In the previous part of our series on the development of the interiors of liners and cruise ships “The early years 1965-1988” it became clear that there have been important changes in life on board. Where previously watching a movie in the cinema, a show in the theatre performed by the ships crew or clay pigeon shooting on deck was acceptable, nowadays passengers are kept busy around the clock with art auctions, activities such as zip lining, surfing on a flow rider, ice-skating etc.
We will look into the first large cruise ships for Carnival Cruise Line, their Fantasy-class (1990 – 1998). To profit from economies of scale and be able to offer passengers a long list of activities all principal cruise lines have introduced mega cruise ships carrying up to 6,000 guests featuring almost every attraction one can think of, be it a park, a swim-up bar etc. It is interesting to see how their interiors are adapted for their main task; delivering passengers a holiday of a lifetime.
Also, ultra-luxurious cruising, both with smaller yachts and full size ships is strongly on the rise as is expedition cruising and finally we will discuss a completely new trend: life on board a cruise ship that permanently travels around the world, boasting increasingly impressive suites with every imaginable luxury available.
This of course has a direct influence on the interiors of these types of contemporary ships and we will therefore look at the impact of all these different developments in the following paragraphs:
I. Carnival Cruise Line’s answer to NCL’s Norway and RCI’s Sovereign-class: the Fantasy-class
II. Mega cruise ships Queen Mary 2 (Cunard Line) and Costa Cruises’ Costa Smeralda
III. Shaking up the cruise industry: Virgin Voyages
IV. Expedition cruise ships
V. Luxury cruising: Cruise yachts, Four Seasons I and Scenic Eclipse I & II
VI. Luxury cruising: full size ships Viking Ocean Cruises and Explora Journeys
VII. Residential cruise ships, e.g. Njord and Ulyssia
I. Carnival Cruise Line’s answer to NCL’s Norway and RCI’s Sovereign-class: the Fantasy-class
For many years the Queen Elizabeth 2 and the Norway, both classic liners, have ranked number one and two of the world´s cruise fleet in size,. Today they even wouldn’t be found in the top 25 of passenger capacity or tonnage!
We saw in the former chapter (Interior design history 1965 – 1990) that in 1988 Royal Caribbean responded to the success of NCL’s Norway (the former transatlantic liner France of 1962) by ordering three newbuildings from Chantiers de l’Atlantique, Sovereign of the Seas (1988), Monarch of the Seas (1991) and Majesty of the Seas (1992) . Carnival Cruise lines also realised the importance of operating high passenger capacity tonnage and ordered a series of no less than eight ships.
Apart from a series of 8 small 4,000 GT sisterships (actually two series of 4 with minor differences) built for Renaissance Cruises between 1989 and 1992, a shipbuilding programme of this size was unheard of. Nowadays, all other major lines order series of cruise vessels, but so far not more than four or five identical ships. Often a specific hull design is repeated like that of the 8000-series hull which was repeated for Carnival, Costa, Cunard and Holland America ships. Contract prices for the Fantasy-class varied from $ 225 mio to $ 330 mio. They were built between 1990 and 1998 by Kvaerner Masa yards from Finland.
These ships were the first in the Carnival-fleet to introduce the superliner-cruiseship in 1990 when the first ship of the series, Fantasy, came online. Later they were surpassed by considerably larger ships of course, like Carnival Destiny in 1996, the fist ever cruise liner to weigh over 100,000 GT. They were the last large cruise ships to have all lifeboats on the upper deck instead of having them placed in a recess on promenade deck level. Today’s cruise ships are too high and lifebats would have to travel too great a distance to travel downward to ocean level. Another first was that Carnival Elation, which entered service in 1998 was fitted with Azipods, electrical motors fitted outside the ship, not needing a propellor shaft and saving space for additional cabins to be fitted.
Normally, any cruise lines’ newest vessel is placed on prestigious itineraries taking a week or longer, but the Fantasy, the series’ first ship was presented to the public on 3 and 4 day cruises to the Bahama’s. One of the reasons that Carnival is still keeping two Fantasy-class sjhips in service,the Carnival Elation (1998) and the Carnival Paradise (1998), is because many passengers like them because they are more intimate and carry around 2000 passengers, half that or less than the newer Carnival ships.
Inside they feature the same asymmetrical lay-out introduced by Holiday in 1985 with a promenade on the starboard side by which all main passenger facilities can be accessed. Indeed, the Fantasy-class of ships have introduced several features still used on Carnival newbuildings today. Fantasy-class ships were without exception designed by Joe Farcus, who has designed all Carnival ships from the start in 1972 with Mardi Gras (see article on Joe Farcus here). Of course he is known for his flashy style, bright colours and neon lighting and a different theme for each individual vessel he did the interior decorating for.
Farcus used a variety of themes when designing the interiors of the Fascination-series of cruise ships.
For example:
Ecstasy – reflects the urban scene,
Sensation – where sounds and lights must stimulate the human senses,
Imagination – classical details and mythology,
Paradise – reminiscent of former famous passenger ships.
The Fantasy class consisted of the following vessels:
Fantasy (1990), Ecstasy (1991), Sensation (1993), Fascination (1994), Imagination (1995), Inspiration (1996), Elation (1998), Paradise (1998).
These ships have introduced several innovations to the cruise industry
– Elation and Paradise differ from their sister ships in their propulsion system. They are powered by two 14 MW Azipods. Azipod has several advantages like saving weight, giving increased speed, reduced vibration and thus adding to passenger comfort. Because no propellor shaft is needed and part of the machinery is housed in the outboard pods there is extra room for passenger cabins.
– Apart from their promenade, each ship in this class featured a six deck atrium forward, in which ‘miles’ of neon tube lighting were used which changed colour during the day. Before these could be installed, problems concerning the warmth produced by these neon tubes had to be addressed. It was solved by dimming these lights by using a lower electrical current. In Carnival’s Fantasy class ships, to change decks passengers can only use the glass panorama elevators in the Atrium which take you from deck 7 all the way to deck 12 where the atrium was covered by a glass dome. There were no connecting stairs. This obstructed passenger flow somewhat.
II. Mega cruise ships Queen Mary 2 (Cunard Line) and Costa Cruises’Costa Smeralda
In the battle of owning the largest vessel, the introduction of the Carnival Destiny, the first passenger liner of over 100.000 GT, was nothing short of spectacular. However, nowadays ship yards delivering vessels of this size has become quite normal.
In januari 2004, Cunard Line´s Queen Mary 2 departed on her maiden voyage. She measured 142.000 GT and at the time was the longest liner ever built: 345 m, thus securing the lead in the race for the largest cruise vessel in the world for Cunard Cruises. She is the last true ocean liner offering monthly liner services between Southampton and New York and spends the rest of her time cruising.
Queen Mary 2′s principal naval architect was Carnival’s in-house designer, Stephen Payne. He wanted many aspects of the ship’s design to resemble notable aspects of earlier Cunard ocean liners, like her predecessors Queen Mary (1936) and Queen Elizabeth(1940) and Queen Elizabeth 2 (1969).
Often seen today, many of the public rooms on board Queen Mary 2 are on the lowest public decks of the ship, with the passenger cabins situated above them.
Some highlights of QM2’s interiors:
- Deck 2, the lowest passenger deck, contains the Illuminations theatre, cinema and planetarium (the first at sea),
- Among the public rooms on Deck 8 is an 8,000-volume library (the largest of any cruise ship), and a book shop,
- The kennels, located aft on starboard side of Deck 12, are used only during transatlantic crossings. They can accommodate up to twenty-two dogs (the kennels will also accept cats…).
