Cruise & Ferry Review - Spring/Summer 2021

7 0 Minerva will feature various venues with contemporary Scandinavian-style interiors INTERV IEW felt it was important to have a great deal of input since we have 20 years of operational experience,” says Zito. “The interiors have been designed by Tillberg Design of Sweden and we have also had great contribution from the naval architect Robert McFarlane.” It is this combination of expertise that has resulted in something truly unique. “We have a direct understanding of what is really important to guests while onboard,” says Zito. “They want to be fully immersed in the beauty of the destination, without any barriers. They want an authentic experience and they want to be outside for the majority of the time, getting as close to their surroundings as possible. Whether they are witnessing sea-life encounters, bird watching, stargazing or simply admiring the immensity of uninhabited land, we want our guests to have a great experience, no matter what the weather.” With this in mind, Zito’s design brief was simple. “We wanted a lot of large windows, both in cabins and public spaces, accessible outside decks for wildlife watching at any location and an elegant yet unobtrusive décor. We wanted the centre of attention to be the outside – the ship is simply a tool to get there. From the comments and the attention we have received so far, I believe we have achieved what we set out to do.” Minerva is already proving to be appealing to a very international audience, a demographic made up of culture seekers – individuals considering themselves citizens of the world who are willing to share experiences with like-minded people. “Fundamentally, our passengers are people who enjoy travelling in sophisticated elegance and who have a deep-rooted thirst for knowledge,” says Zito. “I cannot wait to welcome them onboard.” CFR “ We have a direct understanding of what is really important to guests while onboard”