Red Sea tips

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings executives say they aren’t seeing a reduction in guest spending. 

Today, the Board of Directors of the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve Development Authority, chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince, announced the launch of the Reserve’s Integrated Development Management Plan (IDMP).

Celebrate Global Scuba Day on Tuesday 06 August at Somabay, and enjoy the destination’s house reef and incredible dive sites, offering some of the best scuba diving and snorkelling in the Red Sea. Guests of any ability can explore Egypt’s underwater world, with a range of diving courses and excursions to over twenty different dive sites on offer with the renowned Orca Dive Centre.

One of the world's most luxurious cruise ships is about to sail 23,000 miles in the wrong direction to avoid violence in the Middle East.

Swissôtel opens its first all-inclusive resort in Sharm El Sheikh, offering luxurious amenities, diverse dining options, and thrilling entertainment for a memorable family experience in a stunning desert and seaside setting.

This June, Somabay is celebrating Ocean Month with an exciting programme of sustainability-focused events. From marine conservation panel talks to educational boat trips in the Red Sea, the programme has been carefully curated to educate guests on the importance of protecting our oceans.

Saudi Arabia is now developing towns with stays below the five-star price range.

Luxury cruise line Emerald Cruises is offering new Caribbean itineraries for the winter 2024-25 season onboard the Emerald Azzurra. 

Nujuma, the first Ritz-Carlton Reserve in the Middle East, opens on Ummahat Island, offering luxury and secluded experiences in the Red Sea.

Virgin Voyages is dealing with a PR nightmare after a woman who won a free cruise said she'd have to pay $8,000 in flights to claim her prize.

An Australian woman who won a Virgin Voyages cruise said she and her partner would have to pay a combined $8,000 for flights due to a change in the ship's itinerary.

ASFAR, the Saudi tourism investment company wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, has announced today the signing of investment agreements between Baheej, a joint venture between ASFAR and the Tamimi-AWN Alliance, and the Royal Commission for Yanbu. These agreements are aimed at transforming the city of Yanbu into a premier tourist destination by introducing four innovative projects along the waterfront.

The Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) marked the start of this year’s Arabian Travel Market (ATM) by showcasing the Kingdom’s spectacular summer destinations to trade partners as the country’s tourism sector continues to go from strength to strength, said the Saudi Press Agency on Tuesday.

Ongoing conflict in the Red Sea has led Princess Cruises to revise its world cruise itineraries for the Island Princess and the Crown Princess, which were scheduled to sail there in 2025.

Saudi Arabia plans to open the first region of its Neom megacity by the end of the year.

Saudi Arabia is pushing tourism. 

Marriott International has dressed one of its top general managers as Lawrence of Arabia to promote its new resort along the Red Sea. Nujuma, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve is expected to be the most expensive hotel ever operated in Saudi Arabia – commanding rates of more than $3,400 a night when it opens on May 26.

Intrepid Travel has announced a women’s-only tour in Saudi Arabia — led by women, for women. 

Saudi Arabia’s luxury Red Sea destination has been certified as disability-friendly for its two diving centers – making it the first project in the country to be recognized as such.

When John Pagano arrived in Saudi Arabia in 2018, the country subverted his expectations. "We all paint a picture in our minds of what the Middle East is about," he said. "I found a pristine environment, an archipelago of 90 beautiful islands, and turquoise-colored water. It was truly remarkable."

Norwegian Cruise Line has canceled several 2025 sailings due to ship redeployments, charters and a drydock reports Cruise Industry News.