Saudi Arabia and Qatar have formally become members of the Cruise Arabia Alliance, bringing the number of participating Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) cruise destinations to 6—Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Oman, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
The announcement, made during the World Travel Market 2025 in London, signals the alliance’s transition from a regional cooperation among some Gulf ports into a unified collaborative effort encompassing all major cruise-home-port destinations in the region.
According to alliance participants, the expanded partnership is designed to coordinate marketing, infrastructure development and operational standards across member states. The move is expected to facilitate smoother cruise itineraries through the Gulf, enhance the region’s attractiveness to global cruise lines, and leverage collective resources to present a cohesive offering for international travellers.
From Saudi Arabia’s perspective, the move aligns with its broader tourism and maritime growth strategy. Cruise-Saudi leadership indicated that inclusion in the alliance is key to attracting additional cruise lines, improving guest experiences and supporting national tourism objectives under Vision 2030.
Qatar’s tourism authorities likewise noted that participation in the alliance will help the country showcase its culture, heritage and hospitality, and strengthen port connectivity across the region.
Industry observers view the development as a significant milestone for Gulf cruise tourism: by uniting all major GCC cruise destinations, the region can now present a shared framework for growth, providing travellers with access to multiple destinations under a streamlined model and enhancing the Gulf’s competitiveness compared with established cruise regions such as the Mediterranean and the Caribbean.