Al Wajh (Saudi Arabia, AlUla-Medina)

Al Wajh (aka Al Wejh/Wedjh) is a Red Sea cruise port and city in Saudi Arabia's Tabuk Province, with population around 50,000. The city is inhabited mainly by Saudis and the economy is largely based on commercial fishing.

Al Wajh Airport (1984-established) serves exclusively domestic flights (by the national carrier Saudia) linking with Jeddah (Saudi Arabia's largest seaport) and Riyadh (the country's capital city).

In April 2021, MSC and Cruise Saudi (fully-owned by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund) announced a partnership for launching Red Sea cruises (2021-2022 winter season) with the homeporting in Jeddah of the ship MSC Magnifica.

• Magnifica was scheduled to operate 7-day voyages (November 2021 through March 2022) visiting 3 Saudi ports - including weekly calls to Port Al-Wajh (gateway to the UNESCO site Hegra in Al-Ula).
• In addition to Magnifica's itineraries, MSC Virtuosa had scheduled Arabian Gulf 2021 winter program (December 2021 through March 2022) with visits to Prot Dammam and the Al-Ahsa Oasis.
• With the two MSC liners, Cruise Saudi expected ~170,000 tourists during season 2021-2022.
• MSC's Saudi Arabia voyages were also offered as fly-cruise deals with fares inclusive of direct flights between Europe and Jeddah (King Abdulaziz Airport) provided by Saudia (fka Saudi Arabian Airlines). As part of the agreement, Saudia's flight schedules were modified to fit the two MSC cruise ships' homeport times (departure and arrival).

Next table shows the 7-night/8-day itinerary (Jeddah roundtrip) as call ports and times.

Prices started from ~USD 1130 (EUR 950 / GBP 816) per person with double occupancy.