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Muscat ranks in world’s top 10 most beautiful cruise ports
Oman’s Port Sultan Qaboos only Middle East entry in AllClear top 20 ranking
Muscat’s Port Sultan Qaboos in Oman has captured global acclaim, earning a spot as the ninth most beautiful cruise port in the world according to a new eye-tracking study by AllClear travel insurance.
Muscat shares its ninth-place ranking with Ege Port in Kusadasi, Turkiye, both scoring 74 out of 100, while Valletta’s Unesco-listed Grand Harbour in Malta secured the top spot.
The findings, based on eye-tracking technology that measured how rapidly and for how long travellers focused on each destination, put Muscat as the only Middle Eastern port in the top 20.
Muscat’s Port Sultan Qaboos is increasingly a jumping off point for Arabian Gulf and Indian Ocean itineraries, drawing more cruise lines as lines such as Celestyal and MSC ramp up regional sailings and new entrants such as Aroya Cruises prepare to debut.
Arriving into Muscat by sea is a striking experience. The port is dramatically framed by the craggy Al Hajar Mountains, with sweeping coastal views setting the stage for whitewashed buildings scattered along the waterfront.
Passengers disembark near the Sultan’s Al Alam Palace — a royal residence echoing shades of blue reminiscent of Greek island towns – while traditional souqs, mosques and centuries-old forts immediately anchor travellers in Oman’s rich heritage.
As ships dock, travellers are afforded panoramic views of Muscat’s shoreline, with mountains on one side, bustling markets and historic neighborhoods on the other.
The proximity to Muttrah Souq lets visitors immerse themselves in local life and crafts, before exploring the Sultan’s Palace, its gardens, the Grand Mosque, or venturing on a sunset cruise to take in the Omani coast’s dramatic beauty.
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European ports dominate the top 20
Beyond Muscat, European ports dominate the top 20 rankings, with 11 entries, including Valletta’s Unesco-listed Grand Harbour in Malta (#1), Palermo Cruise Terminal in Sicily (#3) and Stockholm’s Stadsgarden (#4) among the highest-ranked.
Outside Europe, Ushuaia in Argentina took second spot thanks to its backdrop of snow-covered peaks, while in fifth place, Nassau Cruise Port in the Bahamas offers passengers a picture-perfect arrival with its turquoise waters and pastel-coloured buildings, all framed with tropical palm trees.
Aruba, Sydney, and Quebec City also made the top 10.
Top 10 Most Beautiful Cruise Ports in the world
- Valletta Cruise Port – Valletta, Malta
- Port of Ushuaia – Ushuaia, Argentina
- Port of Palermo – Palermo, Italy
- Stadsgården Cruise Terminal – Stockholm, Sweden
- Nassau Cruise Port – Nassau, Bahamas
- Aruba Cruise Terminal – Oranjestad, Aruba
- Lisbon Cruise Port – Lisbon, Portugal
- Overseas Passenger Terminal, Sydney, Australia
- Port Sultan Qaboos, Muscat, Oman and Ege Port, Kușadası in Turkiye
- Port of Gruž, Dubrovnik, Croatia
For more information, visit www.allcleartravel.co.uk
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