Aroya Cruises returns from Mediterranean for Red Sea season

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Aroya is Saudi Arabia's first-ever cruise ship

Following a successful summer in the Mediterranean, Aroya Cruises is returning to Saudi waters this month with a new series of Red Sea sailings departing Jeddah from 20 September.

This return to the region marks the Saudi-born line’s second Red Sea season and the introduction of its Arabian Gulf itineraries.

The Mediterranean programme was described by Aroya as a milestone for the brand, which launched in December 2024, with 20,000 guests aboard its 3,400-passenger ship, Aroya, which features Saudi-inspired hospitality and design.

Beginning 20 September, the Red Sea schedule will include three-, four- and five-night cruises from Jeddah to the private island of Jabal AlSabaya, as well as Safaga and Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt.

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Saba Beach on Jabal AlSabaya is one of 10 destinations that Cruise Saudi plans to develop as part of its strategy to attract 1.33 million cruise passengers to the kingdom by 2037.

Located 220 nautical miles from Jeddah, the island will be accessible exclusively to cruise guests and, once completed, will offer a floating park, restaurant, shisha lounge, retail space, spa, cabanas, villas, water activities and a private beach.

As part of an expanded regional offering, Aroya Cruises will also introduce a call at Marsa Alam and begin interporting from Safaga, enabling Egyptian travellers to embark directly.

“The itineraries showcase the diversity of the region’s coastlines and cultural landmarks, delivered with Saudi Arabia’s renowned hafawa hospitality and the distinctive onboard experience that defines an Aroya journey,” the line said.

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Looking ahead, Aroya will launch its debut Arabian Gulf season on 21 February 2026. Four week-long roundtrip sailings from Dubai are scheduled, featuring calls at Muscat and Khasab in Oman, Doha in Qatar, Abu Dhabi and Sir Bani Yas Island in the UAE.

From late March 2026, the ship will reposition to Dammam on Saudi Arabia’s east coast to operate five-night cruises through 30 April.

The cruise line will then return to the Mediterranean for summer 2026, arriving in Istanbul in early June following a repositioning voyage from Jeddah.

Aroya has also confirmed an extended season in Türkiye for summer 2027.

More cruise lines are adding Middle East ports to their itineraries as cruise tourism in the region is on the rise and set to be further accelerated by Connections Cruise Arabia. The game-changing annual event, launching 18 September 2025, will bring together senior cruise leaders and stakeholders to shape the future of the sector in the region.

For more information, visit aroya.com and for all the latest cruise news, bookmark www.connectingtravel.com/cruise