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CRUISE PORT GUIDES

Muscat – Oman

Muscat cruise port – fast facts

– Cruise ships dock in Muscat. – Walking in port is strictly prohibited. – Cruise port is about 1,2 mile from center of town (Muttrah). – There is a hop on hop off bus. – Plenty of official taxis available for tours or short rides.

Travel information Oman

Official currency – Rial Accepts Us dollars – are often accepted Creditcards – are widely accepted

Drives on the – right Timezone – UTC +4

Inhabitants – 3,3 million Official language – Arabic Capital city – Muscat

Sultanate of Oman Government – Unitary parliamentary absolute monarchy

Arabic language

Good day – يوم جيد – yawm jayid How are you? – كيف حالك؟ – kayf halk? Thank you – شكرا – shukraan Cruise ship – سفينة سياحية – safinat siahia Port – ميناء – mina’

Also visit our cruise port guides for:

Salalah Dubai Aqaba

Cruise Port Guide Muscat – Oman: docked at the Port of Sultan Qaboos

In Muscat cruise ships usually dock at Port of Sultan Qaboos, berth 4 and 5. This is the official port of Muscat that lies in front of Muttrah. There is no tourist information and no maps available on the dock. There is a terminal building which is not always open. The cruise dock is wheelchair accessible.

Walking in the port is prohibited and therefore there is a shuttle bus provided by the ship. This shuttle bus usually goes to the port gate and to the Mutrah souk. It is wise not to get off at the port gates, because in general you will only find taxis waiting for you there and nothing else. If you choose to be dropped off at the Mutrah souk you are in one of the three most interesting areas in the city.

Muscat is located between mountains and sea. It compromises a long string of suburbs, spread over 60 km. Muscat is sometimes referred to as the “3 cities”. This is referring to these 3 area’s: – Mutrah. This is where the cruise shuttle bus will drop you off. It is about 2 km / 1,2 mile from the port. Here you’ll find the famous Muscat corniche, the Mutrah souk, the Bait Al Baranda Museum and the Incense burner. – Ruwi. This neighbourhood is about 6 km / 3,5 miles from your cruise port. You could consider this as “downtown” Muscat. – Old Muscat. About 7 km / 4,5 miles from your cruise port. This is definitely one area not to miss on a visit to Muscat. Amongst others you’ll find Al Jalali fort, Al Mirani fort, Qasr Al Alam Royal Palace and Bait Al Zubair museum here. 

Transportation in Muscat

Muscat facilities are pretty good. Keep in mind that the city is quit spread out and therefore you’ll need some form of transportation. Find out underneath what your options are.

Public bus system

There is a public bus service in Oman. You’ll find there are white/green busses and red busses. Although you rarely see them and therefore you’d might just want to skip this form of transportation in Muscat.

Taxis in Muscat

The official taxis of Oman are white and orange. They do not have meter. You need to negotiate on a price before you step into the taxi. Most taxi drivers will take US dollars or Euro. Taxi fare for tours through Muscat area at the rate of R.O. 10 per hours for the first 3 hours and for extra time to be R.O. 7 per hour. The minibus fare is double than the Saloon Taxi if the passengers are more than 4 person.

One way rides can be quite expensive in Oman. For example one way from the port to another neighbourhood is probably 15 US dollar or from the port to the Grand Mosque will probable be around 40 US dollar or 17 RO. To the left is a photo of a sign at the port with the taxi prices on them. This will give you a good idea of what it should costs, but in real life you notice that if rare to get the price as you’ll find it on the sign. Expect that you pay about 15 dollars for a 15 minute taxi drive. Prices like 15 dollars one way per taxi to the Qurum area and 40 dollars one way per taxi to the Grand Mosque are reasonable.

Hop on hop off bus

There is a hop on hop off bus available in Muscat. This red double bus will be waiting for you at the Mutrah Corniche, often at the same spot as where the cruise shuttle bus will drop you. Sometimes these busses also come onto the pier, but it depends on the kind of arrangements your cruise line has made for them. The Hop on Hop off bus is pretty expensive compared to other places, but Muscat is spread out and therefore Hop on Hop off is already a nice choice just for practical reasons. They do change their facilities every now and then, make sure to check their shuttle bus services with them.