The King’s Court, the buffet restaurant area on the ship is open twenty four hours a day, serving as a buffet restaurant for breakfast and lunch. The overall space is divided into quarters, with each section decorated according to the theme of the four specialty dining venues they turn into at night: Lotus, which specialises in Asian cuisine; the Carvery, a British style grille; La Piazza, with Italian food; and the Chef’s Galley, which offers an interactive experience to food preparation.
The passengers’ dining arrangements on board are coupled to the type of accommodation guests travel in. Ca. 85% of passengers are in Britannia class, and, therefore dine in the main restaurant. Passengers staying in a junior suite dine in the Princess Grill and in case of a suite they dine in the Queen’s Grill. The latter two categories have access to the “Queens’ Grill Lounge.
More than 5,000 commissioned works of art grace Queen Mary 2‘s public rooms, corridors, staterooms and lobbies. These have been created by 128 artists from sixteen countries. Two of the most impressive pieces are a tapestry by Barbara Broekman, an abstract depiction of an ocean liner and New York skyline spanning the full height of the Britannia Restaurant and the British sculptor John McKenna’s bronze relief mural bronze in the Grand Lobby, a seven square metre portrait of the ship inspired by the Art Deco mural in the main dining room of the original Queen Mary.
The Queen Mary 2”s propulsion consists of four Rolls-Royce Mermaid azipods. The forward pair of thrusters is fixed, but the aft pair can turn 360° so no rudder is needed. She is the first quadruple-propeller passenger ship completed since French Line’s France in 1961.
Nowadays all major cruise lines operate so called mega cruise ships, vessels with a length of 300 meter, measuring over 150,000 GT and with a passenger capacity of 4000 to 7500.
We will now also take a closer look at a few examples of these behemoths: the Oasis of the Seas (2009) and Icon-of the Seas of Royal Caribbean Cruises as well as the Costa Smeralda (2019) owned by Costa Cruises.
In the race of “building the biggest” Royal Caribbean Int. introduced the the Oasis of the Seas-class a series of 6 ships (with a seventh on order for delivery in 2028), measuring 225.000 GRT, with a capacity of 5400 double occupancy ( 7300 max.) passengers towering 65 meters above the waterline.
The ships are divided in seven so-called neighborhoods to make these gigantic ships easier to navigate for passengers. The three main “streets” Central Park, the Boardwalk and the Royal Promenade are 20 metres wide, the Royal Promenade being the only enclosed area, located beneath the Central Park, and known for the theme-parades known from the other ships of Royal Caribbean having a promenade. On Royal Promenade, one can take a seat in the Rising Tide Bar, which rises through the ceiling to the Central Park neighborhood situated above.
In the case of ships like these, the ship itself clearly is the destination, its itinerary is less important. This means that there is a great variety in entertainment onboard: spectacular shows like the musicals Chicago, Grease, Cats and other production shows, an ice rink with Holiday-on-Ice shows but also available for passengers to do some skating themselves , the Splash and Aqua80-shows daily and the 3D-cinema. Regular art auctions hosted by Park West Gallery, of course the art gallery itself and 7000 pieces of art onboard on permanent display will attract art aficionados.
In 2014 I embarked on a 6 day cruise on Oasis of the Seas and participated in a tour through Central Park led by the gardener. He explained that all plants, bushes and trees are grown in pots and containers , so in reality it is a series of containers having been placed on the deck. Change of weather when the ship repositions poses a bit of a problem because when sailing in Western European waters, the weather is totally different from that of say the Caribbean in terms of temperature and humidity. So expert gardening is required. It was great fun when he showed is his shed with gardening tools…… on a ship! These ships are packed with a variety of features, like a wedding chapel with panorama windows, the first Tiffany-boutique at sea and below decks, adjacent to the ships’ TV-station where onboard programs are taped, a large ice-rink is situated where passengers can skate or view magnificent shows. For all shows, also those in the main Royal Theatre on decks 3 to 5 which seats 1380 passengers, the Aqua-shows in the Aqua-theatre etc. reservations must be made in advance via the in cabin interactive TV-set. During my 6 day cruise on Oasis, all shows could be booked three times, which is is to spread out 5500 passengers over the shows to avoid congestion. Better still is to make reservations for shows as well as (specialty) restaurants before the cruise via the RCL website, as there are just too many passengers on the ship to accommodate them for every show.
Performances at the Aquatheatre are very impressive, often (Olympic) swimming or diving champions perform, diving from the two “masts” at the ships’ stern in the tiny pool…never to surface again. They leave the pool via an underwater exit. The signal, giving them clearance to dive is given by a traffic light behind the passengers, placed next to the directors booth. Parts of the Boardwalk, situated between the Royal Promenade and the Aquatheatre have been changed from the original lay-out on Oasis on later vessels of this class as some of its venues were underused. Now, apart from the caroussel, with diner Johnny Rockets, Playmakers Sports Bar and Arcade, the Boardwalk Dog House and Sugar Beach eateries together with the Beach Shop boutique the entire area has been restyled.
Most cabins are outside having balconies facing the sea, but of course also the “inside cabins” looking down on Central Park, the Royal Promenade or the Boardwalk offer spectacular views. But, if you book one of these, the ones at the Boardwalk or Royal Promenade to be exact, be prepared for continuously high noise levels.
The robot-bartenders mixing your drinks after you have selected your favourite drink on a screen are great fun to watch, robot-arms grab the bottles needed hanging upside down on the ceiling, mix the drinks, shake and stir and it is handed to you.
But Royal Caribbean has taken cruising a step further with the largest cruise ships ever built at a cost of 1.6 billion each. The Icon of the Seas-series (delivered 2024, 248,000GT and 5,600 pax double occupancy) are the largest cruise ships ever built. Star of the Seas will follow in 2025 and two additional ships in 2026, Legend of the Seas and 2028 (still unnamed).
Icon of the Seas is the first cruise ship of Royal Caribbean’s innovative Icon-class and a true adventure hot spot especially for family cruisers. The 365 meter long ship offers spectacular travel experiences for up to 5,600 guests double occ (7,600 guests max). Onboard you will find the well-known Royal Caribbean highlights with numerous innovations added of course. Guests can choose their favourite holiday, a luxury resort with relaxation “on the beach” or theme park activities.
Some more mind boggling stats: there are 2,805 state rooms; 2,350 crew; 20 decks and she has an ice skating rink, seven pools including the largest at sea, six waterslides, this time including the longest at sea, a swim-up bar and a three-level family townhouse with a built-in slide.
Icon of the Seas is an architectual marvel, resulting in for example the enormouse globe, The Pearl which is actually supporting the decks above making possible the three-story glass facade behind it in one of the most critical parts of the ship’s superstructure when it comes to structural strength.
According to Jay Schneider, chief information officer at Royal Caribbean: “We’re a brand that believes in chill and thrill,” Many of the ideas for Icon’s onboard amenities were based on customer input. The most striking part of the Icon of the Seas is without any doubt the AquaDome, high atop the ship above the bridge. This huge dome, the largest ever placed on a ship, features a waterfall almost 17 meters high. During the day, the space serves as a lounge with panoramic views of the sea. In the evening it is transformed into an entertainment hot spot with spectacular water shows. Nearby are Royal Caribbean’s first food hall, the Aquadome Market and the Rye & Bean coffee bar
In total there are eight Neighborhoods on Icon of the Seas, five of them are completely new and are custom designed for this huge vessel.
