Ahmed Elzahrani
Muslims across Southeast Asia are preparing for a historic moment with the launch of the first Umrah-dedicated sea voyage by Saudi Arabia’s Aroya Cruises in January 2026—reviving an ancient tradition once followed by pilgrims who traveled by sea to the Holy Lands.
Reviving Maritime Pilgrimage After Decades of Absence
For many years, sea travel served as the primary route for thousands of Muslims heading to the sacred sites, before this tradition gradually faded with the rise of air travel. Today, Aroya is reviving this heritage through a 13-night luxury journey that offers pilgrims a unique spiritual and cultural experience, blending religious rituals with rich Islamic heritage discovery.
Departure from Port Klang, Malaysia
The journey sets sail from Port Klang, located about 90 minutes from Kuala Lumpur. The ship will follow this route:
1. Banda Aceh – Indonesia
Aceh Capital of in northern Sumatra and the historical gateway through which Islam entered Southeast Asia.
2. Malé – Maldives
Home to some of the most beautiful mosques in the Indian Ocean, including the King Salman Mosque, one of the largest mosques in the Indian Ocean, and the Grand Friday Mosque with its golden dome.
3. Salalah – Oman
A stop rich in historic and religious sites.
4. Arrival at Jeddah Islamic Port
From there, pilgrims continue to Makkah and Madinah by road or via the Haramain High-Speed Railway.
A Complete Spiritual Experience Onboard “Islamic Cruise”
The voyage, known as “Islamic Cruise”, is the world’s first certified halal cruise experience, offering:
• Special Islamic lectures and scholar-led sessions
• Visits to local mosques at every port
• A fully Sharia-compliant environment
• Exclusive halal dining across 15 onboard restaurants
Aroya: The First Saudi Luxury Cruise Ship
The ship accommodates 3,400 passengers and completed its inaugural sailing in December 2024. After a successful full summer season in the Mediterranean, Aroya is preparing to launch:
• Its second Red Sea season in winter 2025/2026 from Jeddah
• Its first Gulf voyages in February 2026
• Two-night short cruises in Langkawi before sailing to Saudi Arabia with Umrah travelers
• A 13-night return voyage from Jeddah to Malaysia along the same ports
Expanding Religious Tourism and the Islam 2035 Vision
This initiative supports Saudi Arabia’s broader strategy to develop the religious tourism sector. The Kingdom recorded a doubling in Umrah visitor numbers during the first quarter of 2025, driven by the expansion of electronic visa programs.
“Islamic Cruise” has also received official recognition from the Malaysian government as part of the Visit Malaysia 2026 initiative, strengthening its position as a modern and effective option forMuslims aspiring to perform Hajj a
