The ten cruise ships delivered in 2025 (with one bonus mention) indicate the industry’s priorities as it prepares for next phase of evolution.
Year in Review: 10 new cruise ships that defined 2025
AROYA Cruises targets Indian market with appointment of preferred sales agent
AROYA Cruises, a unit of Cruise Saudi and Saudi Arabia’s first homegrown cruise line, has moved to strengthen its presence in the Indian market with the appointment of Griffon Cruises as its […]
Growing number of UAE residents celebrating Christmas and New Year at sea
A growing number of UAE residents are choosing to spend the festive season aboard cruise ships, with demand for Christmas and New Year sailings from regional ports reaching near-capacity levels across the […]
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.
AROYA Cruises marks 1st year, outlines new 2026 Red Sea, Gulf, and themed cruises
Saudi Arabian homegrown cruise line AROYA Cruises, the Arab world’s first domestic cruise brand, has marked one year since its maiden voyage, and outlined plans to expand its cruise offering in 2026.
Marc Kazlauskas appointed President of Norwegian Cruise Line from January 2026
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings has announced the appointment of Marc Kazlauskas as President of its flagship brand Norwegian Cruise Line, with his tenure set to begin on January 19th, 2026.
Cape Town and Jeddah emerging as rival bridges between Europe, Middle East and Asia
From Cape Town’s southern arc to Jeddah’s direct Suez Canal transit, cruise lines will soon be choosing between South Africa and Saudi Arabia as Europe-Asia repositioning corridors
Cruise executives urge unified regional strategy to unlock Middle East potential
Cruise industry leaders have called for closer cooperation among Middle Eastern destinations, arguing that the region could support significant expansion if it continues to align policies and invest collectively in its cruise […]
Cruise Saudi to embed heritage into cruise itineraries for greater cultural immersion
Cruise Saudi and Saudi Arabia’s Heritage Commission have signed an agreement to integrate national heritage more directly into the cruise experience, creating deeper cultural immersion for passengers and positioning the Kingdom as […]
AROYA Cruises announces leadership transition as president Jörg Rudolph steps down
Aroya Cruises has confirmed a change in its senior leadership, announcing that Dr Jörg Rudolph has concluded his tenure as president.
Cruise Arabia Alliance expands as Saudi Arabia and Qatar join regional partnership
The Cruise Arabia Alliance has expanded to include Saudi Arabia and Qatar, marking a significant development in efforts to strengthen cruise tourism and coordination across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
Why cruise lines lock-in homeport planning years in advance
When Queen Elizabeth arrived at PortMiami in late 2025 as a new homeport, the moment was framed as a milestone for Cunard. But for port authorities, operators, and regulators, the arrival marked […]
Saudi Arabia aims for 2027/28 Red Sea recovery as tensions reshape cruise itineraries
International cruise lines are expected to delay a full return to Saudi Arabia until at least the 2027/28 season, as ongoing geopolitical instability in the Red Sea continues to disrupt deployment plans […]
South African cruise season set to inject R120m into Nelson Mandela Bay economy
The arrival of Mein Schiff 4 in Port Elizabeth has officially opened the 2025/26 cruise season, signalling a strong start for South Africa’s expanding cruise tourism sector.
Cruise lines reinvent casino at sea for a new generation of passengers
Cruise lines are reshaping the role of casinos at sea, transforming them from tucked-away gaming rooms into design-led entertainment hubs that sit at the heart of the onboard experience.
Egypt’s cruise comeback highlighted by Norwegian Viva Alexandria Port calls
Egypt’s resurgence as a cruise destination is gathering pace, with Alexandria Port recording multiple high-profile visits this autumn, signalling renewed confidence in the country’s Mediterranean and Red Sea potential after a decade […]
MSC Cruises highlights Ocean Cay restoration work at IUCN Congress in Abu Dhabi
The MSC Foundation, part of MSC Cruises, has shared insights from its marine restoration initiatives in The Bahamas at the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi, in the UAE.
Short Gulf cruises seen as gateway to growth at Connections Cruise Arabia
Cruise executives at a recent Middle East forum, Connections Cruise Arabia pointed to short itineraries and closer alignment with local demand as key tools for building the region’s cruise industry, with Celestyal […]
Emirates outlines 180,000-passenger fly-cruise impact at Connections Cruise Arabia
Emirates Airline has underscored the importance of cruise tourism to its global leisure strategy, revealing it carried 180,000 cruise passengers into Dubai last year, while investing in infrastructure to make the city […]
Cape Town poised for cruise surge ahead of 2025/25 South African season
Cape Town’s cruise industry is preparing for a significant 2025/26 season, marked by larger vessels, more varied itineraries, and growing demand from South African travellers.
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