AROYA Cruises unveils 25 winter voyages from Galataport Istanbul, aiming for 188% passenger growth in 2024 and enhancing year-round cruise tourism.
AROYA Cruises Expands Cruise Tourism Year-Round with 25 New Winter Voyages
Galataport Istanbul has announced that AROYA Cruises will host 25 new voyages in its winter program.
The voyages departing from Galataport Istanbul will contribute to the continuation of cruise tourism during the winter months and position Istanbul as a vibrant home port throughout the year. In line with Galataport Istanbul's vision of becoming a main port, winter season cruise activity will commence in 2024 with 25 voyages and 55,000 passengers, marking the first time in Istanbul's history.
With the addition of AROYA Cruises' new voyages, there will be a 143% increase in the number of voyages compared to last year, and a target of 150,000 passengers represents a 188% increase. AROYA Cruises will connect its guests with prominent destinations in Turkey and the Mediterranean through voyages departing from Galataport Istanbul between October 10, 2026, and April 24, 2027.
The program will include visits to destinations such as Bodrum, Marmaris, Kuşadası, and Alexandria.
The program covering the winter period will serve as a strong indicator of Istanbul's long-term potential in international cruise tourism.
Tolga Tuncay, Port Operations Director of Galataport Istanbul, shared the following regarding the new program:
"AROYA Cruises choosing Istanbul as a home port during the October-April period is a strong indication of confidence in our city. We initiated regular winter voyages at Galataport Istanbul in November 2024 with MSC. This operation, which we continued with MSC in 2025, reaches a new scale with AROYA's participation in 2026. During the November 2024-April 2025 period, we hosted 55,000 passengers on 25 voyages, and in the November 2025-April 2026 period, we hosted 52,000 passengers on 21 voyages. For the November 2026-April 2027 period, we aim to host 150,000 passengers on 51 voyages; within this total, AROYA's share will be 26 voyages and 78,000 passengers. The addition of AROYA to the winter period confirms that Istanbul's cruise season has expanded to 12 months, further strengthening our city's position as a main port in the Mediterranean basin. The impact of Istanbul being chosen as a main port is not limited to our city alone. With the 25 new voyages planned by AROYA for Istanbul, AROYA's contribution to the Turkish cruise sector reaches 76 additional voyages. Considering that the total number of cruise voyages to all Turkish ports in the first six months of 2026 is projected to be 488, the scale of the impact created by this main port decision becomes much clearer. This picture is a concrete indication of how effectively Turkey manages its cruise potential with the right infrastructure, strong collaborations, and comprehensive route planning."
Taha Nazer, Acting CEO of Cruise Saudi, expressed the following on the matter: "After two successful seasons and with pride in having hosted guests from over 100 different nationalities, we are launching AROYA's 2026-27 Mediterranean program on October 10 at Galataport Istanbul. The privileged location of Galataport Istanbul on the Bosphorus, its world-class facilities, and strong international connections combine with Istanbul's rich culture and energy to create an ideal Mediterranean home port for AROYA. At the same time, Istanbul stands out as an important destination in the travel experience of our international guests. We eagerly anticipate offering our guests a seamless travel experience that extends from exploring Istanbul's vibrant coastline and rich culture to visiting the unique destinations of the Mediterranean with AROYA. We complete this entire experience with our unique Arab hospitality."
AROYA Cruises' new program departing from Galataport Istanbul will not only connect guests from different countries with Istanbul but will also strengthen Turkey's visibility and regional connections in cruise tourism.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
