aroya cruises 2023

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What to expect aboard AROYA, the first-ever Saudi Arabian cruise line 

Saudi Arabia has announced the launch of AROYA, its first-ever domestic cruise line, and the first homegrown cruise brand in the Arab world, marking a true sea change in the regional cruise industry, but what will travelling aboard a Saudi cruise line be like?

AROYA is the first homegrown cruise brand in the Arab world

AROYA will be owned by Cruise Saudi, which is itself owned by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, but will be independently operated. Details about itineraries and the onboard experience have yet to be announced, but it seems clear that AROYA will showcase the natural beauty and cultural heritage of its home country.

The Saudi Arabian cruise line will offer a unique travel experience that combines relaxation, entertainment, and education, eschewing the bells and whistles of other cruise lines in favour of cultural and educational enrichment. This will likely be reflected in the cruise itineraries offered by the line.

Old Quarter, Jeddah

AROYA will offer shore excursions to key cultural sites in Saudi Arabia. The Kingdom is home to many important cultural and historic destinations. One of the most popular destinations for tourists is the historic city of Jeddah, which is known for its beautiful architecture, bustling markets, and seaside promenade. Jeddah is also home to several museums and art galleries, which would be of particular interest to passengers interested in learning more about Saudi Arabian culture.

Jeddah will also be the homeport for AROYA Cruises, following a successful business model established by MSC Cruises , which has operated several popular cruise seasons out of Saudi Arabia, using Jeddah as the homeport for its Red Sea itineraries.

Al Hijr, Saudi Arabia

Itineraries have yet to be confirmed, but a key cultural site that a Saudi Arabian cruise line might visit is the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Al-Hijr , which is located in the northwest of the country. Al-Hijr is a pre-Islamic archaeological site that contains the remains of a series of stone structures and tombs, many of which date back to the first century BC. This site is of significant historical and cultural importance and would be an excellent destination for passengers interested in learning more about the country’s ancient past.

Al-Hijr lies several hundred kilometres inland and would be accessed from the port of Yanbu, or indeed the futuristic city of NEOM, a greenfield development that will include a floating industrial complex, a global trade hub, tourist resorts and a linear city called The Line—all powered exclusively by renewable energy sources.

AROYA Cruises will operate the former World Dream (renamed Manama)

Accomodation options aboard AROYA Cruises will likely range from the affordable inside cabins of most mainstream cruise brands, to more exclusive suites and even penthouses in a nod to the ultra-rich clientele that characterise the Middle East tourism market .

A suite aboard World Dream prior to her sale to AROYA

The cruise line would likely offer a range of high-end cabins and suites, with amenities such as private balconies, luxurious bedding, and top-of-the-line entertainment systems.

AROYA will also likely offer a variety of onboard amenities designed to promote relaxation and well-being, such as a spa and wellness center, fitness facilities, and of course several swimming pools. The cruise line may also offer specialized activities and classes such as yoga, meditation, and other wellness-focused programs, rather than the big, boozy parties found aboard other cruise lines.

Pool deck aboard World Dream prior to sale

Saudi Arabia is known for its rich cultural heritage, and a Saudi Arabian cruise line would offer a range of entertainment options designed to showcase this cultural wealth. This might include traditional music and dance performances, as well as art exhibits and other cultural displays. There is also likely to be live music and comedy performances to film screenings and interactive workshops, but they will be tailored to remain sensitive to the cultural values of Saudi Arabia and the wider Arab world.

Some of the entertainment may be gender-segregated for example, and there may be women-only events and activities in some of the lounges during the day, while at least one of the pools onboard, and spa, will almost certainly be gender-segregated. Similarly, passengers may be expected to adhere to a dress code that prohibits roaming the ship in swimming costumes.

It’s unclear whether AROYA ships will be an alcohol-free environment: As alcohol consumption is prohibited in Saudi Arabia, the cruise line would likely be an alcohol-free environment, but the Kingdom has made moves in recent years toward introducing spaces in which alcohol consumption is allowed for tourists . What will almost certainly not be offered on-board is a casino, as gambling is strictly forbidden in Saudi Arabia.

When it comes to dining, AROYA will offer a high-end, but unique range of cuisines, as all food served onboard will likely be Halal. Halal refers to food and drinks that are permissible under Islamic law, meaning they must be prepared and consumed in accordance with specific guidelines.

Manama (formerly World Dream) provides a range of dining options

Some of the key requirements of halal food include that it must be slaughtered in a specific way, with the animal facing Mecca, and the person performing the slaughter must say a prayer. The food must also not contain any alcohol or pork products, and any meat must be from an animal that has been raised and fed in accordance with Islamic principles.

For AROYA as a Saudi Arabian cruise line, halal food options would be an important consideration for catering to Muslim passengers, who make up a significant portion of the country’s population, as well as its own values as a Saudi-based cruise line. The line would likely offer a wide variety of halal dishes, including traditional Middle Eastern cuisine such as hummus, falafel, and shawarma, as well as international cuisine that is prepared in accordance with halal guidelines, much like international hotels based in the Kingdom.

AROYA then will offer a unique and culturally rich travel experience that showcases the beauty and heritage of the country while also adhering to local customs and traditions.

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Categories: Cruise Industry , Cruise Features , Cruise Lifestyle , Middle East Cruise News , News

Tagged as: AROYA Cruises , Manama , Middle East , Saudi Arabia

Published by Shaun Ebelthite

Founder and editor of Cruise Arabia & Africa. I try to create the best news and information specifically for cruise passengers taking cruises to and from Dubai (where I live) and South Africa (where I was born). You can contact me at shaun(at)cruisearabiaonline.com. View all posts by Shaun Ebelthite

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About AROYA

AROYA Cruises officially launched in June 2023 as a separate business unit of Cruise Saudi; a business fully owned by the Public Investment Fund.

This premium Cruise Line runs with an independent operational and management team based in Jeddah.

Launched in line with Vision 2030 and Saudi Arabia’s plan to become one of the top global tourism destinations by 2030, AROYA Cruises aims to provide exceptional all-year-round experiences tailored to Saudi and GCC nationals and residents.

To reinvent the meaning of holidays in Arabia.

Our Mission

By launching the first Arabian Cruise line that leads the way in elevating joyful and memorable experiences for guests at sea and onshore, commercially and sustainably.

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On 28 December 2023 AROYA Cruises, the new Arabian cruise line operated by Cruise Saudi, a Public Investment Fund Owned company responsible for the development of Saudi’s cruise industry, unveiled the first cruise ship in its fleet.

Rumoured to be named Aroya Manara, the ship is the former World Dream from Genting Cruises, which went bankrupt in January 2022 after initially being launched as part of Norwegian Cruise Line’s Breakaway class of ships.

The 335m-long ship is currently undergoing an extensive refurbishment to tailor the ship to the highest standard in line with the taste of Arabian passengers. The ship has 19 decks and 1,682 cabins, 17 restaurants, and a water park with five water slides..

Lars Clasen, CEO of Cruise Saudi, said: “We are delighted to sail into the new year with the unveiling of our first AROYA Cruises ship. This marks an exciting milestone for Cruise Saudi in creating a world-class cruise industry in Saudi, whilst offering a new way to holiday in the Kingdom for locals. We look forward to welcoming the first passengers on-board.”

AROYA Cruises will set sail from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia in 2024.

With cruise port facilities in Jeddah, Yanbu and Dammam, Cruise Saudi welcomes cruise lines from around the globe to include Saudi as a port of call on their itineraries and add new destinations that reveal Saudi’s cultural heritage, history and natural wonders.

AROYA Cruises was first launched in June 2023 as a separate business unit of Cruise Saudi; a 100 per cent Public Investment Fund owned business. The premium Cruise Line runs as a separate business unit with an independent operational and management team based in Jeddah.

