Second Celestyal ship arrives in Jeddah, reinforcing Saudi cruise expansion

Cruise Saudi has welcomed Celestyal Discovery to Jeddah Islamic Port, marking the ship’s first call in Saudi Arabia and furthering the line’s presence in the Red Sea following Celestyal Journey’s arrival on November 29th, 2025.

A traditional plaque exchange ceremony and ship tour was held to mark the visit, attended by the ship’s captain, Cruise Saudi Chief Executive Officer Lars Clasen, Celestyal Cruises Chief Executive Officer Chris Theophilides, and officials from government bodies and the maritime sector.

This latest arrival follows closely after the inaugural call of Celestyal Journey, which brought more than 400 tourists from Europe and the United States. The two visits together reflect the potential for a return of international cruise tourism to the Kingdom and ongoing demand for Red Sea itineraries, despite wider regional challenges.

Cruise Saudi says its efforts to support sector growth remain focused on managing berths and terminals, facilitating ship operations, and advancing marine tourism infrastructure. The company has so far welcomed more than 600,000 cruise passengers from over 120 countries since opening its borders to cruise traffic in 2021.

The visit by Celestyal Discovery strengthens Celestyal Cruises’s engagement with Saudi Arabia, highlighting the growing appeal of the region.

“We are honoured to celebrate our maiden call in Jeddah alongside our partners at Cruise Saudi, marking the beginning of a long and effective relationship,” said Lee Haslett, Chief Commercial Officer at Celestyal, during the November arrival of Celestyal Journey.

 “As the cultural heart of Saudi Arabia and the gateway to its incredible destinations, Jeddah offers huge potential for cruise tourism and today’s plaque exchange is an exciting step in our collaboration,” he added.

Cruise Saudi has expressed similar confidence in the outlook for regional cruise deployment. “This maiden Red Sea sailing highlights the strong appeal of the region and aligns with Cruise Saudi’s commitment to developing seamless, high-quality cruise experiences in Saudi Arabia,” said Barbara Buczek, Chief Destination Experiences Officer at Cruise Saudi.

“We continue to work closely with cruise operators to ensure our ports, destinations, and onshore excursions showcase the Kingdom’s culture, heritage, and renowned hospitality,” she added. “We look forward to welcoming guests from around the world to experience the beauty of the Red Sea and the richness of Saudi Arabia’s destinations.”

The successive calls by Celestyal Journey and Celestyal Discovery reflect increasing operator confidence in the Kingdom’s emerging cruise sector as it continues to support tourism growth and wider economic ambitions.