Cruise Saudi targets 10 destinations by 2030 and 1.33 million passengers by 2037

Cruise Saudi, the entity driving the development of Saudi Arabia’s emerging cruise sector, has outlined its long-term vision for growth, aiming to develop 10 cruise destinations by 2030 and reach 1.33 million cruise passengers by 2037.

Speaking on a recent episode of the MedCruise Insider podcast, Serafin Blazquez, Executive Director at Cruise Saudi, said the entity has ambitious expansion plans for Saudi Arabia’s cruise sector.

“We were founded in 2021 to develop the cruise sector in Saudi Arabia,” he said. “We have two very ambitious targets, which are to open 10 destinations by 2030 and to reach 1.33 million cruise passengers by 2037.”

Blazquez explained that Cruise Saudi oversees the entire cruise ecosystem in the Kingdom, from port development and destination management to passenger experience design. The company currently operates four ports: Jeddah and Yanbu on the Red Sea, the private island Saba Beach, and Dammam in the Arabian Gulf.

Blazquez explained that transformation ports in Saudi Arabia into cruise destinations requires extensive coordination. 

“There are different needs … so we identify all these requests and all these needs,” he said. “We put together all these requirements and needs to customise our services and to be sure that we are providing the best experience to all the passengers. We also never forget the crew members.”

He noted that collaboration with government entities, tour operators, and cruise lines is essential to shaping an offering that balances international expectations with authentic Saudi experiences.

A key part of Cruise Saudi’s growth strategy is the development of private and new island destinations. 

“Saba Beach, which is our first island development, gives us the possibility to continue diversifying our offering that we currently have in Saudi Arabia. We are talking about a great destination with some beaches with coral reefs,” said Blazquez.

“Sustainability is one of our principles,” he added. “We are guided by the Saudi 2030 Vision, where sustainability and green initiatives are a must. So from the beginning of Saba Beach that we started in 2024, we decided to follow any sustainable and green initiatives that could be implemented.”

Looking ahead, Cruise Saudi is working on two additional major projects. “One is AlWajh. AlWajh will be our gateway to AlUla,” Blazquez said. “We are also working on a project to expand our availability to accommodate large cruise ships and to increase the number of cruise passengers that we can receive in Jeddah on the same day.”

AlUla offers cruise passengers a rare blend of cultural depth and natural beauty. Home to Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hegra, it features ancient tombs, sandstone canyons, and cutting-edge cultural venues like Maraya. Its remoteness adds to the allure, making it a truly distinctive inland excursion.