| Recently delivered ‘Norwegian Prima’s’ interior spaces offer a break from traditional cruise ship aesthetics to create an ambience more reminiscent of a modern, high-end hotel, Oslo-based architecture and design company, YSA Design claimed.
Recently christened in Reykjavik, Iceland following her completion at Italy’s Fincantieri Marghera Shipyard, ’Norwegian Prima’ is the first of Norwegian Cruise Lines’ (NCL) new ’Prima’ class cruise vessels.
The 294 m long cruise ship can accommodate up to 3,099 guests.
YSA Design was responsible for the design of several spaces on board, including two dining areas, the forward and aft public stairs and lift lobbies, plus the public toilets.
“For this first-in-class vessel, we departed from the conventions of the cruise-ship aesthetic to create a fresher look and feel based on the flair of a modern, luxury hotel,” explained YSA Design senior interior architect and project lead, Fabiana Vale Dornelas. “Our design approach is characterised by elegant and contemporary elements, including clean lines, reflective surfaces, stone finishes and metal detailing.”
An example of this approach is the New York-style restaurant located on Deck 7 aft. Named after the river that separates Jersey City from Manhattan, Hudson’s is an upmarket venue offering 280-deg views from the stern of the ship.
Described as an open, airy space, the venue is decorated in contrasting bright and deep-blue tones, with golden finishes reflecting the natural light that enters through sloping floor-to-ceiling windows. Adding colour and texture are the velvet upholstery and the organic, abstract motif of the carpet, while crystal-embedded gold-leaf chandeliers cast intricate patterns of light on the ceiling.
Aft of the back stairs on Deck 8 is The Local, a casual venue comprising a starboard bar and a restaurant on the port side. In the bar, cool blue lighting from behind the counter contrasts with the warm, earthy tones of the seating area, and multi-coloured mosaic tiling and wood-panel flooring converge at straight and diagonal angles in the centre.
Sharing the warm palette of the bar seating area, the restaurant brings together boldly coloured upholstery with subdued wood and brick finishes. The entire venue is unified by a dark, semi-open ceiling partially illuminated by contemporary string lights.
“The idea with The Local was to offer a relaxed environment for informal dining and socialising,” Dornelas explained. “The space is vibrant and quirky with a multi-cultural twist – the perfect setting for sharing a bite to eat and a drink with friends.”
Comprising three lobbies, four lift towers and 14 lifts, the forward and aft public stairs share a consistent look and feel, featuring straight lines, marble flooring, stylish stone finishes with metal detailing and deep-blue tones reflected in the mirror elements and chandeliers.
Spanning lift to lift, the chandeliers form a fluid, wavy shape that appears to change depending on the angle from which it is viewed.
Adjacent to the lobbies are the public toilets, which maintain the modern hotel style. The aesthetic is described as sophisticated and clean, with wooden and stone finishing.
Contributing to the elegant look are a reflective wall with metal inserts, slate floor tiles arranged in an irregular pattern and crystal pendants that produce fascinating reflections. In line with post-pandemic hygiene standards, the integrated sinks include touchless taps, soap dispensers and dryers. |
