AROYA Cruises sets sights on Caribbean as it completes maiden Mediterranean season

AROYA Cruises is concluding its maiden season in the Mediterranean this week, but is already eyeing further expansion, with the Caribbean, Northern Europe, and Asia under consideration. 

The Saudi-owned brand, launched in late 2024 as the Arab world’s first homegrown cruise line, has positioned itself as a floating resort that reflects Arabian hospitality and luxury, while advancing Saudi Arabia’s ambitions to become a global cruise destination.

AROYA Cruises’ first ship, Aroya, sailed a maiden season in the Red Sea through the first half of 2025, and debuted in Istanbul in June, sailing 7-night itineraries out of Turkey visiting Greece and Egypt. 

Sailing every weekend from Galataport Cruise Terminal, Aroya visited destinations including Mykonos, Souda Bay, Rhodes, Piraeus, Kaş, Marmaris, Alexandria, and Bodrum. Over the course of the summer, the ship carried some 20,000 guests, from both the Middle East and the international market.

Aroya is set to depart on September 12th, 2025, on an 8-night repositioning voyage to Saudi Arabia, visiting Kuşadası, Bodrum, Port Suez, and Sharm El Sheikh before arriving in Jeddah. The ship will then launch its Middle East season in the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf, marking its return to domestic waters before possibly expanding further afield.

Cruise Saudi has confirmed that AROYA will return to Istanbul in June 2026 for a second Mediterranean season, with another extended deployment planned for 2027. 

At the same time, new international itineraries are under consideration as part of its next growth phase. 

“AROYA is more than a ship. It is a floating resort designed to highlight Saudi luxury and world-class hospitality,” the company said, noting that after establishing itself in the Red Sea and Mediterranean, the brand is now eyeing Northern Europe, Asia and the Caribbean.

The proposed expansion into the Caribbean in particular signals Saudi Arabia’s confidence in its ability to compete in established global markets, alongside its efforts to draw attention to the Kingdom’s own cruise potential. 

Cruise Saudi has stated that widening AROYA’s reach will not only attract new source markets but also strengthen the position of Saudi Arabia’s cruise sector within the broader tourism economy.

The 2017-built Aroya, acquired by Cruise Saudi in 2023 and extensively refurbished prior to its launch, boasts 19 decks, 1,678 cabins and suites, 12 restaurants and 17 cafés. 

Approximately 95 percent of its public areas and staterooms were reconstructed before its debut in late 2024. Onboard, the product blends modern luxury with Arabian-inspired design, featuring areas such as Khuzama, an exclusive space for premium guests offering 145 suites and nine private villas, the largest of which measures 395 square metres. 

Facilities include prayer areas, women-only spa hours and private villa services, aiming to combine cultural authenticity with international standards of luxury.