AROYA Cruises celebrates maiden passenger voyage of Saudi Arabia’s first cruise ship

Aroya, the first cruise ship in the AROYA Cruises fleet, and the first cruise ship in the world designed specifically for the Middle East cruise market, is finally at sea on her first-ever passenger voyage.

At the time of writing Aroya was making 7-knots heading north east in the Red Sea, bound for a private island owned by Cruise Saudi, the parent company of AROYA Cruises, and the authority charged with developing a domestic cruise market in the Kingdom. 

Aroya set sail from Jeddah on December 16th, with guests onboard from across the region and the world, including Saudi Arabian and Emirati, attracted by her unique focus on the cultural tastes and preferences of the region. 

“We are incredibly proud to see the Aroya embark on its first commercial voyage from Jeddah after two years of hard work and dedication,” said Joerg Rudolph, President of Aroya Cruises.

“This is an important moment for Aroya Cruises and a major step forward in developing Saudi’s overall tourism offering as part of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals. We are thrilled to welcome passengers on board for the first time,” he added.

Aroya’s maiden voyage offers guests an Arabian experience, featuring the first performances at sea of two iconic Saudi artists, Abadi Al Johar and Zaina Emad. The performances will take place within the 1,018-seat AROYA Theatre.

The voyage also offers the opportunity to visit the souq-inspired shopping district, the largest retail area at sea covering 1,585 square meters, and to dine in the first Saudi restaurant at sea, Irth.

Throughout the voyage passengers will have access to certified Halal food and beverage offerings, as well as a range of services not offered aboard any other cruise ship in the world, such as charcoal shisha in various lounges. 

The ship is also a ‘dry’ vessel, with no alcohol served anywhere onboard, and instead of casinos or bars, there are a plethora of new entertainment, enrichment and family-friendly offerings.

The first voyage of Aroya in the Red Sea, following two years of refit and renovations, marks he beginning of a new chapter for the regional cruise industry, setting a precedent for how cruise lines can align with local traditions while offering a world-class travel experience.

This inaugural passenger cruise under AROYA colours represents a transformative moment for the regional cruise sector, catering to a previously underserved market and reshaping the global perception of cruising.