AMMAN — The Port of Aqaba on Friday welcomed the cruise ship AROYA, arriving from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, carrying approximately 3,400 tourists, most of them are Saudi nationals, alongside 1,200 crew members, as part of growing maritime tourism activity in the coastal city. 

 

The vessel docked at the Aqaba Cruise Terminal in the morning and was scheduled to depart on Saturday evening following organised field visits to archaeological and natural sites across Aqaba, Petra, and Wadi Rum, according to an Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) statement.

 

The Aqaba Cruise Terminal, officially inaugurated in early 2023, is considered one of Jordan’s most advanced maritime tourism facilities.

 

The terminal includes a 720-metre-long jetty with depths ranging between 10 and 14 metres, enabling it to accommodate large cruise ships with high operational efficiency and strengthening Aqaba’s readiness to attract more regional and international cruise traffic.

 

To coordinate logistics, local authorities designated a dedicated transport hub near the city services building, deploying nine shuttle buses for internal city transport, eight buses to Petra, two to Wadi Rum, and 10 additional buses for guided exploration tours around Aqaba's primary landmarks.

 

ASEZA Commissioner for Tourism and Youth Thabit Nabulsi stressed the strategic importance of cruise traffic in bolstering Aqaba’s position as a regional maritime hub and stimulating local commercial activity.

 

Nabulsi said that ASEZA and relevant entities established all necessary facilities to streamline transport logistics and ensure a seamless visitor experience across economic and service sectors.

 

AROYA operates on a regular regional cruise itinerary originating in Jeddah, then Egypt's Sharm El Sheikh and Aqaba before returning to Saudi Arabia.

 

AROYA, flagship vessel of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund-owned AROYA Cruises, highlights growing Red Sea tourism.

 

As Jordan’s sole seaport, Aqaba is managed by ASEZA to drive regional travel, where the coastal city serves as the first station for tourists visiting Jordan’s "Golden Triangle" of Aqaba, Petra, and Wadi Rum.