Atrium – Cruise Saudi – Aroya Cruises

Submitted by: SMC Design
Lead Designers: Andy Yuill, William Woodham & Liz Richardson, SMC Design
Outfitter: MJM
Completion Date: 30/11/2024

Genting Cruises’ World Dream was sold to Cruise Saudi in 2023. The 335m 151,000 gt 18-deck vessel has had a full refurbishment and is due to go into operation in early 2025. SMC Design were appointed as lead architect for the interior design of 80% of the ship & the entire ship’s FF&E, wayfinding, branding & art-sourcing. The brief was to create a luxurious family-oriented cruise ship for the Saudi Arabian market.

Positioned centrally and spanning 3 public decks, the atrium is the heart of the ship and sets the tone for Aroya Cruises, a brand-new cruise line.

Formerly a casino, the space has been transformed into a Saudi-inspired courtyard and is designed as a central social hub for guests. A striking feature of the atrium is the stage with a digital interactive LED screen & grand chandelier made from flexible LED digital mesh material. This chandelier serves as a dynamic canvas, displaying seasonal celebrations & culturally relevant themes, enhancing the atrium’s ambiance, adapting to events & entertainment.

The atrium’s lighting is meticulously designed to highlight the materiality, creating a warm welcoming atmosphere. Authentic Saudi materials i.e. limestone & sandstone, were selected to form the core colour palette. Artworks by prominent Saudi artists are strategically placed along all routes leading to the atrium, reflecting SMC’s collaboration with the Saudi Ministry of Culture to respect local traditions & cultural values.

The staircase connecting the atrium’s decks features bespoke Saudi patterned fret-cut panels backlit to enhance the intricate design, providing a warm & inviting backdrop that links the atrium’s 3 decks together.

From the atrium’s stage guests arrive at Irth café and library, which houses a curated collection of Saudi books, artworks & artefacts, and has a dedicated Baloot gaming area – a popular card game in Saudi Arabia.

On deck 8, the Marka café offers traditional majlis seating and serves coffee, tea, sweets & cakes, complemented by a specially designed chocolate & coffee bar where guests can see live demonstrations by chocolatiers.

The atrium’s refurbishment maximises luxurious opulence and comfort for the Saudi Arabian guests, with retail spaces & subtle design elements like the Aroya fretwork and brand colours for cohesive continuity. As the first-ever ship solely for the Saudi market, the atrium exemplifies SMC’s commitment to authenticity and creating relaxed, entertaining spaces that honour Saudi culture and traditions.