AROYA Cruises 2026: Saudi Arabia's Premium Arabian Hospitality Cruise Line | Travelwings UAE

Overview: AROYA Cruises is the first homegrown Saudi Arabian cruise line, launched in 2023 by Cruise Saudi (a subsidiary of Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund) and operating one flagship ship — AROYA Manara — from Jeddah on Red Sea, Arabian Gulf, and Eastern Mediterranean itineraries. AROYA Manara is an 18-deck floating resort with 1,678 cabins, 12 restaurants, 17 lounges, 20 entertainment venues, dedicated water games deck, and Arabic-cultural design throughout including prayer rooms on Deck 5 and prayer mats in every cabin. Travelwings UAE offers AROYA Cruise packages from AED 3,199 per person on 3-, 4-, 5-, and 7-night itineraries from Jeddah, visiting Yanbu, Sharm El Sheikh, Aqaba (Petra), and seasonal Eastern Mediterranean ports. With authentic Arabian hospitality at sea, Halal-certified dining, and curated experiences for Saudi and GCC nationals and residents, AROYA is the Middle East's premium regional cruise alternative for UAE travellers.

AROYA Cruises occupies a unique position in the regional cruise market — the first cruise line built explicitly for Arab travellers, by an Arab operator, sailing from an Arab port, with an onboard experience designed around Arabian hospitality rather than translated from a Western or European cruising template. For UAE travellers wanting a Red Sea cruise that feels culturally familiar (Halal dining throughout, prayer rooms, Arabic language operations, shisha lounges, family programming aligned with regional expectations), AROYA is the natural choice. This page covers everything you need to know to plan an AROYA Cruises booking from the UAE.

Who Is AROYA Cruises?

AROYA Cruises is the first Arabian cruise line and was officially launched in 2023 as a separate business unit of Cruise Saudi — a Jeddah-based tourism business founded in 2021. Both Cruise Saudi and AROYA Cruises are fully owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund. The PIF manages approximately USD 620 billion in assets and is one of the largest sovereign wealth funds globally, with cruise investment forming part of Saudi Arabia's wider Vision 2030 strategy to establish the Kingdom as a global tourism hub.

AROYA's maiden voyage took place on 16 December 2024 — a 3-night round-trip from Jeddah. The inaugural cruise featured Saudi artists Abadi al-Johar and Zaina Emad performing at the AROYA Theatre, signalling the line's cultural-programming orientation from day one.

AROYA Cruises has built additional regional commercial partnerships including a 3-year Gold Sponsorship deal with Al Nassr Football Club (Riyadh) signed in July 2023, and partnerships with Saudi Arabia's Culinary Arts Commission to develop authentic Saudi cuisine onboard.

The brand position is straightforward: ""Arabian hospitality at sea"" — an experience curated specifically for Saudi and GCC nationals and residents, with the cultural conventions, dietary requirements, and family-travel expectations of the region built into every onboard touchpoint.

What Is AROYA Manara?

AROYA Cruises currently operates a single flagship vessel — AROYA Manara — named with the Arabic word for ""source of light."" The ship was originally built in 2017 as MS World Dream for Genting Cruise Lines' premium Dream Cruises brand, then acquired by Cruise Saudi (through its subsidiary World Dream Company Inc, a PIF-owned company) in 2023 and renamed Manara for AROYA service.

Key AROYA Manara specifications:

• 18 decks — making it one of the larger cruise ships operating in the Red Sea region
• 1,678 cabins with capacity to host families, groups, and multigenerational travellers across multiple cabin tiers (Interior, Ocean View, Balcony, Suite, Khuzama Suite)
• 12 restaurants offering international cuisine, regional Arabian dishes, Asian and Mediterranean options, and the Irth Culinary Boutique & Cafe — the first at-sea restaurant offering authentic Saudi cuisine, developed in partnership with Saudi Arabia's Culinary Arts Commission
• 17 lounges including the exquisite Al Matal Lounge — an all-day ocean-view venue featuring an indoor terrace for shisha, hot and cold drinks, and teas from regions including Saudi Arabia, Morocco, and Turkey
• 20 entertainment venues across the ship including theatres, music lounges, and live-performance spaces
• Dedicated water games deck with pools, slides, and family water attractions
• Prayer rooms on Deck 5 — male and female prayer rooms with prayer mats also provided in all cabins
• Halal-certified dining throughout the ship as standard
• Family-cabin configurations including connecting cabin layouts for multigenerational travel
• Arabic and English crew operations — staff trained to serve Arab travellers in their preferred language with cultural awareness

The ship operates under management by Columbia Cruise Services GmbH, having transferred from V.Ships Leisure (V.Group Holdings Ltd) at the time of acquisition by AROYA.

