Aroya Cruises Saudi

Aroya Cruises is a new travel brand and subsidiary company (established in 2023), operated by Cruise Saudi (founded in 2021), a Jeddah-based tourism business. Both companies are fully owned by Saudi Arabia’s PIF (Public Investment Fund).

As of 2023, Aroya Cruises operates a single vessel—Aroya Manara (originally built in 2017 as "MS World Dream" for Genting Cruise Lines’ premium brand, Dream Cruises). Dream Cruises was launched in November 2015 as a Genting Hong Kong-owned subsidiary.

MS Manara’s shipowner is World Dream Company Inc, a PIF-owned subsidiary established in 2023.

The Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), founded in 1971, is the Kingdom’s sovereign wealth fund. As of recent reports, PIF manages approximately USD 620 billion in assets, making it one of the largest investment funds globally by AUM (Assets Under Management).

During the COVID crisis, on April 6, 2020, Carnival Corporation's stock surged over 20% after Saudi Arabia’s PIF revealed an ~8% stake in the cruise giant. Carnival Corp disclosed PIF had purchased 43.5 million common shares (as of March 25, 2020), representing an 8.2% stake. On April 6, 2020, Carnival's stock closed up over 20% at US$10.21 following the news.

As of 2023, the world’s top 20 investment funds include 14 US-based firms. The largest are BlackRock Inc (US$9.6 trillion AUM), The Vanguard Group Inc (US$8.1 trillion AUM), and Fidelity Investments (US$4.3 trillion AUM), followed by firms from Switzerland (UBS), France (Credit Agricole, Amundi), Germany (Allianz, Deutsche Bank), and the UK (Legal & General).

The name "AROYA" combines "Arabian" and "roya" (meaning "vision" or "dream"), with a possible connotation of “royal.”

Cruise Saudi is led by CEO Lars Clasen (formerly Managing Director at The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection), while AROYA was initially managed by Ghassan Khan (Chief Strategy Officer), reporting to Clasen.

AROYA Cruises targets primarily domestic tourists and international travelers, especially from India. The brand aims to become the Red Sea’s leading cruise line and a top-tier cruise operator in Asia.

AROYA plans year-over-year growth in passenger numbers and aims to expand to new Saudi coastal destinations rarely visited by tourists. By 2035, the company targets 1.3 million guests (domestic and international) annually and aims to generate ~50,000 direct and indirect jobs for Saudi citizens.

For Saudi Arabia-related updates, visit the CruiseMapper news tag.

Company history and changes

Saudi Arabia's first cruise line, Aroya Cruises (AroyaCruises.com), was officially launched on June 14, 2023. The brand is currently overseen by Ghassan Khan (Cruise Saudi’s CSO).

On March 1, 2023, Cruise Saudi acquired MS World Dream at an auction in Singapore for USD 330 million (~EUR 310M/~GBP 275M). The ship was renamed "Manara" (Arabic for "source of light"), and ship management was transferred from V.Ships Leisure (V.Group Holdings Ltd) to Columbia Cruise Services GmbH & Co KG.

Company changes 2024

In January 2024, Joerg Rudolph (Managing Director at Dr. Rudolph GmbH) was appointed President of AROYA. He previously held senior roles at Costa Cruises, Carnival, Royal Caribbean, AIDA, and TUI Cruises.

On August 14, 2024, Cruise Saudi signed an MoU with Sawani Co (Riyadh-based camel dairy) to supply Aroya ships with Noug and Nougelato products (yogurt, cheese, butter, gelato, cream, laban/fermented milk).

In October 2024, Cruise Saudi contracted PC Marine Services (Jeddah-based) to develop Jabal Al-Sabaya, a Red Sea island, as a private cruise destination. Officially inaugurated on December 22, 2024, it features a welcome center, restaurants, and a beach club with villas and sunbeds. Initial guest capacity is 2,000.

Company changes 2023

In July 2023, AROYA signed a 3-year Gold Sponsorship deal with Al Nassr FC (a Riyadh-based football club).

On August 29, 2023, Cruise Saudi signed a retail partnership with Gebr Heinemann SE & Co KG (1879-founded, Hamburg-based). Gebr Heinemann serves 240 cruise ships globally and supplies products like perfumes, cosmetics, fashion accessories, watches, jewelry, and confectionery. The deal was signed by Lars Clasen and Kerstin Schepers (Managing Director of Heinemann’s Cruise Business).

In August 2023, Cruise Saudi partnered with COLUMBIA Cruise Services Ltd (Hamburg-based, founded 2015), part of the COLUMBIA Group (founded 1985). Under this agreement:

• COLUMBIA blue oversees AROYA’s onboard hotel management (crew, housekeeping, guest services, F&B, deck, and engine operations)
• COLUMBIA Cruise Services manages technical operations
• COLUMBIA Signature handles hospitality, catering, and health services

Note: COLUMBIA Group offers services including shipbuilding supervision, drydock refurbishments, refits, inspections, and shipboard hotel product consultancy. As of 2023, the company has provided newbuilding services to over 280 vessels.

In September 2023, Cruise Saudi signed refurbishment contracts for Aroya Manara with MJM Marine Ltd (1983-founded) and DE Wave Group (2014-founded):

• MJM Marine is responsible for refurbishing all staterooms and constructing new venues (dining, shopping, wellness), steelwork, electrical/mechanical upgrades, and installing furnishings and finishes.
• DE Wave Group will outfit the ship’s upper decks, public areas, and add new suites.
• Consultancy services are provided by SMC Design (1988-founded, London-based) and Partner Ship Design (1991-founded, Hamburg-based).

On December 4, 2023, AROYA partnered with Saudi Arabia’s Culinary Arts Commission (established 2020) to develop the “Irth Culinary Boutique & Cafe”—the first at-sea restaurant offering authentic Saudi cuisine. The menu includes traditional Saudi dishes and beverages. Staff are certified and trained by the Culinary Arts Commission.

In July 2022, Jeddah Central Development Company (JCDC, a 2019-founded PIF subsidiary) signed an initial agreement with Cruise Saudi to develop the new Jeddah International Cruise Terminal & Marina. Once completed, it will position Jeddah as a major cruise and superyacht destination in the Red Sea region.