Amwaj Buffet – Aroya Cruises – AROYA

Submitted by: Kate Porteous
Lead Designer: Alan Stewart
Studio: SMC Design
Outfitter: De Wave & Almaco
Shipyard: Bredo Dry Docks in Bremerhaven, Germany, and the Damen Shipyard in Rotterdam, Netherlands
Completion Date: 30/11/2024

We are proud to present Amwaj Buffet on AROYA as a contender for the CSI Award – Best Refurbished Space.
As part of the largest cruise ship refit ever completed in Europe, Amwaj Buffet demonstrates how a dark utilitarian restaurant can be reimagined into a light-filled, contemporary dining venue. The refurbishment was undertaken to retain much of the existing catering equipment, and SMC transformed the restaurant with light acacia woods, Carrara marble, and hints of citrus colours and foliage bringing a garden feel to the space.

Amwaj means “waves” in Arabic, and this spirit of movement, flow and connection guided the design. The restaurant reflects the cosmopolitan culinary concept it delivers – Lebanese, Mexican, Indian, and American cuisines – through an interior environment that is fresh, inviting and visually uplifting.

The transformation is immediately evident in the material palette. Where the previous space was heavy and enclosed, the reconfigured layout now maximises natural light and sea views. Pale timbers and soft neutral tones establish a calm, modern backdrop. Upholstered seating in muted beige and taupe is accented with patterned cushions in sunlit yellows, bringing warmth and comfort.

Ceiling-integrated lighting and elegant suspended pendants add intimacy and rhythm to the long dining rows, while mirrored wall panels enhance brightness and amplify the sense of spaciousness. Carefully placed planters and integrated greenery soften the architectural lines, ensuring a natural, organic feel within the structured dining environment.

The flooring combines light herringbone timber and richly patterned carpets, adding both textural variety and acoustic comfort. This layering of surfaces provides a visual journey through the space, while ensuring a welcoming atmosphere at every table.

The result is a dining terrace that is flexible enough for all-day service yet refined enough to feel special for evening meals. Guests can savour world cuisines in a setting that mirrors both the diversity of the menu and the openness of the sea outside.

Amwaj Buffet exemplifies what a refurbishment should achieve: not only improving function and flow but delivering a dramatic uplift in ambience and guest experience. By transforming a once-dark interior into a light, airy space that resonates with cultural meaning and contemporary design, SMC Design has created a venue that feels entirely new while honouring the ship’s operational requirements.