Saudi port infrastructure plans suggest AROYA cruise ships might get even bigger

Cruise Saudi, the government-backed organisation charged with growing Saudi Arabia’s cruise industry, is expanding its port infrastructure in Jeddah to accommodate larger cruise vessels as part of its broader effort to scale up cruise tourism in the Kingdom.

Speaking on the MedCruise Insider podcast, Serafin Blazquez, Executive Director at Cruise Saudi, said the organisation was expanding infrastructure to accommodate more ships simultaneously. 

“We also have two other projects that are under development. One is AlWajh. AlWajh will be our gateway to AlUla,” he 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.”

While Blazquez did not name specific cruise lines in relation to the Jeddah expansion, the announcement comes amid reports that AROYA Cruises, Saudi Arabia’s homegrown cruise brand, plans to develop two new-build vessels in the coming years. 

These new ships are expected to join the existing AROYA fleet, which currently includes the 3,362-passenger flagship Aroya (formerly World Dream).

Although Cruise Saudi has not confirmed whether the Jeddah port enhancements are directly tied to AROYA’s growth, the move suggests preparations for potentially larger vessels. 

This remains speculative, but the timeline aligns with Saudi Arabia’s wider cruise strategy under Vision 2030.

Cruise Saudi currently operates four cruise ports: Jeddah, Yanbu, Dammam, and Saba Beach — the latter being its first private island development. Jeddah Islamic Port has served as a cornerstone of operations since the company’s inception in 2021 and remains central to its expansion plans.

According to Blazquez, infrastructure development is closely aligned with Cruise Saudi’s mission to offer a seamless and high-quality experience for guests and crew. 

“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.”

The upgrades to Jeddah’s cruise facilities mark another step in Cruise Saudi’s ambition to reach 1.33 million cruise passengers by 2037 and open 10 destinations by 2030.

In December last year, Cruise Saudi launched AROYA Cruises, the first homegrown cruise brand in the Arab world. The launch of AROYA Cruises signals a turning point for Saudi Arabia’s maritime tourism—positioning the Kingdom as a serious cruise player.

With a fully Arabian-brand experience at sea and shore, AROYA strengthens domestic industry, boosts international appeal, and supports Saudi Vision 2030’s strategy to transform tourism through authentic, immersive offerings.