The Surfside Neighborhood is specifically designed for families with varied activities for young and old throughout the day, a swimming pool for adults and separate areas for children and teenagers such as Splashaway Bay. There are several restaurants nearby with delicious dishes for gourmets, a beach-themed carousel, an arcade and the list goes on…
With four swimming pools, cozy bars and an adults-only area, Cloud 17, the three-storey Chill Island district is all about relaxation pur sang.
The Neighborhood Thrill Island is a real adventure island full of adrenaline! It houses the main water park with six record-breaking slides, including a free fall slide and a family slide, as well as the new Crown’s Edge walkway. A mix of skywalk obstacle courses at a height of almost 47 meters. But well-known passenger favourites such as the Adrenaline Peak climbing course, the FlowRider surfing simulator or the mini golf course are also present.
Those who prefer a beach holiday, can indulge in the laid-back beach club feel of The Hideaway-Neighbourhood and enjoy spectacular sea views from the multi-level sun terrace, bar, whirlpools and infinity pool which is the first suspended infinity pool at sea.
Staterooms and suites on board Icon of the Seas. Passengers can choose from 28 categories of spacious cabins with modern facilities. More than 70% of the cabins have floor-to-ceiling windows and private balconies. More than 60 % of the interior cabins admit natural light having windows overlooking the ship’s Central Park or Surfside Neighborhood. Many of the cabins accommodating 3 or 4 people are perfectly suited for families in terms of layout and furnishings. For larger families, up to 6 people, family cabins with infinity balconies are available. This type of balconies transform living space into an open air escape at the push of a button or when closed, add extra space indoors.
And then there is the three-story Ultimate Family Townhouse, by far the most spectacular accommdation onboard. With a living area of more than 164 square meters and a balcony of almost 70 square meters with a hot tub, this luxury suite can accommodate up to 8 people. The Townhouse also has two bedrooms, a private cinema room, an exclusive area with table tennis, and a slide leading from the upper floor to the main floor, never seen before at sea.
Suite guests also have many of the attractive benefits of the Royal Suite class. They have access to an exclusive zone with a sundeck, a lounge and two restaurants (Coastal Kitchen and The Grove) while in the three star-level suite categories Ultimate Family Townhouse, Royal Loft Suite and Icon Loft Suite, the Royal Genie service also guarantees personalized VIP experiences.
Of course guests will find the ultimate in entertainment on board Icon of the Seas, introducing a new lineup of full-scale production shows across Royal Caribbean’s four ‘signature stages’: air, ice, water and theater with highlights like the debut of T’he Wizard of Oz’ at sea with its 600 plus costume elements, the first cast of robots, high divers performing highly dangerous jumps and the Absolute Zero 2,873 sq. ft. oval ice rink, to name just a few.
This revolutionary cruise ship features state-of-the-art and energy-efficient environmental technologies, including an LNG propulsion system, advanced heat recovery systems, fuel cell technology and a shore power connection.
Royal Caribbean Group plans to introduce net-zero cruising by 2035 and the company claims that Icon of the Seas is 24% more energy efficient than today’s design standards prescribe. She is powered by dual-fuel engines running on LNG, has the first waste-to-energy system at sea, capturing waste burning heat, finally has specialized hull paint and a hull air lubrication system using air bubbles both reducing resistance when at speed. She produces 93% of the fresh water needed and has an advanced ballast water treatment system. These sustainability measures make her Royal Caribbean’s most eco-friendly ship to date.
Another example of a mega cruise ship is Costa Cruises’ 185,010 GT Costa Smeralda (2019).
Her interiors have been designed by a team led by Adam D. Tihany consisting of four different design-studios. They included many Italian elements, sometimes relating to the Sardinian coast after which she is named. Costa Smeralda‘s staterooms were designed by Milan-based architectural studio Dordoni Architetti.
Her atrium Colosseo is the focal point of Costa Smeralda and is surrounded by lounges, bars and café’s. Led lighting in columns and in a circular cover on the ceiling make this a spectacular space. It also houses the CODE – COsta DEsign – museum which has been created by Metteo Vercelloni and measures 400 square metres. It has items for daily use, like an espresso-machine or the Vespa-scooter, furniture, fashion and transport related items like a Fiat 500 at the entrance on display, showing why Italy is such a famous “design-country”.
Outside, aft there is the Piazza di Spagna. Two stairs on either side of the ship with amphitheatre-like seating in between make this a perfect place to relax and look over the stern to see the sun set…. Also on its top deck is the lido area with the La Spiaggia Beach Club. The lido area is divided in separate area’s by glass walls and features whirlpools and on its sides the Sole Bar, the Street Food corner and the Nutella-hazelnut Bar for sweet chocolate drinks and snacks can be found. This cooperation with the Nutella brand is not the only example of teaming up with a well-known brand. Onboard Costa Smeralda also the first Campari Bar at sea can be found which is full of red accents, matching the red Campari bottles of course.
Outside on deck 18, the Volare Skywalk is a curved promenade partly made of crystal glass giving passengers a stunning view 65 metres above the waterline!
Almost every major cruise line has ordered mega cruise ships packed with spectatcular features to attract holiday makers while profiting of economies of scale. The wave of vessels on order still continues with recent orders of NCL, Princess, Aida, TUI and finally Carnival Cruise Lines with their recent order for three 240,000GT Ace-class ships with a maximum capacity of 8,000 guests! However, there is a downside also as thousands of cruise passengers invade small ports in for example Greece, Alaska and the Caribbean islands to name some examples. Local authorities are introducing taxes to fight this form of over tourism while destinations like Amsterdam try to ban cruise ships completely.
III. Shaking up the cruise industry: Virgin Voyages
There is one recently founded cruise line whose main goal was “to do everything different” and shake up today’s cruising establishment which they considered dull and old fashioned: Virgin Voyages.
Outside the box thinking when designing its ships, targeting a younger clientele who have never cruised before and adding so many facilities onboard new to the cruise industry. Four medium sized ships were ordered from Fincantieri, the first vessel Scarlet Lady’s inaugural voyage departed April 2020. Two sister ships followed in 2023 – Valiant Lady and 2024 – Resilent Lady while the last of the quartet Brilliant Lady will be delivered autumn 2025. Virgin Voyages is co-funded with a significant investment from Bain Capital.
Owner Richard Branson started in the music business with well-known Virgin Records and diversified into travel, aviation, the financial sector, telecom etc. , today his businesses comprise over 60 companies. Starting a cruise line has long been on Branson’s wish list and after a long time of planning, in 2014 Virgin Cruises was founded and construction of the first ship, Scarlet Lady started 2017, while bookings opened autumn 2019. Virgin has another three ships on order from Fincantieri, Italy. Of course, the line aims at being environmentally friendly, using modern techniques onboard its ships to ensure minimal fuel consumption, low CO2-emissions and has -like more and more cruise lines these days- banned single-use plastics like cups, straws etc. from its ships. Virgin is aiming at the millennials but also the older “rock and roll”generation, and Tom Mc Alpin, CEO of Virgin Cruises has described its style as “rebellious luxe” meaning that, departing from the concept of cruising as we know it today, passengers will experience an “urban vibe” on its ships.
