Cruise Saudi, the parent company of Saudi Arabia’s first homegrown cruise brand, Aroya Cruises, has appointed DL Services to develop the catering spaces aboard Manara, the cruise line’s first ship.

Manara is the working name for the cruise line’s first ship, the former World Dream, which is currently undergoing a mammoth refurbishment and refit in Europe following her aquisition from the now defunct Dream Cruises.

Marine catering architects DL Services will collaborate with Columbia Signature F&B Corporate teams to revamp and create a layout design of all existing catering spaces on board the ship.

DL Services will work on the development and addition of completely new catering areas and concepts onboard during the refit, one of the most comprehensive projects of its kind in the cruise industry.

The development work by DL will include the redesign of existing catering areas in the vessel and upgrading with the latest equipment in line with each venue’s individual concept and requirements. 

These catering spaces on AROYA Cruises will be designed to offer not only an inspiring premium and wide-ranging international line up of cuisine choices, but will also integrate local cultural offerings and traditions.

According to Cruise Saudi CEO Lars Clasen, “exceptional catering facilities are vital to providing quality cuisine, and the comprehensive and diverse culinary offering onboard our Aroya Cruise ships will in turn certainly improve the premium experience. We are therefore pleased to be partnering with marine catering architects, DL Services, to provide state-of-the-art catering spaces on our Aroya Cruises ship.”

Aroya Cruises was launched in June 2023, and is intended to primarily cater to Saudi Arabia’s burgeoning home market, as well as expatriates, and regional guests. 

As the first domestic cruise line in the Arab world, the Aroya Cruises experience will be tailored specifically to the interests of the Arabian market.

The creation of the cruise line supports Cruise Saudi’s overall objectives of creating 50,000 cruise sector job opportunities in the Kingdom and hosting 1.3 million cruise passengers annually by 2035.

The partnership with DL Services forms part of Cruise Saudi’s broader strategy to collaborate with sector-leading contractors to guarantee that Aroya Cruises offers services and facilities onboard on-par with leading global cruise brands.

SMC and Partner Ship Design were previously appointed to handle the refit and refurbishment of World Dream, while the cruise line has also engaged several leading tech companies to digitise booking and the onboard experience for passengers.

Aroya Cruises has also announced that MJM Marine and DE Wave had been appointed to handle the fit and finish of the interior of the ship, while leading cruise retail operator Gebr. Heinemann will operate the ship’s onboard mall.

Meanwhile Columbia Blue will handle ship management for the new cruise line, including staffing and technical support.