Aroya Cruises Adds 25 Winter Sailings From Galataport
Galataport's terminal can accommodate three ships at once and handle up to fifteen thousand passengers per day.
Updated September 23, 2026
Aroya Cruises has shifted its 2026-27 winter deployment from the Arabian Gulf to an expanded Mediterranean program. The new schedule includes six-, seven- and eight-night voyages beginning Oct. 10, 2026.
The expansion includes 25 winter itineraries from Istanbul through April 24, 2027. Galataport expects the additional sailings to increase departures by 143% and passenger traffic by 188% compared with the prior year. The target is 150,000 passengers.
Alexandria becomes a second embarkation gateway
The opening phase will feature voyages between Istanbul and Alexandria, calling along the Turkish coast at ports including Bodrum, Marmaris and Kusadasi. Interporting will allow passengers to embark or disembark in Alexandria on selected voyages rather than beginning or ending their cruise in Istanbul.
Selected itineraries will stay overnight in Alexandria, giving passengers more time in the city and opportunities for excursions to Cairo and the Pyramids of Giza. The second gateway also gives travel partners more options to package cruises with flights and pre- or post-cruise stays.
“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,” said Ala Tashkandi, commercial executive director at Aroya Cruises.
Galataport said Istanbul’s first winter cruise activity began in 2024, when 25 voyages handled 55,000 passengers. Its terminal can accommodate three ships simultaneously and handle as many as 15,000 passengers per day. Projected annual capacity is approximately 1.5 million cruise passengers.
“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,” Galataport said.
New ports and 14-night voyages in 2027
From May 2027, Aroya will offer six-, seven- and eight-night itineraries combining Turkiye with Egypt or Greece. The program includes maiden calls at Antalya, Turkiye, and Nafplion, Greece.
The line’s first two 14-night voyages will depart Istanbul on June 5 and July 17, 2027. The June sailing will cross the Mediterranean from east to west, calling at Catania, Salerno, Civitavecchia, Cagliari, La Goulette and Valletta. Civitavecchia will offer interporting, allowing passengers to begin or end the voyage in Italy.
The July 17 itinerary will sail from the Aegean into the Adriatic, calling at Katakolon, Sarande, Bar, Trieste, Zadar, Korcula and Bari. Passengers will also be able to embark or disembark in Trieste.
Aroya’s Mediterranean program
Aroya began its second Istanbul homeporting season in early June 2026 with 15 cruises, including seven-night voyages to destinations in Turkiye, Greece and Egypt. The ship debuted in the region in 2025 and entered service for the Cruise Saudi-backed brand in 2024. Passengers from more than 100 nationalities sailed during the 2026 Mediterranean season.
The cruise line has adapted its onboard programming for Mediterranean passengers by adding languages and modifying entertainment and menus according to the itinerary and guest mix. The ship continues to operate with halal food and beverage service and does not serve alcohol.
Captain Roland Polic identified windy conditions around the Greek islands and high-speed transits to Egypt among the operational considerations for the regional program. He also noted that the ports are close enough for the ship to combine multiple countries within shorter itineraries.
