October 3, 2025 | 10:56 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The journey of Umrah is usually done by plane. However, a shipping company now offers this religious journey by cruise ship. Tourists and pilgrims can enjoy the voyage across the seas, passing through five countries, with the Aroya Cruise. The cruise ship is owned by the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Project Director of Islamic Cruise Malaysia, Ab Rahman Mohd Ali, said that the 14-day, 13-night journey takes the route from Port Klang, Malaysia, to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The cruise ship will also make a stop in Aceh.
"In the 1950s, our grandparents performed the hajj by sea, then later by air. Now, we are returning to the sea," he said during the launch of the Umrah journey by cruise ship in Jakarta on Wednesday, October 1, 2025.
He added that during the Port Klang-Jeddah trip, the cruise ship will make stops in three countries. After departing from Malaysia, the ship will stop in Banda Aceh. Tourists will disembark for 8 to 10 hours. Then, the journey will continue to Male in the Maldives. "There, you can enjoy beautiful beaches, clear seawater, see dolphins, swim, and if there's time, visit the fishing villages," said Ab Rahman.
From the Maldives, the cruise ship will continue the journey to Oman. In Oman, tourists will be invited to explore Islamic culture related to the story of the Prophet Job. Finally, the ship will head to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where pilgrims will perform the Umrah.
Halal Cruise Ship
Ab Rahman stated that the ship is designed for halal travel. Unlike regular cruise ships, Aroya does not have bars, alcoholic drinks, or casinos.
"This is the first in the world to provide halal menus. Usually on cruise ships, Muslims have to queue at halal restaurants, of which there are only two or three on the entire ship. But here, all the restaurants are halal," he explained. The ship has 27 restaurants.
CEO of Islamic Cruise International, Suhaimi Abd Gafer, said that the Umrah tourism journey by cruise ship has obtained permission to dock in the countries to be visited. The nearest departure from Malaysia is on February 3-16, 2026.
To enjoy this Umrah journey by cruise ship, tourists will be charged Rp58 million per person. However, the promotional price for two people is Rp78 million for the first three months. Indonesian tourists participating in this journey can choose to depart from Malaysia or Banda Aceh. The cost of airfare is covered.
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