Launched in line with Vision 2023 and Saudi Arabia’s plan to become one of the top global tourism destinations by 2030, AROYA Cruises aims to provide exceptional all-year-round experiences tailored to Saudi and GCC nationals and residents.

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Aroya Manara

Former name: world dream (ghk-genting).

Cruise line Aroya Cruises Saudi

Aroya Manara current position

Aroya Manara current location is at North Sea (coordinates 53.57162 N / 8.54157 E) cruising en route to BREMERHAVEN. The AIS position was reported 4 minutes ago.

Specifications of Aroya Manara

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Aroya Manara Review

Review of aroya manara.

The 2017-built (as World Dream) cruise ship Aroya Manara is currently owned by World Dream Company Inc (subsidiary of Saudi Arabia's PIF/Public Investment Fund) and operated by Cruise Saudi (PIF-owned travel brand and cruise agency/2021-founded) via the new travel brand Aroya Cruises (2023-established).

MS World Dream was the second vessel of Genting Cruise Lines' premium brand Dream Cruises (Genting Hong Kong/GHK-owned subsidiary company launched in November 2015).

One of the world's largest passenger liners , the 151300-GT-ton liner debuted in November 2017. The fleetmates were Genting Dream (2016-built sistership), Resorts World One (1999-built as SuperStar Virgo, named "Explorer Dream" following the transfer from Star Cruises in 2019) and the larger Global Dream/Disney Adventure (2020/GLOBAL-class liner/sold to DCL-Disney in 2022).

The Aroya Manara vessel (IMO number 9733117) is currently France- flagged (MMSI 538010484) and registered in Majuro / Marshall Islands . World Dream was Bahamas-flagged (MMSI 311000318) and registered in Nassau .

Since February 2023, the ship is operated by Cruise Saudi (2023-founded, Jeddah -based tourism business) which is a fully-owned subsidiary of PIF (Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund/1971-founded). Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund is currently ranked one of the world's largest by AUM/assets under management (~USD 620 billion / GBP 514B). The new shipowner is PIF's subsidiary World Dream Company Inc (2023-founded). GHK owned the ship via its subsidiary World Dream Ltd.

History - construction and ownership

GHK was a global entertainment, hospitality, and leisure company based in Hong Kong . For its Dream Cruises brand, GHK ordered two custom-built vessels to serve the Asian market, specifically China. GHK's other two cruise market segments were served by separate brands - Crystal Cruises (ultra-luxury) and Star Cruises (contemporary).

On October 7, 2013, was announced that GHK signed a shipbuilding agreement with Meyer Werft ( Papenburg Germany ) for the construction of a new vessel for Star Cruises, scheduled for delivery in 2016-Q4. On February 10, 2014, was ordered a sistership, with scheduled delivery in 2017-Q4. Both units were with volume 150,000 GT-tons and passenger capacity 3364 (double occupancy).

However, later GHK decided to create a new brand/subsidiary (Dream Cruises) and both newbuilds were redirected to Dream Cruises. MS Genting World (later renamed to "MS World Dream") had its steel-cutting ceremony held on February 9, 2015. MS World Dream's steel-cutting ceremony was in February 2016, at Meyer Werft Papenburg shipyard. The ship was floated out on August 26th and delivered on October 26, 2017. This was the 44th cruiser built by Meyer Werft. The ceremony was attended by Tim Meyer (Meyer Werft's Managing Director).

On December 1, 2022, was announced that the 5-year-old MS World Dream was set for auction - approx 9 months after the vessel was arrested by GHK's creditor KfW IPEX-Bank GmbH.

Singapore's High Court ordered World Dream to be sold through a sealed tender auction, with bids due on December 21st. World Dream's value at the time was estimated at US$654 million. For comparison, the sistership Genting Dream was sold in 2020 to a consortium of Chinese banks for US$700 million.

It was speculated that Resorts World Cruises (new brand established in May 2022 by Lim Kok Thay/former GHK majority shareholder) would be actively bidding for the vessel.

Singapore High Court-appointed surveyors conducted a detailed vessel inspection in November 2022 and found it to be in very good condition despite the prolonged lay-up/anchorage off Singapore (since April 3, 2022). The survey report concluded that the ship has been well maintained by the 127 crew onboard.

Singapore Sheriff's Office listed the ship as sold on February 24, 2023, or around two months after the auction was held.

On March 1, 2023, was announced that the vessel was purchased/acquired by Cruise Saudi, at sales price USD 330 million (~EUR 310M / ~GBP 275M). The news was confirmed by Lars Clasen (Cruise Saudi's CEO). On March 1st was also changed the vessel's name (to "MS Manara"/in Arabic meaning "source of light") as well as the ship management company serving it - from V.Ships Leisure (part of V.Group Holdings Ltd/1984-founded, Monaco -registered, London -headquartered) to Columbia Cruise Services GmbH & Co KG (2014-founded, Hamburg -based).

Saudi Arabia's first cruise line brand - Aroya Cruises - was officially launched on June 14, 2023. Aroya's operations are currently managed by Ghassan Khan (Cruise Saudi's CSO/Chief Strategy Officer). In July 2023, Aroya signed a 3-year Gold Sponsorship deal with Al Nassr Football Club (Riyadh-based FC).

Cruise Saudi's Manara is similar in design to NCL 's ships Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway , while as GT tonnage/volume it equals Norwegian Epic .

Decks and Cabins

MS World Dream/Aroya Manara staterooms (1686 total) accommodate between 3376-3400 passengers served by 2020 crew, meaning a crew-to-guest ratio of 1:1.7, which is the highest in comparison to any Asia Pacific ship. The German-built vessel is also designed with spacious interiors.

~70% of all staterooms are with private step-out balconies, and 100+ cabins are connecting (with adjoining interior doors) making them suitable for families. Suite services include special perks, privileges, professional European butler service.

The largest accommodations are the Dream Grand Villas (sized 224 m2 / 2410 ft2). Other Dream Suite categories Executive (56-80 m2 / 600-860 ft2) and Deluxe (43 m2 / 460 ft2).

"The Palace" is a ship-within-ship concept (exclusive complex) consisting of 154 premium Palace Suites (sized 37-40 m2 / 400-430 ft2), exclusive dining and lounge areas, butler service, suite-only perks. The 5-star luxury complex is sized nearly 10,000 m2 (108,000 ft2) and includes The Palace Restaurant, Gym, exclusive sundeck with swimming pool. The all-inclusive luxury experience features Seafood Buffet (The Palace Restaurant), complimentary Premium Beverage package (in all onboard bars and restaurants), Captain's Welcome Cocktail Party, Crystal Life Cafe (healthy breakfast, vegetarian lunch), dedicated Kids Program (for children 2 to 12 yo), dedicated "Connoisseurs Circle" (enrichment program), complimentary fitness classes, complimentary shore excursions, priority services, specialty dining shipwide.

The boat has 18 decks , of which 14 are passenger-accessible and 10 with cabins.

Note: Deck 15 is actually the ship's "Deck 14". This enumeration is due to the fact that for the Chinese, numbers that include 4 are considered unlucky - similar to the Western practice of the number 13, and the Italians' number 17.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

World Dream features 35 bars and restaurants, offering a wide choice of dining experiences for her guests. The restaurants offer regional cuisines, with emphasis on Chinese and Asian dishes, as well as international flavors like Southeast Asian, Japanese, Italian and more.

A wraparound Promenade (length 610 m/2000 ft) is a special place for dining and offers seaside dining and lounging from early morning to late evening in various themed venues.

Follows the complete list of World Dream restaurants and food bars.

