As it prepares to begin service for Aroya Cruises, the vessel, currently named Manara, recently entered dry dock at Damen's shipyard in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
After several months docked at a container terminal in Germany, the ship, built in 2017, arrived at the facility on June 19, 2024.
Previously operated by Dream Cruises, the Manara will undergo a major renovation project before departing on its maiden voyage in December.
Aroya, which calls itself the first Arabian cruise line, wants to offer Arabian experiences to its guests.
Among the services that will be created on board are five complimentary restaurants, ten specialty restaurants and 13 cafes and lounges.
The ship, with a capacity for 3,400 passengers, will also offer exclusive spaces for women, such as a separate prayer room and a pool deck.
Onboard there will also be a VIP section with elevated service, a 1,603 square meter shopping area and a 1,818 square meter wellness area.
The Manara, which will be renamed by Aroya, will also sport a new livery with an Arabian-inspired hull in shades of blue.
Once the works are completed, the ship will embark on its inaugural cruise for Aroya Cruises on December 16, 2024.
Its inaugural season includes a series of three- to seven-night Red Sea cruises departing from Jeddah (Saudi Arabia).
Ports of call include Cruise Saudi's private island destination in the region, as well as Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt and Aqaba in Jordan. It is also expected to offer itineraries in additional regions in the coming years, including the Mediterranean and the Arabian Gulf.
Built by the Meyer Werft shipyard in 2017, the former World Dream was initially operated by Dream Cruises of Genting Cruise Lines.
Out of service since the group's collapse in 2022, the 150,000-ton vessel was acquired by Aroya Cruises' parent company, Cruise Saudi, during an auction later that year.
Follow cruise news at Cruisesnews.es
