Viking has announced plans to enter the Indian river cruise market, with an order for Viking Brahmaputra, a new 80-guest vessel that will operate on the Brahmaputra River in Assam, with pre- […]
Despite the withdrawal of German cruise line AIDA Cruises from the UAE for the upcoming 2025/26 Middle East winter season, other operators with Gulf-only itineraries remain committed to Dubai as a homeport.
Cruise Saudi has confirmed that AlWajh will play a strategic role in its expansion plans, serving as the main cruise gateway to AlUla — one of Saudi Arabia’s most culturally and historically […]
Windstar Cruises remains open to the possibility of homeporting in Saudi Arabia, suggesting that Red Sea deployment is still part of its strategic vision despite current operations being focused on the Mediterranean […]
Cruise Saudi, the government-backed organisation charged with growing Saudi Arabia’s cruise industry, is expanding its port infrastructure in Jeddah to accommodate larger cruise vessels as part of its broader effort to scale […]
Cruise Saudi, the entity driving the development of Saudi Arabia’s emerging cruise sector, has outlined its long-term vision for growth, aiming to develop 10 cruise destinations by 2030 and reach 1.33 million […]
Cruising in the GCC is shedding its retiree image, as millennials and Gen Z embrace short, immersive voyages tailored to their lifestyles and travel preferences.
AROYA Cruises has officially launched its inaugural Eastern Mediterranean season, departing Istanbul’s Galataport Cruise Terminal on June 28th, 2025.
With expanding airlift, strong source market growth, and a robust port network, the Arabian Gulf is well-positioned to become a year-round cruise destination—but not all industry leaders are convinced the region is […]
Celestyal has released details of its 2027/28 season, marking its earliest season launch to date on the back of sustained demand for its Arabian Gulf and wider Mediterranean itineraries.
Cruise lines are continuing to bypass the Red Sea in favour of repositioning via South Africa, with a growing number of Dubai– and Abu Dhabi-bound ships confirmed to sail from Cape Town […]
Carnival Corporation is closely monitoring the rapidly evolving situation in the Middle East, but says the ongoing Israel–Iran tensions have not yet had any material impact on its operations.
AROYA Cruises, Saudi Arabia’s first homegrown cruise line, made its inaugural call to Galataport Istanbul on June 20th, marking the start of its first Mediterranean season and a major milestone in the […]
MSC Cruises has confirmed that MSC Euribia will reposition to Europe from the Arabian Gulf in April 2026 via the Suez Canal, marking the cruise line’s first major transit of the Red […]
Costa Cruises has unveiled its 2026/27 programme, with Costa Smeralda set to return to the Arabian Gulf for the winter season as part of a global deployment featuring eight ships across five […]
With a private island development, 19 destinations in the pipeline, and a homegrown cruise line making waves, Saudi Arabia is placing the Red Sea at the centre of its cruise ambitions—and reshaping […]
Port Sultan Qaboos in Oman, the cruise port gateway to Muscat, is set to undergo a redevelopment that will include berth expansions following a record 2024/25 season, with new infrastructure potentially capable […]
Middle East cruise industry navigates shifting dynamics as regional tensions raise questions around 2025/26 deployments.
The 2025/26 Middle East cruise season cements the region’s status as a favoured winter cruise hub, with more than 300 sailings from Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Doha connecting the Arabian Gulf to […]
AROYA Cruises, the first homegrown cruise line in the Arab world, has departed Jeddah on its inaugural repositioning voyage to Istanbul, where its sole vessel Aroya will be based for the summer.
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