Become immersed in the local lifestyle by exploring a variety of revealing landmarks, an experience that will offer a true picture of Qatar. For the ultimate thrill, you will race through the desert in a 4WD vehicle – an adventure known as sand dune bashing – and ride a camel across the desert landscape for a more traditional experience. A picturesque drive through the capital of Doha will present the modern side of Qatar, while browsing the museums will leave you will a historical understanding of the country.

DAY 1

After disembarking from the ship and collecting luggage, you will begin driving along one of Doha’s most iconic attractions, the Corniche, a long promenade overlooking the waterfront. With its crescent-shaped walkway around Doha Bay, the Corniche offers the best views of the city’s modern skyline, making it a favorite gathering place. You will stop to take in the impressive views of Doha’s skyline and watch the daily training procession of camels on the lawns in front of the Amiri Diwan governmental center.

Continuing on, you will pass the gleaming towers of West Bay and on to the Pearl Qatar, an island created with reclaimed land that now features marinas, hotels, shopping and restaurants. You will stop for photos at the Porto Arabia boardwalk overlooking the marina.

Afterwards, you will browse the National Museum of Qatar. The museum, designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Jean Nouvel, draws its inspiration from and recreates the naturally occurring crystal formations of the desert rose. Built around Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim Al-Thani’s original palace, and the seat of government for 25 years, the National Museum of Qatar gives voice to Qatar’s heritage while celebrating its future.

Exhibits detail the formation of its earliest cities of Qatar and chart the country’s history and progress through the centuries by combining historical objects and contemporary pieces. Time will be allotted for a stop at the museum gift shop before a 3-course set menu lunch at Jiwan Restaurant at National Museum of Qatar.

Jiwan is named after the Qatari word for the “perfect pearl,” rose-tinted white, completely round with a luster so pure that it comes alive with radiance. Interiors are designed by renowned architect Koichi Takada, who was inspired by Qatar’s unique landscape and heritage. The outdoor terrace enjoys the most impressive views over Doha’s Corniche, giving you a closer connection to the sea. You can also look over the impressive architecture of the National Museum of Qatar and the newly restored Palace of Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim Al-Thani, which represents the heart of Qatari national identity.

After lunch, you will transfer to your hotel for check-in. The remainder of the day will be at your leisure with meals on your own.

DAY 2

After breakfast, enjoy the morning at leisure.

In the afternoon, you will drive from the hotel to Box Park in Dhow Harbor, where you will board a traditional wooden boat called a dhow. As you cruise Doha Bay, you will pass the city’s iconic Corniche waterfront as you head north to The Pearl, a modern and luxurious development on an island made of reclaimed land.

During the cruise, you will indulge in a sumptuous buffet dinner with refreshments. The gentle cruising speed allows for ample time to capture photographs of the city with its famous landmarks and spectacular skyline.

Following the cruise, you will drive back to the hotel for the evening.

DAY 3

After breakfast at the hotel, you will experience the Arabian culture, cuisine and desert. Upon arriving in the Sealine Beach area, you will race through the sand dunes in a 4-WD vehicle, an experience known as dune bashing. You will also ride through the desert on a camel before stopping for a traditional BBQ lunch at an authentic waterfront desert camp.

Afterwards, you will drive back to the hotel for the evening.

DAY 4

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before checking out and transferring to the Hamad International Airport according to your departure flight schedule. Check-out time is 12:00pm. A luggage storage facility is available at the hotel if you are leaving on a later flight.

Land Program Details Step by Step

•The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. All program timings are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change.

•Itineraries with the most up-to-date details will be issued when you are emailed your final cruise documents 21 days prior to sailing. Final itineraries with updated details will be provided by the Destination Services Team once you board the ship. Please review your final itinerary carefully for any amendments.

•The hotels used for your land program will be the hotels listed in this document unless you have been advised otherwise in advance of the land program start date.

•A departure transfer is not included if guests leave before the last day of the program.

