Cruise Saudi and Aman Group celebrate keel laying for Saudi’s first cruising superyacht

Cruise Saudi, the government agency charged with building out a cruise industry in Saudi Arabia, and Aman Group, the global luxury hotel and resort operator, have celebrated the keel laying for the the first vessel within the Aman at Sea fleet.

Aman at Sea is a joint venture between Aman Group and Cruise Saudi, and will operate the Kingdom’s first-ever fleet of ultra-luxury cruising superyachts, within the same burgeoning market as Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, Four Seasons Yachts, and Orient Express Cruises.

The keel laying comes several months after the first steel was cut for the vessel and marks the official start of her assembly. The ceremony was held at the the T.Mariotti shipyard in San Giorgio di Nogaro, Italy, and was attended by Jonathan Wilson, CEO of Aman at Sea, Lars Clasen, CEO of Cruise Saudi, and Marco Ghiglione, CEO of T.Mariotti.

Scheduled to debut in 2027, the 183-meter (600ft) vessel will boast 50 spacious luxury suites, each with a private balcony, as well as an array of dining options, including an informal all-day restaurant, international dining options and a relaxed club and lounge.

The ship will also feature a serene and spacious Aman Spa, complete with Japanese garden, two helipads, plus an expansive Beach Club, which will offer guests direct access to the water at the stern of the yacht.

“Today signifies a momentous step forward in the development of Aman at Sea and my strategic vision to create a new category of ultra-luxury superyachts which will provide exceptional travel experiences alongside Aman’s core values of privacy, peace, generosity of space and unparalleled service,” said Vlad Doronin, Chairman and CEO of Aman Group.

“This represents a significant milestone for the brand as we continue to diversify our geographical portfolio on land, with a strong pipeline of projects, and bring the renowned spirit and architectural distinction of Aman to the world’s oceans for the first time with the launch of Aman at Sea,” he added.

Aman Group is leading the project’s development while T.Mariotti is guiding the design and construction of the vessel. The shipyard has been building cruise ships, expedition vessels and superyachts in Italy since 1928.

The shipyard has worked extensively with luxury cruise lines such as Seabourn, Regent Seven Seas, and Silversea.

The as-yet-unnamed 183m Aman at Sea vessel will be the first dual-fuel-powered newbuild utilising marine diesel oil and methanol for a more sustainable footprint. Her name and inaugural itineraries will be revealed in the coming months, but she is expected to cruise extensively in the Middle East on Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast.