The changes in cruising landscape brought about by leading hotel brands came under spotlight during the Seatrade Cruise Global in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

 

Cruise Saudi Managing Director Fawaz Farooqui spoke at the session ‘Will Hotel-Operated Cruise Lines' Solve the Industry's New-to-Cruise Conundrum?’

 

Industry experts discussed how leading luxury hotel brands Aman, Four Seasons, Orient Express and Ritz Carlton are changing the cruising sector by launching luxury ships to rival operators such as Regent Seven Seas and Silversea. 

 

Fawaz spoke about Aman at Sea, Cruise Saudi’s joint venture with Aman, which is a new ultra-luxury yacht aimed at Very High Net Worth (VHNW) travellers. 

 

“Aman is a truly unique brand, it’s authentic intent is to provide a level of service, which is a home away from home, that is peerless in every way,” Fawaz told the delegates.

 

The 183-metre superyacht Aman at Sea will have 47 spacious suites along with a full spectrum of luxury amenities including an Aman-style spa with Japanese relaxation garden, several international Michelin-quality restaurants, and an on-board beach club, giving guests access to the water from the stern of the yacht. 

 

Fawaz revealed the new Aman at Sea ultra-luxury yacht will have a 2:1 crew ratio to guests, placing a priority on the guest space ratio, along with creating the biggest suites in the industry.

 

Fawaz was joined on the panel by Guillaume de Saint Lager, Vice-President, Orient Express at Accor; Ken Muskat, USA Managing Director, Scenic Group; Douglas Prothero, CEO, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection; and Kevin Sheehan Jr, CEO & President, Margaritaville at Sea.

 

The panel discussed the type of ships being built by hoteliers, how the offering contrasts with big-name cruise liners, how hotels are competing to attract customers new to cruising, and the role they play in opening up new destinations for cruises.

 

Speaking about what makes Saudi a premium destination, Fawaz said it was Saudi’s warm hospitality, authenticity, culture, and nature that made it such a valuable proposition.

 

“We are sitting on thousands of years of heritage. Saudi used to be part of the Incense Route and we have a civilisation that goes back four or five thousand years BC,” Fawaz added.

 

Aman at Sea is expected to be ready for cruising by 2027. -TradeArabia News Service