Aroya Cruises expands to Mediterranean with new itinerary

Dubai: Aroya Cruises, the first Arabian cruise line, has officially set sail for the Mediterranean ahead of its highly anticipated Mediterranean season, which will launch on 28th June 2025.

The luxury cruise ship is set to arrive at Galataport Istanbul, Aroya’s Mediterranean homeport, on June 20 after cruising through the Turkish coastal towns of Kaş and Bodrum. After its arrival, the vessel will undergo routine maintenance and preparations before its inaugural Mediterranean sailing, scheduled for the end of the month.

During the season, Aroya will offer six and seven-night voyages exploring the rich history and scenic beauty of the Eastern Mediterranean. The itineraries will cover iconic ports in Turkey, Greece, and Egypt, including Athens, Mykonos, Rhodes, and Souda Bay in Greece, as well as Alexandria in Egypt, along with Kaş, Bodrum, and Marmaris in Turkey.

Aroya Cruises is a subsidiary of Cruise Saudi, a 100% Public Investment Fund (PIF)-owned company, and was launched in June 2023 as part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 strategy. The brand is set to redefine luxury cruising with its flagship vessel, Aroya, which boasts 1,678 cabins, 29 dining venues, 20 entertainment options.

The ship’s entry into the Mediterranean marks the latest strategic move for Aroya Cruises as the company looks to expand its global footprint.

Since its maiden voyage in December 2024, Aroya Cruises has enjoyed a successful inaugural season in the Red Sea, where it welcomed over 70,000 passengers. During its first season, the ship visited popular destinations including Egypt, Jordan, and the exclusive Saudi Red Sea private island of Jabal AlSabaya.

Dr Joerg Rudolph, President of AROYA Cruises, expressed his excitement about the expansion, saying: “We’re thrilled to bring Aroya to some of the Mediterranean’s most popular cruise destinations this summer. Our first six months have exceeded expectations in the Red Sea, and we’re confident that our Mediterranean season will be just as successful.”

This expansion into the Mediterranean is a key step in Aroya’s journey as part of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 initiative. The country has been making significant strides in transforming its tourism sector and Aroya Cruises is playing an important role in this vision by establishing the Kingdom as a leading global tourism and cruise destination.