Cruising Journal

Cruise Saudi: the charm of Saudi Arabia

Jeddah and the Al Ahsa Oasis  could be the next must-do shore excursions. Damman could soon be the Arabic Gulf’s Southampton and Yanbu its new Tilbury. Or Miami.
Two years ago, the Cruise Saudi campaign was officially launched to develop the infrastructure and services required to scale a full-suite cruise market in Saudi Arabia Cruise Saudi is a 100 per cent Investment Fund-owned business set on promoting the county as a cruise destination.
Saudi has welcome more than 300,000 cruise passengers representing over 100 different natonalities. In the 2022/ 23 season Saudi received 7 cruise lines its ports.
Scenic Eclipse, Scenic Group’s first purpose-built ocean cruise ship and the World’s First Discovery Yacht sailed Saudi waters in 2021. Emerald Azzura visited in 2022 as part of the company’s  “Mysteries and Treasures of The Red Sea and Saudi Arabia” and 12 day discovery the Ancient Wonders Of The Red Sea and Mythical Greece”  cruises featuring Al Wajh , the gateway to AlUla Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage-listed site, AlUla. The line hopes top return in 2026.
Located in the Tabuk Province in north-western Saudi Arabia, exuding Al Wajh’s old town, Al Balad, is noted for its Hijazi-style architecture with its Red Sea coral buildings and colourful balconies.  Two hours away is AlUla and the tombs of Hegra and one of the oldest cities on the Arabian Peninsula.
Jeddah city is home to the contemporary Corniche waterfront, high-end shopping malls, souqs, mosques, diving sites in coral reefs, and seafront restaurants serving the finest Middle Eastern cuisine.  The city’s historic district Al Balad (translated as ‘The Town’) is a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site that dates to the 7th century. Retaining its traditional charm with buildings made from coral, Al Balad is home to the city’s oldest mosque, Masjid Shaffie and the old pilgrimage road, Al Dahab Street.
In 2021/22, four cruise lines were welcomed to Saudi – MSC, Scenic Group, Viking and Silversea. 
Glen Moroney, Founder and Chairman of Scenic Group commented: “Saudi Arabia will be one of the hottest tourist destinations in coming years and we’re very glad our guests will got to experience it in 6-star comfort on board Scenic Eclipse.”
“As a business we continue to raise the bar in ultra-luxury cruising and we are confident that  our cruises will mark the start of a long relationship with the destination and hope to be able to offer more sailings in the region in the coming years.”
Tailor-made itineraries, as well as pre-planned itineraries,  include Yanbu, the diving capital of Saudi Arabia with the Iona wreck, a well-preserved British merchant steamer sunk in 1915.
Cruise Saudi hopes to create 50000 jobs and to welcome 1.3 million cruise passenger visits annually by 2035. It plans to open ten new ports for cruise traffic by 2030. The King Absulaziz Port Dammam opened for cruise ships in January 2023. The MSC World Europa paid weekly visits. MSC Splendida  also docked at Jeddah Islamic Port.
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Kevin Pilley

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