Speaking at the Future Investment Initiative in Riyadh, Lars Clasen explained that security concerns and logistical challenges have led most global operators to reposition their vessels away from the region.
“We’re still sort of affected by the geopolitical situation, and many of the international cruise lines have repositioned their cruise vessels,” Clasen stated. “There are only very few occasional calls from ships passing by. There’s no seasonal deployment other than our own.”
The CEO highlighted the long planning horizons of the cruise industry, which typically finalizes itineraries two to three years in advance. This lead time means a swift return is unlikely even if tensions ease.
“The cruise industry is an industry with extremely long lead times,” he noted. “Now that they have repositioned away from the region, they will not reposition again [in the short term].”
Despite the setback, Cruise Saudi is actively negotiating with operators for future deployments. “There is definitely high interest, but that’s for the season 27-28,” Clasen added, confirming that significant traffic from international lines is not anticipated next year.
Cruise Saudi, a key entity under the Public Investment Fund, is integral to the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, which aims to attract 1.3 million cruise passengers annually by 2035. While international visitor numbers have dropped significantly from the 200,000 recorded in the 2022-23 winter season, Clasen reported that domestic demand remains robust.
The company’s own brand, AROYA Cruises, recently launched commercial operations with regional itineraries, helping to sustain the local market. “We had about 140,000 passengers so far,” Clasen said, contrasting it with the very low numbers from international lines at present.
The current situation presents a challenge to Saudi Arabia’s immediate tourism goals, but the long-term outlook remains positive, with continued investment in infrastructure and ongoing dialogue with global partners to ensure a strong comeback in the coming years.