• World Dining Room (300 indoor seats) is a complimentary restaurant open for breakfast (7-10 am), lunch (12-noon - 2 pm) and dinner (5-8 pm). Chinese dishes and vegetarian options are always available.
• Dream Dining Room (428 indoor seats) is a complimentary restaurant open for breakfast (6-9 am), lunch (12-noon - 2 pm) and dinner (5-8 pm). Chinese dishes and vegetarian options are always available.
• The Lido (554 indoor seats) is a complimentary buffet (self-serve) restaurant open for breakfast (7-10 am), lunch (12-noon - 2 pm) and dinner (5-8 pm). Breakfast options include made-to-order dishes (omelets, pancakes, waffles). Lunch and dinner options also include made-to-order dishes (pasta, salads), fresh-baked pizzas, soups, carving stations (roasts), Asian entrees, vegetarian dishes, separate salad bar, fresh fish (catch of the day), desserts (incl sugar-free items).
• Silk Road & Cabaret is a Chinese specialty restaurant (148 seats, at surcharge, reservations-only) with original dishes created by Asian Chefs, an extensive wine list and an extensive Baiju list. In the evenings (11 pm till late), Silk Road transforms into the Cabaret (show lounge).
• BISTRO by Mark Best (165 indoor seats / Chef's Table has 10 indoor seats) is an a la carte priced restaurant (reservations-only) serving western dishes (international cuisine specialties), fine wines (by the glass), a selection of domestic and international beers, specialty coffees/teas. The BISTRO is open for breakfast (7-10 am), lunch (12-noon - 2 pm) and dinner (5-8 pm).
• BISTRO Chef's Table (10 indoor seats) is part of the Bistro restaurant. This is a Private Table (dining room) available for individual and group booking. Each of the dishes is paired with fine wines. Chef's Table becomes active only when at least 8 passengers book in.
• BISTRO Grill Outdoor (54 outdoor seats) is also part of the Bistro restaurant. The grill is reservations only and opens for lunch (12-noon - 2 pm) and dinner (5-8 pm).
• Umi Uma (44 indoor seats / 42 outdoor seats) is a Japanese cuisine specialty restaurant (at surcharge, reservations required) open for dinner-only, between 5-8 pm.
• Umi Uma Tepanyaki (78 indoor seats) is a live cooking venue where dishes are prepared by the ship's master chefs. The restaurant is at a surcharge and opens for dinner-only, between 5-8 pm.
• Umi Uma Sushi Bar (13 indoor seats) is a specialty restaurant (at surcharge, reservations required) open for lunch (12-noon - 2 pm) and dinner (5-8 pm). The sushi bar offers signature dishes and an extensive Sake menu.
• Lobby Bar (40 seats, open between 7 am - 1 am) serves the lobby area with non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks.
• BreadBox is a bread shop (onboard bakery) / Snacks & Refreshment bar selling fresh-baked gourmet bread, cinnamon rolls, cookies, specialty coffees (Espresso, Latte, Cappucino, Viennese), Tiffin take away menu. BreadBox is open between 10 am - 8 pm.
• Lobby Cafe (7 seats, open between 7 am - 8 pm) is a takeaway cafe bar offering southeast Asian favorites. To go dishes are in Tiffin boxes.
• Bar 360 (27 seats) offers premium Bourbons, cocktails and other beverages.
• Blue Lagoon (172 seats) is a 24-hour open restaurant (at a surcharge) with an a la carte priced menu and chefs live cooking stations. The restaurant also offers specialty coffees/teas and gourmet desserts (incl ice cream. Blue Lagoon is closed only between 4-5 am.
• Red Lion Pub (75 seats) is an English pub bar serving draft beers, international bottled beers, a variety of pub drinks and snacks, also full pub food menu. The pub is open 24 hours. The lunch menu is served between 12-noon - 2 pm, and dinner menu - between 6-10 pm.
• Johnnie Walker House
• Wine Vault (wine bar) is open between 11 am - 12-midnight, and hosts wine tasting events with sommelier service.
• BAR CITY 256 indoor / 177 outdoor seats - total 341) is a lounge complex that includes The Whisky House, Mixt and Bubbles.
• The Whisky House (30 indoor / 47 outdoor seats) offers an impressive selection of top-brand whiskies, exclusive service, whisky tasting courses matched with gourmet meals paired with each vintage. The Whisky House is open between 11 am - 12-midnight. Bookings for special and whisky tasting events are required.
• Mixt (159 indoor / 44 outdoor seats) is a beverages only / cocktail bar with a separate snack menu.
• Bubbles (50 seats) is a premium Champagne bar lounge open between 11 am - 12-midnight.
• Boba Cha (14 outdoor seats) is open between 10 am - 6 pm and offers non-alcoholic beverages.
• Gelateria (20 outdoor seats) is an ice cream bar open between 10 am - 6 pm. The a la carte priced menu has a variety of ice creams, toppings, sherbets, frozen yogurt, fresh strawberries, home-baked cookies.
• Hot Pot (108 seats, open between 5-10 pm) is an outdoor dinner-only restaurant (at surcharge, reservations-only) offering poultry, meat, seafood, and vegetarian dishes.
• Crystal Life Cuisine (61 indoor seats) is a healthy food restaurant (at a surcharge) also offering fresh-squeezed juices for the gym users. Crystal Life Cuisine is open for breakfast (8-9 am), lunch (12-noon - 2 pm) and dinner (5-8 pm), and reservations are required.
• World Club (60 indoor seats) is an exclusive (Dream Mansion passengers only) restaurant with an exclusive wine list. World Club is open for breakfast (7-10 am), lunch (12-noon - 2 pm) and dinner (5-8 pm). Reservations are required.
• World Grill (258 outdoor seats) is an outdoor complimentary dining venue open for breakfast (7-10 am), lunch (12-noon - 2 pm) and dinner (5-8 pm). Throughout the day, World Grill serves the pool deck with fast food/snacks. In addition to the grilled food, during breakfast and lunch times is offered the Lido's menu.
• "Penfolds Wine Vault" (partnership with the Australian winemaker Penfolds) is a specialty restaurant/premium wine bar (at surcharge PP). The wine list features the rare vintages "Penfolds Bin 170", "Penfolds Grange 2010" and also "Penfolds Yattarna" (a special Chardonnay). Food pairing opportunities are provided by expert chefs and professional sommeliers. The Wine Vault also hosts reservation-only wine tasting events as part of the onboard enrichment programming.
• Pool Deck Bar is open between 7 am - 6 pm and serves with drinks at the swimming pool area. The bar offers cocktails and mocktails and serves a total of 380 outdoor seats plus 330 sunbeds.
• The Living Room (42 indoor seats) is an exclusive (Dream Mansion passengers only) lounge manned by Butlers and open between 7 am - 1 am. The lounge serves complimentary drinks (upon request) and snacks (in the mornings and afternoons).
• Dream Mansion Lounge (31 indoor seats) is an exclusive (Dream Mansion passengers only) lounge open between 7 am - 1 am. It is manned by Butlers and offers complimentary beverages.
• World Club Restaurant & Lounge (37 indoor seats) is an exclusive (Dream Mansion passengers only) with an exclusive list of premium wines (offered complimentary by the glass). World Club Lounge is open between 7-10 am, 12-noon - 2 pm and 5-8 pm. Here are served various complimentary beverages, including specialty coffees/teas.
• Sun Deck Bar (portside/starboard); Sundeck Bar Portside and Sundeck Bar Starboard have 38 outdoor seats (each) and serve refreshments (incl beer, cocktails, mocktails) between 7 am and 6 pm.
• Dream Mansion Cafe (140 indoor seats) is an exclusive snack and refreshments venue open between 7 am - 1 am.
• The Market is an outdoor venue serving non-alcoholic drinks only.
• Palm Court (115 indoor seats) is a premium bar (open between 7 am - 12-midnight) with Afternoon High Tea service (between 2:30-5 pm).

