37 The Royal Villa is one of the most spacious suites onboard AROYA and features an Arabian design, exclusive amenities and a spacious balcony FEATURED INTERVIEW immersive cultural tours across Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan. Meanwhile, in the Mediterranean, they can explore the iconic landmarks, coastal beauty, history and unique offerings of destinations such as Bodrum and Istanbul in Turkey, Mykonos in Greece, and Alexandria in Egypt. “Across both regions, our itineraries are designed to go beyond standard sightseeing to create opportunities to engage with local culture and communities,” says Rudolph. Aroya Cruises’ efforts to create a unique cruise proposition that blends Arabian tradition with modern luxury is already paying dividends. The brand welcomed more than 70,000 guests during AROYA’s inaugural Red Sea season and also hosted over 20,000 guests during the ship’s first Mediterranean voyages. This strong uptake has been fuelled by high demand from travellers in Saudi Arabia, as well as growing interest from other key source markets across the Gulf Corporation Council, Turkey, Germany, Central Asia and beyond. “We see this performance as a strong indication of the rising demand for a unique cruise product designed for both regional and international travellers,” says Rudolph. “Guests are embracing something they have not previously experienced at sea – culturally attuned design, warm and intuitive hospitality, tailored entertainment, diverse dining, and family-focused programming. This combination of authenticity, quality and accessibility has been central to AROYA’s rapid success.” To maintain this momentum, AROYA Cruises will continue expanding both its itineraries and the variety of experiences it offers to guests. “We aim to do this while remaining committed to preserving the quality and cultural relevance of our brand and by contributing to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 tourism objectives,” explains Rudolph. One priority is to continue developing themed sailings that resonate with guests. “A recent highlight was our ‘Ramadan Along the Horizon’ experience, which positioned AROYA as a floating destination during the holy month,” says Rudolph. “Attracting over 38,000 guests, the ship featured tailored dining, cultural programming and evening entertainment, and was docked in front of the Jeddah Yacht Club to create a distinctive waterfront atmosphere. We have also launched a dedicated ‘Wellness Cruise’, centred on relaxation, healthy dining and wellbeing activities. These concepts, alongside future themes in development, enable us to keep our product fresh and encourage repeat travel.” In addition, Aroya Cruises plans to expand its Red Sea and Mediterranean seasons, and it has also announced new GCC itineraries. “Fleet expansion is part of our long-term vision because it will create opportunities to introduce new itineraries and explore additional markets while strengthening our existing regional presence,” reveals Rudolph. “Our aim is to grow the business in a way that remains authentic to AROYA Cruises, keeping our product distinctive, competitive and fully aligned with the evolving expectations of our guests.” For more about SMC Design’s work on AROYA, read the interview on page 158
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