Saudi Arabia’s new cruise vessel arrives in Rotterdam to start major upgrade project
New Saudi cruise ship arrives in Rotterdam for major upgrade (Source: Cruise Saudi)
Cruise Saudi’s recently established cruise line, Aroya Cruises, is set to start operation in mid-December this year from the Red Sea port of Jeddah. The company’s first vessel, currently named Manara, has arrived in Rotterdam to start a major upgrading programme to make the 2017-built vessel ready for its new, demanding market.
The upgrade project is being undertaken by Damen Verolme Rotterdam at its yard in Botlek, where the cruise ship dry-docked on June 19.
Manara started life as the World Dream, built by Germany’s Meyer Werft for Hong Kong-based Genting Cruise Line for operation by Dream Cruises. The 1250,000gt vessel was acquired by Cruise Saudi during an auction in 2022. The vessel, renamed Manara, was laid up at a container terminal in Bremerhaven before she arrived in Rotterdam.
Following the conversion project by Damen, the vessel will be renamed Aroya.
Five additional restaurants, 10 speciality restaurants, and 13 cafés and lounges will be installed as part of the ship's refit and modernisation.
The 3,400-passenger vessel will also offer exclusive spaces for women, including separate prayer rooms and a pool deck.
Other features of the modernised vessel include a VIP area with upscale service, a 1,603 m2 retail area, and a 1,818 m2 wellness centre. Finally, the hull of the vessel will receive a new “Arabian-themed” colour scheme.
Meanwhile, also undergoing repair at this yard on July 4 were:
- Saipem 7000 - 117,812gt 1987-built offshore pipelay/cranvessel, owned by Italy’s Saipem, Milan
- Nautica - 30,277gt 2000-built cruise vessel, owned by Oceania Cruises