In December 2017, Dream Cruises introduced on MS World Dream Asia's first "Tiffany" retail shop at sea. The fleet's new amenity also offers to purchase the exclusive "Tiffany High Tea Set". The exclusive Tiffany Afternoon Tea service is complemented with premium treats and served at the "Seafood Grill" on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

In 2017, Dream Cruises also debuted on World Dream Asia's (and the world's) first at sea "Dior Jewelry and Watches" retail shop. The World Dream ship also features the interactive "Scents and Spirits" (perfumes sampling and potables tasting), as well as the Make-Up Bar where passengers can experiment with the beauty industry's latest products and techniques.

In late July 2020, Dream Cruises debuted (on MS Explorer Dream) the "Flexi-Feast" - a completely customized shipboard dining (food and beverage) concept that allows passengers to choose from more venues. Upon boarding the ship, cruisers receive a set of complimentary dining vouchers which can be used at designated restaurants, as well as OBC (onboard credits) for ordering meals at specialty restaurants, beverages at bars and also for room-service orders.

The Irth Culinary Boutique & Cafe is a dining venue serving dishes from a menu based on traditional Saudi food and beverages. This is the first-at-sea restaurant offering Saudi cuisine. All its staff is certified and trained by the Culinary Arts Commission (2020-established government body). Culinary Arts Commission classifies restaurants, dishes and chefs, registers Saudi and foreign dishes, writes down recipes, publicizes/promotes domestically and internationally traditional Saudi dishes and also encourages dining-related research and studies.

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

Plenty of recreation venues are available aboard World Dream, including multiple pool types, 6 water slides, rope climbing course, playrooms, card rooms, mahjong, bowling alley, and duty-free shopping. Health and wellness facilities include state-of-the-art Western and Asian spas, Zodiac Theatre, health club, beauty salon, barbershop, and enhance the guest experience. Other activities include inspirational speeches and wine tasting to enrich passengers' time at sea.

Each Dream Cruises ship offers unique underwater excursions via 2 mini-submarines (underwater craft). They are able to carry cruise passengers deep under the sea while the ship operates in select Asian destinations. Each minisub carries 1 pilot and up to 4 passengers at a time. The cruise ship also carries a motorboat that can be booked for shore excursions.

Follows the complete list of World Dream lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens, and adults.

• Zodiac Theatre
• Tributes (170 indoor / 40 outdoor seats) is live show lounge and bar also hosting specially themed events. The full-service bar offers spirits, cocktails, beers, wines, fresh-made snacks. Tributes Lounge & Bar are open between 10 am - 11:30 pm.
• Zouk (125 indoor seats) is the ships disco nightclub that during the day doubles as a sports bar. It is open between 8 pm - 2 am, features 4 bowling lanes and pool tables, and reservations are required.
• Zouk Beach Club (154 outdoor seats) offers cabana seating, swimming pool, a giant LED screen for movies under the stars and for live sporting events, two private outdoor decks. These venues can also be booked for private or corporate events.
• Karaoke (49 indoor seats) is a complex of 5 karaoke singing rooms, open 24 hours, with luxurious furniture, premium alcohol (cognacs, Armagnacs, whiskies, wines), gourmet snacks.
• Star Club; Star Club II; Premium Club; Humidor (smoking-allowed cigar lounge); Mahjong Room (Card Room).
• Crystal Life Asian Spa, Wellness & Fitness
• Le Salon (Beauty Salon/hairdresser, manicure-pedicure)
• The Gentlemen's Barber (barbershop)
• Boutiques (duty-free shopping arcade); The Dream Boutiques
• Boardwalk / Promenade is a 610 m (2000 ft) long wraparound outdoor promenade deck lined with outdoor seating venues.
• Little Pandas Club (kids club with complimentary children's programming - Little Dreamers, Mermaid Academy, Astronaut Camp at Sea, dress-up parties)
• Kids Aqua Zone. The Waterslide Park has a total of 6 slides, of which 5 are for adults only (tubed) and 1 water slide is for kids only. The adults-only waterslides' entrances are on deck 20 (aft). All slides are free of charge.
• Sun Deck (sunbathing area with loungers)
• Rock Climbing Wall (height 7 m / 24 ft.) is free of charge.
• The Ropes Course attraction offers many outdoor activities and also unique photo opportunities. Part of the course is the Zip Line (length 35 m / 115 ft) available for adults-only. The Zip Line is located aft, above the sea and over the portside. For children and teens is available the "Walk the Plank" (also above the sea)
• Mini-Golf Course is a 9-hole putting green course (free of charge).
• Sportsplex is a multi-sport course (full-size basketball court) also used for playing volleyball and 5-a-side football (soccer).

Itineraries

MS World Dream's cruise itinerary program was based on China roundtrips out of homeports Hong Kong and Guangzhou/Nansha Port . Also were operated fly-cruises to Vietnam and The Philippines.

The ship's 5-night / 6-day itineraries visited the Philippines ( Manila and Boracay Island , November 17, 2017, through March 31, 2018). The other set offers 5-night / 6-day itineraries to Vietnam ( Saigon and Nha Trang , December 3, 2017, through October 2018). Also offered are 2-night / 3-day Pearl River Delta weekend cruises leaving roundtrip from Hong Kong. B2B cruise deals ("back-to-back") are also available for booking, combining the 2-night weekend with two 5-night workweek itineraries into a 12-night B2B itinerary.

In October 2017, Dream Cruises announced a new homeport deployment for the ship - Singapore (Marina Bay Terminal), also offering discount-priced fly-cruise deals from China.

In 2018, the ship offered Dream Cruises 5-night itinerary to Japan (Sunday departures from both Nansha and Hong Kong). The itinerary visited Naha and Miyakojima Island (with 2 sea days) and returned to Nansha and Hong Kong on Friday. This China to Japan voyage ended with "Dream Night" - the company's traditional for every 5-night voyage laser and fireworks show at sea.

In 2019, Dream Cruises introduced the "One Day Greater Bay Cruise" itinerary interlinking both homeports. Mini-cruise prices started from RMB 500 (US$64/EUR 66) per person. Departures were offered on Fridays (Guangzhou to Hong Kong) and on Sundays (Hong Kong to Guangzhou). During the promo period (March through June 2019), every booked passenger received an OBC/onboard credit voucher worth HKD 100 (US$13/EUR 11).

In the period November 6, 2020, through June 27, 2021, MS World Dream had scheduled a series of "Super Seacation" itineraries (roundtrips from Singapore ) to ports in Thailand and Korea. In early February were added two new themed voyages.

• The "Rhythm of Korea" itinerary (February 21 to March 31, 2021) was themed on Korea's ancient and modern history and featured as special shipboard events Hanbok fashion shows, outdoor games (Jegichagi, Tuho and Arrows), movie projections (Korean blockbusters at the ship's Cinema at Sea), music and dancing classes (Hallyu K-Pop Dance 101 Classes), "Hair-ppiness" (hairdressing and styling workshops), Flawless Beauty Talks, basic Korean language classes, K-Culture Trivia (quizzes), cooking demos and classes (classic recipes like Kimbap and Kimchi).
• The "Amazing Thailand" itinerary (March 31 to May 28, 2021) themed on Songkran/Thailand's New Year featured as onboard activities movie marathons (Thai blockbusters), Thai music shows (traditional and pop), Muay Thai (boxing training), Sepak Takraw gaming (kick volleyball), Pitch Burst Challenge, Water Gun Tag, spa massage promos (at the ship's Crystal Life Spa), Thai street food (at the ship's Thai Street Market at Sea and other complimentary restaurants).

World Dream's last cruise for GHK (Singapore roundtrip) ended on March 2, 2022. Right after docking, the vessel was arrested by KfW IPEX-Bank.

