• Inaugural Mediterranean Season: AROYA Cruises has launched its first Mediterranean season, with Istanbul serving as the official homeport for summer 2025.
• Strategic Expansion: This move marks a major milestone in Cruise Saudi’s strategy to expand the Saudi cruise sector and establish AROYA as a key regional and international brand.
• Unique Arabian Cruise Experience: AROYA is uniquely positioned by offering a cruise experience tailored to Arabian cultural preferences, including its cuisine, entertainment, and service.
• Strengthening Tourism Ties: The deployment aims to boost tourism between Saudi Arabia and Turkey, with a goal of bringing 90,000 cruise passengers to Istanbul this year.

In an exciting milestone for the cruise industry, AROYA Cruises, Saudi Arabia’s first national cruise line, made its historic maiden call to Galataport Istanbul on June 20, 2025. This celebrated arrival marks the beginning of the cruise line’s inaugural Mediterranean season and a significant step in its regional expansion. Following a highly successful debut in the Red Sea, where it introduced the brand to the GCC market, AROYA is now beautifully poised to bring its unique travel experience to a wider international audience, with Istanbul serving as its summer homeport.

This strategic deployment underscores the ambitious vision of Cruise Saudi, a subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund (PIF), to position AROYA as a premier brand in the regional cruise market. Weekly round-trip cruises are scheduled to depart from Istanbul through mid-September, featuring expertly curated itineraries to enchanting Turkish and Greek destinations. Turky Kari, Executive Director of Marketing at Cruise Saudi, highlighted the moment’s importance, emphasizing the goal of strengthening tourism links between Saudi Arabia and Turkey and welcoming 90,000 passengers to Istanbul this year.

What makes AROYA Cruises truly special is its dedication to offering a distinct Arabian cruise experience. From its onboard entertainment and cuisine to its service ethos, every detail is thoughtfully tailored to reflect regional cultural preferences, creating a unique and enriching atmosphere. The move to a high-profile homeport like Istanbul is a strategic bridge between Europe and the Middle East, welcoming both regional and international guests to explore the Eastern Mediterranean in a fresh and authentic way.