Aroya Cruises has revealed it will be launching the world’s first Saudi Arabia restaurant at sea aboard its first cruise ship.

The Irth Culinary Boutique & Café restaurant is the result of a partnership between Cruise Saudi (the parent company of Aroya Cruises) and the Culinary Arts Commission, a government body established in 2020 to promote Saudi cuisine.

Irth Culinary Boutique & Café will offer a variety of locally sourced Saudi foods, beverages and products, with all wait staff and chefs trained by the Culinary Arts Commission to ensure a genuine experience for passengers.

“We’re proud to be partnering with the Culinary Arts Commission. Launching Irth Culinary Boutique & Café onboard AROYA Cruises represents a key step in exhibiting the Kingdom’s authenticity and offering the best of services to our guests,” said Lars Clasen, CEO at Cruise Saudi.

The restaurant is the first dining experience to be announced aboard Aroya Cruises’ first ship, the former World Dream which is currently being refurbished from bow to stern in Europe. 

Aroya Cruises has not revealed any other details about the amenities, features and experiences that will debut aboard the vessel, but has emphasized that the cruise experience aboard Aroya will be an authentically Saudi Arabian one, catered to the cultural norms and tastes of the region.

“Irth Culinary Boutique & Café will showcase the authenticity of Saudi cuisine and its rich culture, and this partnership with Cruise Saudi’s Aroya Cruises aligns perfectly with our ambition to celebrate the Kingdom’s rich heritage and culture,” said Mayada Badr, CEO of the Culinary Arts Commission. 

“We look forward to joining Aroya Cruises in their mission to offer the best of Saudi culture and traditions across its journeys,” Badr added.

The partnership with the Cullinary Arts Comission 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.

Versonix has been chosen to develop the cruise line’s reservation and management systems, while SMC and Partner Ship Design were previously appointed to handle the refit and refurbishment of World Dream.

Aroya has also engaged several leading tech companies to digitise booking and the onboard experience for passengers.

Aroya Cruises has 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, and DL Services has been contracted to develop the catering spaces aboard the cruise line’s first ship.