AROYA Cruises Returns to the Mediterranean
Following its Mediterranean debut in 2025, AROYA Cruises is preparing to strengthen its presence in the region by announcing its second Mediterranean summer season for 2026.
As the first Arabian cruise line in the industry, the company aims to consolidate its international identity while expanding its offering for travelers from the Middle East, Europe, and international markets. The new summer program will once again feature Galataport Istanbul as the company’s main homeport, confirming the strategic role of the Turkish city as a privileged gateway to the Eastern Mediterranean.
AROYA(2)
Before the official start of the Mediterranean season, AROYA Cruises will offer a special eight-night voyage departing from Jeddah on May 29, 2026, bound for Istanbul. The itinerary represents one of the highlights of the new program thanks to a route crossing the Red Sea and the Suez Canal. The ship will call at Sharm El Sheikh and Ain Sokhna before transiting through one of the world’s most iconic maritime passages: the Suez Canal. The voyage will then continue along the Turkish coastline with stops in Antalya and Bodrum before the final arrival in Istanbul. The Suez Canal crossing represents one of the defining elements of the experience, offering guests the opportunity to enjoy a historic and evocative journey linking the Red Sea to the Mediterranean.
The 2026 summer program will feature seven-night cruises with two main types of itineraries departing from Istanbul. Some sailings will focus on discovering Türkiye and the Greek Islands, with calls at highly sought-after destinations such as Bodrum, Rhodes, Mykonos, Piraeus for Athens, and Souda Bay. Other itineraries will combine the Turkish coast with Mediterranean Egypt, featuring calls at Marmaris, Bodrum, and Kaş, as well as historic Alexandria. By combining iconic destinations with culturally rich ports, AROYA Cruises offers a product capable of appealing both to travelers seeking relaxation and seaside escapes and to those looking for more culturally focused itineraries.
One of the distinctive aspects of AROYA Cruises is its commitment to delivering an authentically Arabian onboard experience, reinterpreted in a contemporary and international style. The company’s offering stands out for its Middle Eastern hospitality, diverse culinary experiences, extensive family-friendly spaces, and numerous activities for children and teenagers. Great attention is also given to wellness, entertainment, and communal areas, with the goal of transforming time spent at sea into an integral part of the travel experience. The cruises are designed to meet the needs of families, couples, and multi-generational groups, offering modern environments and services tailored to an international clientele.
Aroya
The return of AROYA Cruises to the Mediterranean also confirms the growing interest in the Middle Eastern cruise market and in travel concepts that combine luxury, culture, and regional identity. The company aims to attract guests not only from Saudi Arabia and the Gulf countries, but also from Europe and CIS markets, which are increasingly interested in experiences that differ from traditional international cruises. According to Sture Myrmell, the success of the first Mediterranean season demonstrated how much guests appreciate a product capable of combining iconic destinations with a strongly Arabian onboard experience.
With the new 2026 summer season, AROYA Cruises strengthens its international expansion strategy and confirms the Mediterranean as one of the company’s most important future markets.
With itineraries crossing Türkiye, Greece, and Egypt, the evocative transit through the Suez Canal, and an onboard experience deeply inspired by Arabian hospitality, AROYA aims to stand out in the international cruise landscape with an original product increasingly focused on experiential travel.
Do not miss news, updates, and reviews of AROYA Cruises on Cruising Journal, featuring photos, videos, and special cruise offers.