Destination and distance from cruise port

In town: Mutrah (with the corniche, souk, incense burner, bait al brand museum) 2 km / 1,2 mile south of the port (where shuttle bus drops you off) Ruwi 6 km / 3,5 miles south west of the port Old Muscat (with Bait Al Zubair museum, Royal Palace, Al Jalali fort, Al Mirani fort) 7 km / 4,5 miles south east of the port

Al Bustan Palace 12 km / 7,5 miles south of the port The Grand Mosque 25 km / 15,5 miles west of the port

Out of town: Nakhl fortress 110 km / 68 miles south west of the port Ain Thowarah 110 km / 68 miles south west of the port Nizwa 180 km / 112 miles south west of the port Jabrin Castle 205 km / 127 miles south west of the port

FAQ about Muscat as cruise destination

– Are taxis allowed on the pier? No, they are not. Unless the taxi has arranged special permission from the port authority. You’ll find taxis at the shuttle bus drop off location.

– Are there maps available on the pier? No, they are not. But you’ll find you can buy a map for about 8 dollars in town.

– Will taxis take Euro or US dollars? Yes, most of the times they do, but they will change you in Rial.

– Will the shops in the souk thake Euro or US dollars? Yes, they often do, but also they will give you change in Rial.

– Is Muscat safe? Yes, Oman is one of the safest countries in the world.

– Is Muscat clean? Yes, it is about as clean as Singapore is.

– Where can I ride a camel in Muscat? You cannot. This simply is not an attractions in Muscat.

– Is there a dresscode to enter the Grand Mosque in Oman? Yes, there is very strict policy! Men should cover their arms and can not wear shorts. Women should cover up their entire arms, legs and hair.

– Can you make pictures in the Grand Mosque? Yes, even photo’s with flash are ok to make.

– Where is the nearest car rental? The nearest car rental is at Ruwi. You’ll need about a 15 dollar taxi drive to get there. This is where you’ll find a street with all kinds of car rentals on it.

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Daily tours take place in the morning from 08.30 – 10.30 am. Get a unique look inside this magnificent Opera House which is considered to be one of the best in the world and is considered to be the milestone in the evolution of an Omani architectural style. From port it is 14 km / 15 min drive to the west.

Royal Opera House of Muscat

Al Kharjiyah St, Muscat 103, Oman

The most impressive hotel of Muscat. You’ll notice that cruise lines often offer a high tea shore excursion to it. If this is the case go for it. Independent visitors often get turned down. The hotel is known as the modern legend of Oman with its Arabian and Indian design. From port it is 13 km / 15 min drive to the south east.

Al Bustan Palace

Al Bustan Street, Quron Beach, Muscat 114, Oman

You’ll find the parliament buildings close to the Al Bustan Palace. Make a photo stop here if you are in the neighborhood to admire the beautiful, modern and Arab building of the parliament. From port it is 10 km / 15 min drive to the south east

Parliament buildings

Parliament, Muscat

You’ll find this bus at the corniche where it has it start and end point. Sometimes cruise ships arrange to have it on the dock as well. Check with your front office on board.

Hop on hop off bus Muscat

At about 40 minute drive from the port you’ll find Qurm beach. Not the best beach to lay down for a tan, but it is a large recreation area to the city. Come here to relax and do what the locals do on their free time. From port it is 13 km / 15 min drive to the west.

Qurm beach, Muscat

Frankincense has a prominent place in the history of Oman. Therefore it is expected that Oman would honour this product as much as they can. One piece of art sitting on the shore lines of Oman is the incense burner. You can spot it already from the ship. It is about 2 km / 25 minute walk from the drop off location of the shuttle bus.

Incense burner

Riyam Park, Muscat

This is the absolute must see in Muscat: the Sultan Taboos Grand Mosque. Visit this magnificent mosque and see the world’s second largest hand-woven carpet and chandelier. The mosque is open to the public (non Muslim) between 8 AM and 11 AM every day except Thursday and Friday. The entry is free. No shorts is allowed for men. Women must cover their arms, head and the ankles. Find the mosque about 25 km / 15.5 miles away from the cruise port.

Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque

Sultan Qaboos St, Muscat, Oman

Muscat is quite stretched out and therefore renting a bicycle is not a bad idea. You’ll find this bicycle spot at the end of the Corniche, about 1 km walk from the shuttle bus drop off location. Check its location on the map.

Bike Rental

Al Bahri Road, mustact

This is the market you’ll find at the drop off location of the shuttle bus. It is the city’s oldest market and it is still very popular among young and old. Go in and a feel for the vibe of the market. You’ll find its the perfect place to pick up your souvenirs. Typical products for sell are frankincense, shoes, silver antiques and metal crafts. Keep in mind it does roughly closes between 11.30 am and 04.30 pm.

Mutrah souk

Mutrah Souk, Muttrah, Muscat

When you are in port there is a large chance the Sultan Taboos his yacht will be in port with you. Spot his gigantic yacht on the horizon which used to be the 2nd longest yacht in the world. You can see it from Muttrah and already from the ship. The ship is not open for visitors.

Sultans yacht

Port of Muscat, Muscat

This is one of the best museums of Muscat. It tells you all about the countries history and geology through interactive exhibtions. The museum is in Muttrah. It is best to walk from the shuttle bus drop off point.

Bait Al Baranda Museum

Bait Al Baranda Museum, Muscat

The Corniche is the promenade in the sheltered harbour. It is really nice to have a leisurely stroll here for the fact that you’ll pass the old style buildings, large commercial harbour, overlooking the dhows in port and get acquainted with the true Omani heritage and style in the many forms of art on the street and surrounding area. The corniche is where the shuttle bus drops you off.

The Muttrah Corniche

Al Bahri Road, Muscat

Cruise ships dock at the Muscat port close to the neighbourhood of Mutrah. Find your shore excursion busses on the pier or take the shuttle bus to the local market. For the full information on your transportation options read the Muscat cruise port guide.

Muscat cruise dock

There is wi-fi at the terminal building on the dock although this is not always open. If you take the shuttle bus to the Mutrah Corniche you will see a small billboard with the purple wi-fi logo on it like the picture above. Get connected here.

This is what the official taxi’s look like. White with orange. They do not have a meter. The taxi driver often speaks English and will take US dollars.

The official taxi of Oman

Sailing into Muscat is spectacular. Make sure to be on the outside deck about an hour before you dock because it will give you a spectacular view over the town and its surrounding landscapes.

Sailing into Muscat

In Old Muscat you’ll find the Royal Palace also known as Qasr Al Alam Palace. It serves as the official seat of the government and as the official office of Sultan Qaboos. It is mainly being used for high end visitors and special occasions. From port it is 4,5 km / 10 min drive to the east.

Al Alam Palace

Al Alam Palace, Muscat

Muttrah is the commercial centre for trade in Muscat and it definitely is also the most scenic and interesting part of Oman. There are plenty of things to do here. Make sure to plan to hang around for a couple of hours as it is the easiest and most diverse area to visit. Muttrah is the neighboorhood in front of the ship. Take the shuttle bus to it.

Muttrah, Muscat

Oman is flexible when it comes to excepting dollars. Most shops will except US dollars but will change you in Omani Rial.

Us dollars in Oman

There are about 500 forts and castles in Oman. A handful of them stand here on the coastline of Oman. In the ancient times they were defensive bastions and watch towers protecting old Muscat. Although used by the Ottoman, Persians and Omani, in 1507 the Portuguese came to Muscat and they took it by brutal force. Most of the forts have now been restored, feeding the imagination of visitors. Find the fortifications about 2 km walk from the shuttle bus drop off locations.

Portuguese forts

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Cruise to Muscat, Oman

Muscat shore excursions, amazing experiences coming soon., sorry, there are no excursions for this port at this moment., things to do in muscat.

Portuguese Past

Impressive twin forts called Fort Al-Jalali at the entrance of Old Muscat's harbor near Sultan Qaboos palace in Muscat, Oman

The Portuguese occupiers built the impressive Al Jalali and Al Mirani Fort in the 16th century. Although they're closed to the public, they're a stunning backdrop for stroll along the harbor. The forts are on both sides high on the cliffs guarding the city's entrance.

