LGBTQ cruise to stop in Saudi Arabia ahead of kingdom hosting 2034 World Cup

An American LGBTQ-focused travel company has announced a queer cruise stopping in Saudi Arabia in 2027, as the kingdom seeks to reshape its international image ahead of the 2034 World Cup.

Vacaya, which describes itself as an LGBTQ-focused travel company, has announced an "Arabian Nights" cruise for spring 2027, sailing from Jeddah in Saudi Arabia to Egypt's Ain Sokhna.

Cabins aboard the Emerald Kaia luxury super yacht are priced between US$9,900 and US$57,000 (S$12,785 and S$73,614), according to AFP.

According to Vacaya, that for decades, LGBTQ visitors could "scarcely imagine setting foot in the kingdom," but added that Saudi Arabia's efforts to reshape its international image ahead of the 2034 World Cup had brought about a quiet shift, with "visitors of all identities" now being welcomed, provided they "honour local customs."

Saudi Arabia says "everyone is welcome"

The Saudi authorities did not respond to AFP's request for comment on the cruise.

However, the country's official tourism website, Visit Saudi, includes the question "Are LGBT visitors welcome to visit Saudi?" in its frequently asked questions section.

The answer given: "Everyone is welcome."

The website added: "We ask that visitors respect our culture and traditions and follow our laws. Visitors are not required to disclose their personal information, and we will respect visitors' right to privacy."

Homosexuality remains criminalised

Despite the softened rhetoric, homosexuality remains a potential capital offence in Saudi Arabia under its strict interpretation of Islamic syariah law, according to AFP.

The kingdom has ranked among the top three countries in the world for executions over the past three years, according to Amnesty International, though the organisation has not recorded any recent LGBTQ-related executions.

Amnesty's Middle East researcher Dana Ahmed told AFP: "Supporting LGBT rights in Saudi Arabia and being vocal about them is criminalised and could land you in prison."

"Two Saudi Arabias"

For Saudi activist Tariq Aziz, who now holds refugee status in the US after being detained from 2021 to 2022 for "promoting homosexuality" and social media posts deemed harmful to public order, the cruise represents a glaring double standard.

He told AFP:

"There are two Saudi Arabias: one meant for foreigners — more tolerant and more open — and another meant for citizens: much more conservative, where freedoms and rights are severely restricted in the name of religious norms and traditions."

Aziz added: "LGBT Saudis need laws that protect them against discrimination, hatred and persecution."

AFP also reported that under one of Aziz's social media posts about the cruise, someone who claims to be Saudi had commented: "Let them all drown."

A society in transition

Saudi Arabia has introduced a string of social reforms under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in recent years, including allowing women to drive and reopening cinemas, according to The Straits Times.

The influence of the country's religious clerics has also diminished.

According to AFP, at the 2025 Mdlbeast Soundstorm electronic music festival, men in make-up or crop tops mingled with others in traditional white thobes.

In the city's more upscale neighbourhoods, a small number of homosexual couples are said to quietly share homes, though none were willing to speak on record.

Observers say the authorities generally look the other way as long as same-sex relationships remain out of the public eye.