Aroya Cruises: Navigating the Mediterranean & Red Seas with a Saudi Flair

Aroya Cruises is a cruise ship that draws inspiration from Arab culture. Part of the Cruise Saudi Company, which the Saudi Public Investment Fund entirely owns, the first Aroya Cruises trips of the year sailed in the Mediterranean last Saturday as part of an integrated tourism experience, “with Arab waves.” As the sea’s waves accompany this voyage, so too does the Arab character.

Let’s learn more about Aroya Cruises and what it has to offer.

Aroya Cruises: Starting in the Red Sea

On December 16, the first Aroya Cruises embarked on a three-night Red Sea cruise from Jeddah. Built to the highest international standards, the ship featured several amenities. It features one of the biggest shopping areas on a cruise ship in the world, modelled after traditional local markets, as well as an opulent spa with a variety of amenities, such as spa and relaxation areas. The ship also has 20 entertainment venues, 29 eateries and cafés, and the biggest kids’ area in the business.

According to Cruise Saudi Arabia CEO Lars Klassen, “The Aroya’s arrival is a significant step forward for Cruise Saudi Arabia and the Kingdom’s tourism industry, in keeping with Vision 2030’s objectives.” He continued, “We are proud to see the company’s first ship set sail just three years after it was founded, having worked tirelessly to accomplish our goals since the company’s launch in 2021.”

Cruise Saudi affirmed that the Jeddah Port’s logistics services and infrastructure are prepared to handle big international cruise ships after modernising its facilities, which included installing contemporary fenders and moorings. Being the primary entryway to Mecca and Medina, the Two Holy Mosques, the port’s illustrious past solidifies its standing as a major international travel destination.

Read more: The Red Sea: Saudi Arabia’s Beach Resort Spot

The Ship’s Current Destination & Passenger Capacity

The Saudi cruise line intends to begin offering the Aroya Cruises from Istanbul’s Galataport on Eastern Mediterranean cruises at the end of June. The extended six- or seven-night itineraries will include stops in Turkey, Greece, and Egypt. Combining the cultural heritage of the Kingdom with the norms and regulations of contemporary cruise travel is what sets this ship apart. It is expected to run year-round.

Bodrum, Kas, and Marmaris in Turkey; Mykonos, Rhodes, Crete, and Athens in Greece; and Alexandria in Egypt are some destinations the Aroya Cruise will visit. In addition to boosting domestic travel, Saudi Arabia’s initiatives will place the Kingdom among the top cruise travel destinations worldwide.

The 19-deck ship provides a variety of experiences, including shopping, wellness, food and drink, and entertainment. Additionally, it has 1,678 cabins and suites that can hold up to 3,362 people.

Read more: Sindalah: Luxury Cruising Tourism in KSA

New to the Ship’s Schedule for 2025

One of the ship’s new itineraries will highlight Turkish coastal cities exclusively, giving guests access to an exciting stretch of the Turkish coastline. In addition to focusing on several well-known locations along Turkey’s western coast, other itineraries will also include ports in Greece and Turkey.

The Chief Marketing Officer, Turki Qari, at Aroya Cruises, stated in a statement, “The tourism relations between Saudi Arabia and Turkey have promising potential.” Qari emphasised the value of the Kingdom’s partnership with Turkey in the travel industry, stating that when the company made the decision to grow outside the Red Sea, Turkey was the main destination.

Galataport Istanbul Executive Board Member Erdem Tavaş, for his part, stressed that Aroya Cruises’ decision to use Galataport as the primary port for its Mediterranean cruises validates Istanbul’s top spot on the world map of cruise tourism.

Notably, this expansion follows Aroya Cruises’ successful completion of its inaugural season in the Red Sea last December, providing a full-fledged experience that embodied Saudi hospitality, the genuineness of the country’s cultural identity, and the celebration of Arab heritage.

To sum up, Aroya Cruises is the world’s first cruise line with an exclusively Arab identity, acting as an Arab representative in the deep seas. As it demonstrates the capacity of Arabs, and Saudis in particular, to innovate and impress, it sails with a distinctively Saudi charisma, mimicking the Kingdom’s ancient heritage and its true Arab roots.

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