Play Sultan

Visit the Grand Mosque (open in the morning), a gift to the nation from Sultan Qaboos and a mix of Omani, Islamic and modern architecture. It can accommodate 20,000 worshippers and has a rich prayer hall, an elaborate chandelier and a huge Persian carpet that took four years to weave.

Picturesque Heritage

Learn more about Oman's past in the elegant New National Museum in Old Muscat. Browse the beautifully presented archaeological artifacts, manuscripts and ship models during your Muscat cruise. When you're done, snap a photo of the Al Alam Palace with its blue and gold pillars opposite the museum.

Local Cuisine

The traditional dish of Oman is majboos (also called kabsa ), basmati rice with spicy beef, chicken or fish — typically local-caught lobster, mackerel or red snapper — served with yogurt sauce. Perk up with a cup of kahwa , the local coffee mixed with cardamom powder, served alongside dates and sweets after a meal.

Head to Mutrah Souq, Muscat's oldest market and one of the most characterful souqs in the region. Cruise to Muscat and browse a variety of goods and souvenirs like frankincense, perfumes, gold and silver jewelry, Omani hats and ornate decorative lamps with traditional geometric patterns. You can also shop in The Avenues or one of the other big modern malls for more modern retail therapy.

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Muscat, Oman Cruise Ships Schedule

Muscat, Oman  cruise port calendar 2023 provides the latest list of cruise ships scheduled to arrive in port with detailed information, including date and time of arrival and departure, and maximum passenger capacity for each vessel. This timetable displays dates and times cruise liners are scheduled to sail in port divided into two separate columns (arrivals and departures) with the name of the ship, cruise operator, and the number of passengers. Please note, the following cruise ship schedule is created on regularly updated itineraries from the  world's leading cruise lines.

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Shore Excursions from Cruises in Salalah Oman

For a cruise experience like no other in the breathtaking landscapes of Oman, Beautiful Salalah Tours is your ultimate destination. Our dedicated team specializes in crafting tailor-made cruise packages designed to captivate the hearts of visitors seeking to explore the Sultanate’s wonders by sea. Whether you’re embarking on a cruise adventure or stepping ashore for excursions, we’ve got you covered.

At Beautiful Salalah Tours, we are masters in the art of curating unforgettable experiences for all kinds of groups, from intimate duos to sizable gatherings of up to 5000 passengers. As you disembark from your cruise ship, our knowledgeable and multilingual guides extend a warm welcome, ushering you onto our fleet of air-conditioned coaches for an immersive tour of Oman’s most enchanting sights.

We do not have any limitation of the number of passengers. If you are a couple and want a private tour in SUV car, we are here to provide you memorable tour in Salalah – Private tour with Omani experienced guide.

Our extensive expertise in Tours, Passenger Exchanges, and Chartered Cruises has earned us a well-deserved reputation as the top choice for both individual customers and cruise liners alike. Booking the perfect cruise and onshore tour has never been this effortless.

We cater to an impressive array of major cruise liners, including but not limited to:

• Azamara Quest
• Black Watch
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• Costa Classica
• Costa Europa
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• Costa Romantica
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• Costa Luminosa
• Costa Allegra
• Costa Victoria
• Crystal Symphony
• Crystal Serenity
• Dawn Princess
• Hebridean Spirit
• Kazakhstan II
• Legend Of The Seas
• MS Deutschland
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If you don’t see your cruise line listed above, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We’re here to make your experience unforgettable, and we’ll be delighted to customize a shore excursion just for you. Your adventure in Oman starts with a simple message to Beautiful Salalah Tours.

But our offerings don’t stop at cruises. We also provide Shore Excursions, Passenger Exchanges, Pre & Post arrangements, and Exclusive Private Activities at both of Oman’s welcoming ports: Muscat and Salalah.

As the top-ranked tour operator in Salalah according to TripAdvisor, our remarkable service is validated by over 250 glowing reviews from our satisfied customers. Your voyage to Oman’s hidden treasures begins with Beautiful Salalah Tours.

