JEDDAH, 6 July 2004 — In a multimillion-riyal show of confidence in the future of tourism in Saudi Arabia, a new cruising restaurant arrived in Jeddah recently. The Dream Restaurant, anchored in the Al-Ahlam Marina on the shores of Obhur, was built in Turkey. The owner, Prince Abdullah Saud M. Abdul Aziz , and a commissioning crew sailed the vessel on a 10-day voyage from the builders to its Saudi berth for fitting out.
“While we don’t have the capacity to build the vessel locally,” Prince Abdullah said, “we certainly have the skills to fit it out to international standards. Completing the project here gives the vessel an Arabic feel and keeps local skills employed.”
The 40-m steel-hulled boat is intended for inshore cruising, but built to seagoing standards. With a displacement of 120 tons before fitting out, the vessel has a capacity to seat 400 diners at a time, 200 on an open upper deck and 200 on the air-conditioned lower deck.
Below decks is a huge kitchen overseen by a French-Lebanese chef. The restaurant is licensed for live entertainment and, unusually for a local vessel, has clearance to travel inshore waters after dark.
“That was an interesting challenge,” said Eric Mason, the marina’s general manager. “Applying for permission for a vessel is one thing, but a restaurant? After some detailed explanations it was happily resolved.”
Unique in Saudi Arabia, the Dream Restaurant will leave each evening for a dining cruise. “It’s a shot in the dark really,” Prince Abdullah said. “It will be a new experience for most guests.”
One of his previous ventures, the futuristic “Seascope” glass sided boat, was a similar gamble.
“That proved so popular it encouraged us to commission the restaurant. The main business of the marina is still expanding and the 28 berth live-aboard dive boat is heavily booked,” he said.
Mason said the terror campaign in the Kingdom had not translated into cancellations, and bookings were still good. “Divers are a fairly phlegmatic bunch and want to dive the Red Sea on some of the best corals and marine life in the world,” he said. “The visitors we host have weighed the options carefully and made positive decisions. Long may it continue.”
Now nearing completion and after a series of sea trials to ensure safety, the Dream Restaurant starts its regular schedule at the beginning of August.