What Are the AROYA Cruise Routes Available to UAE Travellers?

AROYA's home base is Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and itineraries radiate from there into the Red Sea, with Arabian Gulf, Mediterranean, and Eastern Mediterranean expansion announced for ongoing seasons.

Core Red Sea itineraries (from Jeddah):

• 3-night Red Sea round-trip: Jeddah → Yanbu → Jeddah; alternative routings call at Jabal Al-Sabaya
• 4-night Red Sea: Jeddah → Yanbu → Sharm El Sheikh (Egypt) → Jeddah
• 5-night Red Sea: Jeddah → Yanbu → Sharm El Sheikh → Aqaba (Jordan, gateway to Petra) → Jeddah
• 7-night Red Sea: Extended itineraries covering combinations of Yanbu, Sharm El Sheikh, Aqaba, and the Egyptian Red Sea ports

Expansion itineraries (Arabian Gulf, Orient, Mediterranean):

AROYA has announced seasonal expansion into the Arabian Gulf (sailings calling at UAE ports including Dubai and Abu Dhabi alongside Bahrain, Qatar, and Oman), the Eastern Mediterranean (a flagship Istanbul-to-Jeddah repositioning), and the wider Mediterranean from late 2025 and 2026 onwards. The Travelwings cruise team can confirm the active AROYA itineraries available for your specific travel dates.

Common AROYA itinerary highlights:

• Jeddah — Saudi Arabia's gateway port and AROYA's home base; major commercial city on the Red Sea
• Yanbu — Saudi coastal city with beaches and the new Yanbu Cruise Terminal
• Sharm El Sheikh — Egypt's premium Red Sea diving and beach destination
• Aqaba — Jordan's only coastal city and the gateway to the rock-cut Nabatean treasury at Petra
• Jabal Al-Sabaya — Saudi Arabian island destination in the Red Sea

For UAE travellers, the journey to Jeddah is a 2-hour direct flight from Dubai (DXB) on Emirates, flydubai, Saudia, or other regional carriers — making AROYA the closest major non-UAE-departure cruise option available.

What's Onboard AROYA Manara?

AROYA's onboard programming combines mainstream cruise-resort amenities with culturally-specific Arabian hospitality elements that don't appear on Western or European cruise lines:

Dining

• Irth Culinary Boutique & Cafe — The first at-sea restaurant serving authentic Saudi cuisine; menu developed in partnership with Saudi Arabia's Culinary Arts Commission and staff trained by the Commission
• Multiple international restaurants — covering Mediterranean, Asian, and international cuisines across the 12 dining venues
• Halal-certified dining throughout the ship as standard — meaning every venue, every meal, no separate menus or restrictions
• No alcohol onboard, in line with Saudi cultural and regulatory requirements

Lounges and Public Spaces

• Al Matal Lounge — All-day ocean-view venue with indoor shisha terrace, hot and cold drinks, regional teas (Saudi Arabian, Moroccan, Turkish), and a variety of shisha flavours
• 17 lounges total across the ship offering different atmospheres and views
• The AROYA Theatre — Hosting Saudi and regional artists, Arabic-language productions, and cultural performances

Wellness, Family, and Spirituality

• Prayer rooms on Deck 5 — Male and female prayer rooms with full facilities
• Prayer mats provided in all cabins — so guests can pray privately in their accommodation throughout the cruise
• Spa, fitness centre, and pools — including the dedicated water games deck for families
• Family programming — curated for multigenerational Arab families with age-appropriate activities

Entertainment

• 20 entertainment venues — theatres, music lounges, performance spaces
• Live Saudi and regional artists — frequent appearances from major Arab performers
• Cultural programming — Saudi cuisine demonstrations, Arabic language activities, regional music nights

The defining quality of AROYA's onboard experience is the deliberate Arabian-cultural framing — passengers report feeling that the entire ship is built around their cultural context rather than asking them to adapt to an international cruise template.

What's Included in an AROYA Cruise Package from Travelwings?

A typical AROYA Cruise package booked through Travelwings UAE includes:

• Cabin accommodation for the full sailing in your selected category — Interior, Ocean View, Balcony, Suite, or the premium Khuzama Suite
• All main meals across the 12 dining venues onboard (Halal throughout)
• All non-alcoholic beverages including soft drinks, water, juices, tea, and coffee
• All onboard entertainment, including theatre productions and live Saudi/regional artist performances
• Pools, water games deck, fitness centre, and prayer room access
• Port charges and government taxes
• Round-trip flights from Dubai (DXB), Abu Dhabi (AUH), or Sharjah (SHJ) to Jeddah
• Pre-cruise hotel night in Jeddah if your flight arrives the day before sailing
• Airport-to-port and port-to-airport transfers in Jeddah
• Saudi tourist visa support (Saudi e-visa is available to UAE residents)
• 24/7 Travelwings UAE customer support
• Tabby instalment options on eligible packages

Items typically outside the standard inclusion: gratuities (a daily service charge applies), shisha and premium specialty experiences, spa treatments, photo packages, and additional shore excursions beyond any included ones.

