AROYA Cruises calls itself the first Arab cruise company. Its concept is noticeably different from the usual European format of MSC Cruises or Costa Cruises: Arabic cuisine, a calmer atmosphere, a family-focused approach, and a complete absence of alcohol.
In August 2026, a representative of Круїз-Лайф - Cruise-Life.PRO spent seven days and six nights on AROYA. She traveled with a friend in a cabin with a balcony on the route Istanbul - Alexandria - Kaş - Marmaris.
This is not a retelling of a promotional description, but her own firsthand experience onboard.
A short about the cruise
travel period - August 2026;
duration - 7 days and 6 nights;
itinerary - Istanbul, Alexandria, Kaş and Marmaris;
accommodation - a cabin with a balcony for two;
approximate cost - €1 700 per cabin, or about €850 per person;
format - a family cruise with an Arabian touch, without alcohol.
The price applied to a specific departure and cabin category. The cost of other cruises will depend on the season, itinerary, number of passengers, and the selected fare.
Booking and Embarkation
Booking and document processing went smoothly. During this trip, Ukrainian citizens did not encounter any issues with boarding or document checks.
At the same time, this experience should not be taken as a universal rule for all departures. AROYA itineraries may include Turkey, Egypt, and other countries, so visa requirements must be checked for each specific cruise.
According to AROYA passenger information, the responsibility for having passports and the necessary visas lies with the traveler, and the rules depend on citizenship and the route ports.
First impressions of AROYA
The first impression of the representative of Cruise-Life.PRO was very positive:
«The liner is very luxurious, beautiful, and in great condition».
The interiors create a sense of a modern resort complex. On board there are many public spaces, restaurants, areas for relaxation, and entertainment.
At the same time, AROYA has its own cultural identity. This is not an attempt to simply copy the large European cruise companies, but a separate concept built around Arabian hospitality.
Cabin with balcony
Cabin with a balcony turned out to be spacious and convenient for two adult passengers. Inside, there was enough space for luggage, a comfortable bathroom, and a proper private balcony.
The balcony is especially useful on a Mediterranean itinerary: you can use it for relaxing, watching sunsets in port, and enjoying the sea views.
No major complaints about the cabin’s condition, amenities, or comfort during the cruise arose.
Dining on AROYA
Meals were organized conveniently. The representative used the main restaurant in an all inclusive format and two other restaurants, the visits to which were included in the cruise price.
According to her impressions, the cuisine is very clearly oriented specifically toward Arab passengers. Middle Eastern dishes and local flavors are an important part of the AROYA concept.
European travelers should keep in mind that the selection of familiar European dishes may seem smaller than on MSC or Costa. At the same time, Middle Eastern cuisine is one of the main features of this cruise product.
Officially, AROYA states that both Arab and international dishes are available, and all menus on board meet halal standards. Among the free venues, the company lists the main restaurant Al Waha, the Amwaj buffet, and other venues. A detailed list is provided on the AROYA dining and leisure page.
Is there alcohol on AROYA?
There is no alcohol onboard. It is not possible to buy alcohol in the restaurant or bar, and bringing your own alcoholic beverages on the liner is prohibited.
Instead of alcoholic drinks, they offer coffee, tea, juices, soft drinks, and non-alcoholic cocktails.
This is one of the key differences of AROYA from most European cruise companies. For families and passengers who do not drink alcohol, this format can be an advantage. For tourists who associate cruise holidays with wine with dinner or cocktails by the pool, this will be a significant limitation.
The ban on bringing alcohol is also clearly stated in the AROYA cruise pre-sail preparation rules.
Languages and onboard atmosphere
During the cruise, the staff spoke in Arabic, English, and Russian. Therefore, English was sufficient for everyday communication and obtaining the necessary information.
The atmosphere was calmer than on many European liners. The main audience consisted of Arabic tourists and families with children.
