Aroya Cruises, the new Saudi cruise company, presents its ship in Jeddah, which set sail with its first official passengers on December 16.
Article from CruisesNews magazine no. 71 – December 2024
The first ship has adopted the company's name, Aroya, a combination of Arabian and Roya meaning "Arabian dream." It is a 150,695-ton vessel with a capacity for 2,699 passengers served by a crew of 1,500. Originally built at Meyer Werft as the World Dream for the Asian market as a variant of the Breakaway class, it underwent a complete refurbishment that began in November 2023.
The first thing that has been done is to reduce its capacity, since as World Dream it could accommodate 3,348 passengers in double occupancy, and up to 5,000 in full capacity. Now, as we said, that figure is reduced to 2,699 passengers, which represents a very high ratio of space per guest.
The new Arab company is starting operations in the Red Sea but plans to sail in the Mediterranean next summer.
The renovation bears the signature of the London-based studio SMC Design, although Partnership Ship Design, from Hamburg, has also participated in the design of some areas.
It has 12 restaurants, 4 of them included in the price and 8 optional, including a steakhouse, an Italian, an Asian and one specializing in fish, for example.
A unique feature is the five designated areas for shisha and cigar smoking, including the Beats aft deck, a section of the main pool, the Al Matal and Legends lounges, and the Havana Cigar Lounge. There are also 12 other bars and lounges where guests can relax and enjoy their free time. To cater to the needs of Arab families, there are also prayer rooms for men and women.
It features 20 entertainment venues: a theater, karaoke, virtual reality, a climbing wall, mini-golf, water slides, and much more. Children and teenagers have 1,858 m² of facilities divided by age groups, as well as common areas like a children's command center that they're sure to love.
As you would expect on a ship of this size, it has 2,347 m2 dedicated to wellness and spa, and 1,435 m2 of shops.
It should be mentioned that in addition to the main pool there is another pool just for adults and a water area for children.
Like the Breakaway-class ships, the Aroya has a private suite complex called Khuzama, which features its own restaurant, a grand lounge, a tea room, and shops. Suites range in size from 25 square meters to 395 square meters.
Initially, the Aroya will sail the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea, but it is expected to sail the Eastern Mediterranean in the summer of 2025. Undoubtedly, it is a highly exotic proposition, and the renderings of the ship already reveal its luxurious nature.
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