How Much Do AROYA Cruise Packages Cost from the UAE?

AROYA Cruise pricing on Travelwings UAE delivers premium value for the regional Arabian-hospitality positioning:

• 3-night Red Sea round-trip (Jeddah, Khuzama Suite entry) — From around AED 3,199 per person twin-share, including return flights from Dubai to Jeddah, transfers, and the cruise itself
• 4-night Red Sea (Yanbu + Sharm El Sheikh) — From around AED 4,500 per person twin-share
• 5-night Red Sea (adding Aqaba/Petra) — From around AED 5,800 per person twin-share
• 7-night Red Sea extended itineraries — From around AED 7,500 per person twin-share
• Khuzama Suite category packages on any itinerary — From around AED 12,000 per person (Khuzama Suite fares started at SAR 1,535 / USD 409 per person per night on the maiden voyage)
• Eastern Mediterranean repositioning sailings (Istanbul-Jeddah and similar) — Pricing varies; typically AED 8,000–14,000+ per person depending on duration

Pricing varies significantly by season, with Eid Al-Adha and Eid Al-Fitr weeks seeing the highest demand for AROYA's short-break itineraries — these are particularly popular among Saudi and GCC families combining festive celebration with a Red Sea cruise. Book 60–90 days ahead for these peak weeks.

When Is the Best Time to Cruise with AROYA from the UAE?

AROYA's Red Sea programme runs primarily from October through April, aligned with the cooler regional weather window:

• October to April — Comfortable Red Sea temperatures (22–28°C), calm sea conditions, full ship rotation through the Jeddah base
• May to September — Heat increases significantly across the Red Sea region (35–42°C); AROYA reduces Red Sea sailings during this window in favour of Eastern Mediterranean and seasonal expansion routes
• Eid Al-Fitr (typically March–April) and Eid Al-Adha (typically May–June) — Peak demand weeks for short-break itineraries; book 60–90 days ahead
• Saudi National Day (23 September) and UAE National Day (2 December) — Themed sailings and special programming around these dates

For UAE travellers, November, December, January, and February offer the strongest combination of weather, availability, and reasonable pricing on AROYA's Red Sea itineraries.

How Do You Book an AROYA Cruise from the UAE?

Booking an AROYA Cruise through Travelwings UAE is straightforward. Browse the available AROYA sailings on this page, contact the Travelwings cruise desk with your preferred dates, group size, cabin category, and any specific itinerary preferences. The team confirms live availability against the AROYA inventory, locks the cabin, and sends an all-in AED quote covering return flights from Dubai to Jeddah, pre-cruise hotel in Jeddah, transfers, the cruise fare itself, and any add-ons you've requested.

For travellers comparing AROYA against other cruise lines available from the UAE, the Travelwings UAE cruise index page brings every line into a single comparable view with price ranges, route coverage, and ship details for side-by-side comparison. For a comparison between AROYA's Arabian-hospitality positioning and European-style Mediterranean cruising with Halal dining on selected sailings, the MSC Cruises page covers the closest mainstream European alternative — MSC's Italian-style cruising offers wider international itinerary reach on much larger ships while still accommodating Halal dining requests on selected sailings. For UAE travellers drawn to Greek Islands cruising as a different short-Mediterranean alternative, the Celestyal Cruises page covers the Aegean Sea specialist with comparable itinerary lengths (3, 4, and 7 nights) and all-inclusive fare structure.

All prices, inclusions, availability, and offers shown are indicative and subject to change without notice based on seasonal demand, supplier terms, and travel dates. Final pricing is confirmed at the time of booking with Travelwings.

Frequently Asked Questions About AROYA Cruises

1. How much does an AROYA Cruise from the UAE cost?

AROYA Cruise packages on Travelwings UAE start from approximately AED 3,199 per person twin-share for a 3-night Red Sea round-trip from Jeddah, including return flights from Dubai (DXB) to Jeddah, transfers, and the cruise itself. The 4-night format (adding Sharm El Sheikh) starts from around AED 4,500 per person, the 5-night format (adding Aqaba and Petra) from around AED 5,800, and the 7-night extended Red Sea itineraries from around AED 7,500 per person.