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Aroya Manara Wiki

On January 10, 2017, at Meyer Werft GmbH's Meyer Neptun yard (in Papenburg Germany ) was held the vessel's keel-laying ceremony with wich officially started its physical construction/assembly. The special event was attended by Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay (Genting Hong Kong's Chairman and CEO) and Thatcher Brown (Dream Cruises' President). During the ceremony, block 3 (one of all 92 construction blocks) was lifted into the building dock, thus the ship's assembly was officially started. Also during the ceremony, "lucky coins" were placed under the keel block as a traditional good fortune symbol.

The vessel (Meyer Neptun yard/hull number S711) has volume 150695 GT-tons, DWT-deadweight 15370 tons, mx width 44 m (with the bridge wings), max draught 8,6 m. The powerplant is based on MAN B&W marine diesel engines (model 14V48/60B) with combined output 62,4 MW (83680 hp).

Before Cruise Saudi, the registered shipowner was WORLD DREAM LTD, the registered operator was GENTING CRUISE LINES while the management company was V.SHIPS LEISURE S.A.M.

The vessel's launch (float-out from drydock) was held on August 26, 2017, at  Papenburg Shipyard (Germany) . From the covered shipyard (drydock hall), the new liner was docked at the outfitting pier for final works. On September 17, 2017, started the navigation on Ems River to Eemshaven Holland (for testing), then to Bremerhaven Germany for the North Sea trials.

The ship was christened in Hong Kong (at Kai Tak Terminal) on November 17, 2017. Its godmother is Mrs. Puan Sri Cecilia Lim - wife of Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay (GHK's CEO). The ceremony was attended by over 1000 VIP guests, including Chinese government dignitaries, GHK business partners, media representatives.

Before the ship's inauguration in November, in mid-September 2017, Dream Cruises started a promotional campaign for building the world's largest LEGO-made cruise ship. The LEGO Word Dream ship replica has length 8,44 m (27,7 ft) and was officially certified by Guinness as a world record creation. Ship's inaugural cruise itineraries were scheduled as two departures - from Hong Kong (November 17) and out of Nansha-Guangzhou (November 19). The 5-night itinerary's ports of call were in the Philippines (Boracay, Manila) and Vietnam (Saigon, Nha Trang).

Wartsila Funa was the supplier of the ship's unique external "Dynamic Exterior Lighting" system. The innovative lighting system provides stunning visual effects (color, movement, and video) to the vessel's exterior. The technology is based on custom-designed and individually controlled LED RGBW lighting units. Wartsila Funa specializes in audio, video and lighting control design for large land-based public facilities (including theme parks, attractions, museums) and for cruise ships.

MS World Dream has the world's first permanent eSports gaming facility at sea. The 1700 ft2 (158 m2) sized venue is part of "VR Center" (virtual reality gaming complex with ESC Experience Lab). Ship's eSports facility has a capacity for 80 persons (live audience) and up to 10 players. eSports events are streamed live to all TVs and LED screens on the ship, including all staterooms, the indoor Zodiac Theatre and the outdoor theatre Zouk Beach Club. eSports video gaming competitions involve physical and mental training. eSports is officially admitted as a medal sport for the 2022 Asian Games (Hangzhou, China). eSports gaming is also a potential activity for the 2024 Summer Olympics (Paris, France).

In 2018, the liner became world's first cruise ship to offer Matcha- themed cruises . Matcha is a finely ground powder of specialty tea leaves. In the period April 29 through June 14, passengers booked on 2- and 5-night itineraries enjoyed authentic Japanese culture experience. The themed voyages were via a partnership with Nakamura Tokichi Honten - one of Japan's finest tea houses. The unique onboard events included Kimono masterclass, tea expert-led workshops, Japanese tea tasting lessons, Tea Kabuki (traditional quiz game), meet-and-greets with Okinawan celebrity illustrator, Awamori (alcoholic beverage) tasting, limited-edition Matcha delicacies (cream roll, cream puff, cheesecake) traditionally served with steeped Matcha tea latte. Shipboard dining included Okinawan food and drinks, such as Wagyu beef, Agu pork, seasonal vegetables, and fruits.

June through November 2018, the ship offered "Taste the Dream" – Wine and Dine at Sea". The event featured a collaboration between 6 Asian celebrity chefs (Michelin-starred) and the company's culinary team. Passengers booked in "The Palace Suites" had the chance to enjoy limited-edition food and wine pairing menus ("4-hand" / created by 2 chefs). The limited tasting menus were included in the complimentary dining options for "The Palace Suite" passengers on World Dream. The program also included interactive cooking workshops (led by the chefs) and exclusive "Chef’s Table" throughout the voyages. The 6 celebrity chefs were Alvin Leung, Chan Kwok Keung, Christian Yang, Martin Yan, Vicky Cheng, Wan Tat Kong.

The ship's first Master was Captain Robert Bodin.

In December 2020, MS World Dream became the Asia Pacific's first Halal-friendly cruise liner to receive certifications from both UNWHD (United World Halal Development/ Singapore ) and the GVCS (Global Vegetarian Certification Services/ Chennai India ).

For one year (November 6, 2020, through Nov 8, 2021), World Dream served ~200,000 Singaporeans via 150+ "Super Seacations" ( cruise-to-nowhere itineraries) roundtrip from homeport Singapore.

Cruise Saudi Manara refurbishments 2023-2024 review

Cruise Saudi’s first drydocking project for MS Manara was scheduled for 2023 (June-August) to be conducted at Bredo Dry Docks GmbH's yard in Bremerhaven Germany . The relocation voyage via the Suez Canal (RepositionCruises.com) included anchorage stops (for bunkering) off Valletta Harbour (Malta) .

Details on the extensive refit and refurbishment works were announced in March 2024. The drydocking project included the complete renovations of all public areas and the passenger staterooms. The Casino Lounge (purpose-built larger than average to serve Asian customers) was replaced with shopping arcades. A second drydocking is planned to be conducted in Holland (at DSR/Damen Shiprepair Rotterdam ) in June 2024.

In September 2023, Cruise Saudi contracted MJM Marine Ltd (1983-founded manufacturing and outfitting company) and DE Wave Group (2014-founded, specializing in cruise ship and yacht interiors) for the full-scale (98%) refurbishment of Aroya Manara which is scheduled for 2024.

By this project, MJM Group will upgrade all staterooms and will supervise the construction of new onboard venues (dining, shopping, wellness and relaxation), as well as various steelworks, upgrades to the ship's electrical and mechanical systems, and the installation of furniture, finishes, ceiling fixtures. DE Wave Group will outfit Manara’s upper decks (open-deck, public and catering areas), also adding new Suites.

In November 2023 was contracted DL Services (2004-founded galley design/marine catering architecture company) to develop Manara ship's catering spaces. For the project, DL Services hired the hospitality service and consultancy firm COLUMBIA signature (2021-founded) to redevelop/completely redesign World Dream's existing catering spaces. Besides the new designs, the deal also included the delivery and installation of new galley/kitchen equipment.

World Dream refurbishment 2020 review

The vessel's first drydock (at DSR/Damen Shiprepair Rotterdam) started on March 25, 2020. Details on the project's duration, cost and works (upgrades, renovations) were not announced at the time.

World Dream cruise ship LEGO model

In April 2018, Dream Cruises completed the MS World Dream's LEGO ship.

The replica was created of 2,5+ million LEGO bricks and is currently ranked the world's largest LEGO cruise ship. It weighs around 2,8 tons and has length 8,44 m (27,7 ft), width 1,33 m (4,4) and height 1,53 m (5 ft).

The ship model was constructed by 1000+ people (company guests and from the general public) led by Andy Hung. He is a full-time artist (working exclusively with LEGO blocks) and China's first LEGO-certified professional.

After 2 months of effort, the model was officially unveiled at Kai Tak Terminal (Hong Kong). Following the final measuring, Dream Cruises was presented with an official "Guinness World Records" certificate.

