SMC Design – AROYA Project Team
We are proud to put forward the AROYA Project Team at SMC Design for the Design Team of the Year award.
In February 2023, Cruise Saudi acquired World Dream, a 335-metre, 151,000 GT, 18-deck vessel. This ship was to become AROYA, the first cruise line created specifically for the Saudi Arabian market. The project was the largest cruise ship refurbishment ever completed to date, transforming 18 decks of public and accommodation spaces in just 22 months.
SMC Design was appointed as lead architect for 80% of the ship’s interiors, with responsibility for FF&E, wayfinding, branding, and art sourcing. We produced initial designs for all areas in only three months, followed by a further three months to finalise detailed drawings and specifications. To achieve this, more than 40 architects and designers worked in parallel across multiple disciplines. The project’s success was built not only on our internal collaboration but also on the superb contribution of suppliers, outfitters, Cruise Saudi, and AROYA Cruises.
The brief was to craft a luxurious, family-oriented vessel that would resonate with the Saudi market while appealing to international guests. Our team developed a design language inspired by Saudi culture, craft, and landscapes, expressed in a contemporary and globally relevant way. From vibrant cafés to refined suites, children’s spaces to dining venues, we wove consistent design threads that created an identity both distinctly Arabian and universally welcoming.
The achievement of AROYA lies not just in its scale but in the quality and innovation of the outcomes. Every element – from bespoke FF&E to wayfinding and artwork – was designed to support a coherent narrative and a guest experience that feels fresh, memorable, and unique.
AROYA is the most ambitious project in our studio’s history. It reflects the dedication, creativity, and resilience of our people and partners, and we are immensely proud of what has been achieved together. For these reasons, we believe the SMC Design AROYA team is an outstanding candidate for the CSI Award – Design Team of the Year.