In December, Saudi Arabia will launch its first state-owned cruise line and its first cruise vessel. The Aroya, as both the cruise line and ship are called, will sail from Jeddah, on the Red Sea, to Aqaba, in Jordan, and Sharm el Sheikh and Ain Sokhna, in Egypt. With bookings already opened, it is mainly the long list of prohibited items that stands out.
Contrary to most cruise lines, Aroya won’t be serving any alcoholic beverages. Even the “exclusive VIP and lounge bar” will only be serving 100% alcohol-free drinks. This doesn’t come as a surprise as the consumption and possession of alcohol are prohibited in Saudi Arabia. Even other cruise ships, regardless of the operating company, are banned from serving alcohol while moored at Saudi ports or on Saudi coastal waters.
Other than drinks, “any substances that may affect mental health or similar items” are prohibited on board of the ship. Passengers are explicitly asked to check the Prohibited Items Policy before packing their bags in order to be certain not to break the rules.
“Aroya Cruises prides itself on offering a remarkably Arabian cruise experience and adheres to the laws and regulations outlined by the Saudi government. As is standard with all international cruise lines our primary priority is the safety and security of all our guests and we take this very seriously”, Joerg Rudolph, Aroya’s president, said in a statement.
Even though mistakingly packing a gun, ammunitions, sword, soldering iron, tear gas or paint thinner is not a very likely scenario, some of the other items on the list are trickier. For example, handcuffs, compact discs (aka CDs) and magazines “that violate public decency” won’t be allowed on board.
Drones, fishing nets, sharp objects and sticks of all kinds are on the list as well, even though the policy specifies that sticks used for sanitary purposes (toothbrushes, for example) are exempt from the list. Moreover, “devices that contain non-removable batteries” are prohibited too, meaning that mobile phones and laptops might just as well not be allowed on the vessel.
