Two Aroya vessels to be built by 2035, Cruise Saudi reveals (updated)

June 19 update: The week after the MedCruise conference, the PR firm representing Aroya informed Seatrade the number of future ships has not been confirmed and while there are plans for additional vessels for the brand, exact numbers and timelines are yet to be confirmed.

Meanwhile, Aroya’s first ship Manara (ex World Dream) is currently being refurbished in Bremerhaven.

Homeporting in Istanbul 

Starting in December, Manara will operate cruises in the Red Sea before moving to the Eastern Mediterranean in June 2025 where it will homeport at Galataport Istanbul. Winter 2025 will see the ship sail the Arabian Gulf, homeporting in Dammam, Saudi Arabia.  

Kari featured as a panelist on the ‘How We Create Harmonious and Holistic Services in Our Ports and Destinations’ panel at the 64th MedCruise General Assembly in Tarragona, Spain, moderated by Mark Robinson, GM, BC Tours. 

Last year, Saudi Arabia received 170,000 passengers of 70 nationalities from 11 cruise lines. 

Sustainability 

Christine Manjencic, VP destination development, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, cautioned against greenwashing and discussed a new touring concept aimed at educating the American market about other countries’ sustainability efforts. Tours include an oyster farm, teaching about wind turbines or plastic fishing in Amsterdam. Manjencic reported a 'shift of people wanting to learn what other countries are doing so they can bring that back to the United States.'

Jeff Shieh, manager, deployment planning and analysis, Seabourn delved into Carnival Corp.’s endeavors to slash emissions by using LNG and exploring methanol and biofuels, as well as slowing vessels to reduce fuel consumption.

And Choni Fernandez, chief sustainability officer at PortAventura World theme park, discussed being a zero waste company and benefiting local communities for a ‘win-win’ situation.