Tillberg Design of Sweden take us behind the scenes of Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ latest newbuild
By
Rebecca Lambert |
This article was first published in the Spring/Summer 2015 issue of Cruise & Ferry Interiors.
In July 2016, Regent Seven Seas Cruises will debut its most luxurious ship to date – Seven Seas Explorer. Among the many onboard innovations to look forward to is the 3,875-square-foot two-bedroom Regent Suite, which, complete with its own private spa, stretches across the entire width of the ship to offer an impressive 270-degree ocean view.
Tillberg Design of Sweden (TDoS) has been commissioned to handle the majority of the ship’s interior design as well as some exterior styling, and just recently finalised the suite’s design. According to Michal Jackiewicz, one of the firm’s partners and senior architects, it will be the biggest suite on a cruise ship to date – it will also be one of the most luxurious.
“The brief was to create ‘a new level of grandeur’ throughout the ship,” he says. “You could say that the Regent Suite sets the tone for the rest of the ship’s design with an incredible sense of spaciousness and unmatched attention to detail.”
Compared to its fleetmates Mariner, Voyager and Navigator, Seven Seas Explorer’s design will be much more contemporary luxe. “It will have a really stylish feel – a perfect balance between timeless design and a new, more contemporary flavour,” Fredrik Johansson says.
Among the many areas TDoS has designed onboard, Jackiewicz and Johansson highlight two that they think will be considered the most impressive. “The Central Atrium – simply because of its grandeur – and the Meridian Lounge, which features a curved bar in antique silver finish with a back-lit alabaster top, a rosewood parquet dance floor and some very elegant taupe leather furnishing,” they say.
Certainly, TDoS and Regent Seven Seas Cruises have not held back when it comes to creating an extraordinary onboard experience – something both partners say is a sign of things to come in the cruise industry.
“You’ve heard it before, but authenticity is the new luxury,” says Johansson. “The coming generation of cruisers are interested in genuine experiences, authentic food and drinks, and culture. Influences from urban trends and co-branding with popular and well-known players are also strong trends in our business, and will continue to grow. Clever use of space is on everyone’s agenda nowadays too, as is achieving a more seamless transition between the different venues onboard.”
Explaining how their company keeps up with the latest trends, Johansson says that getting to really understand each client’s vision is imperative. “If we can, we travel together with the owner and visit the places that most inspire him or her. You then build up a deep mutual understanding and relationship.”
Jackiewicz, Johansson and their team then bring out their pens and spend time sketching until they have created what they consider to be an optimised architecture – both in terms of guest experience and making effective use of available space.
Onboard themes and palates are created by bringing together some of TDoS’s most experienced designers plus a few of its youngest minds to brainstorm ideas. “This is such a magic and inspiring process, and it is imperative to allow time to try new, innovative ideas,” says Johansson. “To have fun while designing is so important; the top-end results come out when the team is having a great time together.”
Finally, before delivering a presentation to the client, everything is reviewed once more internally. “Then, all you have to do is to deliver everything within the agreed timeframe – and stick to the budget,” Johansson. “We pride ourselves on doing both.”