Different from existing ships in the trade for example, is that Scarlet Lady and her sisters will have no main dining room, as dining venues are scattered all over the vessel, so assigned tables or fixed time seatings are eliminated also. No formal nights or dress codes here either. Normally, cruise ships have main dining rooms which are complimentary and specialty restaurants which come at a surcharge, here all restaurants are complimentary. Also included in the cruise fare are WIFI, gratuities and non alcoholic beverages (water, coffee, soda). When having a closer look at the Lady-class vessel’s deck plan, we see that public spaces and stateroom categories have been given hip, urban style names like Redemption (spa), The Round-about (atrium) and Gorgeous, Brilliant, Fab, Posh etc. for suite categories. So the line, to create the desired “Virgin-style” onboard its ships, needed a “Creative Collective” as it was called of interior designers who had never worked on cruise ship interiors before, but with an impressive portfolio when it comes to land-based restaurants and hotels. Teams from five companies were contracted for the job: Roman and Williams (New York), Concrete (Amsterdam), Softroom (London), Tom Dixon’s Research Design Studio (London) and Work AC (New York).
Virgin is the first cruise line that allows crew to have a visible tattoo. Onboard, a tottoo studio called Squid Ink and two full-time tattoo-artists will make it possible for passengers -or sailors as Virgin calls them- to get their own tattoo(s). However, demand for this has probably been low as Virgin has downsized the tattoo studio’s considerably lately.
Virgin’s ships are mid-sized with a straight bow line (as is seen on more ships nowadays like Celebrity cruises’ Edge-class and Aida Cruises’ Hyperion class ships Aidaperla and Aidaprima), measure 110,000 GRT, have a length of 277 metres and 1,160 crew will look after 2,770 passengers. Their hull and funnel will be red, both with the Virgin logo on it and the superstructure grey. Future passengers can choose from 1,330 staterooms and 78 RockStar suites. 86 percent of the staterooms have a balcony or “Sea Terrace” as Virgin calls them with hammocks for ultimate relaxation, and 93 percent are outside staterooms. For single occupancy Sea View cabins and Solo Insiders are available, while for families or groups the Social Insiders-category with four bunk-beds can be booked.
Some cabin categories have beds that can be transformed to a lounger, encouraging passengers to socialize with fellow passengers in their cabin. Also, mood lighting which changes throughout the day has been installed. Virgin’s musical roots become obvious in the Rock Star Suites, as larger suites have an old fashioned vinyl record player. The largest suites, the Massive and Gorgeous suites, measure 2,147 sq ft, have guitars hanging on the walls and an outdoor hot tub, shower and dining table. Speaking of tables, some of these have steps, so guests can easily clamber on them to dance on the table, according to Virgin. Virgin has decided to organize entertainment onboard in a completely different way by replacing the cruise director by a group of entertainers dedicated to activities organized around the ship. Passengers can stay in the same venue, while the entertainers rotate. The Red Room, the ships main theatre will host different functions, it will transform from a traditional stage to dance floor or fashion catwalk. Other entertainment venues are The Scene near the pool area, The Den, a flexible space, The Groupie for karaoke, watching movies or gaming and Voyage Vinyl relating again to Virgins roots in (rock) music. It features live DJ’s, individual listening stations and passengers can actually buy records, music magazines and even equipment. Decorated in an emerald and aubergine colour scheme, The Manor is set to become ”the most celebrated night club on the seven seas”. It will span two decks, the ship’s DJ’s will perform here and (local) guest artists will do so whilst the ship is in port.
Dining on the Scarlet Lady is possible in over 20 venues and a la carte as well as casual fare are available. With no fixed seatings it will be possible to dine until late, an American style diner will be open 24 hrs. Restaurants resemble bars with minimal “old fashioned seating arrangements” for a more upbeat informal atmosphere and passengers can even have their meal at the bar. The Pizza Place, the Dock beach club (Mediterranean food here), the outdoor Sun Club Café and The Gallery for casual meals give passengers the opportunity to have a completely different eating/ dining experience each day. Razzle Dazzle offers vegetarian food and a juice bar, but an old fashioned slice of meat and an alcoholic beverage will be no problem here either. Restaurant The Wake at Deck 6 overlooking the stern and having an impressive stairway entrance is the ship’s most elegant, stylish dining option, serving seafood and stakes. The Test Kitchen finally will be part cooking school hosting cooking classes and teaching passengers how to make specialty coffees, and part restaurant. Specialty restaurants for Italian (Extra Virgin trattoria), Korean BBQ (DJ Gunbae) or Mexican (Pink Agave) food complete the endless array of eateries. Using the app, guests can even have their meal delivered outside on the open decks.
IV. Expedition cruise ships
For those passengers looking for something different from the large cruise liners carrying thousands of passengers, recently, several niche operators have started to attract travellers. Expedition cruises to remote places on ice-strengthened ships or even ice-breakers, cruises on sailing ships with full rigging (computer controlled but who cares), and cruises – mostly of longer duration—on 5 star plus ultra de luxe vessels, yacht cruisers or larger ships. There are plenty of choices in today’s cruise industry.
With over 40 new expedition ships on the orderbook, the booming expedition cruise market will more than double in capacity between 2019 and 2023. Not long ago, a small niche but now expanding dramatically. It makes some of us wonder if the market will be able to absorb this wave of new ships and where they will be based as many nature reserves have introduced limits concerning the number of ships and passengers.
An expedition cruise brings travellers to the most impressive natural wonders of the world: up the amazon river, the Galapagos Islands or the Antarctic. The number of expedition cruises ships has exploded over the last decade. In the early days, ships like the Explorer (1969, GAP Adventures) or the World Discoverer (1974, BEWA Cruises) used to have rather spartan interiors but this has changed dramatically. Nowadays expedition cruise ships have refined, luxury interiors often inspired by the regions and nature reserves they visit. Interior designers often use this as their main theme when designing these vessels.
Here are some recent examples hereof.
- The Silver Origin (2020) from Silversea Cruises sails the Galapagos Islands region year round and was designed with the Galapagos in mind. She was Designed by GEM Design, with Giacomo Mortola in the lead and HBA Miami.
According to Silversea Silver Origin will “take influence from the Galapagos’ unique natural environment to strengthen guests’ engagement with the destination, with each space enhancing the experience.” Prime example onbaord is the Observation Lounge, which features floor-to-ceiling windows aiming to connect with the outside world.
Other examples can be ofund at The Basecamp, an excursion lounge area from where the “expeditions” take place which features decorative glass cabinets containing flora and fauna of the Islands and a large, interactive digital wall to facilitate the guest learning experience.
“Bright, colourful motifs and regional materials will accentuate the design.”
In general, the interiors of Silver Origin are very refined, luxurious and with a touch of Italian flair like on the rest of the Silversea fleet.
- Onboard Ponant’s Le Laperouse (2018), the Blue Eye underwater multisensory lounge is designed by Jacques Rougerie in cooperation with Flamant Interior Design. It is inspired by the underwtaer world and primarily the blue whale. Jacques Rougerie specializes in sea life and underwater habitats.
He explains: “My inspiration is evident in the lines of the lounge: stripes surrounding the space like whales baleens, curved seats like sea shells, smooth lines of the staircase housing designed like a caudal fin. All focus is drawn towards the two portholes, shaped like the eye of a cetacean and looking out upon the subaquatic world.”
