MJM Marine marks completion of one of the largest refit jobs in cruise history

Just days after Aroya set sail from Jeddah in Saudi Arabia on her maiden passenger voyage as the first cruise ship designed specifically for the Arab and Muslim cruise market, MJM Marine has marked the completion of the landmark project.

According to the company, the collaboration with the Saudi Arabian cruise line, AROYA Cruises, the first of its kind in the region, marks the largest refurbishment ever undertaken in the marine cruise outfitting industry.

The project involved converting the former World Dream of Dream Cruises, part of Genting Hong Kong, into Aroya of AROYA Cruises, part of Cruise Saudi, which is itself backed by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund.

“This project underscores our dedication to delivering the exceptional and leading cruise outfitting in the marine industry,” said Gary Annett, CEO of MJM Marine.

“By working closely with Aroya Cruises, their stakeholders and our trusted partners, we have created a vessel that not only delivers on our client’s vision of ‘Remarkably Arabian’ but also celebrates the opening of a new sector within the industry,” he added.

AROYA Cruises has been created by Cruise Saudi as the first homegrown cruise brand in the Arab world, and the first cruise line in the world to specifically target the domestic cruise market, with shorter cruises, and an onboard experience tailored to regional preferences.

The establishment of the cruise line marks a major turning point in the growth of the regional cruise sector, opening new opportunities for expansion and potentially establishing the region as a major market in addition to its well-established position as a popular cruise destination.

MJM Marine was awarded a contract to upgrade all the cabins aboard Aroya, and build new suites, opulent dining areas and state-of-the-art entertainment facilities and public spaces.

The transformation has resulted in the largest retail and children’s venues at sea, with a plethora of entertainment and enrichment options, as well as a multitude of lounges and restaurants, replacing the bars and casino that previously existed aboard the ship as World Dream.

MJM Marine said it has been extensively involved in all stages of this refit and refurbishment, from undertaking initial surveys and design development in Singapore, working aboard during the dry-dock in Rotterdam, relocating to Bremerhaven in Germany, and finally sailing to enter service in Jeddah.