Inaugural itineraries 2017

After the official handover ceremony to Dream Cruises (October 26, 2017), the ship started a Europe-Asia relocation itinerary to Gibraltar , through the Mediterranean Sea and Suez Canal and across the Indian Ocean before ending at the dual homeports Hong Kong (November 17) and Nansha-Guangzhou (November 19).

In October 2017, Dream Cruises announced a new homeport deployment for World Dream - Singapore (Marina Bay Terminal).

For November 26, 2017, was scheduled the inaugural 5-night itinerary roundtrip from Singapore and visited Thailand ( Penang and Phuket ) and Burma (MacLeod Island / private island, famous for its Myanmar Andaman Resort). The ship's Singapore homeporting offers China fly-cruise deals for the top-luxury Asian travel market.

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AROYA Cruises to Make Waves as Saudi Arabia’s Premier Cruise Line

Jun 23, 2023 | Indiplomacy News , Saudi Arabia

Cruise Saudi’s launch of AROYA Cruises aims to revolutionize the industry, with ambitions to welcome 1.3 million cruise visitors and create 50,000 job opportunities, while positioning Saudi Arabia as a premier international cruising destination.

Cruise Saudi, a subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund (PIF), has recently made a groundbreaking announcement with the launch of its very own cruise line. The company aims to support its ambitious target of welcoming 1.3 million cruise visitors and generating 50,000 direct and indirect job opportunities in Saudi Arabia by 2035. The newly unveiled cruise line, named AROYA Cruises, promises to provide passengers with extraordinary experiences and a unique opportunity to explore the breathtaking wonders of Saudi Arabia from the perspective of the sea. Although specific itineraries and packages have yet to be revealed, exciting announcements are expected in the coming months.

According to Cruise Saudi’s CEO, Lars Clasen, the establishment of AROYA Cruises represents a significant milestone in the company’s grand strategy to build a premium cruise ecosystem in Saudi Arabia, aligning perfectly with the goals outlined in Vision 2030. Clasen stated, “This momentous step marks a historical milestone in Cruise Saudi’s ambitious strategy to create a premium cruise ecosystem in Saudi Arabia, in line with Vision 2030.”

Ghassan Khan, currently serving as Cruise Saudi’s Chief Strategy Officer, has been appointed to lead AROYA Cruises’ independent operational and management team. In this role, Khan will play a pivotal role in steering the brand towards success. Khan expressed his enthusiasm about the upcoming launch, recognizing it as a privilege to contribute to Saudi Arabia’s emergence as an international cruising destination. He said, “This is an extremely exciting time. It is a privilege to bring this cruise line to launch as a core element of Saudi’s development as an international cruising destination.”

The decision to establish AROYA Cruises aligns with the overarching goals of the Public Investment Fund (PIF), which is driving the national transformation strategy in Saudi Arabia. PIF is actively developing and promoting the country as a vibrant tourism destination, with the aim of attracting an impressive 100 million visitors annually by the end of the decade. Highlighting the importance of AROYA Cruises, Clasen reiterated, “This momentous step marks a historical milestone in Cruise Saudi’s ambitious strategy to create a premium cruise ecosystem in Saudi Arabia, in line with Vision 2030.”

As the launch of AROYA Cruises draws near, anticipation continues to build within the tourism and travel industries. The unveiling of itineraries and packages in the coming months will undoubtedly spark further excitement among travel enthusiasts worldwide. With its commitment to providing unparalleled passenger experiences and showcasing the hidden gems of Saudi Arabia’s coastline, AROYA Cruises is poised to make a significant impact on the cruise industry while contributing to the economic growth and transformation of Saudi Arabia as a whole.

Sourced from Public Investment Fund

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Saudi Arabia’s $300 Million Plan to Become a Cruise Industry Major

Josh Corder , Skift

September 13th, 2023 at 1:14 AM EDT

Having snatched headlines with its glamorous hotel projects, Saudi Arabia wants to do the same with its new cruise ship.

Josh Corder

Saudi Arabia is working on its own major commercial cruise line brand designed for those with “Arabian preferences.” AROYA Cruises sets sail next year with a single ship, formerly known as World Dream, the last remaining ship of the struggling Dream Cruises company.

The Public Investment Fund (PIF) is the new owner of the ship – now known as Manara – for $300 million at an auction in December last year. It comes under the management of PIF’s cruise company, Cruise Saudi, and acts as a showcase for its cruise liner brand AROYA.

As is the way with Saudi Arabia and its ambitious ventures, it is throwing everything at this ship. Originally designed for “Asian preferences,” a lot is being done to make the ship more “Arabian” in feel and programming, by “honoring Arabian culture through the brand values of inspiration, enrichment, generosity and respect,” AROYA Cruises explained at launch.

A Total Overhaul Needed for ‘Arabian’ Preferences

This week, AROYA Cruises announced it would refurbish 98% of “guest-facing venues” in the ship, a vast overhaul. Global maritime outfitting firm MJM Marine is entrusted to transform all cabins and suites, the interiors, steelworks and upgrade all the onboard electrical.

MJM Maritime largely operates at the top end of the industry, indicating the AROYA offering will be a luxurious one. MJM has worked on the Queen Mary 2, Virgin Voyages’ Valiant Lady and Scarlet Lady, and the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection.

AROYA Cruises, with sovereign wealth fund money at its disposal, is also calling upon a second outfitter for its maiden ship. De Wave Group will work on the ship’s public areas, catering areas and its “new super suites,” as AROYA Cruises calls them.

“The creation of a premium cruise experience starts from the design phase and by working with two of the cruise sector’s most well-regarded outfitters, we’re demonstrating our commitment to making Aroya Cruises an exceptional product,” said CEO Lars Clasen.

Gutting the Old Restaurants and Bars

Cruise Saudi doesn’t provide many details as to what this 98% refurbishment entails, but the remaining 2% left untouched is unlikely to be the ship’s many bars and lounges from when it was World Dream.

The original plans for World Dream stated the 3,500-guest ship had more than 20 restaurants, including a “Bar City”’” with three bars, one specifically for champagne, and a wine vault. The ship also originally had karaoke, a waterpark, mini golf and five retail outlets.

As it approaches its launch next year, AROYA Cruises has announced its main retail partner: Germany-based firm Gebr. Heinemann.

Kerstin Schepers, MD for the Cruise Business at Gebr. Heinemann added: “We are very excited to be on board the AROYA Cruises. On its first ship we want to inspire travelers with our impressive employees and our spectacular assortment. We promise unforgettable shopping experiences to the guests.”

Gebr. Heinemann will operate all retail spaces on the ship. In the announcement of the deal, the company said it would work with brands across perfume, cosmetics, confectionaries, fashion, watches and jewelry, to support AROYA Cruises.

The retailer did not mention alcohol, where it makes most of its money in other parts of the world.

In 2022, Gebr. Heinemann had a group turnover of 3.8 billion euros, 52% of which came from sales of liquor, tobacco, tobacco, and confectionaries. The cruise industry is the smallest component of the Gebr. Heinemann business, accounted for five percent of its turnover last year.

At the start of this year, the Saudi government quashed “false reports” that the dry Kingdom would sell alcohol in duty-free stores.

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Photo credit: World Dream, set to become Manara under AROYA Cruises

Aroya Cruises: Irth, the First Saudi Restaurant at Sea

AROYA Cruises has partnered with the Culinary Arts Commission of Saudi Arabia to launch the first Saudi restaurant at sea, showcasing the culinary heritage of this magnificent region.

Cruise Saudi , a company owned by the 100% public investment fund specializing in the development of the cruise industry in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia , has announced its partnership with the Culinary Arts Commission to bring authentic Saudi cuisine aboard AROYA Cruises through Irth Culinary Boutique & Café. This collaboration is part of AROYA Cruises’ vision to offer exceptional and creative experiences to its passengers.

AROYA Cruises is the first cruise company in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia exclusively dedicated to Arab tastes, and Irth , the first Saudi restaurant at sea, will offer a variety of high-quality, locally-sourced Saudi foods and beverages.

AROYA Cruises x Culinary Art Commission

In addition to its rich heritage and history, Saudi Arabia is renowned for its hospitality, which will be embodied in the services provided at Irth . A restaurant staff trained by the Culinary Arts Commission will ensure a deluxe and authentic experience for passengers.

Founded in 2020, the Culinary Arts Commission seeks to promote Saudi culinary traditions both locally and globally, positioning the Kingdom as a leading destination for culinary arts. The goals and ambitions of the Culinary Arts Commission align perfectly with those of AROYA Cruises, aiming to provide exceptional experiences that cater to the tastes and preferences of Arabs while drawing inspiration from authentic Saudi culture.

Recognizing that food is an essential part of every culture and history, the Culinary Arts Commission is committed to creating unforgettable and delightful experiences for locals and visitors alike through an expanded local offering that changes perceptions and allows people to immerse themselves in culinary arts, thereby generating value for local communities.

Lars Clasen, CEO of Cruise Saudi , commented, “We are proud to collaborate with the Culinary Arts Commission. The launch of Irth Culinary Boutique & Café aboard AROYA Cruises represents a fundamental step in showcasing the authenticity of the Kingdom and offering the best services to our guests.”

Mayada Badr, CEO of the Culinary Arts Commission , stated, “Irth Culinary Boutique & Café will showcase the authenticity of Saudi cuisine and its rich culture, and this partnership with AROYA Cruises of Cruise Saudi aligns perfectly with our ambition to celebrate the rich heritage and culture of the Kingdom. We look forward to joining AROYA Cruises in their mission to offer the best of Saudi culture and traditions during their journeys.”

cruise-saudi-et-aroya-lavenir-de-larabie-saoudite

Launched in June 2023, AROYA Cruise is the first cruise line in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with a unique design, catering to Arab tastes while simultaneously focusing on the holiday preferences of Saudi citizens, expatriates, and regional guests. From cabin and suite design to the meticulous attention given to the quality of onboard food and beverage offerings, the company perfectly embodies the spirit of innovation and the warm Arab hospitality for which the Kingdom is known.

Stay tuned for further news, updates, and reviews of AROYA Cruises on Cruising Journal , featuring photos, videos, and cruise offers.

Giorgia Lombardo

Latest reportages, azamara pursuit: the south africa intensive voyage, ponant: expedition cruising a la francais, vista’s maiden call on new york, cfc: renaissance makes its debut and impresses, on crystal symphony: the return of crystal cruises.

Aroya Cruises welcomes you onboard!

AROYA Cruises officially launched in June 2023 as a separate business unit of Cruise Saudi; a business fully owned by the Public Investment Fund. Launched in line with Vision 2030 and Saudi Arabia’s plan to become one of the top global tourism destinations by 2030, AROYA Cruises aims to provide exceptional all-year-round experiences tailored to Saudi and GCC nationals and residents. We partnered up with the entire Columbia Group in searching for the perfect crew to come onboard with us. This is your chance to become part of a new cruise line and embrace a new career at sea!

Amazing opportunities aboard AROYA Cruises!

The Columbia Group is the exclusive recruitment partner for Aroya Cruises. By partnering up with us, you will join a family of more than 15,000 happy seafarers and a group with more than four decades of experience in crew and cruise ship management. We’re super excited to be welcoming you onboard!

a journey supported by:

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Are you looking for the opportunity of a lifetime?

Deck vacancies, engine vacancies, hospitality vacancies, at aroya cruises we focus on our people by ensuring a real sense of belonging..

© 2024 Aroya Cruises.

Cruise Saudi’s AROYA Cruises appoints VIKAND as Healthcare Partner for first cruise ship 

The 100% PIF-owned company Cruise Saudi has announced that it has appointed VIKAND, the global leader in maritime healthcare, to provide a comprehensive and full-scale medical management solution for AROYA Cruises, the first cruise line to be designed with Arabian preferences at its heart. 

The engagement spans from pre-launch support services, biomedical device specification and procurement as well as formulary supply, to ongoing maritime healthcare support through VIKAND’s all-inclusive, proactive medical management services. 

AROYA Cruises will provide guests with authentic Arabian experiences that celebrate Saudi’s rich cultural heritage and signature hospitality, while ensuring consistent high safety and quality standards supported by VIKAND. The ship is currently undergoing an extensive refurbishment to tailor all amenitiesto the highest standard in line with the taste of Arabian passengers. With 19 decks and 1,682 elegant cabins, this grand ship will redefine Arabian holidays and will set sail from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia in 2024. 

The partnership agreement was formalized with a signing ceremony, during which Lars Clasen, CEO of Cruise Saudi, said, “We are delighted to be collaborating with VIKAND. Our clients expect a premium service, and we were impressed with their experience in delivering proactive health and wellness to guests and crew. It is important that our AROYA Cruises guests feel safe and can turn to trusted medical professionals should they feel unwell during a voyage.” 

VIKAND medical management is an all-inclusive, proactive and modular approach to onboard health and wellness inspired by the company’s deeply held values. It begins with a pre-launch analysis of biomedical equipment and onboard facilities to ensure the vessel meets all flag state and American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) requirements. 

VIKAND has deep experience in launching vessels, bringing clarity and control to the process of taking ownership of a cruise ship and preparing it for service. This support extends to the entire onboard healthcare operation, including global medical staffing and integrated supply chain solutions for all formulary and medical supplies. VIKAND provides AROYA Cruises with its full expertise at every step, from launch to operation. 

“I am delighted that AROYA Cruises have entrusted VIKAND to help launch their first cruise ship and provide ongoing support for its medical needs,” said Peter Hult, CEO of VIKAND. “We understand that each ship is a delicate ecosystem, and our services integrate seamlessly to protect guests and crew against medical risks, helping to keep everyone onboard safe and healthy. We wish this new venture well and hope to nurture a long-term partnership with AROYA Cruises.”

AROYA Cruises unveils its first cruise ship

AROYA Cruises partners with Saudi’s Culinary Arts Commission to launch first at-sea…

Cruise Saudi appoints DL SERVICES Catering Architecture to develop catering spaces…

AROYA Cruises announces Gold Sponsorship of Al Nassr Football Club

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Cruise demand leaves pandemic in rearview with record passengers, more construction on tap

M IAMI BEACH — The COVID pandemic drove the cruise industry to a standstill, but numbers released Tuesday signal the years of comeback are officially over with more expansion on tap.

More than 31.7 million passengers took cruises worldwide in 2023, said Kelly Craighead, Cruise Line International Association president and CEO, speaking at the annual Seatrade Cruise Global conference at Miami Beach Convention Center.

CLIA is the lobbying group for member cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean, Disney Cruise Line, Carnival, Norwegian, MSC and most other major brands.

The pandemic shut down sailing from March 2020 with only a small number of ships coming back online 18 months later in summer 2021. Cruise lines didn’t return to full strength until partially through 2022, so it wasn’t until a full year of sailing in 2023 that the industry could get a real handle on just what the demand had grown to as people returned to vacation travel.

“We are an industry that’s resilient and thriving all around the world, breaking records in ways we might never have imagined,” she said.

The 2023 total is 2 million more than the industry had in 2019. CLIA projects 34.1 million in 2024 growing to 34.6 million in 2025. It’s still a miniscule chunk of the overall travel pie of more than 1.3 billion, but cruise’s share is growing.

She noted that surveys of travelers who would consider a cruise for a vacation are at an all-time high, noting that 82% who had previously cruised said they would cruise again, but more importantly, among those who had never sailed, 71% would consider it.

The youngest generations — Gen X, Millennials and Gen Z — are the biggest drivers.

The fleet for the growing demand continues as well, including the introduction this year of the world’s largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas.