In addition to the physical design, the space delivers a multi-sensory experience. Ponant even went a step further and asked contemporary composer and sound designer Michel Redolfi to develop hydrophones that transmit the natural sounds of the sea into the lounge and had the sofas fitted with integrated “Body Listeing fixtures”, vibrating in unison with the sounds of the ocean to make the multi-sensory experience of being below sea level complete by seeing, hearing and feeling it.
- Hapag-Lloyd’s luxury expedition cruisers Hanseatic Nature (2019), Hansetic Inspiration (2019) and Hanseatic Spirit (2021), not only show their 5-star concept e by having more open deck space than any other expedition ship in service nowadays, but also in their interior design.
According to a Tui Group press release: “The design concept, “inspired by nature”, reflects the expeditionary spirit and is the creative idea underpinning both ships. Nature is not only experienced outside, but also is reflected in the interior design. This comes to the fore in the choice of materials, colours and forms, as well as in the contours and lines of walls and surfaces, the lines of sight and therefore the interplay between the interiors and the world outside.”
Inside the ships, Hapag-Lloyd state the curved lines and natural colours of the cabins and suites are inspired by nature. This design concept is perhaps clearly present in the restaurant on board the Hanseatic Nature, where room dividers, ceiling lighting, and shelving form a motif resembling a leaf as seen under a microscope. In the daytime this is shown by the greens in the flooring and some of the furniture and in the evening when the entire restaurant changes into a pink hue, making the wooden elements in the wall covering stand out. The colour and material choices in the staterooms remind one of a forest, with soft browns and light greens. The junior suites have an ocean-theme shown by the use of different blues and a floor covering reminding one of seaweed. Marble has been used in of the wall of the Grand Suite for natural elegance.
- British cruise line Swan Hellenic’s SH Minerva’s (2021) interior spaces were designed by Tillberg Design of Sweden, a company with an abundance of experience in this field and known for its interiors created for luxury cruise ships and land based hotels. They were instructed by Swan Hellenic to create an on board atmosphere of sophisticated elegance and comfort and to emphasize the spectacular surroundings the ship will visit by seeing to it that public spaces provide wide open, unobstructed views throughout the ship with the destination always in view. They did so by subtly incorporating the theme “one with nature” into the interior design of the first of the three Swan Hellenic expedition ships.
For example the Swan Restaurant, the main dining room large enough to serve all guests in one seating, has -like SH Minerva’s other public spaces- been decorated with warm natural materials and an ample use of wood. With a clever use of table furnishings and lighting the mood changes swiftly from casual comfortable to a rich and luxury atmosphere at dinner time. Staterooms have been decorated in pastel colours, natural textures, and feature multiple lighting options to change the atmosphere as desired and even a holographic fireplace….
V. Luxury cruising: Cruise yachts, Four Seasons I and Scenic Eclipse I & II,
Another part of the cruise industry is cruising on 5-star plus luxury yachts. Four Seasons, Scenic Cruises and Ritz-Carlton are jsut a few examples of companies that have entered the market of high-end cruising recently.zie bladwijzer voor toevoegingen nog
The well kown hotel brand Four Seasons’ first cruise yacht Four Seasons I will enter service at the end of 2026.
She will be built around “immersive luxury experiences,” Four Seasons’ president and CEO Alejandro Reynal states, “The inaugural yacht is a manifestation of this vision, offering a world-class Four Seasons experience, at sea and on land, marked by the genuine, personalized service that our guests know and love.” Tillberg Design of Sweden is the lead architect behind the exterior and 95 suites—each of which costs $4.2 million to build—while London-based Martin Brudnizki Design Studio (whose portfolio includes Eden Rock St Barths, private members club Annabel’s in London, and Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens in Greece) will design the guest areas, and Prosper Assouline will provide creative direction. Assouline is a publisher of art, lifestyle, photography and travel books. and in 2010 the company diversfied into luxury gifts, furniture and accessories. They also deliver designs for bespoke fully furnished libraries. The team specifically looked to the iconic 1930’s Four Seasons Hotel at the Surf Club.
There will be a total of 95 suites, the crown jewel of which will be The Funnel Suite: a huge, four-story penthouse, one of the largest suites available on any cruise ship. With its four levels and huge outdoor terrace, it will offer more than 9,500 square feet of space for up to six guests. The Funnel Suite will be located in the dummy funnel on top the ship where the traditional funnel normally is situated. Its main design feature is its curved, wraparound glass windows that will stretch from floor to ceiling offering 280-degree views of the sea. The curved glass is a “one-of-a-kind engineering innovation. An impressive achievement with from its steel web frame support structure to its double glass thermal performance,” according to Four Seasons in a company statement. Four Seasons state it will be the most expensive and largest piece of contiguous glass at sea costing $4.5 million to build and install. The Funnel Suite will also offer feature a private wading pool on its terrace and even a private area dedicated to in-suite spa treatments.
“Regular” suites on Four Seasons I will measure an average of about 580 square feet and will have their own private balcony of at least 100 square feet while the top seven will feature plunge pools. The new yacht wiil have a never before seen passenger to crew ratio as the crew will outnumber the number of passengers onboard! She will comfortably fit 200 people, offering over 50 percent more living space per guest than any other vessel currently in service. Some highlights of Four Seasons I: five gourmet restaurants where maybe some of the chefs of the Four Seasons properties will give acte de presence, a beach club that will have a French Riviera look and feel and other bars and louges.
Her pool area will feature a large 66-foot pool, modeled after Aristotle Onassis’ famous yacht Christina O. The pool’s design makes it possible to quickly fill or empty it and raise its floor to be level with the deck and provide a multi-purpose stage for performances or even weddings.
Finally Four Seasons I will have an innovative marina, stretching the entire width of the ship ship including expansive platforms and tiered decks for sunbathing swimming and water sports when the ship is at anchor. Activities like private sailing, snorkeling, and windsurfing will be possible, as well as “rentable custom crafted sea limousines designed for transfers and coastal grand touring” according to the line. Dedicated marina crew will cater for guests’ every need, and there will be a lounge with al fresco seating overlooking the marina.
Plans are for two sister ships to follow.
Scenic Tours Australia had always operated a fleet of high-end river cruisers until 2019 when the company decided to diversify and added a sea cruises division specialising in luxury expedition sea voyages.
The 168-meter mega-cruise yacht Scenic Eclipse, with a 21.5-meter beam, will include the latest innovations in naval design and technology for exploration in extreme environments, such as the Arctic and Antarctic regions. The Spanish firm Oliver Design has been asked to develop an attractive external as well as the architectural design (ship’s lay-out of public rooms and staterooms) for the vessel together with the Scenic Team.
Scenic Eclipse has 114 luxury suites and two helicopters, a submarine capable of reaching depths of 300 meters, Zodiacs, diving equipment and kayaks which will allow passengers to discover the world both above and under the surface.
For the interior of the vessel Scenic workedng with partners such as B&B Italia, specialised in in modern furniture, Walter Knoll, claiming to be the furniture brand of modernity, Tom Dixon, designing and producing furniture and lighting and Jonathon Browning multi-skilled in combining creative design, spatial planning with hands-on fabrication, 3D modeling and printing, producing technical drawings as well as construction all with the use of digital design tools. Also, a number of artworks were commissioned from renowned international artists and are the focal point of her interiors. This is more than just a cruise ship, this is a total sensory experience” the line’s project leader Karen Moroney explains.
