Saudi Arabia’s homegrown cruise line AROYA Cruises, and the Arab world’s first domestic cruise brand, has officially blown out its first birthday candle, marking one year since its maiden voyage and unveiling ambitious plans to scale up its cruise offering in 2026.
Launched in December 2024, AROYA has wasted no time finding its sea legs. Over the past 12 months, the line has operated year-round itineraries across the Red Sea and the Mediterranean, welcoming more than 140,000 guests from Saudi Arabia, the wider GCC, Europe and Central Asia along the way.
Its magic formula? A clever balance of regional destinations paired with culturally rooted onboard experiences, striking a chord with families and independent travellers alike, and driving demand across both domestic and international markets.
What’s new on the horizon?
Building on a confident first year, AROYA has confirmed that its 2026 programme will bring fresh sailings, new regional deployments and even more themed cruises designed to keep things interesting on board.
First up is a sports-themed sailing in January 2026, developed in partnership with the Saudi Tourism Authority and Major Sports Cruise, and timed around the Spanish Super Cup.
Running from 8–11 January 2026, the three-night voyage will sail between Jeddah and Yanbu following the tournament’s semi-finals. Adding star power to the high seas, football legends Iker Casillas and Patrick Kluivert are expected to join the sailing, blending sporting passion with leisure and cultural experiences.
Hello, Arabian Gulf
February 2026 will mark another milestone, as AROYA launches its first-ever season in the Arabian Gulf. The new deployment will feature five- and seven-night itineraries departing from Dammam, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha, expanding the line’s footprint well beyond its Red Sea heartland.
The Gulf season will operate alongside AROYA’s established **Red Sea and Mediterranean itineraries**, which will once again call at ports in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Turkey and Greece.
More themes, more flavour
AROYA also plans to double down on its popular themed sailings, with voyages aligned to Saudi Founding Day and Saudi National Day, alongside newly introduced entertainment-led cruises. The aim here is to appeal to regional travellers while giving international guests a culturally distinctive experience they won’t find on mainstream cruise lines.
“Today, we are proud to mark one year since AROYA welcomed its first guests onboard,” said Lars Clasen, CEO of Cruise Saudi. “Our authenticity, and our commitment to delivering a uniquely Arabian experience at every touchpoint, are reflected in the overwhelmingly positive response from our guests.”
“As we look ahead, we are expanding our offering to diversify guest choice and introduce enriching experiences, while further strengthening Saudi Arabia’s position on the global cruise map in alignment with Vision 2030,” he added.
AROYA’s bigger picture
Introduced in 2023 under Cruise Saudi, a Public Investment Fund portfolio company, AROYA Cruises forms a key pillar of the Kingdom’s wider tourism strategy. The brand supports economic diversification while introducing new leisure experiences designed to put Saudi Arabia firmly on the global cruise radar.
Currently operating a one-ship fleet, Aroya offers passengers 14 dining venues, eight lounges and cafés, many serving shisha alongside a strong line-up of entertainment, wellness and family-friendly facilities.
As it enters its second year of operations, AROYA is positioning its expanded 2026 programme as the next chapter in its growth story, following a debut year marked by steady passenger numbers, broader itineraries and rising visibility within the global cruise industry.
