The yacht-hotel is no longer the preserve of European or American companies. With AROYA, Saudi Arabia is launching its very first luxury hotel ship, a liner designed from A to Z for Gulf codes, which has made the Red Sea its playground before heading for the Mediterranean. A visit aboard a giant unlike any other.
AROYA, Saudi Arabia’s First Luxury Hotel Ship
A Western Liner Redesigned for the Gulf
Beneath its familiar lines, AROYA hides a second life. The ship is the former World Dream, built by the German shipyard Meyer Werft and launched in 2017, purchased in 2023 by Cruise Saudi, a subsidiary of the Saudi sovereign wealth fund (PIF), and then completely redesigned before an inaugural cruise in December 2024. The figures are dizzying: 335 metres long, nearly 150,700 gross tons, 18 decks, around 1,678 cabins and up to 3,360 passengers. More than a cruise ship, a floating resort in its own right.
On Board: Khuzama Villas, Pools and a Water Park
At the top of the offering, nine Khuzama villas ranging from 163 to 392 m², with a majlis, butler and priority access, compete with the most spacious hotel suites. Below, premium suites and nearly 1,040 cabins with balconies. The ship boasts around twenty living areas, including a dozen restaurants (the gastronomic Khuzama, Layalina, La Tavola, Meast, Bamboo…), a spa of nearly 1,818 m², a thousand-seat theatre and one of the largest onboard water parks at sea, covering 1,858 m² with six slides.
“Hafawa” Hospitality, Alcohol-Free
This is where AROYA radically distinguishes itself from Western liners. The ship is entirely alcohol-free, including the VIP lounge, and all catering is halal. No casino, but dedicated spaces and time slots for women (pool, gym, spa) and a resolutely family-oriented approach. The watchword is “Hafawa”, Arab hospitality; as for the Khuzama name for the top-tier category, it refers to desert lavender. An experience designed for Gulf clientele and families, in a sector that has been standardising for decades.
Red Sea then Mediterranean: 2026 Itineraries
AROYA has made Jeddah its home port and the Red Sea its backdrop, with stops in Yanbu, Sharm El Sheikh (Egypt) or Aqaba, the gateway to Petra in Jordan. In 2026, the ship will resume its Red Sea departures in the spring before repositioning to Istanbul at the end of May, followed by a Mediterranean season (Greece, Turkey) from May to September, before returning to the Gulf for the winter. Prices are not publicly displayed, but the company is offering numerous promotions (free children, seasonal discounts) to build its customer base.
As Saudi Arabia’s first hotel ship, AROYA embodies the kingdom’s “Vision 2030” ambition in luxury tourism: taking a Western ship and completely reinventing it in the colours of the Gulf. An unprecedented offering in the world of yacht-hotels, one to watch closely.
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