Aroya Cruises has added 25 new winter itineraries from Galataport, Istanbul, leading to the port expanding its cruise operations to the entire year.

According to a social media update, the addition of Aroya’s new sailings is expected to lead to a 143 percent increase in the number of sailings and an 188 percent increase in the number of passengers compared to last year, with a target of 150,000 passengers.

Between October 10, 2026, and April 24, 2027, the Aroya will carry guests from Istanbul to ports including Bodrum, Marmaris, Kuşadası and Alexandria.

“Istanbul’s prime location on the Bosphorus, world-class port facilities, and strong international connections, combined with the city’s rich culture, create an ideal Mediterranean home port for cruise lines,” the port stated.

“This choice of main port not only extends Istanbul’s cruise season throughout the year; it also makes a great contribution to the Turkish cruise industry as a concrete indicator that Turkey effectively manages its cruise potential with the right infrastructure and holistic route planning.”

The port’s winter season cruise activity started in 2024 with 25 voyages and 55,000 passengers for the first time in Istanbul’s history.

In early June, the Aroya arrived at Galataport  for its second homeporting season.

Offering a series of 15 cruises departing from Istanbul, the ship’s season in the region runs through September 12, 2026, and includes a series of seven-night cruises that visit destinations in Turkey and also sail to Greece and Egypt.