Cruise Saudi, a government agency tasked with growing the local cruise industry in Saudi Arabia, has recently acquired the World Dream cruise ship from Genting Hong Kong. This $330 million acquisition represents a significant step towards expanding the country's cruise industry, as Saudi Arabia opened its ports to cruise ships for the first time in 2021 and plans to become a major cruise destination by 2035.

Cruise Saudi CEO, Lars Clasen, said that the World Dream acquisition aligns with the agency's goals to develop and promote the cruise industry in Saudi Arabia. The ship has been renamed Manara, which means "light" in Arabic, and will undergo a refit before being transferred to a local Saudi-based start-up cruise operator. The new plans for the ship will be announced in due course.

The World Dream, a 150,000-gross-ton cruise ship capable of carrying over 5,000 passengers, was launched in 2017 and was part of Genting Hong Kong's Dream cruise brand. However, the ship was taken out of service during the COVID-19 pandemic, and Genting Hong Kong subsequently filed for bankruptcy and sold off much of its cruise fleet.

Jeddah, the primary cruise port in Saudi Arabia, is likely to be the homeport for the Manara when it enters service in the region. Cruise Saudi, which was launched in 2021, is 100% owned by Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund (PIF) and aims to position the country as a premier global cruise destination by developing the necessary infrastructure and services required for a full-suite cruise market.