“From the entry foyer to the guest suites and the dining areas, the feel is one of calm, luxury and serenity to allow our guests to truly relax and take in the total voyage experience. We are extremely proud of this ship and what it brings to the world of cruising,” Glen Moroney, chairman and founder of Scenic Luxury Cruises and Tours adds. “In terms of innovation, technology and design, it is second to none.”
Guests have the 240-seat theatre at their disposal, and a discovery team which includes Antarctic and Arctic experts, who lecture to inform passengers about the areas the ship visits.
The main dining room restaurant “Elements” offers Italian food, stakes and seafood. The other restaurants are Night Market At Koko’s (for street food and traditional Asian dishes), Sushi at Koko’s (Japanese food), Lumiere (French cuisine, with Champagne Bar). Specialty dining venues are complimentary and range from the Teppanyaki grill dining, and Lumiere (for fine French dining to the Chef’s Table (private VIP dining for just 8 people). Professional cookery demonstrations are offered at the Epicure. (cooking emporium).The Yacht Club with its own bar), buffet and poolside Grill.was redesigned during the ships refurbishment in 2021 and is now a casual dining venue just like the Azure Bar & Cafe.
Scenic Eclipse will carry up to 228 travelers (200 in the Arctic and Antarctica) on voyages highlighting nature, cultural encounters and historic sites. The yacht’s 114 suites all with private balconies naturally range from 32 meter feet to an astonishing 247 square meter. All accommodations are served by butlers, and the passenger to crew ratio is nearly 1:1.
The yacht has a Polar Class 6 ice rating. Stabilizer fins are 50% larger than standard to provide greater stability by diminishing the ships’cutting roll by over 85%. Another interesting feature is her ability for dynamic positioning meaning no anchor is needed to prevent damaging the seabed. Designed by Finnish ship designing and engineering company Foreship, Scenic Eclipse‘s design makes her the safest expedition yacht currently sailing.
Scenic Eclipse II, the second of Scenic Luxury Cruises and Tours’ discovery yachts, was originally meant to be a perfect copy of her sister ship Scenic Eclipse I. but Scenic felt they could improve the existing already succesful design. By the time Scenic Eclipse II made her debut in April 2023, literally every public space onboard had been improved.
Scenic is in the unique position of owning its own shipyard, a situation which arose during the building of Scenic Eclipse when the shipyard that was constructing the vessel went out of business. Instead of having her completed by another shipyard, Scenic hired members of the yard’s former staff and completed the ship itself. This unique approach was repeated with the construction of Scenic Eclipse II.
Among the new additions to the ship is the Chef’s Garden @ Epicure, a new dining experience doubling as a presentation area able to accommodate up to 14 standing or seven seated guests. Here, guests can join culinary masterclasses. Another new space is the Sky Deck and Bar, which offers indoor and outdoor seating with private cabanas. This deck also includes the new oval-shaped Vitality Pool, which features jets creating a current for guests to swim against. The ship’s steam room has also been expanded and now offers aromatherapy and even features According to Scenic, the impressive 550-square meters spa which offers aromatherapy scents from Klafs is the most extensive wellnesss offered on any cruiseship sailing nowadays.
VI. Luxury cruising: full size ships Viking Ocean Cruises and Explora Journeys,
Cruise lines like Seabourn, Oceania, Regent Seven Seas operate luxury vessels but their ships are larger than the aforementioned yachts. We look into more detail into the ships of Viking Ocean Cruises and Explora Journeys.
On Viking vessels no childrens facilities, photographers or a casino are present, nor cabins suited for other than double occupancy, as none have the option for a 3rd or 4th bed. There are 465 cabins, all with private balconies for 930 passengers which are spacious, the smallest being 270 ft2 , about 15% above industry average. In the rather small passenger cabins, to make them appear larger, the color scheme is soft blues and whites, with rust accents added and walnut and, in the case of suites, maple flooring. Carpet designs are based on antique Norwegian quilts and rugs.
A space ration -which is the enclosed space measured in cubic feet per passenger- of 51.5 showes these vessels very spacious. On 12 decks, 10 for passenger use and 2 for the crew, interior design has a obvious Scandinavian touch, with the use of natural materials, developed by a team of interior architects from SMC-design and Rottet Studios from Los Angeles.
Richard Riveire, Los Angeles–based principal of Rottet Studio, had never been on an ocean cruise ship before, when he was hired to create the decor for all ships in Viking Ocean Cruises’ fleet, but he succeeded in delivering a tasteful design for the Viking Ocean shipsthat did not stop him from coming up with a concept for the 47,842-ton, 930-passenger ships. Durning the design process, Rottet Studio collaborated with London-based SMC Design on the ships interiors.
Torstein Hagen, the line’s founder and chairman, is Norwegian, and the Vikings were Scandinavian, which inspiring Riveire him to create an interior with a Scandinavian feel, clean, modern, lighter colored, simpler. It’s deliberately not elaborately or overly decorated, not overdone. and with a color palette that mainly focuses on soft blues, pure whites and a touch of rust here and there; light woods predominate, overall a minimalist, reduced palette. without the heavy moldings, excessive drapery or of yesteryear or the Las Vegas-glitz seen onboard many of the mass-market ships.
There are several spots onboard where the conncection with Scandinavia is obvious. For example in the Winter Garden, a lounge where afternoon tea is served. Under its steel-and-glass dome it features stylized trees made from maple. Wood is also used in the ship’s three-deck atrium and public areas, seen in a bar made of wood panels reminiscent of Viking longships. Another nautical touch in the lounge areas are heavy, braided cotton macramé window coverings, in two shades of blue and white, that resemble the rigging on sails and hide views of lifeboats on the ship’s deck.
The Explorer’s Lounge and the library on the upper deck is also inspired by Vikings: The blue carpet design features compass roses, while a band of white acrylic that cuts across the middle of the lounge’s two-story-high exterior windows dramatically lights up at night to depict the constellations. Also, the library contains not only books, but also seashells and replicas of Viking masks and weaponry.
Perhaps one of the most special rooms in the ship is the Snow Grotto in the spa. It was created by spa and wellness designer LivNordic of Raison d’Etre. Part of a traditional Nordic bathing ritual in both the sauna and thermal pool, this glass room is filled continuously with a mist of water that turns into snow in its ice cold interior, making this the ultimate Scandinavian experience.
Torstein Hagen’s daughter Katrina acts as vice-president and is also the “spokeswoman” of the company as she does most of the company’s marketing video material narration. Viking interiors have a clear Scandinavian touch. The interior of the Viking ships is quiet, subdued, luxury and modernist without the glitz we find onboard mass market’s ships, with the Scandinavian influence which is also reflected in the art work onboard, like some pieces of Edvard Munch (famous for his work “The Cry”). The focal point is the three deck high atrium where passengers can relax having a drink, do some quiet reading in the library etc. There are seven restaurants, two of these are specialty restauramts and two offer outdoor seating. All are complimentary but the space in the specialty restaurants is allocated based on cabin category to manage demand.
Viking now (May 2025) has 10 sister ships in service as well as 1 slightly larger vessel of 54,300GT with 490 staterooms. Until 2030, another 9 ships of this new series are on order from the Fincantieri yard in Italy.
