Aroya celebrates maiden call in Sharm El Sheikh on inaugural season out of Jeddah

Aroya made her inaugural visit to Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt on December 31st, 2024 as part of her inaugural cruise season in the Red Sea out of Jeddah in Saudi Arabia.

The ship’s maiden visit on New Year’s Eve was commemorated with a traditional plaque exchange ceremony attended by senior representatives from AROYA Cruises, including President Dr. Jorg Rudolph and Captain Roland Polic.

Local dignitaries and Sharm El Sheikh Port officials, such as Major General Dr. Khalid Mubarak, Captain Ayman Munsif and Commander Mohamed Al-Kahki, also attended the ceremony, which is held between all cruise ships and port authorities.

The exchange of plaques is a maritime tradition, symbolising the establishment of a lasting relationship between the port and the ship and dates back to the middle ages when the first maritime empires arose in the Republic of Venice, the Republic of Genoa and the Republic of Pisa.

In a more modern cruise industry context, it symbolises the relationship between a cruise line or cruise ship and a regular port of call. Aroya, the first ship in the AROYA Cruises fleet, will be calling regularly in Sharm El Sheikh on her series of Red Sea cruise itineraries from Jeddah.

“We are thrilled to now be taking our passengers to Sharm El Sheikh, marking an exciting chapter in the Red Sea’s tourism sector and our cruising journey,” said Dr. Jorg Rudolph, President, AROYA Cruises.

“This ceremony not only celebrates our presence here but also symbolizes the beginning of a strong partnership with the port and the region. We look forward to many more visits and being able to create fun, diverse experiences for all our valued guests to enjoy.”

 AROYA Cruises is the first homegrown cruise brand in the Arab world and the first to cater the entire cruise experience to regional tastes and preferences.

Aroya, the first ship in the fleet, offers an authentic Arabian experience, with a souq-inspired shopping district, the first Saudi restaurant at sea, Irth, shisha lounges, gendered public spaces, and Halal-certification throughout the vessel.

Owned by Cruise Saudi, a Public Investment Fund portfolio company responsible for the creation and development of Saudi’s cruise sector, AROYA Cruises will sail to a range of destinations in the Red Sea, including its own private island destination.

Saba Beach on Jabal AlSabaya Island will eventually offer a floating park, full-service restaurant, retail shops, as well as a VIP beach and beachfront villas, along with a spa experience, a shisha lounge, and a range of land and water activities that cater to all kinds of passenger.