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Muscat, Oman

Oman's capital city, Muscat is situated along the country's namesake gulf and blends modern flair with Old World charm. Three forts dating to the 1500s are installed on the rocky shoreline, the historic Muttrah Corniche district is lined with 19th-century homes and bright minarets, and new Dubai-style structures showcase current architectural trends. Popular attractions include the Oman Aquarium (one of the largest in the Middle East), the history-heavy Muscat Gate Museum, the National Museum and the Sultan's Armed Forces Museum. You could spend an entire day touring the Muttrah Fish Market, where more than 100 traders tout their fresh catches and produce, or shopping in the local souq, a traditional Arabian marketplace where vendors hawk textiles, jewelry and even a few antiques. Visitors are welcome in the opulently decorated Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque-a must-see for any Muscat visitor.

Exit the airport and head south for 4km. Merge onto Route 1 and drive for 23km, then at the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Harat A'shamal St to Port of Sultan.

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Covid scare on cruise liners puts Muttrah vendors in a fix

MUSCAT: Just two weeks after international media reported a 30-fold surge in Covid-19 cases on cruise ships in a few days, the cruise liners declined to anchor at the Sultan Qaboos Port in Muttrah. This has resulted in despair among Murrah vendors, who depend on tourists for their businesses.

Each year, several ships call ports of Muscat, Salalah and Khasab. Tourists and crew visit the adjacent markets, including souks and purchase souvenirs, gifts and other items to take back home. Over a period of time, these vendors have built a strong rapport with the frequenters who make it a point to visit their friends year after year.

A luxury liner called MS Europa 2, operated by Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, a German-based cruise line with a capacity of almost 516 passengers and nearly 370 crew members, returned without calling at the Muttrah Port for reasons associated with the Covid-19.

"This is the third year that we are losing the business of European tourists who come on cruise vessels, and this has broken our spine as expenses mounted," said Mohammed Navas, a vendor at the Muttrah Souq.

The liners which set sail weeks ago take notice of the changing rules and pandemic regulations in countries en-route so that sufficient precautions can be taken, according to agents of these liners.

"We have four vessels charted for January alone, and I'm afraid any ship would be anchoring at Oman shores for two reasons," said Ahmed Hamed al Balushi, local representative of a European liner.

"Firstly, they may have a sick traveller onboard or, secondly, they don't want to take a chance with the port-of-call," he added.

A report published on January 11 says ships operating in US waters recorded about 5,000 Covid cases from December 15 to 29, in about two weeks. A representative of the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP) suggested cases on cruise liners jumped 30 times high in two weeks' time.

According to statistics provided by the National Center for Statistics and Information (NCSI), a number of luxury vessels called Port Sultan Qaboos in 2018-19. It is estimated that 283,000 foreign tourists made it to the Sultanate during the aforesaid season. This is a 45 per cent increase compared to 2017-18 season when 193,000 tourists visited Oman on cruise liners. In 2019, nearly 163 vessels carrying 660,295 tourists onboard visited Port Sultan Qaboos in Muttrah.

However, in 2020, 263,587 tourists on 66 ships called on the Muttrah port while 125, 110 passengers onboard 31 luxury vessels visited Khasab port.

In Salalah, 69,060 foreign visitors visited onboard 45 cruise liners in 2019. However, only four cruise liners carrying 1,982 passengers onboard visited Salalah Port in 2020.

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Heartbreaking video shows cruise ship passenger swimming, fishing with friends week before fatal jump.

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Heartbreaking video shows 20-year-old Levion Parker happily swimming in the ocean and fishing with his pals just a week before he drunkenly jumped off a Royal Caribbean cruise ship and was never seen again.

The TikTok video was posted by Parker’s friend, Kaleb Felty, on March 27 and shows Parker beaming on a boat off Florida and splashing around in the shallows.

At one point, a shirtless Parker holds up a fish he’d just caught. Another clip shows him fighting with a fish on his line as it darts under the boat before it cuts to Parker taking a dip in the sea.

Felty posted several other videos of Parker, including one of him hunting with a bow and arrow. In another video he dubbed a “typical Levion moment,” Parker feeds pelicans a fish out of his hands from a boat.

Parker’s pal also posted a slideshow of several photos of the two together, writing “I will see you again one way or another.”