Other than her sister ships, Viking Orion (2018) has a planetarium installed, with room for 26 passengers. The only other ship having a planetarium is Cunard’s Queen Mary 2, but Viking Orion’s planetarium is in 3D, so it is extra special, a unique feature, which is free of charge. Many things are complimentary on Viking ships, besides the already mentioned specialty restaurants and the planetarium, the same goes for WIFI, drinks (beer, wine) at mealtime and in every port one excursion is offered for free check. The Viking ships are all sister ships, which means operational effectiveness which competing lines with mixed fleets cannot achieve. The low, squat funnel give the ships an air draft –the distance from the surface of the water to the highest point of a vessel- of 44m making them ease to manoeuvre. A dedicated crew area is wrapped around the funnel on the top deck.
Explora Journeys, which is part of family-owned shipping business MSC Group debuted its first vessel, Explora I, in August 2023. This new cruise line’s mission is “to redefine the cruise experience offering service levels second to none in the industry, allowing guests to relax, make memories and cherish the time at sea with their loved ones” as Pierfransesco Vago, executive chairman of MSC Group’s cruise division explains.
Explora Journey’s logo was designed by Alexa Aponte – Vago, daughter of MSC founder Gianluigi Aponte, wife of chairman Pierfrancesco Vago and also CFO of the MSC Group. The logo is inspired by the mandala with the lotus flower depicting purity of body, speech and mind with the pattern representing a journey of personal discovery and fulfilment, while the fleur-de lis relates to humility and shows the connection to its European heritage.Explora Journeys state the ship’s design aims at putting guests ”in an ocean state of mind”, water and the ocean are the ship’s main theme. The Explora sisterships will have 2,500 square meters of outdoor deck space and 3 outdoor pools with 64 cabana’s. A fourth pool will feature a magrodome, a retractable roof making swimming possible also in inclement weather. Guests will have an array of inside and outside bars at their disposal and nine restaurants will serve gourmet dishes including locally sourced ingredients created by top chefs. To stay fit and relaxed a spacious indoor/ outdoor spa and fitness area as well as separate treatment rooms which can be enjoyed during group classes as well as with personal trainers. Also, activities ashore will offer wellness experiences.
Explora I was designed with the help of a team of superyacht and luxury hospitality designers. 461 Oceanfront suites, the smallest of these measuring 35 square metresand among the largest afloat will offer guests the high-end experience expected with their floor to ceiling windows and private terraces.p. Decorated with serene colour palettes and luxurious furnishings, the suites will offer a “real home at sea” for guests and range from 35 to 250 square metres in size. The lighting in the suites was realised by luxury brand Astep resulting in high quality elegant chandeliers and bedside sconce lighting.
“Throughout Explora I (2023) and Explora II (2024) we collaborated with leading architectural studios and prestigious furniture designers, to thoughtfully curate every space on board.” Following positive feedback from guests and the wider cruise industry that it successfully achieved its goal of delivering a superyacht-style experience onboard Explora I, the brand has opted not to make significant design changes to Explora II. Consequently, the newbuild will offer the same elegant interiors, upscale amenities, fine dining and personalised hospitality services. Explora II’s design mirrors that of Explora I, which is the epitome of European luxury at sea. To ensure the design reflects our ‘ocean state of mind’ philosophy, we’ve incorporated the use of light, colour, space, privacy and maximised the connection to the sea.” says Antonio di Nenno, director of architecture and design for both Explora Journeys and MSC Cruises.
Explora Journeys has collaborated with renowned superyacht and luxury hospitality designers, outfitters and product suppliers to create Explora II. Several, including AD Associates and De Jorio, previously worked on the brand’s first ship. AD Associates has developed Sakura, a Pan-Asian restaurant inspired by the ancient tea rooms of Kyoto in Japan, as well as the Marble & Co. Grill European steakhouse, and Anthology, the culinary stage for Explora’s famous chefs. Italian firm Studio DAZ has once again designed the retail area. SMC Design developed the aft terrace on Deck 5, featuring infinity Astern Pool & Bar.
While Explora II will be largely the same as its sister ship, there will be some “understated differences” between the vessels. “We’ve increased our usage of Flos lighting solutions,” says Di Nenno. “These timeless lights, which will include both base and table lamps, will help define the soul of spaces and create harmony within all our suites.”
For example on Explora II, the Italian brand Unopiù outdoor furniture introduced the Davos Collection (inspired by the architecture in the Swiss town of Davos crafted by the renowned Matteo Nunziati for the Helios Pool. Its colour palette matches Explora Journeys’ signature blue branding and makes one think of ocean waves and azure skies. Molteni&C delivered iconic furniture by Gio Ponti, as well as their outdoor collection for different terraces and finally Curated Art Collections made each suite features an artwork as focal point in the living room. Speaking of art, on the Explora-ships there will beselected pieces by artists such as Swiss-Egyptian sculptor Yves Dana, prints by Mallorcan artist Nena Woreth and works by the late Chinese-French abstract painter Chu Teh Chun. Explora II will also boast an extensive art collection curated by the Aponte Vago family, owners of the MSC Group. Finally, many other artists (30 per cent of them will be working for Explora Journeys for the first time) deliver one-off masterpieces.
With 14 decks, Explora II will boast more than 2,500 square metres of outdoor public spaces, including three pools surrounded by a total of 64 private cabanas, whirlpools, and poolside dining venues and bars. Other highlights will include a pool with a magrodome, a retractable roof, a casino, a retail space, a 1,000-square-meter Ocean Wellness complex, six restaurants, 12 bars and lounges and of course an art gallery. Until 2028, Finacantier will deliver 4 more sister ships.
VII. Residential cruise ships, e.g. Njord and Ulyssia
Permanently living onboard a cruise ship is still fairly new. And it has become obvious that things can go horribly wrong, for example in the case of Life at Sea Cruises, a company planning to sell staterooms on residential voyages, which had to cancel its first three-year cruise, stating it couldn’t acquire a ship because of a lack of funds. After postponing the sailing twice, the company announced that a deal to buy a ship fell through and the sailing was now definitively cancelled. Many of the prospective residents had already invested large sums of money, sold their houses or invested their savings. It remains to be seen if Life at Sea Cruises will be able to repay the money as promised. They had planned to buy the retired AidaAura but instead she was sold to Celestyal Cruises from Greece. Not able to secure another ship in time, Life At Sea closed its doors in June 2024.
The World presently is one of two residential cruise ships circling the globe. It was the brainchild of Knut Kloster, known for being one of the founders of Norwegian Cruise Line and introducing the first mega cruise ship, the Norway in 1980.
Most residents have been successful in life, e.g. being captains of industry, business men or women. Remember that you need to prove you are worth at least $ 10 million before you even are allowed to purchase a studio or suite aboard The World. These do not come cheap as prices begin at $2 million for the smallest 260-square-foot studio while the largest, measuring 3,500 square feet, costs close to $15 million. Maintenance fees, and fees for operating the ship in general (crew costs, fuel, food services etc.) can add up to as much as $900,000 a year. As mentioned above, there are two kinds of studio’s, and the same goes for the larger residences, the suites. In all, there are 165 residences, all with internet access of course. One of her residents even owns three apartments…
Large passenger ships are often called floating cities, and in this case, in spite of The World being a rather small vessel by todays standards, she offers all the necessary facilities for a residential community living at sea as she has a show lounge, cocktail lounges/ bars (Lobby Bar, Marina Bar, Pool Bar, Regatta Bar and Quantum), six restaurants like for example Portraits, serving Michelin-level haute cuisine, movie-theatre, library, Freddy’s Deli (a delicatessen and grocery store), a boutique and the central lobby with the guest services desk, a billiard room, golf simulator, tennis court, jogging track, a spa and a swimming pool. The ship’s wine cellar stocks a 12,000 bottle wine collection. Freddy Deli offers residents groceries and delicatessen should they want to cook themselves, but if they do not want to prepare their own meals (all studio’s and suites have a kitchen or basic cooking facilities), they can have one of the chefs onboard prepare a special meal for you and maybe the guests you have invited in your own residence.
