Cruise & Ferry Interiors 2021

6 8 but it’s crucial that we don’t forget to consider our customers’ preferences. We must ask ourselves how our interior design choices will speak to them – will they find it attractive? Will it prompt them to book a travel experience with Viking Line? AS : It’s always a balance between form and function. We aim to deliver a ship that aligns with our customers’ expectations, but also has functional spaces that allow for service flexibility. For example, Boylan’s Brasserie self-service restaurant and Café Lafeyette serve as the main passenger throughput areas when W. B. Yeats is operating at full passenger capacity. However, we can also run the ship’s full café, bar and meals services from these two venues during off-peak periods when we have lower passenger numbers. This allows us to close off the vessel’s main bar, à la carte restaurant, freight drivers’ lounge and club class facilities. Similarly, we can run a full food and beverage service from the freight drivers’ lounge if we’re sailing in freight-only mode. TCT : We operate both cruise and shuttle vessels, and people travel on them for different reasons, so we must consider different factors when designing interiors. Our shuttle services must be fast and reliable, so it’s important to have facilities to make the embarkation, disembarkation, check-in and boarding processes are as quick and simple as possible. On a cruise vessel, our priority is to provide a relaxing atmosphere, functional buffet areas and soothing interiors with a variety of services to make the onboard experience enjoyable. What onboard passenger experience and atmosphere do you seek to deliver through your interior design choices? BD : Our interior spaces are all designed with our passengers’ needs in mind. Our team put a lot of thought into how to improve the natural flow of passengers as they board via the passenger decks. The key information hub and reception are located close to the main entry point so our crew can assist passengers, and lounge sitting areas are located alongside the expansive windows so passengers can maximise sea views. We’re also committed to featuring Tasmanian products, so the interior timber is made from Tasmanian Oak and our bars and food outlets serve some of the state’s finest local produce. GE : When we’re planning how to use space, we prioritise offering panoramic views over our beautiful archipelago and aim to create vessels where every customer can find a favourite spot and enjoy the onboard experience. Specifically for Viking Glory, we’ve created a folksy, timeless design that represents our pioneering Nordic maritime heritage. AS : Our aim is to create a relaxing atmosphere for all our tourism, business and freight customers. We want to bring a romantic aspect to the travel experience and make it something passengers enjoy, rather than something they feel they must endure (as many people do with airline travel). As part of this, we work hard to make our ships feel spacious and ensure that our public areas are largely open to allow people to flow freely through the vessel, with each area appearing to blend seamlessly into the next. TCT : Customers on our cruise vessels want to create memorable experiences with family and friends, so we focus on creating interiors that provide a soothing and enjoyable voyage. Meanwhile, our shuttle vessels are mainly used by customers needing to quickly travel between Tallinn, Estonia and Helsinki, Finland, so we focus on providing modern comfort and an environmentally friendly travel option. When MyStar starts service on the route alongside Megastar next year, we’ll create a ‘green ROUNDTABLE “ The comfort and safety of our passengers, alongside durability and long-lasting design, were our key priorities” Bernard Dwyer, Spirit of Tasmania Irish Ferries has created several luxury suites and accommodation options onboard W. B. Yeats