October 23, 2026 — Aroya Cruises is spending its first winter in the Mediterranean, sailing seven-night Turkey and Egypt cruises from Istanbul’s Galataport through May 2027.
What happened
The 3,400-guest Aroya (about 150,000 tons) reached Istanbul in early October after a short fall season in the Red Sea. Guests can also board in Alexandria.
| When | Deployment |
|---|---|
| Winter 2026–May 2027 | 7-night Turkey and Egypt cruises from Istanbul: Marmaris, Kuşadası and two-day calls in Alexandria |
| Summer 2027 | New ports added: Bodrum, Antalya, Kaş, Chania, Rhodes and Nafplion |
| June 2027 | 14-night roundtrip from Istanbul to Turkey, Greece, Tunisia and Malta (including Catania, Salerno, Civitavecchia, Cagliari, La Goulette, Mykonos and Valletta) |
| July 2027 | 14-night roundtrip from Istanbul to Greece, Albania, Montenegro, Italy and Croatia (including Katakolon, Sarandë, Bar, Trieste, Zadar, Korčula and Bari) |
| Early September 2027 | Repositions to the Red Sea |
| Late 2027 | Short cruises from Jeddah to Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Egypt through year-end |
Exact sailing dates for the June and July 2027 voyages are TBA in the report.
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What it means for airline travelers
- Fly into Istanbul at least a day before you board at Galataport, so a delayed or missed connection doesn’t cost you the cruise.
- Boarding in Alexandria requires a flight to Egypt. Check entry and visa rules for your passport before you book.
- The report does not mention any travel-industry or interline rates.
Sources
- Cruise Industry News: Aroya Returns to Turkey for First Winter Season in the Mediterranean
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