How Continental is setting sail with high-performance materials

Skai upholstery products are designed to meet the special requirements of cruising

How Continental is setting sail with high-performance materials

Norwegian Cruise Line

More than 80 per cent of the components in Skai Evida are made from natural and renewable raw materials

By Alex Smith |


The sun sinking into the ocean on the horizon and nothing but water as far as the eye can see – every year millions of people take to the open sea to experience a moment like this and escape from everyday life.  

To help guests fully relax while onboard their ships, cruise lines should invest in comfortable and visually appealing furniture, upholstered in high-quality materials such as those offered by surface specialist Continental. 

All the upholstery materials in Continental’s Skai product range feature attractive designs suitable for cruise ships and meet specific marine requirements.  

One is Skai Evida, an environmentally friendly and high-performance artificial leather. More than 80 per cent of the components are made from natural and renewable raw materials. The artificial leather also sets high standards for design and comfort, as well as for technical properties such as robustness and resistance to disinfectants. These aspects make it well-suited for chairs or benches in restaurants or wellness areas, where particular demands are placed on the material. 

Meanwhile, Skai VyP Coffee is a breathable upholstery fabric with a classic leather grain. For this product, Continental has used coffee grounds as a raw material, as well as other sustainable components such as a backing fabric made from recycled PET and cotton fibres. This means that the artificial leather consists of 65 per cent recycled, natural raw materials. Skai VyP Coffee is also comfortable to sit on and has an elegant look and feel, making it ideal for armchairs or sofas. 

Skai Tovel EN has an equally high-quality look and texture. This artificial leather has a pleasant feel, which is combined with a fine microstructure and an elegant cloud print. The material is particularly popular for bed headboards, among other applications, in the cruise sector due to its outstanding technical properties. These include good abrasion resistance, a flame-retardant finish, and easy maintenance.  

Whether the focus is on sustainable solutions, durability or comfort, Continental offers a wide range of upholstery products with attractive designs and colours that can be customised according to clients’ specific requirements.  

See more on www.skai.com/en/cruise 

This article was first published in the Spring/Summer 2023 issue of Cruise & Ferry Review. All information was correct at the time of printing, but may since have changed. Subscribe to Cruise & Ferry Review for FREE here to get the next issue delivered directly to your inbox or your door. 

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