Saudi Arabia cruise world takes off with Aroya Cruises and Jabal AlSabaya Island
Saudi Arabia has the goal of becoming a new destination for cruises. At ITB Berlin 2025, Aroya Cruises and Jabal AlSabaya Island are leading the Kingdom’s achievements in the cruise sector.
Aroya Cruises, a division of Cruise Saudi, was launched in June 2023 and is enjoying rapid development. In December 2024, the company’s first commercial sailing of its flagship vessel, Aroya, took place across the Red Sea. The vessel offers 1,678 cabins, 29 dining venues, 20 entertainment options, a 1,585 sq. metre souq-inspired shopping district and an array of world-class amenities designed to deliver a ‘Remarkably Arabian’ experience.
Aroya, which is homeported in Jeddah, delivers a cruising experience focused on Arabian preferences. With its world-class facilities, luxury spa services, one of the largest kids zones at sea, and numerous entertainment options, Aroya is confident in becoming a major player in the cruise market in the Middle-East and beyond. Commenting on Aroya’s inaugural journey, Joerg Rudolph, President of Aroya Cruises, declared: “This is an important moment for Aroya Cruises and a major step forward in developing Saudi’s overall tourism offering as part of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals.”
In the meantime, Cruise Saudi, the public investment fund portfolio company behind the creation of the Saudi’s cruise sector, including Aroya Cruises, announced the soft launch of Saba Beach on Jabal AlSabaya, a private island for cruising in the heart of the Red Sea. Just a short sail from Jeddah, Jabal AlSabaya will be exclusively accessible to all cruise line passengers, offering a Red Sea experience that combines luxury, local culture, and the natural beauty of Saudi’s coastline.