Parker, of North Port, Florida, jumped off the 11th deck of the Liberty of the Seas around 4 a.m. on April 4, plummeting 200 feet into the Atlantic in front of his helpless brother and father while heading to Cuba and the Bahamas’ Grand Inagua Island, Florida officials said.

He had been drinking and had just gotten into an argument with his father, witnesses said.

“There was a lot of yelling, and the crew was alerted immediately,” cruise passenger Deborah Morrison told The Post.

“His family was horrified. Just beside themselves,” she added.

Royal Caribbean said it “immediately” launched search boats to look for the 20-year-old and alerted the Coast Guard, which later took over the search. 

The boy’s stunned father, Francel Parker, told The Daily Sun he threw six life rings off the ship in hopes of saving his son before the massive vessel was able to come to a stop about 20 minutes later.

Five days later, The Coast Guard called off its search.

Francel Parker is demanding to know how his underage son was given alcohol on the four-day cruise.

However Royal Caribbean sources told The Daily Mail he could have purchased the booze offboard, where the drinking age is 18.

“We have a strict policy on underage drinking. We did not serve this guest on board,” the source told the outlet. “The ship was docked in the Dominican Republic that day, so we cannot speak to what guest did when he was off the ship.”

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Iran’s Attacks Bring Long Shadow War With Israel Into the Open

The volley of drones and missiles was the first time that Tehran directly attacked Israel from its own territory, one expert said.

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By Cassandra Vinograd

• April 14, 2024

For decades, Israel and Iran have fought a shadow war across the Middle East , trading attacks by land, sea, air and in cyberspace. The barrage of drones and missiles Iran launched at Israel on Saturday — though nearly all were shot down or intercepted — represented a watershed in the conflict.

It was the first time that Iran directly attacked Israel from its own territory, according to Ahron Bregman, a political scientist and expert in Middle East security issues at King’s College in London, who called it a “historic event.”

Iran has largely used foreign proxies such as Lebanon’s Hezbollah militia to strike Israeli interests, while targeted assassinations of Iranian military leaders and nuclear scientists have been a key part of Israel’s strategy. Here is a recent history of the conflict:

August 2019: An Israeli airstrike killed two Iranian-trained militants in Syria, a drone set off a blast near a Hezbollah office in Lebanon and an airstrike in Qaim, Iraq, killed a commander of an Iran-backed Iraqi militia. Israel accused Iran at the time of trying to establish an overland arms-supply line through Iraq and northern Syria to Lebanon, and analysts said the strikes were aimed at stopping Iran and signaling to its proxies that Israel would not tolerate a fleet of smart missiles on its borders.

January 2020: Israel greeted with satisfaction the assassination of Maj. Gen. Qassim Suleimani , the commander of the foreign-facing arm of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, in an American drone strike in Baghdad.

Iran hit back by attacking two bases in Iraq that housed American troops with a barrage of missiles, wounding about 100 U.S. military personnel .

2021-22: In July 2021, an oil tanker managed by an Israeli-owned shipping company was attacked off the coast of Oman, killing two crew members, according to the company and three Israeli officials. Two of the officials said that the attack appeared to have been carried out by Iranian drones.

Iran did not explicitly claim or deny responsibility, but a state-owned television channel described the episode as a response to an Israeli strike in Syria.

In November 2021, Israel killed Iran’s top nuclear scientist, Mohsen Fakhrizadeh , and followed up with the assassination of a Revolutionary Guards commander, Col. Sayad Khodayee , in May 2022.

December 2023: After Israel’s bombardment of Gaza began in response to the Oct. 7 Hamas-led assault, Iranian-backed militias stepped up their own attacks . And late last year, Iran accused Israel of killing a high-level military figure, Brig. Gen. Sayyed Razi Mousavi , in a missile strike in Syria.

A senior adviser to the Revolutionary Guards, General Mousavi was described as having been a close associate of General Suleimani and was said to have helped oversee the shipment of arms to Hezbollah. Israel, adopting its customary stance, declined to comment directly on whether it was behind General Mousavi’s death.

