AROYA Cruise from Jeddah: The Complete Guide for 2026

Marhaban Travel team • May 9, 2026

AROYA Cruise from Jeddah: The Complete Guide for 2026

By the Marhaban Travel team — last updated May 2026

If you have been hearing the buzz around AROYA Cruises and wondering what the fuss is about, you are not alone. Since the ship rolled into Jeddah Islamic Port at the end of 2024, it has quickly become the most talked-about cruise experience in the region - and our inbox at Marhaban Travel has been filling up with questions about it every single week.

So we decided to put it all in one place. This is the honest, plain-English guide we wish more travellers had before booking their first AROYA voyage. We will walk you through what the ship is actually like, where it sails, what is included, what to expect onboard, and how to lock in the best price (including the 30% off and complimentary Wi-Fi deal we currently have running).

Grab a coffee. This one is detailed.

The short version: AROYA is the Middle East's first Arabian-themed cruise line, sailing 3, 4 and 5-night

itineraries from Jeddah across the Red Sea. The ship is enormous (1,678 cabins, 19 decks, 12 restaurants), built around halal-friendly dining, Khaliji entertainment, and a level of Arabian hospitality that no other cruise line offers. If you want to sail it with up to 30% off cabin fares plus free onboard Wi-Fi, check our exclusive Red Sea cruise package here.

What Is AROYA Cruises?

AROYA Cruises is the Middle East's first home-grown cruise line - and that is not just marketing speak. It is owned by Cruise Saudi, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia. In plain terms, this is a sovereign-backed brand built specifically to serve travellers from the Gulf region, with a service model that respects Arabian culture and Islamic traditions from top to bottom.

The brand uses the tagline Remarkably Arabian, and after sailing on it ourselves and sending many clients onboard, we can tell you that the Arabian-ness is not a costume. It is woven into how the ship looks, how the staff greet you, what is on the menu, the music in the lounges, and even the layout of the prayer rooms.

A few facts worth knowing:

  • The flagship ship is called AROYA Manara. It was originally built in 2017 as the MS World Dream for an Asian cruise line, then dry-docked for many months in Bremerhaven and Rotterdam, where 95% of its interior was completely redesigned to reflect Saudi and Gulf heritage.
  • AROYA officially launched its maiden voyage from Jeddah on 16 December 2024.
  • After a brief pause earlier this year due to regional shipping disruptions, AROYA relaunched its Red Sea operations on 14 May 2026 with new, more flexible 3, 4 and 5-night itineraries from Jeddah.
  • The brand has already welcomed over 140,000 guests in its first season — an incredible debut for a brand-new cruise line.

The takeaway: this is not a tired old ship dressed up with new wallpaper. It is a serious, well-funded, Vision 2030-aligned product with real ambition

behind it.

Inside AROYA Manara — The Ship Itself

AROYA Manara ship interior with Arabian-inspired design

Let us talk about the ship, because honestly, it is the star of the show.

AROYA Manara is 335 metres long, 19 decks high, and can host up to 3,400 guests at full capacity. To give you a sense of scale, that is taller than the Statue of Liberty laid on its side, with enough decks that you will genuinely get lost on day one (we always tell our clients to expect that - it is part of the fun).

Here is what is packed inside:

  • 1,678 cabins ranging from interior rooms all the way up to private suites with butler service
  • 12 dining venues plus a 24/7 buffet
  • 17 lounges and cafés
  • 20 entertainment venues, including the 1,018-seat AROYA Theatre
  • Blossom by AROYA Spa with a traditional hammam, sauna, beauty clinic and wellness centre
  • Khuzama — AROYA's invitation-only VIP experience, with private dining, lounge access, butler service and premium amenities
  • A multi-level kids' zone and water park with six waterslides — one of the largest at sea
  • AROYA Souq — the largest retail district ever built on a cruise ship
  • Female-exclusive areas including a pool, gym, thermal spa and prayer room
  • Multi-faith prayer rooms open 24 hours

Two things stand out the moment you step onboard. First, the design language is unmistakably Arabian - geometric mashrabiya patterns, soft sand-and-gold tones, calligraphy used as art, oud-scented public spaces. It does not feel like a cruise ship pretending to be a mall in Dubai. Second, the staff actually speak Arabic. Many crew members are Saudi or from neighbouring Gulf countries, and the level of cultural fluency is something you simply cannot get on a Caribbean or Mediterranean ship.

Where Does AROYA Cruise Go? (Itineraries from Jeddah)

This is the question we get asked most often, so let us break it down.