Despite the Middle Eastern concept, the representative of Cruise-Life.PRO did not notice any inconvenient cultural restrictions regarding everyday clothing or the behavior of European tourists. However, the overall atmosphere, cuisine, and entertainment clearly cater primarily to the preferences of the Arabic audience.
Is AROYA suitable for children?
Family vacations can be called one of the strongest features of AROYA. On board there is plenty of entertainment for children, including:
children’s pools and water zones;
a climbing wall;
playgrounds;
clubs and activities for different ages;
family entertainment programs.
The company also officially states that there is a water park with five slides, a splash zone, kids’ clubs for children aged 3–12, and a separate area for teenagers aged 13–17.
According to Cruise-Life.PRO representative, AROYA is well-suited for traveling with children. It’s families who can make the most of the ship’s infrastructure and liner format.
Service and additional costs
The level of service was high. There were no significant problems with the staff’s work or when resolving everyday issues.
There were also no unexpected additional charges or hidden costs during this trip.
However, on the liner there are paid restaurants, internet packages, drinks, and certain entertainment options. Therefore, before booking, you need to check what exactly is included in the selected fare.
How is AROYA different from MSC and Costa?
The main difference is not the cabin size or the number of restaurants, but the atmosphere itself.
AROYA offers a calmer and more family-oriented format with a clear focus on Arab tourists. There is no alcohol, less emphasis on bars and nightlife entertainment, and instead more attention is paid to children, family areas, Middle Eastern cuisine, and culture.
For passengers who are used to MSC or Costa, AROYA may seem unusual. But it is precisely the difference from a traditional European cruise that is the key feature of the new brand.
Aroya Cruises
AROYA
AROYA - a great modern cruise ship, created with the concept of Arab hospitality and family vacations. The vessel has 19 decks, a length of 335 meters, a gross tonnage of 151,000 tons, 1,678 cabins, and can accommodate over 3,300 passengers.
On board, there are restaurants featuring Arab and international cuisine, a large theater, pools, a water park, sports facilities, kids' clubs, a VR zone, arcade machines, a SPA center, and a shopping gallery. The main service languages are Arabic and English.
AROYA follows a halal-friendly concept: all dishes meet halal standards, alcoholic beverages are not sold on board, and bringing your own alcohol is prohibited.
- Year built
- 2023
- Passengers
- 3 362
- Decks
- 19
- Gross tonnage (GT)
- 150 965 GT
- Speed
- 22 knots
- Length
- 335 m
Advantages of AROYA
Following the trip, the representative of Cruise-Life.PRO named three main advantages:
A modern, beautiful, and well-equipped liner with a new concept for the cruise market.
A strong focus on family vacations with lots of kids’ entertainment.
Authentic Middle Eastern atmosphere and Arabic cuisine.
Disadvantages of AROYA
The main drawbacks include:
Complete lack of alcohol and a ban on bringing it with you.
A smaller selection of itineraries compared to large international cruise companies.
A young brand, for which there are currently significantly fewer reviews and practical information.
Who is the AROYA cruise suitable for?
AROYA is worth considering for:
families with children and teenagers;
travelers who do not drink alcohol;
fans of Middle Eastern cuisine and culture;
passengers looking for a calmer atmosphere;
experienced cruise travelers who are interested in trying a new concept.
The liner may not be a good fit for adult groups where alcoholic drinks, an active nightlife, and familiar European cuisine are important.
Who should book AROYA?
The impressions of the ship itself, the cabin, the cleanliness, and the service remained positive. However, the representative of Cruise-Life.PRO is not sure she would choose AROYA for her next trip for two with a friend.
The reason is not poor service, but product positioning: AROYA is primarily geared toward a family holiday with children.
Therefore, the main question before booking is not “is this a good ship?”, but “does its format match your expectations?”. For families, AROYA can be a very good choice. For an adult group looking for a European cruise atmosphere, it’s also worth comparing it with MSC, Costa, and other international brands.
The material was prepared based on the personal experience of the representative of Круїз-Лайф. Photos from the trip belong to Cruise-Life.PRO.