Aroya Cruises reveals details of Saudi Arabia’s first domestic cruise ship

Saudi Arabia’s Aroya Cruises has revealed details of its first cruise ship, the massive 335 metre Manara, which is due to begin operations in 2024.

Aroya Cruises, Saudi Arabia’s first homegrown domestic cruise brand is backed by the Kingdom’s PIF sovereign wealth fund, and is intended to primarily target the cruise market in the Arab world.

The 335m-long ship was aquired from Dream Cruises in Hong Kong when it went bankrupt during the COVID pandemic, and has since been sent to Europe for a bow-to-stern refit and refurbishment.

Now Aroya Cruises has finally revealed renderings of the 19-deck vessel, which will carry more than 3,364 passengers at double occupancy in 1,682 staterooms across 19 passenger decks.

The Aroya livery on the ship has a minimalist style with the Aroya brand name displayed in both English and Arabic, and a prayer for the ship inscribed in Arabic on her bow.

Aroya Cruises are yet to confirm the full range of amenities and experiences on offer aboard the ship, but in the renderings it appears that the vessel’s waterslide park has been retained, along with her activities deck, which prior to her refit featured a rock climbing wall, ropes course and mini golf.

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

AROYA Cruises will set sail from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia in 2024 and will be run as an independent subsidiary of Cruise Saudi, which it itself backed by the PIF sovereign wealth fund. 

According to Aroya Cruises, its first ship will offer “exceptional onboard service, an eclectic culinary offering, and a sensational activities program, guests aboard AROYA Cruises’ will enjoy a unique remarkably Arabian hospitality experience that reflects the warm and welcoming values of Saudi culture.”

Cruise Saudi was established in 2019 to grow Saudi Arabia as a cruise destination and cruise market. The company has already undertaken extensive cruise infrastructure works at several Saudi Arabian ports, such as Jeddah, and has promoted the country as a global cruise destination.

The launch of Aroya Cruises, a domestic cruise brand for the regional cruise market, will increase the number of Saudi Arabians taking cruise holidays annually, while also supporting the growth of the Saudi cruise tourism industry.

Cruise Saudi aims to have more than 1 million cruise tourists, both domestic and international, cruising to and from Saudi Arabia by 2030, supporting the employment of more than 50,000 Saudi nationals in the sector.