Aroya Cruises Launches First Arabian Gulf Season From Dubai Feb. 21

Aroya Cruises will launch its inaugural Arabian Gulf season on February 21, 2026, with a seven-night sailing departing Dubai aboard Aroya, the company said in a press release. The new deployment introduces two- to seven-night itineraries calling at ports across the Gulf and nearby Oman as the brand expands its regional rotation.

Arabian Gulf season: voyage lengths and ports

The Arabian Gulf program is scheduled to operate in a February-to-April window. Across the season, Aroya Cruises plans voyage lengths designed to serve both shorter breaks and weeklong vacations.

Ports featured across the broader program include Dubai, Dammam, Doha, Abu Dhabi, Muscat, Khasab and Sir Bani Yas Island.

Inaugural seven-night sailing from Dubai on Feb. 21, 2026

The first seven-night Arabian Gulf voyage is scheduled to begin February 21, 2026. The itinerary is set to depart Dubai, call in Oman and the Gulf, and conclude at Sir Bani Yas Island.

Stops on the February 21, 2026 sailing include:

• Khasab, Oman
• Muscat, Oman
• Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
• Doha, Qatar
• Sir Bani Yas Island, United Arab Emirates

Leadership: positioning the season as part of a wider regional plan

Lars Clasen, Cruise Saudi CEO and interim president of Aroya Cruises, described the launch as a milestone within the company’s broader strategy. “The launch of the company’s Arabian Gulf season is a pivotal milestone,” Clasen said.

He said the company is positioning Aroya Cruises around a unified regional identity spanning multiple deployments. “This season marks a defining moment, positioning Aroya Cruises as the first cruise line to unite the Red Sea, Eastern Mediterranean, and Arabian Gulf under a single, authentically Arabian experience,” he said.

Clasen also tied the new itineraries to an onboard focus intended to reflect Saudi culture for international travelers. “Beyond introducing new itineraries, we are sharing Saudi Arabia’s unique culture, warmth, and hospitality with new audiences and destinations,” he said. “By offering multiple embarkation points, we are making it easier than ever for guests to explore the region’s treasures aboard a cruise line that is authentically Arabian at its core.”

Onboard offering spotlight: Irth restaurant

For the season launch, Aroya Cruises is highlighting Irth, which the company describes as the first Saudi restaurant at sea. The line said the inaugural sailing will pair onboard programming intended to showcase Arabian culture and hospitality with a mix of city and destination visits around the Gulf and Oman.

How the Gulf deployment fits into Aroya’s seasonal calendar

Aroya Cruises has outlined three seasonal operating periods spanning the Red Sea, the Arabian Gulf and select Eastern Mediterranean routes, with itinerary lengths ranging from three to seven nights depending on the region.

• Red Sea season: Scheduled for January to February and again from September to November, with sailings departing from Jeddah and visiting destinations that include stops in Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan, as well as Sharm El Sheikh.
• Arabian Gulf season: Scheduled for February to April, featuring two- to seven-night voyages calling at ports including Dubai, Dammam, Doha, Abu Dhabi, Muscat, Khasab and Sir Bani Yas Island.
• Select Eastern Mediterranean season: Scheduled from June to September, adding seven-night itineraries extending into European ports as part of the seasonal rotation.

India distribution: Int2Cruises named preferred sales agent

Aroya Cruises has appointed Int2Cruises as its preferred Indian sales agent, a move the company said is designed to expand access for Indian travelers to its operating regions, including the Red Sea, the Arabian Gulf and select Mediterranean routes.

Vinu Vijay, co-founder and head of operations of Int2Cruises, said the partnership aligns with demand for shorter cruise options. “Our data shows that Indian travellers increasingly prefer shorter 3-5 night cruise holidays that are easy to plan and closer to home,” Vijay said. He added, “The convenience of short-haul sailings, combined with immersive onboard and destination experiences, is driving this shift.”

Company background

Aroya Cruises was introduced in 2023 as part of Cruise Saudi’s stated ambition to develop Saudi Arabia as a global cruise destination. The brand marked its first year of operation in December.

With the Gulf season set to begin with the February 21, 2026 departure from Dubai, Aroya Cruises is placing the new itineraries alongside Red Sea sailings from Jeddah and select summer deployments into the Eastern Mediterranean as it moves through its seasonal rotation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When does Aroya Cruises’ Arabian Gulf season operate?

The Arabian Gulf season is scheduled to run in a February-to-April window, with itineraries ranging from two to seven nights.

What is the itinerary for the February 21, 2026 inaugural seven-night sailing?

The voyage departs Dubai and includes calls at Khasab and Muscat in Oman, plus Abu Dhabi and Doha, before concluding at Sir Bani Yas Island.

What is Irth on board Aroya?

Irth is a restaurant Aroya Cruises says is the first Saudi restaurant at sea, and it is being highlighted as part of the inaugural Arabian Gulf voyage.

How can Indian travelers book Aroya Cruises?

Aroya Cruises has appointed Int2Cruises as its preferred Indian sales agent to expand access for Indian travelers to its itineraries in the Arabian Gulf, the Red Sea and select Eastern Mediterranean routes.