Day 1

8:00am Disembark the ship, locate luggage and meet at the pier

9:30am Panoramic tour via Corniche with photo stop

10:00am Drive to Pearl Qatar passing by West Bay

10:20am Photo stop at Porto Arabia

10:40am Drive to Souq Waqif

11:10am Tour and free time at Souq Waqif

12:00pm Drive to National Museum of Qatar

12:15pm Tour of National Museum of Qatar

1:15pm Free time at museum gift shop

1:30pm Lunch at Jiwan Restaurant at National Museum of Qatar

3:00pm Drive to your hotel

3:30pm Check-in at the hotel

Overnight at Sheraton Grand or Park Hyatt Doha hotel or similar hotel

Day 2

AM Breakfast at the hotel

Morning at leisure

4:00pm Drive to Box Park

4:30pm Dhow cruise with dinner onboard

7:30pm Drive back to your hotel

Overnight at Sheraton Grand or similar hotel

Day 3

AM Breakfast at the hotel

10:00am Drive by Jeep to Sealine Beach area

10:45am Stop at Sealine Beach area

11:00am Sand dune bashing

11:30am Photo stop at the Arabian Gulf

11:45am Sand dune bashing to Khor Al Adeid, the Inland Sea

12:05pm Stop at Khor Al Adeid for photos

12:20pm Sand dune bashing to the desert camp

12:45pm Relax and enjoy a barbecue lunch at the camp

3:15pm Rejoin the Jeep and drive back to your hotel

Overnight at Sheraton Grand or similar hotel

Day 4

AM Breakfast at the hotel

12:00pm Checkout and transfer to Hamad International Airport according to your departure flight schedule

Extra Nights

•All extra nights booked through the cruise line are confirmed at the same hotel used on the LAST NIGHT of your program.

•When you book extra nights through the cruise line, you will be transferred to the airport per the flight details provided. Check-out is 12:00pm (subject to change). Meals other than breakfast are on your own after Day 4 of the program.

Transfers

Guests booking their flights independently are required to ensure the cruise line has their up-to-date flight details so that transfers to the airport can be arranged. If flight details are not received 14 days before your cruise start date, transfers will not be arranged.

Should you book any extra nights on your own or your flight is not on the last day of the program, transfers are not included.

Should you have a late-departing flight, you may wish to book an extra night so that you will have occupation of your room until your departure. You will be asked to vacate your room by 12:00pm. Day rooms can only be purchased directly through the hotel.

Expected Weather

The average temperature in Doha in April ranges from a high of 88°F (31°C) to a low of 72°F (22°C).

What to Bring

Lightweight clothing, camera, sunscreen, comfortable footwear, adapter plug for electronics, hydration essentials, hat, sunglasses, swimwear, scarf or shawl.

Currency

Qatari riyals for cash payments. All international credit cards are widely accepted. Some shops or service providers might accept U.S. dollars.

Electricity

The standard voltage in Qatar is 240V. Power plugs and sockets are of types D and G. Adaptors might be available at hotels but in limited numbers, so it is recommended to bring your own adaptors.

Documents and Visa Requirements

All passengers travelling to Qatar must be in possession of a passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry into Qatar. U.S. passport holders get visa-free entry to Qatar. Please consult your local embassy for any visa requirements for your nationality.

Hotel

Sheraton Grand Doha

Al Corniche Street, P.O. Box 6000, Doha, Qatar

Program Inclusions:

•3 nights at the Sheraton Grand Doha or similar including breakfast

•Transfers to/from hotel on Day 1 and Day 4

•Discover Doha tour on Day 1 with lunch

•Dhow cruise on Day 2 with dinner

•Full-day desert safari and barbeque lunch on Day 3

•Meals as per the itinerary

•Entrance fees as per the itinerary

Program Excludes for guests:

•Meals or beverages other than specified above

•Gratuities to guides, drivers and porters

•Any personal expenses

•Hotel incidentals including mini bar and room service.

Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include inclines, cobblestones, sand, gravel and natural paths. There may be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation.

All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. The pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations. Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change.

Land programs must be purchased no later than 90 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 90 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty. There are no refunds for unused portions of any program.