Saudi Arabia’s cruise ambitions are moving decisively into the Indian market. With family cruising gaining traction and the Middle East emerging as a short-haul alternative to Europe, Aroya Cruises’ appointment of an India-focused sales partner signals intent to build sustained trade engagement rather than opportunistic sales.
Aroya Cruises, the first cruise line launched under Cruise Saudi, has appointed Griffon Cruises as its International Preferred Sales Agent for India. The appointment, effective 12 December 2025, positions Griffon to market, promote and sell Aroya Cruises across the Indian market.
The move comes as Cruise Saudi sharpens its focus on India as a high-potential source market, particularly for multi-generational and family-led cruise travel.
Building scale after a strong debut year
Launched in December 2024, Aroya Cruises has welcomed more than 140,000 passengers in its debut year, establishing itself as a new entrant in the global cruise landscape. Designed as a family-oriented cruise product, the ship features 19 decks and a capacity of 4,700 passengers, blending contemporary cruising with Arabian hospitality.
The vessel has been configured with Indian and regional family travel preferences in mind, including 200 connecting cabins and 20 adjoining cabins, enabling flexible accommodation for extended families travelling together.
Family-first product positioning
Aroya Cruises places strong emphasis on age-segmented onboard experiences. Dedicated zones cater to infants, children, teens and adults, alongside extensive sports, entertainment and leisure infrastructure. As a family cruise line, alcohol is not permitted onboard, positioning the product distinctly for markets seeking inclusive, family-friendly cruising.
Onboard offerings range from water parks and sports facilities to lounges, dining venues, retail and entertainment spaces, positioning the ship as a floating destination rather than a transit experience.
Year-round regional itineraries
Aroya Cruises operates year-round across multiple regions. Seasonal deployments include Red Sea sailings from Jeddah, Arabian Gulf itineraries from Dubai, and Aegean Sea and Eastern Mediterranean routes from Istanbul during the summer months. Select Aegean sailings operate without Schengen visa requirements, adding further appeal for Indian travellers.
Trade focus
With Griffon Cruises spearheading India sales, the cruise line aims to build structured engagement with travel agents and tour operators, offering a differentiated cruise alternative aligned with India’s growing appetite for short-haul, family-led cruise holidays.
Rahul Bhadana is a digital editor at TravTalk with experience spanning multiple content niches, with a strong focus on travel trade journalism and digital publishing. A graduate of Delhi University, his work covers editorial writing, content strategy and platform-led storytelling, supporting TravTalk’s digital growth and industry engagement. A technology enthusiast, he enjoys films, poetry and exploring new ideas across media and culture.
