Aroya Completes Taranto Charter for Mediterranean Games

Aroya Cruises has completed a 20-night charter in Taranto, Italy, after using its ship Aroya as accommodation for the Mediterranean Games 2026. The company said more than 15,100 athletes, delegation members and visitors stayed onboard during the 20-day operation.

Scale of the floating-hotel operation in Taranto

Aroya Cruises said Aroya operated as part of the event’s Mediterranean Village and accommodated more than 4,000 competing athletes representing 26 nations. The 3,500-passenger cruise ship delivered a round-the-clock hospitality program supported by about 1,200 crew members.

The charter was part of a broader plan to house attendees on vessels in port, including Tallink’s Romantika, which was covered previously in our report on Aroya and Romantika hosting Mediterranean Games athletes in Taranto.

Aroya Cruises said 1,678 staterooms were prepared in advance, including twin-bed configurations intended to suit team accommodations.

Dining and meal logistics built around competition schedules

Aroya Cruises said its food and beverage program was designed around athletes’ nutritional requirements and the timing constraints of training and competition. The company credited a team of 273 culinary professionals representing 15 nationalities with executing the dining operation onboard.

To support teams moving between venues and tight schedules, the operation produced packed meals at scale, averaging about 550 boxed lunches per day for delivery off the ship. The company also highlighted a dedicated dining experience hosted for H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco during the charter.

Training, recovery and day-to-day support onboard

According to the company, Aroya provided fitness and recovery spaces including a fully equipped gym, dedicated studios and 20 treatment rooms available for athletes to use with their own physiotherapists. Between events, athletes and delegations also had access to entertainment and leisure programming, along with cultural areas and meeting rooms.

• Laundry operations: Aroya Cruises said 24-hour laundry services processed 8,600 bags, including delegation uniforms and team kits.
• Port and access logistics: The company said luggage handling and visitor access controls were managed as part of day-to-day port operations.

Recognition onboard and executive comments

Aroya Cruises said the International Committee of the Mediterranean Games held a recognition event onboard on September 1, ahead of the Games’ closing ceremony on September 3, to acknowledge the ship’s role and the crew’s work during the charter.

Taha Nazer, acting CEO of Cruise Saudi, said the charter served as a test of the brand’s operational capability. “The successful delivery of this charter marks an important milestone for Aroya, demonstrating our ability to support major international events while maintaining the quality and care that define our guest experience,” Nazer said.

Nazer also pointed to the onboard recognition as a reflection of staff performance. “Recognition from the International Committee of the Mediterranean Games reflects the commitment of our teams, and I thank every colleague for the exceptional work that made this achievement possible,” he said.

During the 20-night stay, Aroya Cruises said the ship also hosted visiting dignitaries and senior officials, along with ministers, Olympic committee leaders and international media during organized press days. The company listed several heads of state and senior representatives among those who visited:

• S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco: Aroya Cruises cited his visit among the high-level calls during the charter.
• E. Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova: The President of North Macedonia was listed among official visitors.
• E. Joseph Aoun: The President of the Lebanese Republic was listed among official visitors.
• E. Albulena Haxhiu: The Acting President of the Republic of Kosovo was listed among official visitors.

Repositioning plans after the charter

With its duties in Italy completed, Aroya Cruises said Aroya will reposition to the Red Sea on a two-part itinerary that includes stops in Marmaris, Istanbul, Alexandria and Port Suez, among other destinations. The ship is scheduled to arrive in Jeddah to begin Red Sea operations, and the company said it plans for the vessel to return to Mediterranean waters in 2027.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How many people did Aroya Cruises say stayed onboard during the Mediterranean Games charter?

The company said more than 15,100 athletes, delegation members and visitors were accommodated onboard Aroya during the 20-day charter.

How many athletes were hosted onboard, and how many nations did they represent?

Aroya Cruises said the ship accommodated more than 4,000 competing athletes representing 26 nations.

What athlete-focused facilities and services were provided onboard?

According to the company, Aroya provided a fully equipped gym, dedicated studios and 20 treatment rooms for use with athletes’ own physiotherapists, alongside dining planned around nutritional needs and competition schedules. The operation also produced about 550 boxed lunches per day for delivery to venues.

Where is Aroya scheduled to sail next after Taranto?

Aroya Cruises said the ship will reposition to the Red Sea on a two-part voyage with stops including Marmaris, Istanbul, Alexandria and Port Suez, before arriving in Jeddah to begin Red Sea itineraries. The company said the vessel is expected to return to the Mediterranean in 2027.