Cruise Saudi has welcomed the Celestyal Discovery ship of the Greek cruise line Celestyal Cruises at Jeddah Islamic Port, marking its first visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in a step that reflects the growing presence of Saudi Arabia on the map of Red Sea cruise tourism.
The occasion featured an exchange of commemorative plaques in line with international traditions in the cruise industry, with the attendance of the Celestyal Discovery ship’s captain, Cruise Saudi Chief Executive Officer Lars Clasen, Celestyal Cruises Chief Executive Officer Chris Theophilides, and officials from government entities and the maritime sector.
The event included a tour for the delegation aboard the Celestyal Discovery ship, underscoring the level of cooperation among relevant stakeholders to advance the marine tourism ecosystem and enhance the readiness of Saudi ports to receive international cruise ships with high operational capacity.
The visit comes just days after the inaugural call of the Celestyal Journey on November 29, during which the two ships transported more than 400 tourists from Europe and the United States, an indicator of the strong return of international cruise activity to the Kingdom and the growing demand for Red Sea itineraries.
Cruise Saudi continues its efforts to develop the cruise sector through managing berths and terminals and supporting ship operations, having welcomed more than 600,000 passengers from over 120 countries to date.
The successive visits by international cruise ships affirm the increasing confidence in the Kingdom’s cruise sector and its role in supporting the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 by boosting tourism spending, creating job opportunities, and empowering small and medium enterprises.
