AROYA Cruises, the first Arabian cruise line, has announced an expanded 2026-27 Mediterranean programme from Galataport Istanbul, its Mediterranean homeport. Key additions include Alexandria as a second embarkation gateway and AROYA’s first overnight calls in the city on selected itineraries, alongside new ports of call and its first two 14-night voyages.
Beginning on 10 October 2026, the opening phase will feature six-, seven- and eight-night voyages through Türkiye and Egypt aboard AROYA Cruises’ flagship vessel, AROYA. From May 2027, the summer offering will expand to include six-, seven- and eight-night itineraries through Türkiye and Egypt or Türkiye and Greece, alongside AROYA’s first two 14-night voyages, one spanning the Mediterranean from east to west and the other sailing from the Aegean into the Adriatic.
For travel partners, the additional embarkation gateway, wider destination choice and varied voyage lengths create greater flexibility to develop fly-cruise packages, combine voyages with pre- and post-cruise stays and serve a broader range of guest segments.
Ala Tashkandi, Commercial Executive Director at AROYA Cruises, commented: “Our partners are central to AROYA’s international growth. The breadth and flexibility of this programme will help us respond to the needs of different markets and introduce more guests to our distinctly Arabian cruise experience. By working closely with our partners, we can strengthen demand for cruising, create new opportunities across the wider tourism sector and deliver lasting value to the destinations we visit.”
The 2026-27 Programme at a Glance
• Alexandria will serve as a second embarkation gateway, with AROYA’s first overnight calls in the city on selected voyages.
• The opening phase will feature six-, seven- and eight-night voyages between Istanbul and Alexandria, with calls along Türkiye’s coast.
• From May 2027, summer voyages through Türkiye and Egypt or Türkiye and Greece will include AROYA’s maiden calls at Antalya and Nafplion.
• AROYA’s first two 14-night voyages will depart Istanbul on 5 June and 17 July 2027. The first will span the Mediterranean from east to west, while the second will sail into the Adriatic.
Alexandria as a Second Embarkation Gateway with Overnight Calls
Interporting will enable guests to embark or disembark in Alexandria on selected voyages as an alternative to Istanbul. The additional gateway supports more flexible fly-cruise packaging and pre- and post-cruise stays, while expanding access for guests from Egypt and other regional and international source markets.
Selected itineraries will also feature AROYA’s first overnight calls in Alexandria, giving guests more time to experience the city and creating opportunities for excursions to Cairo and the Pyramids of Giza.
First 14-Night Voyages Span the Mediterranean from East to West and Sail into the Adriatic
Departing Istanbul on 5 June 2027, the first voyage will span the Mediterranean from east to west, with calls in Türkiye, Greece, Italy, Tunisia and Malta. The second voyage will depart Istanbul on 17 July 2027 and sail from the Aegean into the Adriatic, visiting destinations in Greece, Albania, Montenegro, Italy and Croatia.
The east-to-west voyage will call at Catania, Salerno, Civitavecchia, Cagliari, La Goulette and Valletta, while the Adriatic itinerary will include Katakolon, Sarandë, Bar, Trieste, Zadar, Korčula and Bari.
Civitavecchia will also offer interporting on the June voyage and Trieste on the July voyage, allowing guests to begin or end their journey in Italy.
A Culturally Distinctive Proposition in the Mediterranean
AROYA’s Mediterranean programme brings together destinations rich in history and culture with an onboard experience shaped by the warmth and generosity of Arabian hospitality. This combination offers travel partners a distinctive proposition for guests seeking both meaningful destination discovery and a differentiated experience at sea.
The food, beverage and entertainment offering combines authentic Arabian influences with broad international variety. Its appeal extends across family and wellness travel, with one of the largest children’s zones in the cruise industry, including 10 dedicated venues for children and teenagers, alongside a 1,818 sqm wellness area with dedicated hours for female guests.
For the premium segment, Khuzama includes 145 suites and nine villas, including one Royal Villa and two Presidential Villas, with the largest measuring 395 sqm. Guests benefit from dedicated butler service and reception, as well as exclusive dining and lounge spaces.
Building on International Demand
AROYA’s 2026 Mediterranean summer season reflected its growing international appeal, welcoming guests representing more than 100 nationalities. Demand came from CIS markets, Türkiye, Egypt, the GCC and the wider Middle East, alongside European markets including Germany and the UK.
Within this international audience, the average guest age was 36.7 years, compared with the global cruise average of 46.7 reported in CLIA’s 2026 State of the Cruise Industry Report, highlighting AROYA’s ability to engage a younger generation of cruise guests.
AROYA’s market appeal also extends to groups and charter partners, supported by large-capacity venues including the 1,018-seat AROYA Theatre. The ship demonstrated its ability to accommodate large-scale international groups during the Mediterranean Games 2026, hosting around 3,500 athletes representing 26 nations as part of the Athletes’ Village at Taranto Naval Base.
For full itineraries and to book, visit aroya.com/en. Travel partners can access marketing assets, partner resources and ship information through the AROYA Partner Portal.
