Soccer Star Cristiano Ronaldo Stars in New Cruise Line Campaign
What kind of vacation does the famous Portuguese football star Cristiano Ronaldo like to take? A cruise, of course!
And not just any cruise either. Ronaldo and his partner, social media personality and fashion icon Georgina Rodríguez, are the celebrities featured in a new publicity campaign by Aroya Cruises, the one-ship cruise line that launched operations in 2024 and caters to the Saudi Arabian market.
Ronaldo and Rodríguez unveiled the digital campaign on their popular Instagram channels on April 10, 2025. In the video, the couple is seen at home planning their upcoming holiday, with Rodríguez searching her phone for options and ultimately choosing Aroya Cruises.
Once the selection is made, computer-generated imagery turns their home into Aroya, the Aroya Cruises’ ship, showing a balcony with gorgeous sea views and Aroya-branded items. As the two head onto the veranda, they say “Yalla,” which means “let’s go” in Arabic — the Aroya Cruises’ brand tagline.
Ronaldo has more than 650 million followers on Instagram (for comparison, Kim Kardashian has 357 million), while the footballer’s partner has 65 million, potentially bringing Aroya Cruises to the attention of scores of future cruisers.
“Georgina and I are happy to feature in this campaign together and can’t wait to take our family on a cruise. We enjoy the Saudi lifestyle, and Aroya Cruises is intrinsically Arabian, from its design to its cuisine. Yalla Aroya Cruises!” declared Cristiano Ronaldo.
Aroya Cruises introduced itself to the industry in 2023 when it was created as an independent entity owned by Cruise Saudi, an agency that was launched in 2021 with the goal of developing a cruise industry in Saudi Arabia.
The 5,000-guest Aroya was constructed for Star Cruises in 2017 but transferred to Dream Cruises during the building process. Dream Cruises was owned by Genting Hong Kong, which went bankrupt in 2022. The ship was acquired by the Saudi company the following year.
Aroya Cruises is focused on the Saudi market, including Saudi citizens, foreign residents, and others from nearby areas. Bookings on Aroya opened in May 2024 and the ship began sailing in December 2024, offering 3- and 4-night cruises roundtrip from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
“As the first Arabian cruise line, we pride ourselves on innovation and distinction. Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodríguez align with our brand vision and working with the couple has been an immensely exciting step in our journey,” said Turky Kari, executive director of marketing at Aroya Cruises.
“Aroya Cruises will begin sailing around the Mediterranean in June and we look forward to welcoming guests from Saudi, Europe and beyond to experience Arabian authenticity at sea,” Kari added.
The ship is currently sailing 3- and 4-night cruises from Jeddah, making one port call either at Safaga or Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. Longer options include a 7-night itinerary with calls at Port Sokhna and Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, and Aqaba, Jordan.
Aroya to Sail Roundtrip From Turkey in June 2025
In June 2025, Aroya will deploy to Istanbul and offer 6- and 7-night voyages. Seven-night itineraries include visits to destinations such as Athens and Mykonos, Greece; Chania, Crete; and Bodrum, Marmaris, Kas, and Kusadasi, Turkey.
Read Also: What Are the Best Rooms on a Cruise Ship?
The 151,000-gross ton ship features 1,678 cabins in five categories, including interior, seaview, balcony, suite and villa. It has two swimming pools, one for adults and one for children, and a full children’s zone.
Entertainment is presented in two theaters and guests can dine in their choice of 29 venues. The ship’s retail spaces offer high-end goods from 100-plus brands, and guests can indulge in wellness treatments in the full spa.
Designed for the Saudi market, Aroya has exclusive venues and dedicated hours for female guests who wish to use the adult pool, or visit the gym or thermal spa. It also has a separate prayer room for women.
Soccer Star Cristiano Ronaldo Stars in New Cruise Line Campaign