Jeddah, Saudi Arabia – December 2024 – AROYA Cruises has officially launched its flagship vessel, AROYA Ship, marking a new chapter in luxury cruising. With the vision of providing unparalleled experiences on the Arabian Sea, AROYA Cruises promises to elevate the cruise industry with innovative design, extraordinary facilities, and a dedication to exceptional service. This premier cruise line caters to the tastes and preferences of its guests, combining luxury with adventure on every journey.
An Overview of AROYA Ship
The AROYA Ship is a breathtaking floating resort, designed to cater to all passenger needs across 18 decks, with a remarkable array of offerings to ensure comfort, entertainment, and leisure. The ship is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities that make it one of the most advanced and luxurious vessels in the world, setting new standards in cruising.
Key Specifications and Features
- Tonnage: 151,000 tons
- Length: 335 meters
- Maximum Speed: 23.6 knots
- Passenger Capacity: 3,362 lower berths
- Crew Capacity: 1,600+ members
- Cabins: 1,678, including a variety of luxury suites and villas.
The ship’s design is optimized for both relaxation and excitement, offering an expansive range of amenities for guests of all ages. Among its features are multiple swimming pools, including one for children, and the largest kids’ zone in the industry, ensuring families are well taken care of.
Unmatched Luxury and Entertainment
AROYA Cruises has gone above and beyond to create a unique onboard experience, with numerous facilities designed to cater to every guest’s desires.
- Restaurants: 15 restaurants, including 5 complimentary and 10 specialty dining options, ensuring a diverse culinary experience.
- Lounges & Venues: 13 lounges and 20 venues, including an 1,018-seater theater and a VR zone, provide extensive entertainment options.
- Waterpark: The ship features a water park with 5 slides and a splash zone, making it the ideal destination for families.
- Wellness: A comprehensive wellness area spans 1,818 sqm, offering a medi-spa, beauty treatments, and a thermal suite.
- Retail: The 1,603 sqm retail area showcases an impressive selection of luxury brands for all ages, including exclusive concierge services for VIP guests.
Exclusive Services and Areas
AROYA Ship goes beyond the conventional cruise experience with unique offerings for different guest segments. For women, there are dedicated spaces and hours for the adults-only pool, gym, and thermal spa. VIP guests will enjoy elevated services, including butler service, premium drinks, and priority embarkation.
Accommodations Designed for All
The ship boasts a variety of accommodations, ensuring guests enjoy luxurious stays tailored to their needs. The 1,678 cabins include 145 suites and villas located in the premium Khuzama section. These range from interior cabins to seaview cabins, balcony cabins, and the exclusive 9 villas ranging from 96-395 sqm in size. The cabin types cater to all preferences, from spacious suites to more compact options.
- Interior Cabins: 402 (12-18 sqm)
- Seaview Cabins: 82 (15-30 sqm)
- Balcony Cabins: 1,040 (16-27 sqm)
- Premium Suites: 14 (38-58 sqm)
- Villas: 9 (96-395 sqm)
Earlier this Month, Cruise Saudi Welcomes Own Cruise Vessel, AROYA, to Jeddah
AROYA Cruises, a subsidiary of Cruise Saudi, proudly welcomed its inaugural ship, the AROYA, to Jeddah on December 7th, 2024. The occasion marks a major milestone in Saudi Arabia’s ambitious plan to become a top global tourism destination under Vision 2030.
Following an extensive transformation, AROYA is now ready to call Jeddah its homeport. The ship’s arrival was celebrated with a traditional plaque and key ceremony, attended by AROYA’s captain, Jan Gelinder, Cruise Saudi’s CEO, Lars Clasen, the President of AROYA Cruises, Dr. Jorg Rudolph, and the Chief Destination Experiences Officer, Barbara Buczek.
A Comprehensive Transformation
AROYA underwent months of dry-docking and design innovation in Bremerhaven and Rotterdam, where 95% of the ship’s interior was completely redesigned to reflect Arabian heritage and preferences. Now, with its stunning new look and upgraded facilities, AROYA offers an exceptional cruising experience that blends traditional Arabian culture with modern luxury.
The ship features a range of world-class amenities, including a souq-inspired shopping district— the largest retail area ever built on a cruise ship—alongside luxury spa facilities, a wellness center, 29 restaurants, lounges, and cafes, as well as 20 entertainment venues. The ship also boasts one of the largest children’s play areas at sea, ensuring fun for the entire family.
Jeddah Islamic Port: A Gateway to the World
Jeddah Islamic Port, a critical hub for international and local guests, provides all the necessary services for handling cruise vessels. With its historical significance as the principal gateway to the Two Holy Cities of Makkah and Madinah, the port has recently undergone upgrades to accommodate the largest cruise ships. These improvements include the installation of new bollards and fenders, ensuring that Jeddah can serve as a world-class cruise destination.
A New Chapter for Cruise Saudi
The arrival of AROYA in Jeddah represents a significant step forward for Cruise Saudi, which was launched just three years ago in 2021. Lars Clasen, CEO of Cruise Saudi, shared his excitement about the milestone: “The arrival of AROYA marks the beginning of a new chapter for Cruise Saudi, and tourism in Saudi overall, in line with Saudi’s Vision 2030. Witnessing the arrival of our first owned ship is a huge milestone for us, and we are excited to offer something truly unique to local, regional, and international guests with the first-ever Arabian cruise line.”
AROYA’s Maiden Voyage
AROYA will set sail on its maiden voyage from Jeddah on December 16th, 2024, embarking on a three-night journey across the Red Sea. This inaugural journey promises to be a luxurious and culturally immersive experience, offering guests the opportunity to explore the stunning landscapes and vibrant marine life of the region.
With AROYA now officially part of Jeddah’s maritime landscape, AROYA Cruises is poised to redefine cruising in the region, offering guests a unique blend of Arabian heritage, world-class luxury, and exceptional service.
About AROYA Cruises
AROYA Cruises, launched in June 2023, is a subsidiary of Cruise Saudi, a business wholly owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund. The cruise line is committed to aligning with Saudi Arabia‘s Vision 2030, which seeks to establish the country as a top global tourism destination. AROYA Cruises is dedicated to offering year-round luxury experiences, tailored specifically to Saudi and GCC nationals and residents, with an emphasis on creating joyful and memorable experiences both at sea and onshore.
Mission & Vision
AROYA Cruises aims to reinvent the holiday experience in Arabia, setting new standards for leisure and entertainment. The cruise line is committed to not only offering luxury but doing so in a way that is commercially sustainable and focused on long-term sustainability.
With this launch, AROYA Cruises is poised to become a dominant force in the Arabian cruise industry, attracting tourists from around the globe to experience the finest in maritime luxury.
Source Cruise Saudi | AROYA Cruises