For its current Red Sea season, AROYA sails roundtrip from Jeddah Islamic Port, with three main itinerary lengths:

3-Night Red Sea Cruise (the most popular)

This is the entry-level option and the one we book most for first-time cruisers. It is a roundtrip from Jeddah with two full sea days - perfect if you want to test cruising without committing a full week.

  • Day 1 — Embark in Jeddah, sail away in the early evening
  • Day 2 — Full day at sea (this is where the entertainment, dining and pool deck really come alive)
  • Day 3 — Either a second sea day or a stop at one of the regional ports (typically Yanbu)
  • Day 4 — Return to Jeddah

This itinerary works well for weekend getaways, family celebrations, anniversaries, or simply as a "let's try something different" break. It is also the package that pairs with our exclusive Red Sea cruise deal - which we will cover in detail further down.

4-Night and 5-Night Itineraries

If you have a bit more time, the longer sailings open up more interesting ports. Depending on the season, these typically include:

  • Yanbu(Saudi Arabia) — a gorgeous coastal city with traditional souks and pristine diving spots
  • Sharm El Sheikh(Egypt) — the legendary Red Sea diving capital
  • Aqaba(Jordan) — gateway to Petra and Wadi Rum, perfect for an unforgettable shore excursion
  • Marsa Alam(Egypt) — newer to AROYA's roster, known for crystal-clear water and untouched reefs
  • Jabal Al Sabaya — a private destination experience operated by Cruise Saudi

Mediterranean and Arabian Gulf Seasons

It is worth knowing that AROYA does not stay in the Red Sea all year. From June to mid-September, the ship repositions to Istanbul and runs 7-night itineraries through Greece and Turkey - visiting Mykonos, Rhodes, and Alexandria. From February to April, it operates an Arabian Gulf season out of Doha, Dubai or Dammam. So if Red Sea sailings do not fit your calendar, there are usually other options. Just give us a shout on WhatsApp and we will pull the latest schedule for you.

AROYA Cruise itinerary map from Jeddah to Red Sea ports

The Onboard Experience (What You Actually Do All Day)

Cruise marketing is full of fluffy words like "world-class" and "unforgettable." Let us be more concrete. Here is what an actual day onboard AROYA looks like, broken down by category.

Dining - and Yes, IRTH Lives Up to the Hype

IRTH restaurant onboard AROYA Cruises - first Saudi restaurant at sea

You can choose from 12 distinct restaurants, plus a 24/7 international buffet that also serves regional halal dishes around the clock. The crown jewel is IRTH, marketed as the first authentic Saudi restaurant ever built at sea. The menu pulls heavily from Hijazi, Najdi and Hejazi cooking traditions - think slow-cooked mandi, kabsa, jareesh, and fresh sayadiyah served with cardamom rice. We always recommend booking IRTH for at least one dinner during your sailing.

Beyond IRTH, expect a strong line-up of international restaurants - Italian, Asian fusion, contemporary grill, seafood - plus pool-deck casual options, cafés, and an all-day buffet that genuinely covers everything from Khaliji breakfast classics to international comfort food.

A quick note that matters to many of our clients: everything onboard is halal-certified. AROYA was the world's first halal-certified cruise line, which means there is no pork served anywhere on the ship, and no alcohol. If that lifestyle alignment matters to you, this is one of very few cruise products on Earth where you do not have to compromise.

Entertainment - Khaliji Nights, Live Music, and the AROYA Theatre

Khaliji nights and live entertainment on AROYA Cruises

This is where AROYA genuinely shines. The 1,018-seat AROYA Theatre runs nightly shows that range from international productions to traditional Saudi performances. During the maiden voyage, well-known Saudi artists like Abadi al-Johar and Zaina Emad performed live and AROYA continues this tradition with regular celebrity bookings.

Beyond the main theatre, you have:

  • Khaliji Nights with traditional Gulf music, ardha sword dancing, and sometimes celebrity guest performers
  • Live oud recitals in the lounges (these are surprisingly intimate and beautiful — do not skip them)
  • Comedy and variety shows
  • Karaoke rooms with private suites and 24-hour service
  • Late-night DJ sets at Zouk Beach Club on the upper decks
  • Cigar lounge, mahjong room, premium clubs for a quieter evening

Wellness - Blossom by AROYA

The spa is huge. Blossom by AROYA spans multiple decks and includes a traditional Arabian hammam, a sauna, thermal pools, treatment rooms, a beauty clinic, and a separate ladies-only thermal spa zone. Treatments use minerals sourced from the Red Sea itself, which is a nice authentic touch.

If you sail Khuzama (the VIP experience), spa access and treatments are typically rolled in as complimentary add-ons.

