The M/V Piano Land sailing from Malaysia in November, will cater specifically to Muslim travellers, with facilities such as 100 per cent halal food and alcohol-free beverages.
The world’s first Muslim-friendly cruise will launch in Malaysia this November.
Dubbed the M/V Piano Land, the cruise will offer a range of facilities and services specially targeted towards Muslim cruisers, such as 100 per cent halal food, mocktails and other alcohol-free beverages, dedicated prayer rooms and onboard prayer time guidance.
This move could potentially make cruising a lot more accessible and pleasant for millions of Muslim travellers who struggle with limited menu options, an abundance of affordable alcohol and a lack of other Muslim-friendly activities and facilities on cruises.
With 880 cabins sprawled out over 10 decks, the ship will be able to accommodate 1,760 passengers, offering something for wellness travellers, religious travellers and multi-generational families alike.
Cruisers can enjoy nightly entertainment, halal afternoon tea sessions, spa treatments and wellness workshops, child-friendly entertainment and kids’ clubs for families.
Travellers can also tuck into the ship’s signature Hong Kong-style roasted duck, made with carefully chosen halal-certified ingredients.
“As a Muslim and owner of Halal Expeditions Group, I’ve often met companies that don’t fully understand what Muslim travelers need. It’s actually much simpler than many think — halal food, no alcohol, and if halal meat isn’t available, fish or seafood works perfectly,” Sara Amro, a Muslim traveller, said.
The cruise is expected to support Malaysia’s aim to become a global leader in Muslim-friendly travel. It is a partnership between Malaysian travel company Hwajing Travel & Tours and Chinese cruise line Astro Ocean Cruise.
Itineraries, starting from 29 November, will include a four-day, three-night route taking in Langkawi, Penang and Port Klang, as well as a three-day, two-night route between Port Klang and Penang.
While other cruise lines, such as Saudi Arabia’s Aroya Cruises, also offer some Muslim-friendly facilities such as prayer mats in every room and halal food, the M/V Piano Land is expected to take this a step further.
“The first Muslim-friendly cruise is a great way of promoting inclusive travel. Great to see that cruise lines and destinations are starting to understand the importance of halal-friendly services, and that makes a huge difference when you’re travelling with faith in mind,” Shebs Alom, broadcaster and writer, said.
Making travel more Muslim-inclusive
The global Muslim travel market is likely to reach more than €200 billion by 2030, according to the 2025 Mastercard-CrescentRating Global Muslim Travel Index.
As such, the launch of the M/V Piano Land comes at a time when more global destinations are attempting to offer more Muslim-friendly and inclusive travel options. Countries like Indonesia and Malaysia are leading this trend, with significant local Muslim populations, as well as a number of scenic destinations.
“This collaboration is not merely about expanding cruise options; it reinforces Malaysia’s identity as a nation that celebrates diversity, champions halal integrity and leads the region in Muslim-friendly tourism,” Jian-feng Tong, vice president of Astro Ocean Cruise told Travel Weekly Asia.
Other East Asian destinations, such as Taiwan and Hong Kong, are also introducing more prayer facilities and halal food options.
“It’s not nice arriving at cruise openings and being offered champagne rather than a nice mocktail. It’s amazing to see a growing wave of awareness making travel more inclusive and respectful for Muslim travelers worldwide,” Amro said.
Although Western European destinations still lag somewhat behind Asian ones in this respect, countries such as France, Germany, the UK and Ireland are all attempting to improve their Muslim-friendly facilities, such as inclusive hospitality and halal dining options too.
"From my experience as a Muslim traveller, access to halal food and prayer facilities can vary depending on where you are. I’ve found places like Southeast Asia and the Middle East of course generally very accommodating and easy if you are cruising there!," Alom noted.
He added: "In parts of Europe and the Americas, however, it can still be a bit hit and miss. Sometimes I’ve had to get creative, asking chefs if they can prepare vegetarian or seafood options separately. But saying that, nowadays they ask you for your dietary requirements before you board anything. So it’s much better than it used to be when I first started travelling 20 odd years ago."