62 The Explorer’s Kitchen restaurant was one of several public spaces DFDS upgraded onboard both King Seaways and Princess Seaways REVITALISATION A new lease of life Teun-Wim Leene of DFDS tells Michele Witthaus about the €10 million refurbishment project the ferry operator completed onboard both King Seaways and Princess Seaways in early 2024 King Seaways and Princess Seaways, both of which operate on DFDS’s ferry route between Newcastle, UK, and Amsterdam, Netherlands, were extensively renovated during a €10 million ($10.8 million) project in January and February 2024. The scope of the refurbishment included all cabins (close to 1,000 in total), the Explorer’s Kitchen restaurant, elevators, hallways, and the addition of new door lock systems. The project was planned and executed by DFDS, interior design firm SMC Design and interior solutions provider DeRossi Marine, and carried out at Remontowa shipyard in Gdansk, Poland. “Our recent investment in cabin upgrades and the addition of new door locks stems from a deep commitment to address customer feedback, enhance passenger satisfaction and elevate our net promoter score,” says Leene. “Feedback from our frequent customer satisfactions surveys highlighted that our customers were happy with the quality of our onboard offerings, but our cabins were outdated and needed refreshing. “By revitalising our cabins and public areas, we aim to elevate our customers’ travel experiences. Both King Seaways and Princess Seaways have undergone a remarkable transformation, with nearly 1,000 cabins refurbished and upgrades to select public areas and restaurants.” How will the revamp affect the passenger experience onboard these ships? “When stepping aboard our DFDS vessels sailing the Amsterdam-Newcastle route, our customers will have an entirely new experience,” says Leene. “We’ve crafted new, modern and fully refurbished cabins tailored to meet evolving customer preferences. In addition, we’ve installed fresh furniture and carpets, upgraded light fixtures and added USB charging ports. We’ve also revitalised the public areas, restaurants and bars, ensuring that our customers embark on their journey aboard a vessel that is not only fresh but also significantly more contemporary.” DFDS has also successfully improved the environmental sustainability of both the vessels and its operational practices during the project. “Throughout the refurbishment process, we prioritised the selection of materials to ensure longevity for our vessels,” explains Leene. “A notable
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