Sage Ruby berthed at Port Sultan Qaboos cruise port, Oman. The cruise port is located in Mutrah, one of several coastal districts that make up Muscat.

Mutrah Corniche

Just across from the cruise port you’ll find the Mutrah Corniche, the promenade which runs along Mutrah bay, passing the Souk, Mutrah Fort, and Riyam Park to finally arrive at an outlook with an old watchtower. Stroll along the waterfront for wonderful views of the seashore, and the town of Mutrah.

Mutrah Souk

A quarter of a mile along Mutrah cornice, lies the stepped entrance to Mutrah Souk, the oldest traditional market in Oman. You’ll find a hold host of local goods including silver, gold, silk, clothing, shoes, perfumes, dates and spices. Don’t forget to employ your best bargaining skills!

Riyam Park

Towards the far end of the Corniche lies Riyam Park, a pleasant area planted with lush greenery. Above the park stands the famous ‘Incense burner’ tower, open afternoons and evenings.

Old Muscat

The characterful district of Old Muscat has three impressive sights, the Sultan’s Palace,and the Al-Mirani and Al-Jalili forts, but they all forbid entrance to the general public. A more friendly visitor attraction is the Muscat Gate Museum, which has a number of interesting exhibits on Muscat’s mosques, harbors and forts. Old Muscat is located two miles southeast of the cruise port.

Marjan Beach

Omanis tend to view beaches as football pitches, rather than a place to top up your tan, so finding a friendly local public beach can be difficult, and many cruise passengers opt for an excursion to a private beach club. The best of the public beaches near Muscat is Marjan beach (aka the Ras Al Hamra PDO beach as it is next to the Petroleum Development Oman staff club) which offers good swimming and snorkeling. The beach is located 4 miles west of the cruise port, in the Ras Al Hamra district, and can be accessed by a taxi ride.