What Cruise Saudi does

Cruise Saudi (legal entity: Red Sea Cruise Company) is a Saudi-incorporated, 100% Public Investment Fund-owned company established in 2021 to develop a full cruise tourism ecosystem in Saudi Arabia as part of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 economic diversification program. Headquartered in Jeddah with 51-100 employees, the company operates as both a cruise line operator and a port/destination infrastructure manager. Its portfolio comprises AROYA Cruises — Saudi Arabia's first domestic cruise line, operating a 335-meter, 19-deck, 1,682-cabin vessel on Red Sea and (from June 2025) Mediterranean itineraries under the "Remarkably Arabian" brand — and Aman at Sea, a joint venture with Aman Group launching a 47-suite ultra-luxury superyacht ('Amangati') in 2027 at suite rates of $7,700-$30,000 per night. Supporting the cruise operations are four cruise gateways (Jeddah, Yanbu, Dammam, Saba Beach) with a target of 10 gateways by 2035, alongside shore excursion programming built around three UNESCO World Heritage Sites (AlUla, Jeddah Historic District, AlAhsa Oasis).

The company generates revenue through passenger fares and on-board spend on AROYA, planned ultra-luxury cabin revenue from Aman at Sea, port operations and passenger terminal fees from international cruise line calls, and destination shore excursion packages. GTM is dual-track: direct-to-consumer via aroya.com and amanatsea.com brand websites, and B2B channel partnerships positioning Saudi ports as itinerary destinations for global cruise operators. Core technology is centered on maritime and port operations management rather than software, with a notable sustainability capability through dual-fuel vessel engineering (marine diesel oil and E-methanol) and active participation in the FLEET Research Consortium alongside KAUST.

Customer segments span regional GCC travelers seeking Arabian-themed cruise experiences (primary), ultra-luxury HNW travelers via Aman at Sea, and international cruise lines seeking port-of-call infrastructure. The company holds CLIA and IATA memberships, is a UN Global Compact signatory, and achieved Travelife Partner Status certification in April 2026. As of April 2026, leadership transitioned with Taha Nazer (formerly CFO since 2023) appointed Acting CEO, succeeding Lars Clasen, with an explicit mandate to reach profitability.

Name

Cruise Saudi

Legal name

Red Sea Cruise Company (trading as Cruise Saudi)

Website

https://cruisesaudi.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Cruise Saudi is a PIF-owned company developing Saudi Arabia's cruise ecosystem through AROYA Cruises (the first Arabian cruise line) and Aman at Sea (ultra-luxury superyacht JV with Aman Group), operating four port gateways and targeting 1.3 million passengers by 2035.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cruise Tourism Services

NAICS

Deep Sea Passenger Transportation (483112), Deep Sea, Coastal, and Great Lakes Water Transportation (48311), Tour Operators (56152), Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Water (48721)

SIC

Water Transportation (4400)

akta.pro primary industry

Premium Ocean Cruise Lines (THAEAAAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Luxury Ocean Cruise Lines (THAEABAB), Destination Management Companies (Cruise DMCs) (THAEAFAD), Hotel + Pre/Post-Cruise Land Stays (Cruisetours) (THAEAHAC)

Keywords

• Cruise line operations
• Port infrastructure management
• Shore excursion services
• Luxury maritime tourism
• Destination cruise services

Headquarters

HQ city

Jeddah

HQ country

Saudi Arabia

HQ region

Middle East

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. AROYA Cruises Operations: First Arabian cruise line launched in 2023, offering Red Sea and Mediterranean itineraries. Generates revenue through passenger fares, on-board services, dining, entertainment, and shore excursion packages.
2. Port Operations and Services: Managing cruise ports and passenger terminals across Saudi Arabia, providing embarkation services, infrastructure, and guest experiences for international cruise lines.
3. Aman at Sea Joint Venture: Ultra-luxury cruise joint venture with Aman Group, targeting high-net-worth travelers with premium suite pricing from $7,700 per night.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Cruise Saudi develops and operates an end-to-end cruise tourism ecosystem in Saudi Arabia. It runs two cruise brands — AROYA Cruises (the first Arabian cruise line offering Red Sea and Mediterranean itineraries) and Aman at Sea (an ultra-luxury superyacht joint venture with Aman Group). The company also manages Saudi cruise port infrastructure (Jeddah, Yanbu, Dammam, and Saba Beach) and develops shore excursion programs to UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Product overview

Cruise Saudi is a PIF-owned company developing a full-suite cruise ecosystem in Saudi Arabia. The portfolio comprises two cruise lines: AROYA Cruises (the first Arabian cruise line with Red Sea and Mediterranean sailings) and Aman at Sea (ultra-luxury joint venture with Aman Group launching 2027). Supporting the cruise operations are destination services including four cruise ports (Jeddah, Yanbu, Dammam, and Saba Beach) offering shore excursions to UNESCO World Heritage Sites and natural attractions. The company operates as both cruise line operator and port infrastructure manager, targeting 1.3 million cruise passengers by 2035.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• AROYA Cruises: The first Arabian cruise line offering Remarkably Arabian holiday experiences, launched in 2023. Operates Red Sea and Mediterranean itineraries with 1,682 cabins.
• Aman at Sea

