AROYA Cruises plans special Red Sea sailing for Saudi National Day

AROYA Cruises will operate a special five-night Red Sea voyage from Jeddah to coincide with Saudi National Day.

The sailing will depart on 22 September 2026 and visit Sharm El-Sheikh in Egypt and Aqaba in Jordan, with a programme of Saudi cultural events and entertainment planned onboard.

The voyage will take place during Saudi National Day, which is celebrated annually on 23 September, and will feature artistic and musical performances highlighting elements of Saudi culture and identity.

The five-night itinerary is one of three cruises scheduled to depart Jeddah aboard AROYA during September, before the ship returns to the Mediterranean in October.

A two-night sailing will depart from Jeddah on 20 September, followed by the five-night National Day cruise two days later.

The ship will then depart Jeddah again on 27 September for a four-night voyage to Sharm El-Sheikh. Following the completion of that sailing, AROYA is scheduled to head to the Mediterranean on 1 October.

The September programme continues AROYA Cruises’ operations in its home market of Saudi Arabia and the wider Red Sea region.

The cruise line began operations in December 2024, with AROYA initially sailing from Jeddah to destinations around the Red Sea.

The ship has since expanded its deployment beyond the region, including seasonal operations in the Mediterranean. During its 2026 Mediterranean season, AROYA operated seven-night cruises from Istanbul to destinations in Turkey, Greece, and Egypt.

The vessel also introduced interporting during the season, allowing passengers on selected itineraries to embark in Alexandria, Egypt, in addition to its other departure ports.

The September sailings will return the focus to the Red Sea before AROYA begins its next Mediterranean deployment.

AROYA Cruises is a subsidiary of Cruise Saudi, which is wholly owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.

The cruise line was established as part of the development of Saudi Arabia’s domestic cruise industry, with AROYA becoming its first vessel.

The ship can accommodate approximately 3,500 passengers and includes a range of dining, entertainment, and accommodation facilities developed for the Saudi and wider Middle Eastern market.

Its onboard operations include halal food and beverage offerings, with no alcoholic drinks served aboard the vessel.

The National Day sailing will combine these regular operations with a dedicated programme linked to the annual celebration, while also taking passengers outside Saudi Arabia with calls in Egypt and Jordan.

Following the final September departure, AROYA will leave the Red Sea for its Mediterranean programme from 1 October.

AROYA Cruises’ September Red Sea sailings

• 20 September – Two-night cruise from Jeddah
• 22 September – Five-night Saudi National Day cruise calling at Sharm El-Sheikh and Aqaba
• 27 September – Four-night cruise from Jeddah to Sharm El-Sheikh
• 1 October – AROYA heads to the Mediterranean