AROYA Cruises carries 140,000+ passengers in first year of operations

AROYA Cruises has revealed it carried more than 140,000 passengers during its first year of operations, marking an early milestone for the Saudi-backed cruise line since its maiden voyage in December 2024.

The figure reflects demand across both domestic and international markets during the brand’s inaugural year, with itineraries spanning the Red Sea and Mediterranean. 

The passenger total was achieved during the cruise line’s first full year of sailing and represents one of the earliest indicators of market response to Saudi Arabia’s entry into cruise line operations.

AROYA welcomed guests from across Saudi Arabia, the wider GCC, Europe, and Central Asia, with the line reporting a mix of family and individual travellers across its sailings.

AROYA launched as the first Arabian cruise line under Cruise Saudi, a Public Investment Fund portfolio company, and began operations with a single vessel, Aroya, formerly World Dream.

The ship has operated year-round itineraries across the Red Sea and Mediterranean, combining regional destinations with onboard experiences tailored to regional travel preferences, following an extensive bow-to-stern refit and refurbishment.

The passenger milestone comes as AROYA prepares to expand its programme in 2026. In January, the cruise line will operate a sports-themed sailing in partnership with the Saudi Tourism Authority and Major Sports Cruises, timed around the Spanish Super Cup, while from February 2026, it will also introduce its first season in the Arabian Gulf.

The expansion will run alongside the continuation of existing itineraries across Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Turkey, and Greece.

The cruise line also plans to maintain a calendar of themed sailings linked to cultural and seasonal events, including voyages aligned with Saudi Founding Day and Saudi National Day, as well as entertainment-led cruises introduced as part of the expanded programme.

“Our authenticity, and our commitment to delivering a uniquely Arabian experience at every touchpoint, are reflected in the overwhelmingly positive response from our guests,” said Lars Clasen, CEO of Cruise Saudi.

“As we look ahead, we are expanding our offering to diversify guest choice and introduce enriching experiences, while further strengthening Saudi Arabia’s position on the global cruise map in alignment with Vision 2030.”

AROYA was introduced in 2023 as part of Saudi Arabia’s broader tourism strategy, with the cruise line positioned as a contributor to economic diversification and the development of new leisure offerings.

The first-year passenger figure provides early insight into the scale of demand being generated by the Kingdom’s cruise ambitions as the brand moves into its second year of operations.

The reported 140,000 passenger figure suggests an average occupancy above 50 per cent, a significant achievement for a brand-new cruise line in an emerging source market. AROYA is not only a new operator, but the first cruise line designed specifically for the Arab world, targeting a regional audience with limited prior exposure to cruise holidays and operating within a market still in the early stages of cruise adoption.

The cruise line currently operates a one-ship fleet, with AROYA sailing seasonally across the Red Sea, Mediterranean and Arabian Gulf as it prepares for further programme expansion in 2026.