2. Where does AROYA Cruises sail?

AROYA Cruises is homeported in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, with itineraries radiating across the Red Sea. Core routes include 3-night round-trips visiting Yanbu, 4-night sailings adding Sharm El Sheikh (Egypt), and 5-night itineraries extending to Aqaba (gateway to Petra in Jordan). AROYA has also announced seasonal expansion into the Arabian Gulf (including UAE ports), the Eastern Mediterranean (with Istanbul-Jeddah repositioning), and the wider Mediterranean.

3. Is AROYA Cruises Halal?

Yes — AROYA Manara is fully Halal-certified throughout all 12 onboard restaurants as standard. There is no alcohol served onboard, in line with Saudi cultural and regulatory requirements. Male and female prayer rooms are located on Deck 5, and prayer mats are provided in all cabins. The onboard experience is deliberately curated for Saudi and GCC nationals and residents who want a culturally aligned cruising format.

4. What is the AROYA Manara ship like?

AROYA Manara is an 18-deck cruise ship with 1,678 cabins, 12 restaurants, 17 lounges, 20 entertainment venues, a dedicated water games deck, prayer rooms on Deck 5, and authentic Arabian design throughout. The ship was originally built in 2017 as MS World Dream for Genting's Dream Cruises brand, then acquired and refitted by Cruise Saudi for AROYA service. Features include the Al Matal Lounge (ocean-view shisha terrace) and the Irth Culinary Boutique & Cafe (the first at-sea restaurant serving authentic Saudi cuisine).

5. Does AROYA Cruises depart from Dubai?

Not directly — AROYA is currently homeported in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. UAE travellers reach AROYA on a fly-to package that bundles a 2-hour direct flight from Dubai (DXB) to Jeddah with the cruise itself. AROYA has announced expansion into the Arabian Gulf (with UAE port calls) as part of its 2025–2026 seasonal programme; the Travelwings cruise team can confirm current Dubai-departure availability.

6. Is AROYA Cruises family-friendly?

Yes — AROYA is designed for multigenerational Arab families. The ship features family-cabin configurations, a dedicated water games deck for families, age-appropriate kids' programming, Halal dining throughout, and prayer facilities in every cabin. The line's Red Sea short-break format (3, 4, or 5 nights) particularly suits Saudi and GCC families wanting a festive holiday combined with regional travel — Eid Al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha weeks are AROYA's peak family-booking periods.

7. What is the best time to take an AROYA Cruise from the UAE?

October through April delivers the strongest combination of Red Sea weather (22–28°C), calm seas, and full ship rotation through Jeddah. May through September the Red Sea region warms to 35–42°C, and AROYA reduces Red Sea operations in favour of Eastern Mediterranean and seasonal expansion routes. Eid Al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha weeks are particularly popular booking windows for AROYA's short itineraries.

8. Do I need a visa for an AROYA Cruise from the UAE?

UAE residents need a Saudi tourist visa (e-visa) to embark from Jeddah, which is straightforward to obtain online through the official Saudi government portal. For multi-country itineraries calling at Egypt (Sharm El Sheikh) and Jordan (Aqaba), the cruise line typically handles port-of-call documentation, but check with the Travelwings cruise team for your specific passport and itinerary. The Saudi e-visa is also valid for Umrah pilgrimage, making AROYA a natural option for combining a cruise with a religious visit.

9. What is the Khuzama Suite on AROYA Manara?

The Khuzama Suite is the premium suite category on AROYA Manara, offering the highest tier of onboard accommodation with expanded cabin space, dedicated suite amenities, and priority services. On the inaugural voyage, Khuzama Suite fares started at SAR 1,535 (USD 409) per person per night.

10. How do I book an AROYA Cruise on Tabby instalments?

Travelwings UAE offers Tabby ""book now, pay later"" on eligible AROYA cruise packages, splitting the total across instalment payments. Final balance is typically due 60 to 90 days before departure. After you submit your inquiry, a Travelwings representative shares the payment link for Tabby checkout. Confirm specific instalment terms with the Travelwings cruise team at the time of booking.

11. What makes AROYA different from other cruise lines available to UAE travellers?

AROYA is the first cruise line built explicitly for Arab travellers — designed by an Arab operator (Cruise Saudi / PIF), sailing from an Arab homeport (Jeddah), with an onboard experience curated around Arabian hospitality rather than translated from a Western or European template. Halal dining throughout (not just selected sailings), no alcohol onboard, prayer rooms on Deck 5 plus prayer mats in every cabin, Arabic-speaking crew, shisha lounges, authentic Saudi cuisine, and live Saudi/regional artist programming all set AROYA apart from the major international cruise lines that operate in the region.