By Batam Pos

Malaysia Debuts Halal-Compliant Sea Route for Pilgrims

Malaysia has officially introduced a sea-based Umrah program that will begin in January 2026, offering a 15-night luxury cruise journey to Jeddah. This marks the first halal-certified Umrah cruise experience in Asia.

The initiative is operated by Saudi Arabia’s Aroya Cruises in partnership with Malaysia’s IslamiCruise, with strong backing from the Malaysian government. Through this collaboration, Malaysia aims to attract at least 6,000 travelers to join the inaugural Umrah-at-sea program.

First Halal-Certified Cruise Line Expands Into Asia

The voyage also represents Aroya Cruises’ first deployment in Malaysia and the broader Asian market signifying a major milestone in the global growth of halal tourism.

As the world’s first fully halal-certified cruise line, Aroya Cruises integrates Islamic heritage, worship facilities, and Muslim-friendly services into all port stops along the journey.

Route Features Regional Islamic Destinations

The cruise itinerary covers several international destinations before reaching Jeddah, including:

• Banda Aceh, Indonesia
• Salalah, Oman
• Malé, Maldives
• Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (final destination)

During the journey, passengers can benefit from onboard amenities such as congregational prayers, religious lectures, 100% halal cuisine, and family-oriented Muslim-friendly entertainment.

One-Way Package Tailored for the Muslim Pilgrimage Market

The package is one-way only, meaning travelers must book a separate return flight to Malaysia, which is not included in the base package.

This program specifically targets the rapidly expanding Muslim religious travel segment, which is projected to reach USD 301.9 billion in 2025, with further growth expected to hit USD 548 billion by 2035.

Boosting Malaysia’s Halal Tourism Ambitions

With a capacity of up to 3,500 passengers, Aroya Cruises combines spiritual fulfillment with halal leisure offerings. IslamiCruise, having completed 52 global charters, stated that this partnership will strengthen Malaysia’s leadership in the international halal tourism sector.

The initiative is also expected to bring positive economic ripple effects to related industries such as travel services, hotels, halal dining, and retail. It marks a new chapter for Malaysia’s tourism landscape by expanding its portfolio of Muslim-friendly services.

Original Article:

Batam Pos News. (2025). Malaysia launches Umrah halal cruise ship, first in Asia, beginning 2026. Batam Pos. https://news.batampos.co.id/malaysia-luncurkan-umrah-kapal-pesiar-halal-pertama-di-asia-mulai-2026/