Dr. Jörg Rudolph joined AROYA Cruises as Chairman in January 2024, bringing over 30 years of experience and the knowledge gained through his PhD in Business Administration from the University of Münster to this pioneering role. Rudolph is a respected expert in the industry, having held several influential positions in the global cruise sector.
He began his career as Director of Strategy at the German retail company Otto Group, before moving into the travel industry as Managing Director of the first travel agency at TUI Retails. Most of his career has been in the cruise industry, where he held Managing Director roles at renowned cruise lines such as Costa Cruises, Royal Caribbean, and AIDA Cruises.
At the helm of AROYA Cruises, Rudolph's experience and expertise are fundamental to launching Saudi Arabia's first cruise company. As President, he is responsible for overseeing all aspects of AROYA Cruises' operations and finances, including sales, marketing, customer experience, itinerary planning, revenue management, and customer-focused services.
Announced in June 2023, AROYA Cruises is a one-of-a-kind cruise company offering a distinctly Arabian cruise experience. It was launched in line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and ambitions to become one of the world’s leading tourist destinations. AROYA’s inaugural cruise is scheduled to depart in December 2024.
His background includes extensive professional experience with major cruise operators such as Costa, AIDA, and Royal Caribbean. How much of this experience will he need to launch AROYA Cruises?
The experience and knowledge I have accumulated throughout my 30-plus years in the cruise industry will be invaluable in bringing Saudi Arabia's first cruise company to market. After leading globally recognized brands such as TUI Cruises, AIDA Cruises, Carnival, and Royal Caribbean International, I feel that the knowledge I have gained over the years has prepared me to launch this innovative cruise company.
My role as President involves overseeing all aspects of AROYA Cruises' operations and finances, including sales, marketing, customer experience, itinerary planning, revenue management, and customer-facing services. I am incredibly excited to bring my passion for the cruise industry to the launch of the world's first Arabian cruise line.
During his professional career, he has witnessed the growth of the German cruise market, which is now the largest in Europe. Does he believe the Saudi or Arab markets have similar growth potential?
Although cruises are relatively new to the region, we know there is a local demand for authentic Arabian cruise experiences, and AROYA was created in response to this demand. We are seeing great interest in cruising as people seek new ways to explore what is within their reach and the surrounding areas. AROYA is the first product designed specifically for an Arabian/Saudi audience, and its vision is to redefine the meaning of holidays in Arabia.
We are confident that this demand will only grow and, in turn, we expect to expand our fleet in line with this appetite.
He is very aware of distribution channels: travel agencies. What is the travel agency infrastructure like in Saudi Arabia? How does it work?
Our goal is to create a thriving cruise tourism industry in Saudi Arabia, in which travel agencies play a crucial role. AROYA Cruises signed five strategic Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with travel agencies during the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) in Dubai, demonstrating our confidence in and support for the travel agency infrastructure in Saudi Arabia. The agencies with which we signed MOUs are First Travel, Al Faris International Travel, Al Mosafer, WeGo, and Fursan. Each MOU includes collaborative agreements for joint marketing campaigns, sales training, and industry familiarization trips, with the aim of increasing awareness of AROYA Cruises and generating sales.
Do you expect to see competitors like MSC Cruises and others in the Red Sea? Is there room for them in that market?
All international cruise lines are welcome to experience Saudi Arabia's rich culture and hospitality. However, there is a clear point of differentiation between AROYA Cruises and other cruise lines. Each company caters to specific audiences: from explorers to luxury travelers, and from large ships with extensive entertainment facilities to smaller vessels offering exclusive experiences. AROYA Cruises is designed primarily for Saudi nationals, expatriates, and regional guests, offering services and experiences specifically tailored to meet Arab preferences. In this respect, it targets a very different audience than other cruise lines.
Let's talk about the product, AROYA Cruises. Is it a product aimed at the local market in the Middle East, or does AROYA have a place in other more traditional source markets, such as Europe or even North America?
AROYA Cruises' source markets are based in Arabia, with a primary focus on Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Oman, followed by the rest of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the Red Sea.
Although our primary target audience is travelers from the region – from families to couples and solo travelers – AROYA Cruises welcomes anyone who wishes to experience the natural beauty and rich history of the region, offering a unique and immersive travel experience with Arab preferences in mind.
AROYA's 2025 summer season will take place in the Eastern Mediterranean, where travelers will be able to experience Arabian generosity and the famous Saudi hospitality (Hafawa), providing a unique experience focused on passenger comfort and enjoyment, elevating memorable and joyful experiences for all guests.
AROYA Cruises will initially focus on Saudi citizens, foreigners living in Saudi Arabia, and customers from the region. Meanwhile, Cruise Saudi has ambitious goals for 2035: 1.3 million cruise passengers will arrive in Saudi Arabia each year, and 50,000 new jobs will be created in the country's cruise industry. How feasible do you consider these goals today?
There is a great appetite from both local and international tourists to explore Saudi Arabia, and we expect this interest to only grow.
Regarding interest from abroad, it is important to remember that Saudi Arabia was not accessible to international tourists until as recently as 2019.
With cruises to Saudi Arabia only being possible from 2021, Saudi Arabia as a cruise destination is still uncharted territory for a large number of international tourists.
Similarly, for the local GCC market, which we are primarily focusing on with AROYA, the concept of cruises is entirely new. By redefining the meaning of holidays in Saudi Arabia and opening up new possibilities for tourists, we are boosting the local economy and, in turn, enabling the Kingdom to further build upon its vibrant tourism offering for both international and GCC tourists.
At the ship level, AROYA Cruises has acquired a large and modern vessel, although it was originally intended for the Asian market. What were the main changes made to the ship to adapt it to the new market?
Basically, we haven't left a single room, wall, or carpet untouched: the ship has undergone a complete renovation, with over 90% of the vessel refurbished. The ship's refurbishment marked one of the largest cruise ship renovation projects in history, a challenge undertaken to meet the growing demand for cruises in the Arab market within a very short lead time.
All cabins have been equipped with amenities that cater to Saudi and Arab preferences. We have introduced various entertainment options and added more than 25 restaurants, lounges, and cafes, including the Saudi Deck, a fish market, the Atrium , and the Dallah Café.
The ship has been completely redesigned to cater to families. It now features a much larger children's area, additional shopping space, a spa, and a larger water park designed specifically for children.
The Khuzama Experience consists of luxurious suites and villas that offer guests the ultimate in luxury. They include spacious living areas, private balconies, and personalized service, with options ranging from 38-square-meter premium suites to the expansive 400-square-meter royal villa.
The spa area features state-of-the-art facilities, including a thermal suite with a snow room, relaxation room, jacuzzis, saunas, and steam rooms, along with several treatment rooms. There is also a women's beauty salon, a men's barbershop, and a gym. In addition, special areas and dedicated hours have been created exclusively for women.
The Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf are now seasonal destinations, not year-round destinations like the Caribbean or the Mediterranean. Will AROYA be present in the Middle East year-round? If not, what other destinations do they plan to include in AROYA Cruises?
AROYA will sail year-round. The first season will focus on the Red Sea, but looking ahead, there will be Mediterranean itineraries in the summer of 2025, followed by the Arabian Gulf.
Does Saudi Arabia already have home ports with adequate infrastructure for ships, on par with Dubai or Abu Dhabi?
Currently, there are three ports open to cruise traffic in Saudi Arabia: the Islamic Port of Jeddah, the Commercial Port of Yanbu on the Red Sea, and the King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam on the Arabian Gulf. The ambition is to have 10 cruise ports in Saudi Arabia by 2030.
Saudi Arabia already has the necessary infrastructure to comfortably accommodate ships of all sizes in its ports, including large cruise ships over 300 meters long.
The state-of-the-art port infrastructure also allows for meeting the needs of ultra-luxury vessels and ensuring the continuity of the premium experience in port and beyond, something that will be especially appealing to AROYA guests who enjoy the unique services of the Khuzama Experience.
One of the challenges for a new cruise company is recruiting and training crew members to provide the level of service that AROYA Cruises promises at its launch: language, culture, etc. How does AROYA plan to meet this challenge? Will it be with local crews or international crews trained in local customs?
Over the past year, we have focused heavily on developing local talent, ensuring we invest in our people and provide employment and training opportunities for Saudi citizens. We are committed to promoting local Saudi talent and have worked closely with universities and local government entities on training programs to equip Saudis with the skills and practical experience needed to excel in the tourism sector.
One example is the Tourism Trailblazing Program , which aims to enhance professional skills in the tourism industry, enabling professionals to offer exceptional guest experiences. Furthermore, the program fosters leadership qualities, empowering participants to become influential change agents through exposure to industry best practices.
Not only do we train our crew to provide exceptional service, but by hiring local talent and ensuring that the majority of the crew speaks Arabic, we are ensuring alignment with one of AROYA's core principles: to provide an authentically Saudi experience.
Follow cruise news at Cruisesnews.es
