Passengers booking voyages on Saudi Arabia ’s first cruise ship have been warned not to bring scissors, CDs or ‘magazines that violate public decency’ on board. The vessel – which shares the name Aroya with the state-owned cruise line – is due to make its maiden voyage in December this year. Initially the ship will be sailing from its home port on the Red Sea, Jeddah, to Aqaba in Jordan and two Egyptian ports: Sharm el Sheikh on the Sinai Peninsula and Ain Sokhna, south of Suez.
Passengers are expected to comply with a long list of banned “dangerous goods, articles, and substances”. Among them, “any substances that may affect mental health or similar items”. These include “alcoholic beverages of all types”.
The Saudi venture is believed to be the first cruise line on which the consumption of alcohol is not part of the voyage experience. Aroya will have an “exclusive VIP lounge and bar” that serves nothing stronger than coffee or fruit juice. Other cruise firms are banned from serving alcohol while in Saudi ports or coastal waters.
MSC Cruises says: “On respect to the Saudi law, alcohol will not be served during the calls in Saudi Arabian ports. Alcohol will be available to our guests when the ship sails in international waters.” Yet strong drink is only one of dozens of items that are not allowed on board Aroya .
Passengers are told: “Please review our Prohibited Items Policy before packing your bags to avoid any inconvenience during your journ.
