AROYA Cruises expanded its cruise program from Istanbul and added 25 winter departures from the cruise port of Galataport Istanbul. The sailings are scheduled for the period from 10 October 2026 to 24 April 2027.
The new program will cover autumn, winter, and the beginning of spring, transforming Istanbul from a predominantly summer cruise destination into a year-round home port.
Where will AROYA winter cruises sail to?
From Istanbul, the AROYA liner will operate cruises to ports in Turkey and Egypt. Among the listed destinations:
Bodrum;
Marmaris;
Kuşadası;
Alexandria.
The exact set of ports will depend on the selected date and itinerary. Passengers are advised to check the current program of each cruise directly before booking.
Thanks to the new departures, cruises from Istanbul will be available not only during the traditional summer season. Travelers will get more options to explore Turkey and the Eastern Mediterranean in autumn, winter, and early spring.
Galataport expects an increase in winter passenger traffic.
According to the Galataport Istanbul forecast, expanding the winter cruise program should ensure:
an increase in the number of departures by 143% compared to the previous year;
an increase in passenger traffic by 188%;
up to 150 thousand cruise passengers during the season.
These are projected port indicators, not the final results of the season. Actual passenger traffic will depend on the occupancy of the liners, potential schedule changes, and other operational factors.
Istanbul is becoming an year-round departure port
AROYA will use Galataport as its home port. This means passengers will be able to start and end their cruise directly in Istanbul, rather than visiting the city only during a brief stop of the liner.
The location on the Bosphorus, international transport connections, and a modern cruise terminal allow Istanbul to host passenger vessels throughout the year.
For travelers, winter cruises from Istanbul mean a wider choice of dates and the opportunity to combine a sea trip with several days in the city before or after the cruise. For Turkey’s cruise industry, expanding the season can reduce reliance on the summer months.
What to check before booking the AROYA cruise
As the winter program is scheduled up to April 2027, the timetable and sequence of ports may still change. Before booking, it’s worth checking:
the exact dates and cruise duration;
the complete itinerary for the selected departure;
the cabin category;
port fees and services included in the price;
the cancellation or booking change terms;
the current entry rules for the countries on the itinerary.
Adding 25 winter cruises by AROYA strengthens Istanbul’s position as a year-round cruise hub and creates new travel opportunities across the Eastern Mediterranean in the 2026–2027 season.
Keep up with the news of Круїз-Лайф to learn about cruises from Istanbul, AROYA Cruises itineraries, winter cruises across the Mediterranean Sea, and new offers from cruise companies.