January 2024: An explosion in a suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, killed Saleh al-Arouri , a Hamas leader, along with two commanders from that group’s armed wing, the first assassination of a top Hamas official outside the West Bank and Gaza in recent years. Officials from Hamas, Lebanon and the United States ascribed the blast to Israel , which did not publicly confirm involvement.

Hezbollah, which receives major support from Iran, stepped up its assaults on Israel after Mr. al-Arouri’s death. Israel’s military hit back at Hezbollah in Lebanon, killing several of the group’s commanders .

March and April: An Israeli drone strike hit a car in southern Lebanon, killing at least one person. Israel’s military said it had killed the deputy commander of Hezbollah’s rocket and missile unit. Hezbollah acknowledged the death of a man, Ali Abdulhassan Naim, but did not provide further details.

The same day, airstrikes killed soldiers near Aleppo, northern Syria, in what appeared to be one of the heaviest Israeli attacks in the country in years. The strikes killed 36 Syrian soldiers, seven Hezbollah fighters and a Syrian from a pro-Iran militia, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a British-based group that tracks Syria’s civil war.

Israel’s military did not claim responsibility. But the country’s defense minister, Yoav Gallant, wrote on social media, “We will pursue Hezbollah every place it operates and we will expand the pressure and the pace of the attacks.”

Three days later, strikes on an Iranian Embassy building in Damascus killed three top Iranian commanders and four officers, an attack Iran blamed on Israel.

Matthew Mpoke Bigg contributed reporting.

Third Disney Cruise Line crew member arrested on child pornography charges

A third Disney Cruise Line crew member was arrested Monday on child pornography charges.

Law enforcement found sexually explicit pictures and videos of minors on two phones belonging to Tirso Neri, who was working on the Disney Dream. The material featured both teenagers and young children, according to an affidavit signed by Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent Eric Stowers.

Neri, 44, told investigators that he downloaded and bought links for files containing adult pornography via group chats on Telegram and Facebook Messenger. When asked about folders on one of his phones, including one that depicted sexually explicit images of a 17-year-old girl, he said he must have saved it to his phone without looking at it after receiving it in one of the group chats.

A further forensic examination showed that files in the folder had been viewed by the phone’s user, according to the document. Law enforcement also found numerous other folders “titled in the names of various females.”

Neri, who is a citizen of the Philippines, is charged with transportation of child pornography and possession of child pornography.

“In accordance with our zero-tolerance policy for this kind of alleged behavior, this individual is no longer with the company,” the cruise line told USA TODAY in an emailed statement. An attorney listed for Neri did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Sexual assault on cruises: Reported incidents rose last year, according to federal data

The news comes after two other Disney Cruise Line crew members were arrested on child pornography charges in January. A cruise ship dancer was arrested on similar charges earlier this month, but law enforcement did not specify what ship he was working on.

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].

See Four Seasons' upcoming ultra-luxury cruise with a $350,000-a-week suite bigger than most homes

• Four Seasons says it will begin sailing an  ultra-luxury yacht cruise in January 2026.
• The 222-guest vessel would have 95 spacious suites and 11 dining options — but food wouldn't be free.
• The largest suite would have four floors and bedrooms, a spa, and a price of $350,000 per sailing.

Four Seasons plans to expand its high-end hotels and resorts portfolio with a luxury 222-guest cruise ship.

The company says the 95-suite vessel will debut in January 2026 and cost a minimum of $20,000 per weeklong sailing.

For that price, the luxury hospitality giant says travelers would enjoy a one-to-one guest-to-staff ratio and massive suites spanning as many as four floors. If all goes as planned, the 679-foot-long Four Seasons I could become one of the most expensive and opulent options in the cruise industry.

The ultra-plush 14-deck Four Seasons I is scheduled for 19 voyages in 2026 to more than 130 Caribbean and Mediterranean ports.

Reservations opened two weeks ago. Those interested can register to join a waitlist or book through a travel agent.

So far, "sales have been very encouraging, and the demand is exciting to see," Thatcher Brown, chief commercial officer and head of joint operations for Marc-Henry Cruise Holdings, told Business Insider in a statement. The company is a joint owner and operator of Four Seasons Yachts.

Renderings make the Four Seasons I look as opulent as the brand's land-based properties.

