The Saudi shipping company is strengthening its international strategy with seven-night cruises from Istanbul and expanding its passenger capacity with a new port of embarkation in Alexandria.
AROYA Cruises has successfully concluded its second consecutive season in the Mediterranean, solidifying the region's position as one of the key markets in the company's international expansion strategy, supported by Cruise Saudi.
Following its Mediterranean debut in 2025, the AROYA returned to the region this summer with a lineup of seven-night cruises departing from Galataport Istanbul, featuring stops in Turkey, Greece, and Egypt. The season, which began in early June, has allowed the company to strengthen its presence in a highly competitive market and expand its international customer base.
More international passengers and new departure markets
One of the major developments of the 2026 season has been the launch of AROYA's first interporting operations, allowing passengers to board on certain itineraries from Alexandria, Egypt.
The addition of this port provides the company with a new gateway to Mediterranean products and makes it easier for AROYA's cruise ships to reach customers from Egypt and other markets in the region.
The Mediterranean itinerary has featured two main types of routes. On the one hand, cruises that combine Turkey and the Greek islands, with stops in destinations such as Bodrum, Rhodes, Mykonos, Piraeus, and Souda Bay. On the other hand, itineraries that connect the Turkish coast with Egypt, including Marmaris, Bodrum, Kaş, and Alexandria.
The source market has also diversified. Although Saudi Arabia and the Gulf countries remain important to the company, AROYA is gradually attracting passengers from Europe, the countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States, and other international markets.
A product tailored to the international market
The expansion of its international presence has also led AROYA to partially adapt its product to passengers boarding in the Mediterranean. Among the changes made are a wider variety of languages in the onboard programs, adjustments to the entertainment offerings, and other modifications aimed at catering to a more international audience.
The company, however, retains the elements that define its identity as the first cruise line of Arab origin. The ship continues to offer halal dining options, spaces inspired by Saudi culture, and certain features unique to its product, such as specific spa hours for women. The absence of alcoholic beverages on board is also one of the distinctive elements of its positioning.
The AROYA, with a capacity of 3,362 passengers and 150,695 metric tons of gross tonnage, features 12 dining venues and offers a unique experience rooted in Arab hospitality and culture.
The Mediterranean: A Platform for Growth for AROYA
The company believes that its presence in the Mediterranean has strategic value that goes beyond operating during the summer season. The region is serving as a platform to introduce the AROYA brand to international passengers and develop new sales channels.
The success of this second season thus reinforces the international expansion strategy of a company seeking to position itself as a unique alternative among the world’s cruise offerings.
After completing its Mediterranean itinerary, the AROYA is scheduled to return to the Red Sea in mid-September on a repositioning cruise from Istanbul to Jeddah.
Before leaving the Mediterranean for good, the ship will also serve a very different purpose than usual: it will become a floating hotel during the 2026 Mediterranean Games in Taranto, Italy.
The AROYA will remain docked in the Italian city from late August through early September and will accommodate thousands of participants, including athletes, coaches, technical staff, and delegates from the 26 participating countries. The charter agreement also provides for catering, entertainment, and spaces for events related to the competition.
This operation is yet another example of the growing use of large cruise ships as temporary hotel accommodations for major events and allows AROYA to continue its operations in the Mediterranean after its regular cruise season.
