Cruise Saudi's six-month Winter Season 2021/22, which began in November last year, successfully came to an end last week.
Around a third of the more than 30,000 passengers who sailed during the Winter Season were international guests, representing over 80 nationalities on board. The Winter Season itinerary saw the region come together to develop three-, four-, and seven-night itineraries that included ports of call in Jordan, as well as, for the first time, cruises around the Saudi coast. Two of Saudi Arabia's six UNESCO World Heritage sites could also be visited as part of the 14 available itineraries: the Hegra in Al-Ula and historic Jeddah, the gateway to Mecca.
Cruise Saudi has activated a total of three cruise ports—in Jeddah, King Abdullah Economic City, and Yanbu—and ensured they are equipped with the necessary infrastructure and facilities to receive cruise lines and passengers. A fourth port in Dammam, on the Persian Gulf, is ready to receive cruise ships soon.
Cruise ships from four international companies—MSC Cruises, Scenic Group, Viking, and Silversea—were welcomed and completed more than 70 sailings in Saudi waters without any safety incidents. This included both the MSC Bellissima and the Scenic Eclipse calling at Jeddah during the summer and winter seasons.
Cruise Saudi CEO Lars Clasen commented on the milestone, saying, “The successes achieved in such a short time, from developing the necessary infrastructure for the cruise sector to partnering with government entities and international cruise lines and welcoming passengers from around the world, have left us very satisfied. Cruise Saudi aims to catalyze the development of the local cruise industry by promoting Saudi Arabia as a premier cruise destination and establishing the sector as a new pillar of the growing Saudi tourism industry, in line with the Saudi leadership’s transformation plan. This is just the beginning for us.”
In line with Vision 2030, Cruise Saudi has committed to providing training and development opportunities to equip young Saudis with the skills needed to operate the cruise industry, and a total of 58 students have participated in specialized programs so far.
Hospitality training programs were conducted onboard in collaboration with King Abdulaziz University and Prince Mugrin University, as well as the Culinary Arts Commission, to train local chefs and culinary tour guides onboard, equipping them with authentic Saudi flavors. A tour guide training program was also launched in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism and the Saudi Association of Tour Guides to create the first generation of cruise ship-specialized tour guides.
Cruise Saudi aims to welcome 1.3 million cruise passengers annually by 2035, as part of Saudi Arabia's goal to attract 100 million domestic and international visitors by 2030. Its ultimate aim is to establish the Red Sea and Saudi Arabia as a cruise hub, echoing the region's history as a maritime center.
