Aroya Cruises opens bookings for debut Arabian Gulf sailings

Saudi Arabia’s Aroya Cruises has opened bookings for its debut Arabian Gulf sailings, with five- and seven-night itineraries set to visit leading ports in the UAE, Qatar and Oman throughout the winter 2025-2026 season. 

This marks a third region for the kingdom’s first cruise line, which launched in December 2024, having completed its Red Sea debut and is now sailing its Mediterranean season.

Aroya’s entrance into the Arabian Gulf joins Celestyal in offering regular regional sailings, with Celestyal set to expand its presence next season by deploying two ships for back-to-back itineraries across Gulf ports, a sign of growing momentum in Middle Eastern cruise tourism.

Aroya’s upcoming Arabian Gulf season on board the 3,400-passenger Aroya launches with four consecutive week-long roundtrip journeys from Dubai between 21 February and 14 March, 2026.

On these sailings, guests will discover the heritage and highlights of Muscat and Khasab in Oman, plus enjoy stops in Doha in Qatar, UAE capital Abu Dhabi and Sir Bani Yas island, famed for its wildlife reserves and pristine beaches. 

Later in March, the vessel shifts base to Dammam in Saudi, where it will offer five-night cruises through 30 April, calling at key cities including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Sir Bani Yas, Muscat and Khasab, which is widely regarded as the ’Norway of Arabia’ due to its dramatic fjord-like inlets.