Products and services

• AROYA Cruises Saudi Arabia's first Arabian cruise line offering 'Remarkably Arabian' holiday experiences with Red Sea and Mediterranean itineraries. Targets Saudi nationals, expatriates, and regional travelers seeking family-friendly culturally-aligned cruising with international dining, live entertainment, and curated shore excursions.
• Aman at Sea Ultra-luxury 183-meter superyacht joint venture between Cruise Saudi and Aman Group, expected to launch in 2027 sailing the Mediterranean. Features 47 spacious suites, full wellness offerings, and Aman's philosophy of privacy, peace, and enduring design. Targets high-net-worth individuals globally.
• Jeddah Cruise Port Gateway port on the Red Sea offering access to UNESCO heritage site Al-Balad (Old Town). Features 2 berths with maximum ship length of 434m, turnaround capability, and ISPS compliance. Located 4km from city center and 26.7km from airport. Serves as homeport for AROYA Cruises Red Sea operations.
• Yanbu Cruise Port Gateway to Red Sea natural wonders with 2 berths accommodating ships up to 380m length. Terminal and ISPS compliant. Located 850m from city center and 14.6km from airport with shuttle service.
• Dammam Cruise Port Gateway on the Arabian Gulf serving as access point to Al Ahsa Oasis (UNESCO World Heritage Site). Features 1 berth with 180m length. Located 17.9km from city center and 52.8km from airport.
• Saba Beach Exclusive cruise destination on Jabal Al-Sabaya island featuring pristine shores, coral reefs, floating water park, dining, spa experiences, private villas and beach cabanas. Draught requirement of 16m+. Sustainable, culturally inspired environment.
• Cruise & Maritime Services Port operations, vessel services, and guest experience management including cruise terminal operations, embarkation services, and shore excursion development across Saudi Arabian ports. Provides B2B infrastructure services for international cruise lines.
• Destination Shore Excursions Curated shore experiences including UNESCO site visits (AlUla, Jeddah Historic District, AlAhsa Oasis), marine activities (snorkeling, diving, kayaking), cultural tours, and adventure activities (ATV tours) across cruise destinations.

Quantifiable outcome

• Targeting 1.3 million cruise passengers by 2035
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Aman GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint venture under Neptune Co. to develop Aman at Sea, an ultra-luxury 183-meter superyacht with 47 suites. Expected to launch in 2027, featuring dual-fuel powered new-build using marine diesel oil and E-methanol. Redefines luxury hospitality at sea.
• FLEET Research ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFuels, Lubricants, and Efficient Engine Technologies consortium founded by KAUST and OSP. Cruise Saudi signed membership agreement in May 2024 to collaboratively develop sustainable energy solutions for maritime transport.
• King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-founder of FLEET research consortium. Clean Combustion Research Center leads research to develop economically viable and environmentally sustainable technologies for aviation, road, and marine sectors.
• Oil Sustainability Program (OSP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-founder of FLEET research consortium alongside KAUST, focused on sustainable energy solutions for transportation sectors.
• United Nations Global CompactminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorld's largest corporate sustainability initiative. Cruise Saudi commits to incorporating Ten Principles in human rights, labor, environment, and anti-corruption into strategy and operations.
• FII Institute's WAVE PlatformminorGTM or Marketing PartnerInitiative Partner in WAVE platform engaging diverse international stakeholders to drive regenerative ocean action. Aligned with Cruise Saudi's mandate to develop offshore and onshore cruise ecosystem.
• Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture (MEWA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on Arabian Environment Day initiative for shore cleaning and mangrove planting on Shabbab Island, supporting Vision 2030 environmental goals.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Seabourn Cruise Line: Carnival Corporation's ultra-luxury small-ship brand; another direct competitor in the high-end suite-only segment that Aman at Sea will enter in 2027.
• MSC Cruises: Privately held Swiss-based global cruise operator with a strong Mediterranean focus and mass-premium segment overlap with AROYA Cruises. Both target Mediterranean/Red Sea itineraries and compete for similar regional and European passenger demand.
• Celestyal Cruises: Mid-sized cruise line specializing in Greek and Eastern Mediterranean itineraries — the same waters AROYA Cruises launched its Mediterranean season from Galataport Istanbul. Comparable cabin capacity, mid-premium positioning, and overlapping Eastern Med port calls.
• Costa Cruises: Italian mass-market cruise line with deep Mediterranean itinerary overlap and Italian-language cultural positioning similar to AROYA's regionally-themed approach. Comparable passenger profile for Mediterranean season competition.
• Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection: Ultra-luxury small-yacht cruise brand (Marriott-backed) with intimate-suite configurations and ultra-premium pricing similar to Aman at Sea's $7,700+/night positioning. Most direct comparable for Cruise Saudi's Aman at Sea ultra-luxury JV.
• Silversea Cruises: Royal Caribbean Group-owned luxury and expedition cruise line with small-ship, all-suite, high-service product — directly comparable to Aman at Sea's ultra-luxury superyacht positioning.
• Regent Seven Seas Cruises: Top-tier luxury all-suite cruise brand competing for the same ultra-high-net-worth Mediterranean traveler that Aman at Sea targets. Comparable suite-only product and premium per-diem economics.
• Global Ports Holding: World's largest independent cruise port operator managing terminals across the Mediterranean, Caribbean, and Asia-Pacific. Directly comparable to Cruise Saudi's port operations and destination management business spanning Jeddah, Yanbu, Dammam, and Saba Beach.

Broad incumbents

• Royal Caribbean Group: Global cruise giant owning Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea. A broad incumbent whose brands (especially Celebrity) compete for the same Mediterranean cruise passenger that AROYA is targeting.
• Carnival Corporation & plc: World's largest cruise company owning Carnival, Princess, Costa, Holland America, and Seabourn. As a broad incumbent, it competes through multiple brands — Costa directly overlaps with AROYA's Mediterranean positioning.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CruiseSaudi
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cruise-saudi

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cruise Saudi