The Aroya has returned to its homeport in Istanbul to kick off Aroya Cruises’ first winter season in the Mediterranean.

Sailing from the Galataport Cruise Terminal, the ship is scheduled to offer a series of seven-night cruises to destinations in Turkey and Egypt.

Following a short fall season in the Red Sea, the 3,400-passenger vessel arrived in Istanbul in early October.

For its winter season in the Eastern Mediterranean, the Aroya will offer itineraries visiting Marmaris and Kusadasi.

The cruises will also feature two-day calls in Alexandria, from which passengers can explore other parts of Egypt. As part of Aroya Cruises’ interporting strategy, guests will be able to board the 150,000-ton ship in Alexandria as well.

Similar itineraries will be offered through May 2027, when the vessel begins a summer deployment featuring additional destinations.

The summer program will add more ports in Turkey and Greece, including Bodrum, Antalya, Kas, Chania, Rhodes and Nafplion.

The season will also mark Aroya Cruises’ debut in the Western Mediterranean and the Adriatic Sea, with 14-night cruises that will sail roundtrip from Istanbul in June and July.

Cruising to Turkey, Greece, Tunisia and Malta, the first voyage will span the Mediterranean from east to west, visiting Catania, Salerno, Civitavecchia, Cagliari, La Goulette, Mykonos, Valletta and more.

In July, the ship is scheduled to embark on a second two-week voyage, sailing to Greece, Albania, Montenegro, Italy and Croatia, with calls at ports such as Katakolon, Sarandë, Bar, Trieste, Zadar, Korčula and Bari.

Concluding its 11-month season in the region, the Aroya is scheduled to embark on a repositioning voyage back to the Red Sea in early September 2027.

The ship will then offer short cruises to Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Egypt from its homeport in Jeddah through the end of the year.