In the beginning it was also possible to join as a regular cruise passenger, staying onboard for a limited period of time. However, residents were not impressed by the behaviour of the temporary guests and decided to aquire the ship themselves. Which they did after negotiating with the banks that had financed the ship.
Several employees having been involved in the Life at Sea project still saw opportunities in the concept of a residential cruise ship and started the Villa Vie company. They succeeded in acquiring Fred Olsen Cruises’ Braemar (1993) which had been in lay up and for sale for quite some time and renamed her Villa Vie Odyssey, for a planned 3,5 year world cruise. She was handed over to Villa Vie Residences in February 2024, with over 70% of the 485 cabins already sold. She was sent to the Harland & Wolff shipyard in Belfast in April 2024 for a refit. The ship was then delayed by rudder and gearbox problems, with new rudder stocks having to be manufactured, while future residents waited for a revised departure date of September 2024. The company paid for their accommodation and travel costs. She could finally depart September 30. Villa Vie Odyssey is a rather small ship, and her interiors, public spaces and residences, have been modernised and made suitable for cruises of long duration.
Recently, sveral other ventures were started with large very luxurious vessels planned. They offer spectacular suites, extremely expensive and designed by top interior architects and fitted out with the most exclsuve materials and artworks. Examples hereof are Njord, to be built by Meyer Werft with delivery in 2025/ 2026 and Ulyssia, the largest superyacht in the world planned for 2029.
Njord, a residential superyacht to be operated by Ocean Residences will be home to a community of owners, sharing a passion for travel and adventure. She was created with a philanthropic purpose; she is equipped to undertake scientific and oceanographic research wherever she travels. Residents on board are united in supporting charities, missions and pressing causes. She takes her name from the Norse god of the sea, who caused favorable winds to blow for Viking voyagers, the earliest explorers in history.
Some stats: length 297 meters, 86.000GT, 13 decks, 117 private residences, 300 crew, speed 18 knots and classification DNV Polar Class 6.
Superyacht Njord‘s residences are among the largest aboard any vessel or floating residence. Sized from 140-840 sqm and pricing starting from $8.5 mio.They offer custom cabinetry by Studio Becker, Gaggenau Integrated smart-home technology and personalized housekeeping, as well as laundry, florist and tailor services.
According to Ocean Residence, Njord is designed by a “world-class design team”. Designers working on the interiors of Njord:
Kelly Hoppen interiors, the multi-award-winning designer, Linley Interior Design who has an impressive range of clients, ranging from Sir Elton John to Anouska Hempel, Lady Weinberg and Valentino, London-based studio LINLEY, founded by David Linley in 1985, being renowned worldwide for bringing striking design together with expert craftsmanship., 1508 London, a design studio specialising in design of high-end private residences, luxury hospitality projects, residential developments, as well as yachts and product design. Taylor Howes, a multi-award-winning, international luxury interior design studio from London, known for designing remarkable interiors and exquisite furnishings, Studio Becker, manufacturer of exquisite, bespoke cabinetry and architectural woodwork for interiors. Neal Jones Furniture have delivered the finest, luxury furniture to prestigious clients across land and sea, including yachts and luxury mansions, they are supported by a network of over 400 furniture artisans.
During her travels, residents onboard Njord have a helicopter ,4 luxury limo tenders, 2 dive and fishing boats, 2 submarines, 10 zodiacs, a yacht and sail club with sailboats, paddleboards, undersea scooters and a fully-equipped dive centre at their disposal.
Njord will be the first-ever superyacht to utilize bio-methanol, a net-zero carbon output fuel source that will ensure that the ship leaves no carbon footprint. Also, she has been designed with the most advanced hybrid-electric powerplant available, batteries for all-electric and hybrid operation, heat recovery systems and advanced waste-to-energy converters.
Another example of a residential cruise ship being planned is the Ulyssia, a 324-meter cruise ship and condominium.
Designed by renowned yacht designer Espen Øino, Ulyssia with her sleek, elegant silhouette will rank as one of the longest vessels on the high seas. The 180-meter Azzam is the largest superyacht currently sailing, while the 365-meter Icon of the Seas is the biggest cruise liner. She will be built by the German shipyard Meyer Werft.
Designed by Italian firm FM Architettura, according to her owners her interiors will be finished to a “five-star luxury hotel specification.” She will boast 132 private residences, ranging from approximately 100 square meter to more than 900 square meter ranging from spectacular penthouses costing from $60 mio (!) to family duplexes with one to six bedrooms, elegant living rooms, an open-plan kitchen, private terraces, and uninterrupted ocean views. Owners can choose from eight existing designs or even appoint their own design team to customize the interior. Ulyssia will also have 22 guest suites to accommodate friends, family, or visiting guest speakers.
There will be a spa (health and wellness activities are coordinated by Chenot from Switzerland, known for their luxury spas), fitness center,and even a medical facility with the latest equipment for X-rays, MRIs, ultrasounds, etc. Ulyssia will feature multiple restaurants that according to Ocean Residences will be staffed by both “world-renowned” and “up-and-coming” guest chefs. In addition, the on board food market will be stocked with local produce sourced from the areas in which the ship is sailing at the time. She will also have a well-stocked wine cellar. Other interior highlights include a theater, library, indoor pool, art studio, and a resident’s “garage for toys”. Also, two helicopters, a yacht club, a marina, a dive center, padel and pickleball courts, and a fleet of speedy electric tenders are there for passengers to enjoy.
“The concept behind Ulyssia is, quite simply, traveling the world from the comfort of your home. Every day, you go out and you explore these magnificent destinations all over the globe, but you come home to familiarity, to people who know who you are, who know what your needs are and how to take care of all your preferences,” Ulyssia Residences AG CEO Alain Gruber said in a statement. This project inspires confidence because of the team’s experience with the world’s first residential ship The World. Their goal is to create “the world’s most exclusive residential yacht community,” Ulyssia is being developed in collaboration with Meyer Werft and superyacht designers Espen Oeino from Monaco and is now slated for introduction in 2029.
To be able to qualify for one of the residences, buyers need to have funds of at least 25 mio dollars, the “cheapest” suite costing 10 mio dollars. However, owners will be offered a 50-year transferable and renewable lease, with annual fees expected to be between 3 to 3.5 percent of the purchase cost. Future residents need to have a passion for exploration and philanthropy. Education will have center stage on board as apart from lecturers there will be a school onboard to educate the children and youngsters being part of the ships community. Ocean Residences wants all age groups to be represented on Ulyssia, also families with children. Although maximum capacity will be 300, on average 200 residents are expected to be on board.
Currently, the number of companies planning to take one or more residential cruise ships into service is rapidly growing. One stands out, German shipbuilder Meyer Werft has presented a groundbreaking climate-neutral cruise ship concept named Serenity designed specifically for the expanding demographic of travelers over the age of 80.
