Cristiano Ronaldo made a bizarre appearance in a new advertisement for a small cruise line with a single ship.
Ronaldo, one of the world's most famous soccer stars, was seen in an Instagram ad with his partner, Georgina Rodríguez, promoting Aroya Cruises, a Saudi Arabian cruise line. The one-minute video begins with Rodríguez scrolling through her phone past images of luxury cars and jets before pausing at a picture of a cruise ship.
Rodríguez looks at Ronaldo, kicks a soccer ball in his direction, and says, "Yalla," which means "let's go" in Arabic. It's also Aroya Cruises' tagline.
Then, the couple's living space is transformed into a lavish Aroya cruise ship, with elements like their living chair turned into a plush lounger and a vase into an Aroya-branded mug.
The advertisement is complete with Ronaldo and Rodríguez walking onto an expansive balcony during sunset.
"Home isn't just a place, it’s a feeling! ✨ @cristiano & @georginagio bring their passion for adventure wherever they go, making every destination unforgettable! 🌊💫," reads the ad's caption.
"From the beauty of the Red Sea… and now onto the breathtaking Mediterranean gems! 🏝️ The journey is calling, #YallaCruise and book your escape NOW! 🚢💙".
“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!” said Ronaldo.
Ronaldo's appearance isn't as random as you might think
Ronaldo is often considered one of the greatest soccer players of all time. With an Instagram following of 651 million, he has the second-most followed account, just behind Instagram itself with 687 million. Rodríguez has quite the following herself, amassing over 65 million followers on Instagram.
Aside from his popularity on social media, Ronaldo signed for Al Nassar in Saudi Arabia in December 2022, making his debut in January 2023 as club captain. As such, he's been credited with revolutionizing soccer in Saudi Arabia.
According to The Guardian, Ronaldo’s contract is valid through June 2025, with a total salary of €200 million per year, including commercial agreements. It's thought to be the highest salary paid to a professional soccer player.
Aroya Cruises launched its first ship in December 2024
Saudi Arabia wants the be the next "must-visit" cruise destination. As such, Cruise Saudi established Aroya Cruises as an independent entity in 2023.
Their sole ship is the 5,000-passenger Aroya, which was initially built for Star Cruises in 2017. However, the mega-ship was transferred to Dream Cruises during construction.
Dream Cruises, which was owned by Genting Hong Kong, went bankrupt in 2022. Consequently, Cruise Saudi bought the 151,000-ton vessel. Bookings for the brand-new cruise line opened in May 2024.
According to Aroya Cruises, the onboard experience is "remarkably Arabian." For example, passengers will find male and female prayer rooms located on Deck 5. Prayer mats are also provided in all cabins.
The ship also recently completed its first "Ramadan Along the Horizon" experience, which transformed the vessel into a cultural and culinary destination throughout the holy month. Highlights included a Ramadan-themed market, live music, family-friendly sports tournaments, and special wellness sessions.
“Aroya is the world’s first Arabic cruise ship, and the architectural creation of a new conceptual design style for Arabian cruising has been an extremely rewarding opportunity for SMC’s design teams,” Alan Stewart, director at SMC Design, told Cruise&Ferry.
Other amenities include dedicated kids' clubs, a water park, spa and wellness facilities, a mini-golf course, and a climbing wall.
Right now, the Aroya is sailing short 3- and 4-night cruises from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. However, Aroya will relocate to Turkey in June, offering round-trip Mediterranean cruises to ports like Athens and Mykonos, Greece, and Bodrum, Turkey.
Aroya is scheduled to return to Jeddah in September 2025, following an 8-night cruise through the Suez Canal.
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Growing up, she traveled frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas during her freshman year of high school. Having sailed on nearly 30 cruises across different lines, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival, MSC, and Princess, she loves sharing her insight and expertise on all things cruising!
