai Marina.

Mina Rashid (Hamdan bin Mohammed Cruise Terminal)

Dubai, UAE

One of the largest cruise terminals in the world, in the Port Rashid district near old Dubai and the Queen Elizabeth 2.

Official site ↗

Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal

Mina Zayed, Abu Dhabi

Run by AD Ports Group, a modern terminal a short drive from the Corniche, the Grand Mosque and Saadiyat's museums.

Official site ↗
Seasonal

Sir Bani Yas Island

Abu Dhabi, UAE

An island nature reserve with a dedicated beach for cruise guests, wildlife drives and quiet swimming.

Doha Grand Cruise Terminal

Doha, Qatar

An elegant terminal at Doha Port, steps from the Corniche, Souq Waqif and the Museum of Islamic Art.

Official site ↗
Seasonal

Khalifa Bin Salman Port cruise berth

Bahrain

Bahrain's cruise calls use the main port, with Manama's souq, forts and the Bahrain National Museum a short drive away.

Port Sultan Qaboos

Muscat, Oman

A beautiful harbor in old Muttrah, beside the souq and corniche, with mountains rising behind the city.

Seasonal

Khasab

Musandam, Oman

A small port at the gateway to the fjords, where guests board traditional dhows for the day.

Jeddah Islamic Port cruise terminal

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Home port of Aroya Cruises, close to Al Balad, Jeddah's historic quarter.

Official site ↗

Port of Aqaba cruise terminal

Aqaba, Jordan

The call for Petra and Wadi Rum, with excursions running a full day inland.

Seasonal

Safaga and Ain Sokhna

Egypt

Red Sea calls for Luxor and Cairo respectively, often used on Red Sea and Suez voyages.

Alexandria Cruise Terminal

Alexandria, Egypt

Egypt's great Mediterranean port, now an embarkation point for selected Aroya voyages with overnights for Cairo and the Pyramids.

Galataport Istanbul

Karaköy, Istanbul

An underground terminal beneath a waterfront promenade of museums, cafes and shops, on the Bosphorus facing the old city.

Official site ↗
Seasonal

Kuşadası and Bodrum

Türkiye

Aegean calls for Ephesus and the Bodrum peninsula.

Limassol Cruise Terminal

Limassol, Cyprus

A modern terminal close to the old town and Limassol Marina.

Making the most of a port call

Book a private guide or car for long excursions such as Petra from Aqaba or Luxor from Safaga. Dress modestly for mosque visits, and check whether Friday hours affect sights. Arrive early or stay on: Dubai's luxury hotels, Doha, Muscat and Istanbul all reward a few extra days.

If one city stays with you, our Dubai Luxury Real Estate guide covers buying a home and the golden visa.

Ultra-Luxury Real Estate · Own Here

From a stay to a home of your own

Across the Middle East, the finest resorts and the finest homes now sit side by side, and many international buyers own before they ever visit.

Ultra-Luxury Tourism & Ultra-Luxury Real Estate

Luxury Real Estate in the Middle EastEvery guide, country by country.The 66 TerritoriesEach with its Founding Partner Agency and Developer.Branded ResidencesHomes run to the standard of the world's finest hotels.Can Foreigners Buy Property?The rules in all fourteen countries.

Checked October 2026. Prices and dates are approximate and can change. See our standard.