AROYA Cruises: New course to Greece and Egypt from Istanbul!

AROYA Cruises: New course to Greece and Egypt from Istanbul!

ARAYA Cruises launched its first cruise to Istanbul on Thursday. The city has been selected as the shipping company's central Mediterranean base for the coming season. The ship's arrival in Galataport is scheduled for June 20, 2025, with previously scheduled calls in the popular destinations of Kaş and Bodrum. The first regular cruise itself begins on June 28th after routine technical maintenance.

The cruises include offers that span six to seven days and take place in the Eastern Mediterranean. The port cities served include Marmaris, Athens, Mykonos, Rhodes, Souda Bay and Alexandria. The routes combine both highly frequented holiday destinations and an Arabic-oriented onboard concept. This Mediterranean season is the line's first in European waters, following previous sailings in the Red Sea that welcomed over 70,000 passengers.

Growing ambitions in Europe

Selecting Galataport Istanbul as the main port of call is a strategic step for AROYA Cruises. Dr. Jörg Rudolph, President of AROYA, was positive about the choice of this modernized cruise terminal. Galataport features the world's first underground cruise terminal, covering an area of ​​29,000 square meters and handling all passenger and baggage operations underground. The port's central location and modern infrastructure make it attractive for large cruise operators.

The new season will see weekly departures on Saturdays until mid-September, and the line expects around 90,000 passengers in 2025. Lars Claasen, CEO of Cruise Saudi, the parent company of AROYA Cruises, is managing the international expansion, supported by his over 30 years of experience in the industry. The combination of established travel destinations and a regional profile should help to address new target groups.

A unique experience on board

The AROYA Cruises ship offers a variety of attractions including 29 restaurants, 20 entertainment venues, a large theater, a world-class spa and two pools. Particularly noteworthy is the children's play area, which is one of the largest in the industry. The focus on Arabic hospitality and cultural elements is intended to attract international customers and support tourism development in the region. Cruise passengers using Istanbul as their home port generate economic activity up to six times higher than that of regular tourists.

With this strategic orientation and the choice of Galataport as the main port of call, AROYA Cruises aims for a clear positioning in the European market and goes hand in hand with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030.

For more information read Crucero Magazine and Turkey Today.