For Families - Kids Zone & Water Park

Travelling with children? AROYA has one of the largest kids' zones at sea a multi-level play complex plus an outdoor water park with six waterslides (five for adults and older kids, one specifically for younger children). There is also a splash zone, free play areas, and supervised activities. We have sent multi-generational families on AROYA where grandparents, parents and kids each spent the day doing completely different things and met up only for dinner. That is how the ship is designed.

AROYA Souq - Yes, It Is a Real Souq

Most cruise ships have a small duty-free arcade. AROYA built an entire souq. The retail district takes up a significant chunk of the ship and includes a perfume and cosmetics boutique, a watches and jewellery boutique, a kids' boutique, a sunglasses and leather goods shop, a fashion boutique, and the AROYA Souq itself for unique gifts, premium tobacco, gourmet treats and souvenirs. If you enjoy shopping, you will not run out of things to browse.

Cabin Categories - Which One Should You Pick?

AROYA Cruise balcony cabin with Red Sea view

Cabin choice has the biggest single impact on your cruise budget, so let us be practical here. AROYA offers four broad categories:

  1. Interior Cabins — no window, smallest size, lowest price. Honestly fine if you plan to be out of the room from morning to midnight, but we usually do not recommend them for first-time cruisers because the absence of natural light gets old quickly.
  2. Sea View / Ocean View Cabins — a window with a fixed sea view. A nice middle ground if you are budget-conscious but still want daylight.
  3. Balcony Cabins(and Balcony Superior) — your own private balcony overlooking the Red Sea. This is the sweet spot for most travellers, and it is where our 30% discount applies. Sitting on your own balcony at sunrise with the Red Sea in front of you is one of those memories that justifies the upgrade.
  4. Suites and Khuzama Suites — top-tier private suites with butler service, Khuzama lounge access, priority embarkation, in-suite dining, complimentary spa, and more. If you are celebrating something special — anniversary, milestone birthday, honeymoon — Khuzama is unmatched.

Through Marhaban Travel, the 30% discount applies to Balcony, Balcony Superior, and Suite cabins. So if you were going to stretch for a balcony anyway, the deal effectively pulls a balcony into ocean-view price territory, and a suite into balcony price territory. That is what makes our package a genuinely good deal - not a fluffy "save 5%" gimmick.

What Makes AROYA Genuinely Different

Cruise lines all promise the same things - luxury, food, entertainment. So what actually sets AROYA apart? Five things, in our experience:

  1. It is the world's first halal-certified cruise line. Every kitchen, every restaurant, every supply chain — fully halal. No alcohol anywhere onboard. For Muslim travellers, this is a game-changer because you can sail without compromise.
  2. Multi-faith prayer rooms are open 24 hours and properly oriented towards the Qibla. Salah times are announced. Friday Jummah is held onboard. Ramadan sailings include Suhoor and Iftar service.
  3. Female-exclusive venues. The ladies' pool, gym, and thermal spa zone give female guests a private space to relax in modest comfort. This is rare in the cruise world and a genuine selling point for our clients.
  4. Arabian hospitality is real, not staged. The crew composition includes a meaningful percentage of Saudi and Gulf nationals. Arabic is spoken everywhere. The cultural fluency means a Khaliji family feels at home, and an international guest feels genuinely welcomed into the culture rather than served a watered-down version of it.
  5. Family and multi-generational design. From the kids' zone scale to the prayer rooms to the Khuzama lounge to the variety of dining, AROYA was built for families that travel together. We see grandparents, parents and kids on the same booking constantly — and everyone has a good time.

If you are a Muslim family from the UK, the Gulf, or anywhere else looking for a luxury cruise that respects your values without watering down the experience, AROYA is currently the best option in the world. Full stop.

How to Book AROYA Cruises (And Get the Best Deal)

Here is the straight answer: you can book AROYA directly through their website, through any cruise agency, or through us at Marhaban Travel. The price you see on the AROYA website is the standard fare. Booking through a partner like us almost always works out better, because we get access to negotiated trade rates.

Right now, our exclusive Red Sea cruise package includes:

  • 30% off cabin bookings on Balcony, Balcony Superior, and Suite categories
  • Complimentary AROYA Net Browse Wi-Fi for up to 2 guests per cabin
  • Multiple Khaliji nights with live concerts and onboard entertainment
  • AROYA's "Book with Confidence" protection — full peace of mind on your reservation
  • Dedicated WhatsApp support from our consultants before, during and after your trip
  • Full booking assistance — cabin selection, dining reservations, shore excursion advice

Because we book volume with AROYA, we can usually also help with:

  • Multi-cabin bookings for groups, weddings, and corporate retreats
  • Pre or post-cruise hotel stays in Jeddah
  • Umrah add-ons for guests who want to combine the cruise with a spiritual journey to Mecca
  • Airport transfers and visa support