Four Seasons says its vessel will have 95 suites ranging from 537 to 9,975 square feet, some with three bedrooms.

The smallest suite starts at $19,700 for a five-night roundtrip voyage to Athens, Greece.

No windowless interior cabins here: Like other ultra-luxe cruises, the suites would all have terraces and floor-to-ceiling windows.

Customers could expect upscale amenities like a walk-in closet, down-filled duvets and pillows, and marble dual vanity bathrooms, per Four Seasons.

The most premium suites would also feature additional accommodations for "personal assistants," such as au pairs or security personnel.

Some options, like the 7,952-square-foot Loft Suite, could be adjoined with seven other cabins to accommodate up to 20 people.

Without connecting cabins, the Loft Suite would already have three bedrooms and bathrooms, a powder room, and a sauna.

Others, like the largest Funnel Suite, would have its own spa and kitchen.

Four Seasons says the 9,975-square-foot mansion, partially perched in the ship's glass-lined funnel , will span four floors, four bathrooms, three bedrooms, and three powder rooms.

Not to mention the private elevator, pool, and $350,000-a-voyage price tag.

Accommodations of this price and size are generally unheard of in the cruise industry.

Luxury operator Silversea says the largest suite on its upcoming 728-guest Silver Ray will be 1,324 square feet. Competitor Regent Seven Seas' new Seven Seas Grandeur debuted in 2023 with a more expansive six-guest 4,443-square-foot option.

Both suites' sizes and prices — Regent's starts at $42,000 per person for a total of $252,000 at maximum occupancy — would be stunted by Four Seasons' promise of a 9,975-square-foot, $350,000 floating mansion.

But cabins with six-digit prices aren't unheard of.

While not a luxury cruise line, Royal Caribbean's popular three-floor townhouse on the new Icon of the Seas is being booked at an average of $100,000 a week — although it's about four times smaller than Four Seasons' largest.

Royal Caribbean and other mass-market cruise lines are beloved, in part, for their unlimited complimentary food options.

Regent Seven Seas' all-inclusive fare also covers caviar, foie gras, and Champagne.

But don't expect any of these to be free on the Four Seasons I.

Breakfast would be complimentary. Lunch, dinner, and booze would not.

The vessel's 11 restaurants and lounges would be priced similarly to Four Seasons' on-land properties. (A dinner entrée at its resort on the Caribbean island of Nevis — also one of the ship's destinations — ranges from $34 to $163.)

The pricing structure may sound odd to most cruise traditionalists. (Hey, at least WiFi would be "free.")

But some of the ship's amenities could look familiar: Like most cruise liners, the Four Seasons I would have a pool, spa, and clubs for children and teens.

The company also promises a lounge and marina that will open onto the water, giving guests direct access to activities like snorkeling or windsurfing.

Four Seasons Yachts plans to take delivery of its $399 million vessel, now being built by famed Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri, in late 2025.

A second Fincantieri-built ship would join the hospitality company's fleet the following year. The next vessel would cost more than 400 million euros, about $429.2 million, Four Seasons says.

This isn’t Four Seasons' first foray into itinerary-based vacations.

The company has also found "tremendous success" in its private jet-based "cruises," Alejandro Reynal, the president and CEO of Four Seasons, told BI in a statement.

Its 2024 vacation-by-air itineraries started at $135,000 for a 16-day Asia tour. Demand has been growing, he said, "signaling that luxury travelers are looking for immersive, exclusive, end-to-end travel journeys that allow them to explore the world with their favorite brands."

But its new ultra-luxe cruise arm would be entering an increasingly crowded luxury market, soon to be dominated by like-minded hospitality giants.

High-end Aman Resorts and Orient Express plan to launch their own luxury cruises in 2027 and 2026, respectively.

Staying ahead of the competition, Ritz-Carlton debuted its first 149-suite Evrima yacht cruise in 2021, with a second 224-cabin ship scheduled to begin sailing later this year. Its least expensive itinerary is currently $5,100 per person for a six-night voyage from Barbados to Puerto Rico in early 2025.

Interested in a hotelier-owned vacation at sea but don't want to pay the luxury price tag? Margaritaville's cruise is an affordable $75 for two nights.

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