The Saudi Red Sea Authority, Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani), and Cruise Saudi this month welcomed MSC World Europa, the inaugural call of the first cruise ship to enter King Abdulaziz Port/Dammam.
Carrying ~5,000 passengers, the arrival of the ship marked a historic moment as it opens the coastline of Saudi Arabia on the Arabian Gulf to cruising for the first time.
The Saudi Red Sea Authority facilitated the efforts of regulatory arrangements to ensure the arrival of the MSC World Europa ship. Throughout the current cruising season of Cruise Saudi, the ship is scheduled to make weekly calls at King Abdulaziz Port on her 7-day round-trip, including Port Doha (Qatar) where MSC World Europa homeported during November & December 2022, hosting football fans.
The occasion was celebrated with a Plaque & Key Exchange Ceremony onboard MSC World Europa, attended by Cruise Saudi and Mawani representatives, key authorities, and ship officials, including captain Marco Massa.
Not only does the arrival of the MSC Cruises ship mark the first time a cruise ship arrived at the coastline of Saudi Arabia on the Arabian Gulf, but what made the occasion special was that it was the first-time cruise passengers disembarked at Dammam’s King Abdulaziz Port.
World Europa (MSC's first LNG-powered ship) has a capacity 6700+ guests and 2000+ crew. The design includes the latest water recycling technology, a 341-foot-long promenade, 13 dining venues, a waterpark, 7 swimming pools, and 19 stateroom categories.
Cruise Saudi offers passengers a range of shore trips in the Eastern Province, including visits to AlAhsa Oasis, one of the country’s 6 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Heritage Village, King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra), Love Market, Ibrahim Castle, Qara Mountain, Souqs including AlQaisariyah, Princess School, as well as activities like biking, desert tours, and walks by the AlKhobar Corniche.
Cruise Saudi’s ongoing 3rd cruising season runs from November 2022 through to May 2023 and will welcome 75+ scheduled calls from ships from 5 global cruise companies sailing the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf.