SH Diana sails into Saudi Arabia for the first time

Arriving in Yanbu on October 12 with an overnight stay, passengers visited the city’s old town and ventured into the historic Layl Souq.

On the second day, SH Diana anchored at sea, just off Baridi Island, offering a new expedition experience with pristine beaches and coral reefs. 

Continuing its journey along the Red Sea coast, the ship called at Jeddah, where passengers explored the streets of Al Balad – a UNESCO World Heritage-recognized Hijazi style historic district, with its traditional buildings and authentic shops and cafes.

‘A milestone visit’ 

Cruise Saudi CEO Lars Clasen said, ‘We were honoured to welcome Swan Hellenic’s cruise ship, SH Diana, to Saudi for the first time in what was a milestone visit for Cruise Saudi. 

‘We are proud to be constantly expanding our programme of onshore experiences to provide such an authentic insight into Saudi culture for our guests.’ 

Captain of SH Diana, Kai Ukkonen, remarked, ‘It’s incredibly exciting to have incorporated this maiden voyage to Saudi and to offer this new destination to our passengers. 

‘Our goal is to always create unforgettable moments for our guests, so it was a top priority to work with Cruise Saudi on creating a collection of unique and curated adventures for a truly immersive experience.’