Aman is pleased to announce Project Sama, a first-of-its-kind luxury motor yacht created through a collaboration between Aman and Cruise Saudi, a shareholder of which is Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF). The 183-metre (600-foot) ship will have only 50 spacious luxury suites, each with its own private balcony. Project Sama, which means tranquillity in Sanskrit, will bring the cherished spirit of Aman to the world’s seas and oceans, and is scheduled to launch in 2025.
True to the brand’s pioneering ethos, Aman will oversee the entire development process of the project, from design and construction to operations and management, ensuring that guests experience the Aman way of life onboard in every way. Project Sama will champion privacy, space, and gracious hospitality, as well as the Aman experience, which is exceptional, one-of-a-kind, and restorative.
The vessel, designed in collaboration with SINOT Yacht Architecture & Design, one of the world’s finest yacht design firms, will see Aman’s eastern heritage and design philosophy seamlessly integrated with the architectural vision to create the brand’s expression of a superyacht experience in a timeless yet contemporary vessel with a harmonious balance between exterior and interior spaces.
Aside from the 50 suites, the yacht will feature a variety of dining options, including an informal all-day restaurant, international dining options, and a relaxed club and lounge, a serene and spacious Aman Spa, complete with Japanese garden, two helipads, and the expansive Beach Club, which will offer guests direct access to the water at the stern of the yacht.
Aman has committed to its ongoing gentle evolution since the successful opening of Aman Tokyo in 2014, Aman’s first city hotel, with further urban destinations in the pipeline, including Aman New York and Aman Miami, as well as otherworldly resort locations including Riyadh, AlUla, and the Red Sea, Saudi Arabia. Project Sama builds on Aman’s core values of privacy, peace, generosity of space, and unrivaled service to provide pioneering travel experiences.
The joint venture agreement between Aman and Cruise Saudi was signed by Cruise Saudi’s Managing Director, Mr Fawaz Farooqui, and Aman’s Chairman and CEO, Mr Vlad Doronin, and represents an ongoing collaboration and partnership with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
“The announcement of Project Sama marks an exciting moment in Aman’s growth and evolution, as we not only continue to diversify our geographical portfolio on land, but also at sea, creating sanctuaries in unfrequented locations and continuing to reframe the concept of luxury hospitality,” said Vlad Doronin, Chairman and CEO of Aman. Project Sama will offer transformative experiences in the revered Aman setting and service, unlike any other yacht experience, ultimately creating a whole new category in on-the-water discovery.”
Mr Fawaz Farooqui, MD of Cruise Saudi, commented on the partnership and project, saying, “The signing of this partnership adds a new layer to Cruise Saudi’s offering and is a testament to the unique tourism experience that is exploring Saudi by sea, as well as demonstrating Cruise Saudi’s commitment to growing and expanding the cruise industry in Saudi.” We hope to expand our collaboration with Aman to provide even more ultra-luxurious experiences at sea.
We are excited to collaborate with Aman to realize our vision of Saudi becoming a premier global destination and immersing our guests in diverse nature, rich culture, and heritage through an unforgettable journey that is truly unique to Saudi.”
Project Sama is set to launch in 2025; its official name will be revealed later.
Website: aman.com/yachts
About Aman
Aman was founded in 1988 with the goal of creating a collection of intimate retreats that provide the unassuming, warm hospitality of a gracious private home. The first, Amanpuri (place of peace) in Phuket, Thailand, pioneered the concept, and Aman has since expanded to include 33 exquisitely serene hotels and resorts in 20 destinations around the world. Another eight properties are currently under construction, with the next one set to open in New York (2021).
Aman has honed its offering with its transformative influence on mind, body, and spirit through harmoniously designed environments that transport guests out of their everyday lives in such spectacular settings. Twelve properties also offer private branded Residences, which are sanctuaries that go beyond conventional notions of luxury, allowing a select few to make the Aman way of life a permanent reality.
In recent years, Aman has expanded its coveted lifestyle beyond the confines of its havens. The introduction of Aman Skincare in 2018 expanded the brand’s holistic influence, offering beautiful, scented formulas inspired by Aman Spas and made with powerful all-natural ingredients. In 2020, Sva – a line of supplements designed to help maintain optimum health – and Aman Fine Fragrance were introduced, bringing Aman into the comfort of your own home. This sentiment was echoed in 2021, with the introduction of The Essentials by Aman, a new retail collection comprised of timeless ready-to-wear pieces that meet the needs of every Aman guest.
With innovation as a cornerstone of the brand’s philosophy, Aman will welcome a new hotel brand, Janu, which means “soul” in Sanskrit, in 2020. Janu provides a one-of-a-kind hospitality experience that emphasizes genuine human interaction, playful expression, and social wellness. Janu’s mission is to restore balance to the mind and heart, as well as to rekindle the soul.
Three new Janu hotels are already under construction: one in Montenegro (2023), one in Saudi Arabia (2023), and one in Tokyo (2023). (2023). Janu Montenegro will be the first hotel to implement the serviced Residences concept, allowing guests to fully immerse themselves in the Janu spirit.
Concerning Cruise Saudi Arabia
Cruise Saudi, based in Jeddah, was founded to build the infrastructure and services needed to scale a full-service cruise market along the Saudi coastline. The company, which is 100 percent owned by the Public Investment Fund, is in charge of port development at key Saudi destinations as well as scaling cruise services, from marketing to Shorex coordination and vessel operations. Cruise Saudi collaborates with ministries and regulatory agencies to develop the offshore and onshore cruise ecosystems, with the goal of positioning Saudi Arabia as a premier global cruise destination.
Saudi Arabia’s coastline connects classic Mediterranean destinations with a plethora of Indian Ocean hotspots, providing a pristine maritime route for cruisers from all over the world. Cruise Saudi’s ports and routes along the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf will provide an ideal base for cruise passengers to discover the authentic treasures of Arabia and beyond, as they are only a three-hour flight away from 250 million people in Europe, Asia, and Africa. Cruise Saudi aims to create 50,000 jobs in the Saudi cruise industry by 2035.
