Saudi cruise line Aroya Cruises departs Istanbul for first Mediterranean sailing

AROYA Cruises has officially launched its inaugural Eastern Mediterranean season, departing Istanbul’s Galataport Cruise Terminal on June 28th, 2025.

The sailing marks the Saudi cruise line’s first commercial voyage in European waters, following its repositioning from the Red Sea earlier this month.

The 3,400-passenger vessel—originally built as Dream Cruises’ World Dream in 2017—underwent an extensive refurbishment before entering service for Aroya in 2024. Over 90% of its public spaces and cabins were redesigned to reflect the brand’s Arabian-inspired cruise concept.

Saturday’s departure also marked the ship’s first call at Galataport Istanbul, which will serve as its homeport through mid-September. A plaque exchange ceremony was held onboard to commemorate the milestone, attended by officials from AROYA Cruises, Galataport, local authorities, and regional media.

The maiden voyage is a seven-night cruise running from June 28th to July 5th, with scheduled calls in Piraeus (Athens), Souda Bay, and Mykonos, before returning via Bodrum, Turkey. The itinerary is part of a summer programme that blends iconic destinations with AROYA’s distinct cultural positioning.

“Our maiden voyage in the Mediterranean is a proud moment for AROYA Cruises,” said Dr. Joerg Rudolph, President of AROYA Cruises. “Just six months after launching, we’re bringing AROYA to some of the most celebrated cruise destinations in Europe. This marks not just a new itinerary, but a new era for Arabian cruising.”

Aroya’s deployment reflects broader ambitions of Cruise Saudi—AROYA’s parent company and a subsidiary of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund—to expand the Kingdom’s cruise footprint beyond domestic waters.

The summer programme includes alternating six- and seven-night itineraries from Istanbul. In addition to the Greece-focused route, a second itinerary features calls in Bodrum, Marmaris, Kas, and Alexandria, Egypt. Select departures in July and August will also include stops in Rhodes.

On board, guests can expect a wide range of experiences, including a spacious main pool area, nightly entertainment in the onboard theatre, a wellness area featuring a snow room and advanced spa treatments, and one of the largest kids’ zones at sea. The ship also offers a zip line, water slides, 12 restaurants, and 17 lounges and cafés serving Saudi and international cuisine.

“Galataport Istanbul being selected as the homeport of AROYA Cruises over other Mediterranean ports is not only a reflection of Istanbul’s enduring appeal as a destination, but also a testament to the seamless passenger experience we offer and our state-of-the-art infrastructure,” said Erdem Tavas, Executive Board Member of Galataport Istanbul.

The Mediterranean season will conclude with an 8-night repositioning cruise back to Saudi Arabia, departing Galataport on September 12^th, 2025. That voyage includes visits to Kusadasi in Turkey and Sharm El-Sheikh in Egypt.

AROYA Cruises launched operations in late 2024 with a short season in the Red Sea, aimed at introducing the concept of cruising to the Saudi market. Its Mediterranean expansion signals a strategic shift into more established markets, with Istanbul acting as a regional bridge between Europe and the Arabian Peninsula.