Alcohol everywhere
On most cruise ships, bars sit next to the restaurants and the pool. AROYA says its ship serves no alcohol at all, and has no casino.
Halal cruises
Halal cruises: a sea holiday without the bar, the casino or the worry
Can Muslims go on a cruise? Yes. Here is what changes on a halal ship, how the options compare, and where AROYA, the alcohol-free Saudi cruise line, sails in 2026 and 2027.
What changes on a halal cruise
Most Muslim families who skip cruises have the same five worries. Here is how a ship run as halal answers each one.
Is the food halal?
On an ordinary ship you have to ask about every dish. AROYA says all its dining is halal. Malaysia's Piano Land is billed as serving halal-certified food.
Where do we pray?
AROYA says it has prayer rooms and prayer mats in the cabins, with prayer times announced on board. On mainstream ships you usually pray in your cabin.
The pool and the dress code
AROYA lists women-only pool and spa hours and family areas. Modest swimwear is normal on board, so wives and daughters who wear hijab can relax.
Nightlife and shows
There is no nightclub culture on a halal ship. Entertainment is family-friendly, and kids' clubs keep children busy.
Halal and Muslim-friendly cruises compared
"Muslim-friendly" can mean anything from a halal menu to a fully alcohol-free ship. This is how the main options differ, based on what each line publishes.
| Cruise | How halal | Where and when | With Marhaba |
|---|---|---|---|
| AROYA CruisesSaudi Arabia's own cruise line | Alcohol-free, no casino, halal dining, prayer rooms, women-only pool and spa hours (as listed by AROYA). | Mediterranean: 6–8 night sailings from Istanbul and Alexandria, about October 2026 to September 2027. Red Sea from Jeddah expected again after that. | We plan these sailings, with flights, hotels, transfers and Umrah around them. |
| Piano Land (Malaysia)Billed as fully Muslim-friendly | Halal-certified food, alcohol-free drinks and prayer rooms, according to its launch coverage. | Sails from Port Klang, Malaysia. It began in late 2025, so check its current schedule. | Ask us and we will tell you honestly whether it suits your dates. |
| Genting Dream (Resorts World Cruises)A mainstream ship with Muslim-friendly services | Rated highly by CrescentRating for halal food options and prayer rooms, but bars and a casino operate on board. | Asian itineraries, mostly from Singapore. | Suits families comfortable on a mixed ship. Ask us if you want to compare. |
Onboard details are as published by each cruise line and can change. We confirm them for your sailing before you pay.
Where AROYA sails in 2026 and 2027
Now · about Oct 2026 – Sep 2027
Mediterranean
6-, 7- and 8-night sailings from Istanbul (Galataport) and Alexandria, along the Turkish coast and to Greece, with longer voyages in summer 2027. Easy to reach from the UK, Europe and North America. Add a few nights in Istanbul before or after.
Expected from late 2027
Red Sea from Jeddah
Short Red Sea sailings from Jeddah Islamic Port, about an hour from Makkah, with calls in Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan. The natural pairing with Umrah: Makkah, then the sea, then Madinah.
AROYA after UmrahSailing dates and routes are set by the cruise line and can change. If you want to sail during Ramadan or over Eid, tell us and we check which sailings fall on those dates.
Who a halal cruise suits
Families with parents or elders
One cabin, no packing between hotels, halal meals at every sitting and lifts to every deck. Tell us about wheelchairs and we check accessible cabins.
Honeymoons and anniversaries
Sea-view and balcony cabins or a suite, with no bar crowd. Add a few nights in Istanbul before or after.
Groups
Mosque groups, friends and sisters' circles. Tell us your group size and we check cabins together on one sailing.
After Umrah
When AROYA is back in the Red Sea, the ship sails from Jeddah, about an hour from Makkah. We plan Umrah first, then the sea.
Halal cruise guides
- From the UKHalal cruise from the UK: how British Muslim families sail alcohol-free
- Ramadan & Eid 2027Ramadan and Eid cruise 2027: what to know before you book
- Women-only poolCruise with a women-only pool: halal sailing for sisters and families
- HoneymoonHalal honeymoon cruise: a sea-view cabin, no bar crowd
- AROYA vs Genting DreamAROYA vs Genting Dream: which halal cruise is right for you?
Plan your halal cruise
Tell us roughly when and who is travelling. We reply with the sailings that fit, the cabin price and what is included, plus flights, hotels, transfers and Umrah if you want them.
Good to know
Halal cruise questions
Short answers to what Muslim families ask us most before booking a cruise.
Still deciding?
Our concierge replies on WhatsApp with options and an exact quote for your dates.
01Can Muslims go on a cruise?
Yes. The usual concerns are alcohol, halal food, a place to pray and mixed pools. A ship run as halal, like AROYA, is built around those needs: AROYA says it serves no alcohol, has no casino, serves halal food and has prayer rooms and women-only pool and spa hours. On mainstream ships some Muslims cruise happily and others feel uncomfortable, so choose the ship that fits your family.
02Is there a cruise with no alcohol?
Yes. AROYA Cruises, Saudi Arabia's own cruise line, says its ship is fully alcohol-free with no casino. Malaysia's Piano Land is also billed as alcohol-free. Most other cruise lines serve alcohol on board.
03Where does AROYA sail in 2026 and 2027?
From October 2026 the ship sails in the Mediterranean, with 6- to 8-night cruises from Istanbul and Alexandria along the Turkish coast and to Greece, and some longer summer voyages. Reports say it returns to the Red Sea and Jeddah after the Mediterranean season ends around September 2027. Dates and routes are set by the cruise line, so we confirm the sailing for your dates when you enquire.
04Is the food on AROYA halal?
AROYA says all food on board is halal. As with any travel product, we confirm the latest onboard details with the cruise line when you book.
05Can I combine a cruise with Umrah?
Yes. When AROYA sails the Red Sea from Jeddah, Umrah and the cruise fit into one trip: Makkah first, then the cruise, then Madinah. During the Mediterranean season, families often add a few nights in Istanbul, or plan Umrah on a separate leg. Tell us what you have in mind and we will suggest the simplest order.
06Do I need a visa?
It depends on your passport and the ports. Mediterranean sailings start in Turkey or Egypt, and Red Sea sailings start in Saudi Arabia. We give visa guidance for your passport when we send your plan; always confirm on the official visa website before you travel.
07How much does a halal cruise cost?
It depends on the sailing, the cabin and the season, and fares change often. We send the current price for your dates in writing, with what is included, before you pay anything.
More detail in our AROYA halal cruise guide or see halal holidays on land.