Aroya Cruises Begins First Mediterranean Season in Istanbul

Saudi Arabia’s first domestic cruise brand, Aroya Cruises, has made its debut in European waters with a maiden call at Galataport Istanbul this week. This milestone comes as the cruise line embarks on its inaugural Eastern Mediterranean season, following its initial operations in the Red Sea.

Aroya Cruises has selected Galataport Istanbul as its summer base, scheduling weekly departures every Saturday through mid-September.

“This is a historic moment,” said Turky Kari, Executive Director of Marketing for Cruise Saudi. “We couldn’t have found a better place to start our Mediterranean journey than Istanbul. We’re working hard to grow tourism links between Saudi Arabia and Turkey, with a goal of bringing 90,000 passengers to the city this year.”

The ship docked in Istanbul on June 20 after cruising along Turkey’s southwestern coast, with visits to ports in Bodrum and Kaş. Ahead of its first official commercial sailing on June 28, the vessel is undergoing standard maintenance procedures.

Galataport Istanbul is rapidly gaining recognition as a key destination in the cruise industry. Board member Erdem Tavas highlighted the port’s growing impact, saying it is projected to welcome around 600,000 passengers in 2025—up 134% from the previous year.

“Homeport passengers are vital to the local economy,” Tavas noted. “They spend six to seven times more than an average tourist, with per-person spending averaging between $450 and $500.”