AROYA Cruises signals long-term confidence in Istanbul homeport role

By Ahmet Taş | Wise News Press
ISTANBUL, TÜRKİYE — AROYA Cruises has positioned Istanbul as a strategic Mediterranean hub, signaling long-term confidence in Türkiye’s fast-growing cruise tourism market.

Türkiye’s cruise tourism sector has gained fresh momentum as international cruise operators increasingly include Istanbul and other Turkish ports in their long-term Mediterranean plans. The latest sign came from AROYA Cruises, Saudi Arabia’s first cruise brand, which held a special launch event aboard its ship during its first Istanbul call on June 6. The event brought together travel agencies, industry representatives, media members and Galataport Istanbul executives, with company officials outlining Türkiye-focused growth plans, new routes and Istanbul’s expanding role in regional cruise operations.

Istanbul becomes a strategic cruise hub

AROYA Cruises’ message in Istanbul was clear: the company sees the city not merely as a port of call, but as a long-term operational center with strong regional potential. The decision comes at a time when Istanbul has been strengthening its profile in cruise tourism through Galataport, improved port infrastructure and rising demand for Mediterranean itineraries.

For cruise companies, Istanbul offers several advantages. It combines a major international airport network, a globally known cultural identity, hotel capacity, historical attractions and direct access to the Bosporus, Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean routes. This makes the city attractive not only for short port calls, but also for homeport operations, where passengers begin or end their cruise journey in the destination.

Industry representatives say homeporting creates wider economic value than a standard stopover. Passengers often spend extra nights in the city before or after their voyage, use hotels, restaurants, transfers, museums, shopping areas and local tour services. That makes the cruise ship only one part of a much larger tourism ecosystem.

One of the Mediterranean’s major cruise ships

AROYA is among the notable cruise ships operating in the Mediterranean. The vessel has a gross tonnage of 151,000, a length of 335 meters, 19 decks, 1,678 cabins and capacity for 3,362 passengers. Around 1,600 crew members work on board.

The ship includes 15 restaurants, 20 entertainment and lifestyle venues, a theater with capacity for more than 1,000 guests, children’s clubs, water entertainment areas, virtual reality centers and premium spa facilities.

One of its most distinctive concepts is “Irth,” positioned as the first Saudi restaurant at sea and developed in collaboration with Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Culture. The restaurant reflects AROYA’s effort to carry Saudi cultural identity into an international cruise environment.

Inclusive travel concept for different cultures

AROYA Cruises stands out with a service model designed for guests from different cultural and lifestyle backgrounds. The ship does not serve alcohol, while spa and pool areas include separate sections for women and men, along with specific hours for shared use.

This model allows the company to address travelers from Türkiye, Russia, Germany, Turkic republics, the Gulf region and different parts of Europe. Its positioning is particularly relevant for families and guests seeking a cruise environment that combines international standards with culturally sensitive service options.

The company presents this model not as a narrow regional product, but as a global cruise experience designed to meet diverse expectations. In that sense, AROYA aims to compete in the Mediterranean while offering an alternative hospitality language shaped by Gulf, Turkish and broader international travel habits.

Family-friendly cruise experience

AROYA Cruises also places strong emphasis on family travel. The ship includes entertainment areas for children and teenagers, game centers, water activities and age-specific programs. These facilities allow children to spend time in supervised and engaging environments while parents enjoy dining, wellness and entertainment options.

The company’s seasonal campaigns and promotions are also designed to attract families. In certain periods, “kids sail free” offers are promoted as part of the brand’s family-focused strategy.

This approach is important for the Turkish market, where family travel remains a central part of holiday behavior. By combining cruise comfort, child-friendly programming and culturally compatible services, AROYA aims to reach a broader audience than traditional luxury cruise passengers.

Cruise tourism continues to grow

Cruise tourism remains one of the fastest-growing segments of the global travel industry. According to sector evaluations cited during the event, interest in cruise travel continues to rise worldwide, including among travelers who have never experienced a cruise before.

Sunorama Cruises General Manager Alper Taşkıranlar, one of AROYA Cruises’ authorized representatives in Türkiye, said Cruise Lines International Association data shows strong future demand from first-time cruise travelers. He noted that a large share of passengers who experience a cruise once tend to choose the model again.

Taşkıranlar also underlined the role of travel agencies in cruise sales. Because cruise holidays involve ship selection, cabin categories, route planning, visa requirements, transfer details and destination choices, professional guidance remains critical for customers seeking the right itinerary.

Homeport operations create economic value

AROYA Cruises’ interest in Istanbul as a homeport is seen as an important development for Türkiye’s tourism economy. Homeport operations generate value beyond port fees and passenger traffic.

Travelers starting or ending their trip in Istanbul often spend additional time in the city. This supports hotels, restaurants, transportation providers, shopping districts, museums, cultural sites and tour operators. For cities with strong tourism infrastructure, homeporting can create a multiplier effect across several service sectors.

Taşkıranlar said cruise passengers create significant value for city economies, especially when operations are based on the homeport model. He emphasized that Istanbul’s growing strength as a cruise center could contribute to higher tourism revenues and stronger regional visibility.

New routes and longer seasons ahead

AROYA Cruises plans to strengthen Istanbul’s role in its future operations. The company aims to increase Istanbul-based departures, develop new route alternatives and extend the cruise season over a longer period.

Current and future itineraries include visa-free programs for Turkish guests departing from Istanbul, with routes covering Marmaris, Bodrum, Kaş and Alexandria. Greek Islands and Athens programs are also attracting interest among Turkish citizens with green passports, who can travel on those routes without a visa.

The company is also expected to evaluate broader route models including Turkish coastal destinations, the Eastern Mediterranean and Western Mediterranean ports. For 2027, plans include starting Istanbul operations earlier and extending the season compared with previous years.

Cruise travel combined with Umrah

One of the most distinctive programs announced by AROYA Cruises is a special voyage departing from Istanbul on September 12. The route will include Marmaris, Bodrum, the Suez Canal and Sharm El-Sheikh before ending in Jeddah.

Within flight-inclusive packages prepared by Sunorama Cruises, guests will be able to continue from the cruise journey to visit Mecca and Medina for Umrah. This program is designed for travelers who want to combine sea travel, cultural discovery and a spiritual journey in one itinerary.

For Türkiye and the wider region, this type of product may open a new travel category: cruise-based religious and cultural tourism. It also reflects AROYA’s broader strategy of building itineraries that connect leisure, family travel and faith-based experiences.

Long-term confidence in Türkiye

AROYA Cruises’ Istanbul launch is being interpreted as a long-term confidence message for Türkiye’s cruise tourism potential. The company’s plans point to more Istanbul-based operations, wider Mediterranean routing and a stronger role for Türkiye in regional cruise traffic.

For Istanbul, the message is equally strategic. The city is no longer being viewed only as a scenic stop between Mediterranean ports, but as a destination capable of hosting large-scale homeport operations with broad economic impact.

As cruise tourism continues to expand globally, Istanbul’s combination of infrastructure, culture, geography and market access may give it a stronger role in the next phase of Mediterranean cruise growth.

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