AROYA Cruises Sets Sail on Maiden Mediterranean Voyage from Galataport Istanbul

AROYA Cruises, a premium cruise company from Saudi Arabia, has launched its Mediterranean season with its inaugural voyage on June 28, 2025, from Galataport Istanbul, Turkey. The flagship vessel, Aroya Manara, set out on a 7-night roundtrip itinerary exploring the Eastern Mediterranean. Key destinations include Athens (Piraeus), Mykonos Island, Souda Bay (Crete), and Bodrum, with the journey concluding on July 5.

The Mediterranean itinerary will run through mid-September, offering alternating 6- and 7-night voyages to various locations across Turkey, Greece, and Egypt, including Marmaris, Rhodes, and Alexandria. The Aroya Manara recently transitioned from the Red Sea, docking at Galataport on June 20 for routine maintenance prior to the maiden voyage.

Launched in December 2024, Aroya Manara has already welcomed over 70,000 passengers during its initial season in the Red Sea. Onboard amenities feature a main pool, a theater offering nightly entertainment, wellness facilities including a snow room, and extensive family-friendly areas with a zip line and water slides. Dining options are robust, boasting twelve restaurants and seventeen lounges that serve both Saudi and international cuisine.

Dr. Joerg Rudolph, President of AROYA Cruises, emphasized the significance of this launch, marking it as a new chapter in Arabian cruising just six months post the brand’s debut. Erdem Tavas, a board member from Galataport Istanbul, highlighted Istanbul’s attractiveness, efficient passenger transfers, and modern port infrastructure as key factors in choosing it as the homeport.

This strategic move supports Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, integrating the AROYA fleet into major Mediterranean ports and reflecting the nation’s ambitions to expand its role in global cruise operations.

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