First cruise ship arrives in Dammam, Saudi Arabia

Saudi Red Sea Authority, Mawani and Cruise Saudi collaborate to create history
The Saudi Red Sea Authority, the Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani), and Cruise Saudi recently welcomed MSC World Europa, the inaugural visit of the first cruise ship to enter Dammam’s King Abdulaziz Port.
Carrying around 5,000 passengers, the ship’s arrival marks a historic moment for Cruise Saudi, Mawani, the Eastern Province, as it opens Saudi Arabia’s coastline on the Arabian Gulf to cruising for the first time.
Saudi Red Sea Authority facilitated regulatory arrangements’ efforts to ensure the arrival of MSC World Europa. Throughout Cruise Saudi’s current cruising season, the ship will make weekly calls at King Abdulaziz Port on its seven-day cruise round trip, including the ports of Doha – where it homeported during November and December last year, hosting football fans – Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
The occasion was celebrated with the traditional Plaque & Key Exchange Ceremony on board MSC World Europa, attended by representatives of Cruise Saudi, Mawani, key authorities, and ship officials, including the captain of the vessel, Marco Massa.
Cruise Saudi has previously welcomed four MSC cruise ships – including MSC Splendida, MSC Orchestra, MSC Virtuosa and MSC Bellissima – to Jeddah Islamic Port and Yanbu Commercial Port to sail the Red Sea. Not only does the arrival of MSC World Europa mark the first time a cruise ship arrived at Saudi Arabia’s coastline on the Arabian Gulf, but what made the occasion special was that it was the first-time passengers disembarked at Dammam’s King Abdulaziz Port.
The occasion was celebrated with the traditional Plaque & Key Exchange Ceremony on board MSC World Europa, attended by representatives of Cruise Saudi, Mawani, key authorities, and ship officials, including the captain of the vessel, Marco Massa.
Cruise Saudi has previously welcomed four MSC cruise ships – including MSC Splendida, MSC Orchestra, MSC Virtuosa and MSC Bellissima – to Jeddah Islamic Port and Yanbu Commercial Port to sail the Red Sea. Not only does the arrival of MSC World Europa mark the first time a cruise ship arrived at Saudi Arabia’s coastline on the Arabian Gulf, but what made the occasion special was that it was the first-time passengers disembarked at Dammam’s King Abdulaziz Port.
MSC World Europa is MSC Cruises’ first liquid natural gas (LNG)-propelled cruise ship and has a capacity of 6,700+ passengers and 2,000+ crew members. Its design includes the latest water recycling technology to purify wastewater, a 341-foot-long promenade offering ocean views, 13 dining venues, seven swimming pools, a waterpark, and 19 different stateroom categories.
Cruise Saudi offers cruise passengers a range of shore excursions in the Eastern Province. These include visits to AlAhsa Oasis, one of the country’s six UNESCO World Heritage Sites, King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra), Heritage Village, Love Market, Ibrahim Castle, Princess School, Qara Mountain, Souqs including AlQaisariyah, as well as activities such as desert tours, biking and walks by the AlKhobar Corniche.
Cruise Saudi’s ongoing third cruising season runs from November 2022 until May 2023 and will welcome over 75 scheduled calls from ships from five global cruise lines sailing the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf.