Aroya Cruises has celebrated the first commercial sailing of the Aroya.

The voyage began on Dec. 16, 2024, sailing in the Red Sea.

The company said in a press release that  the ship’s maiden voyage marks a significant milestone for the new cruise brand.

Joerg Rudolph, president of Aroya Cruises, said: “We are incredibly proud to see the Aroya embark on its first commercial voyage from Jeddah after two years of hard work and dedication.”

“This is an important moment for Aroya Cruises and a major step forward in developing Saudi’s overall tourism offering as part of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals. We are thrilled to welcome passengers on board for the first time,” added Rudolph.

According to the press release, Aroya’s maiden voyage offers guests an Arabian experience, featuring the first performances at sea of two iconic Saudi artists, Abadi Al Johar and Zaina Emad. The performances will take place at the 1,018-seat AROYA Theatre.

The voyage also offers the opportunity to visit the souq-inspired shopping district, the largest retail area at sea covering 1,585 square meters, and to dine in the first Saudi restaurant at sea, Irth.