She said CLIA member lines had more than 300 ships sailing globally for the first time in 2023, with 14 new ships that began sailing in 2023 and another eight expected before the end of the year. They have 88 new ships on order through 2028.

Already this year, both Royal Caribbean Group and Carnival Corp. announced major new ship construction deals, and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings added to that this week with its order of eight more vessels across its three brands.

The heads of those groups were on stage to discuss where the industry is headed and enjoy their recent success.

Carnival Corp.’s president and CEO Josh Weinstein put it in a way that gained plaudits from fellow panelists and others at the conference.

“The concept of pent-up demand for cruising is gone,” he said. “We have been cruising for three years, right? It’s over. This is natural demand because we all provide amazing experiences. We delivered happiness to literally 31 million guests last year. And people see it, they feel it.”

A big part of what cruising missed during the pandemic he said was that word-of-mouth promotion that is needed to convince people to try their product.

“We now have 31 million people getting off our ships and going home and telling their friends and family who have never cruised before, ‘You don’t know what you’re missing.’ ‘This is amazing.'”

All of the leaders echoed the industry line that they offer a much better value than land-based vacations, but that the experience gap between the two has now shifted in their favor coming out of the pandemic.

“The appreciation for building memories with your friends and family coming out of COVID is at extraordinarily high levels,” said Jason Liberty, president & CEO at Royal Caribbean Group. “Also wealth transfer, right? Grandparents wanting to see that wealth transfer live, watching their kids and their grandkids experience that is also at an all-time high. … We have the secular trends of people buying less stuff, they want experiences. We’re in the experience business.”

Another bright aspect to the industry has been the spillover effect of all of the new ships since the pandemic, said Harry Sommer, president & CEO at Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.

“Their new products are so extraordinary, and so much better than what was delivered back in ’15, ’16 and ’17, that it’s driving additional excitement for the entire industry,” Somer said. “When any new ship is delivered, no matter whether it’s part of our portfolio or the other portfolios, demand improves for all of us because it adds excitement to the industry.”

©2024 Orlando Sentinel. Visit orlandosentinel.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Months after a high profile accident, Cruise returns to Phoenix, but only for mapping

If you're in the Phoenix area, you might start noticing Cruise vehicles again. Starting as early as today, Cruise plans to begin mapping the streets and gathering road information again, just six months after an accident halted the fleet. For now though, someone will be behind the wheel: Cruise is disengaging its cars' self-driving systems and letting humans drive. The company announced  its return to the roads today, but didn't specify when driverless operations would begin.

In October 2023, a vehicle from General Motors company Cruise hit and dragged a pedestrian who was crossing the street in San Francisco. When California lawmakers decided Cruise didn't behave honestly during the initial investigation, they suspended the company's license in the state. Cruise voluntarily announced a recall for the vehicle's software, shut down the rest of the company's operations, accepted the resignation of co-founder Kyle Vogt, dismissed nine other executives, and hired a new chief safety officer.

Also: For the first time, Waymo self-driving cars are delivering Uber Eats orders

Before the accident, Cruise had driverless cars in San Francisco, Houston, Phoenix, Austin, Dallas, and Miami.

Cruise wasn't cruising without issue though. The company was also under investigation, since December 2022 , for repeated hard braking, which resulted in a collision, and for instances where Cruise vehicles would become immobilized on the road.

In addition to Phoenix, Cruise has been in talks with more than 20 major metropolitan areas, Bloomberg reported today . Phoenix was the obvious place to start though, given the company had already run vehicles there, it's home to a number of Cruise employees, and city officials were open to the idea of the cars coming back.

"Looking to the next chapter," today's announcement reads, "our goal is to resume driverless operations. As we continue working to rebuild trust and determine the city where we will scale driverless, we also remain focused on continuing to improve our performance and overall safety approach."

The best travel VPNs: Expert tested

Microsoft wants to stop you from using ai chatbots for evil, i tested one of the cheapest power stations that made road-tripping a breeze (and it's $250 off).

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State of the Cruise Industry report

Press Release | April 09, 2024

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has released its 2024 State of the Cruise Industry report. This year’s report includes the release of 2023 passenger volume, which reached 31.7 million— surpassing 2019 by 7%.The report also shows continued demand for cruise holidays, noting intent to cruise at 82%. The forecast for cruise capacity shows an increase of 10% from 2024 through 2028, as cruise lines make ongoing, concrete progress in pursuit of net- zero emissions by 2050.

Other highlights include the forecast for cruise capacity through 2028 and a summary of the 2024 – 2028 cruise orderbook, as well as the latest cruise trends, which include.

• The number of new-to-cruise is increasing – 27% of cruisers over the past two years are new-to-cruise, an increase of 12% over the past year.
• Cruises are a top choice for multi-generational travel – with more than 30% of families traveling by cruise with at least two generations and 28% of cruise travelers traveling with three to five generations.
• Expedition and exploration are the fastest-growing sectors of cruise tourism, with a 71% increase in passengers traveling on expedition itineraries from 2019 to 2023.
• Accessible tour excursions are on the rise—with 45% of cruise passengers booking an accessible tour for their most recent cruise.
• 73% of cruise travelers say that travel advisors have a meaningful influence on their decision to cruise.

Read more  here .

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Aroya Cruises Reportedly Pushing Back Launch

• March 19, 2024

According to reports in the German media , Aroya Cruises is set to launch service later than initially planned.

Introduced by Cruise Saudi in mid-2023 , the new cruise line will operate the former World Dream, which is currently undergoing a major refurbishment at the Bredo Werft in Bremerhaven, Germany.

According to Nordsee-Zeitung, the project was initially set to be completed in May 2024 but the date was later postponed to August 2024.

Citing Cruise Saudi’s CEO Lars Clasen, the local newspaper added that the ship is now only expected to enter service by the end of the year.

“We don’t want to make any compromises and will take the time necessary. We want to do everything right, especially since there is no comparable reference product,” Clasen told Nordsee-Zeitung.

Docked at a container terminal in Bremerhaven since June 2023 , the ship is currently being overhauled, the newspaper added.

According to the report, not only the majority of the public areas but also the staterooms are set to undergo significant changes.

The large casino areas of the ship, which was purpose-built to sail in Asia, will be replaced with shopping arcades, Nordsee-Zeitung added.

While preliminary work is being carried out in Bremerhaven, the former World Dream is expected to undergo a drydock in the Netherlands.

“The ship will go to the Damen shipyard in Rotterdam in June or July,” Clasen said, adding that a return to Bremerhaven for the completion of interior work is being explored.

“We expect around 1,100 containers of material from international suppliers for the interior work. For this we need the appropriate logistics space. Whether this will still be available in Bremerhaven is also being examined.”

Originally built for Genting Hong Kong’s Dream Cruises brand, the World Dream was acquired by Cruise Saudi in late 2022 .

With Aroya Cruises, the company aims to launch the first cruise line dedicated to the Arabian audience, offering a customized product to reflect Saudi’s culture and values.

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“It’s Unbelievable”: Cruise NL says Momentum Continuing from “Record-Breaking” 2023 Season

A photo from September 17th, 2023 shows three cruise ships docked at the same time in St. John's harbour as they ride out a hurricane passing through the Maritimes.

Cruise NL calls the 2023 cruise ship season in Newfoundland and Labrador “rejuvenating” and the province is looking forward to another banner year ahead.

Managing Director Erin Brennan, who is in Florida for Sea Trade – the largest cruise ship trade show in the world – says the industry has bounced back from the pandemic.

She says Newfoundland and Labrador welcomed 88,000 passengers onboard 116 ships last year.

She calls those “record-breaking” numbers from the previous year, and right now 144 ship calls are booked for this year – 14 of which are scheduled to visit the coast of Labrador. “It’s unbelievable,” says Brennan.

(File photo.)

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