Costa Smeralda's trip reinforces Oman as global cruise destination
Khimji Ramdas Shipping, an Oman-based integrated shipping and logistics provider, has facilitated the maiden season of Costa Smeralda, bolstering its position as a key player in the region's cruise industry, reported Times of Oman.
The vessel, a flagship of the Costa fleet, made its first visit to Oman on December 19, 2024, after circumnavigating Africa from the Mediterranean before commencing its scheduled operations in the Arabian Gulf.
Throughout the season, Costa Smeralda operated one-week round-trip cruises from Dubai, with scheduled stops in Muscat (Oman), Doha (Qatar), and Abu Dhabi (UAE).
On March 3, 2025, the vessel departed from Muscat, embarking on a 37-day voyage back to the Mediterranean. En-route to its final destination in Genoa, Italy, scheduled for April 7, 2025, the ship will make calls in Mauritius, South Africa, Namibia, the Canary Islands, Morocco, Spain, and France (Corsica).
KR Shipping played an instrumental role in managing the ship's operations, ensuring efficient port services and smooth logistical support for each call at Port Sultan Qaboos in Muscat.
Malvika Khimji, Director of Khimji Ramdas, remarked: 'The successful conclusion of Costa Smeralda's maiden season in Oman reinforces the Sultanate's growing appeal as a global cruise tourism destination. As Oman's cruise industry continues to expand, Khimji Ramdas Shipping remains committed to contributing to its diversification. Our well-trained national staff managed Costa Smeralda's port call, ensuring a seamless experience for the passengers aboard. We are honoured to have handled the port operations for this prestigious vessel during its scheduled calls to Muscat.'
Costa Smeralda is the largest ship ever commissioned by Costa Crociere and a true celebration of Italian design, culture, and craftsmanship. As part of the Carnival Corporation & plc, the world's largest cruise group, the ship has set new standards in maritime innovation.
Built in 2019 by shipbuilder Meyer Turku in Finland, Costa Smeralda is the first LNG-powered cruise ship in the Costa Cruises fleet, underscoring the company's commitment to sustainable cruising.
With a capacity for approximately 6,600 passengers and 1,678 crew members, the ship spans 323.6 metres in length and 37.2 metres in width.
It offers 1,550 cabins, a variety of entertainment events, two swimming pools, a health club, and 11 diverse restaurants, ensuring a luxurious and immersive experience for its guests.
As a leading integrated shipping and multimodal logistics service provider in Oman, KR Shipping played a vital role in facilitating Costa Smeralda's operations during its visit and 11 subsequent calls to Port Sultan Qaboos in Muscat.
The company's expertise and seamless execution have positioned it as a key contributor to Oman's cruise industry growth, handling 35 of the 66 cruise ships in the 2024/25 season - over 50% of the total cruise traffic in Muscat.
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