Or, if you prefer to chat directly, message us on WhatsApp and one of our travel consultants will reply within minutes:

Practical Tips Before You Sail

A few things our clients always tell us they wish they had known:

  • Arrive in Jeddah a day early. Embarkation runs smoothest if you are not racing in from a connecting flight. We can arrange a one-night hotel by the port if needed.
  • Pack modestly for public areas. AROYA is a culturally Arabian ship. Pool wear is fine at the pool, but cover-ups in dining areas and lounges are appreciated.
  • Bring an Umrah outfit if you are extending. Many of our clients combine the cruise with Umrah from Jeddah. The port is roughly an hour from Mecca by road, so it is genuinely doable as an add-on.
  • Book IRTH on day one. The first reservation slots fill up fast. Tell us in advance and we will lock it in for you.
  • Bring a power adapter. The ship uses a mix of UK three-pin and European two-pin sockets in cabins.
  • Khuzama is worth it for special occasions. If you are celebrating an anniversary or milestone, the Khuzama upgrade transforms the experience.

AROYA Cruise FAQs

Is AROYA Cruise halal?

Yes. AROYA is the world's first fully halal-certified cruise line. All food onboard is halal, no pork is served anywhere, and no alcohol is sold or available on the ship. Multi-faith prayer rooms are open 24/7 with Qibla-oriented prayer mats provided.

Where does AROYA Cruise depart from?

The ship sails roundtrip from Jeddah Islamic Port in Saudi Arabia for the Red Sea season (currently from May 2026 onwards). It also operates seasonally from Istanbul (Mediterranean) and Doha, Dubai or Dammam (Arabian Gulf).

How long is an AROYA cruise?

AROYA currently offers 3, 4 and 5-night itineraries from Jeddah. The 3-night roundtrip is the most popular and the one most of our clients book. Longer Mediterranean itineraries from Istanbul are 7 nights.

How much does an AROYA cruise cost?

Pricing varies by cabin category, season and itinerary length. Suite-tier Khuzama cabins started at around USD 409 per person per night during the maiden voyage. With Marhaban Travel's exclusive 30% off package on Balcony, Balcony Superior and Suite cabins, the entry point becomes considerably more accessible. Get a personalised quote here.

Is AROYA Cruise good for families?

Excellent for families. The ship has one of the largest kids' zones at sea, a multi-level water park with six slides, a dedicated Kids Boutique, family-friendly dining, and a layout that makes multi-generational travel easy. Children's clubs are supervised and free.

Do I need a visa to cruise from Jeddah?

Most international travellers will need a Saudi visa to embark in Jeddah. UK and many other passport holders can apply for an eVisa online. If your itinerary includes ports in Egypt or Jordan, additional port-entry rules may apply. We handle the full visa briefing as part of your booking.

Is AROYA Cruise good for honeymooners?

Yes - the Khuzama Suite tier in particular is designed for couples seeking privacy and luxury. Private balconies, butler service, in-suite dining, and the Blossom Spa make it an ideal honeymoon destination. Just let us know it is a special occasion when you book and we will arrange the right touches.

Can I combine an AROYA cruise with Umrah?

Absolutely, and we do this for clients regularly. Jeddah is the gateway to Mecca, so it is easy to add a few days of Umrah before or after your sailing. We can arrange the full package - visas, transfers, hotels, mutawif (guide) services so the whole journey is seamless.

What is the dress code on AROYA?

Smart casual in main dining venues, swimwear at the pool, and modest cover-ups in public spaces. Friday Jummah and special evenings often see guests in traditional Arabian attire. There is no strict formal night, but dressing up is appreciated.

Is Wi-Fi included onboard?

A complimentary AROYA Net Browse Wi-Fi package for up to 2 guests per cabin is included as part of our exclusive package. Standard AROYA bookings typically charge separately for connectivity.

Ready to Sail?

If you have read this far, you are seriously considering it and we genuinely think you will love it. AROYA is the most exciting thing to happen in Middle Eastern travel in years, and sailing it from Jeddah on a 3-night Red Sea cruise is a perfect entry point. Whether you are planning a family holiday, an anniversary, a multi-generational gathering, or combining it with Umrah, we will build the trip around what matters to you.

Cabins for the upcoming sailings are filling up fast, especially Balcony and Suite categories. Get in touch and let us hold your preferred cabin while you decide.

Book AROYA Red Sea cruise with Marhaban Travel

📧 Or email us at info@marhabantravel.com  and one of our cruise specialists will get back to you the same day.

Marhaban Travel is a UK-registered travel agency specialising in Hajj, Umrah, and bespoke Middle Eastern travel. Based at 128 City Road, London ECIV 2NX.

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