Swan Hellenic’s chief executive explains how the ship’s interiors create a focus for the outside scenery
Swan Hellenic’s new cruise ship SH Vega’s interiors have been designed to allow the focus to be on the panoramic scenery outside.
Swan Hellenic chief executive Andrea Zito explains, “We wanted to create an elegant, unintrusive décor in the sense that the whole focus of the hardware is to be an elegant background for the beautiful surroundings to which we are taken. The focus is the outside – the panorama rather than the interior.”
This was the brief given to interior designer Tillberg Design of Sweden, which also designed the expedition cruise line’s first cruise ship SH Minerva and is also responsible for the interiors of the third, SH Diana.
The emphasis on the outside means the ship has been designed to have open decks and many large windows. “Wherever you are in the vessel, you are connected to the outside world,” says Mr Zito, adding, “There is a lot of external light coming in with the big windows, so passengers are always connected, this is the dominant theme for the vessel. We wanted to create a décor that was elegant and refined, a relaxing design and atmosphere that is not detracting from the attention to the outside.”
He sums up the theme as “Extrovert, rather than introvert”.
Embracing the outside
This theme of embracing the outside is reflected across the ship. The observation lounge is the hub of the ship and a multi-functional space, used for lectures, entertainment, and it is where the main bar is located.
Mr Zito says, “It has been designed as asymmetrical – on one side of the room, windows overhang over the side of the vessel and on the other side, there is an outside corridor with cosy heated seats where passengers can sit. There is a large screen for presentations and pop-up TVs around the room so wherever guests are seated, they can comfortably follow presentations from lecturers.”
Also on deck seven, in the aft, is the club lounge, which is connected to the swimming pool and pool bar.
Mr Zito explains, “It is intended for early breakfast, a continental quick breakfast rather than the full English breakfast. When the weather allows, it can be connected to the outdoor bar and grill. This is popular as it is on one of the highest decks, and there is space for 50 people.”
Indeed, Mr Zito notes it is “increasingly popular to eat outside because the purpose of the voyage is to connect with the outside and beautiful scenery. People even have lunch outside if it is overcast, as people prefer to be outside rather than inside.”
The main restaurant on a lower deck can easily be converted from buffet style breakfast and lunch to a more formal dining room.
Ergonomic focus
There is a focus on practicality and ergonomics within the vessel, making it easy for guests to join excursions. Mr Zito says, “In expedition cruising, passengers must put on gear and protective suits a couple of times a day and they need to do it in the most comfortable way, so we paid a lot of attention to detail in the mud rooms. The Zodiacs are arranged so there is maximum flexibility, safety and speed of operation.”
And for ease of entry and exit on the Zodiacs, they are stored on the lower deck.
Furthermore, Swan Hellenic has a butler service. When guests arrive wet and dirty from shore excursions, they do not have to bring the gear to the cabins – someone will take it in the mud rooms, clean and dry it and bring it back to the cabins.
The cabins have been designed with lots of space and storage. “Our average cruise length is longer than normal at 12 days, so passengers need space for storage for the longer period and for the different gear they need,” says Mr Zito.
Most staterooms have large balconies and the 10 cabins without have huge bow windows.
The finishing touch to the cabins are fireplaces, using hologram technology. These are a hallmark of Tillberg Design in Sweden, says Mr Zito, commenting, “These have been well received. They bring cosiness and depth to the room and are very realistic, with a crackling noise, creating a relaxing atmosphere.” But of course, if guests do not want the fires on, they can turn it off with click of the remote control.
There is a large gymnasium with huge windows and an overflow to outside, so exercise or yoga classes can take place on deck. Opposite is a sauna with big windows and outside that, a 5 m by 3 m pool that is heated and extremely popular even in cold climates.
There is a library with books on flora and fauna for guests who would like to receive more information.
And moving back to the theme of concentrating on the outside, the front of the ship has a ‘swan neck’, a striking observation deck placed far forward, allowing guests to closely look at the waves and wildlife such as orcas and dolphins.
