PLANTATION, Fla.—May 17, 2018 - Virgin Voyages has released renderings of a selection of exterior public spaces and interior designs inspired by the brand’s design concept- the Modern Romance of Sailing. Building on the company’s mission to redefine what those expect from a sea vacation and thus create an Epic Sea Change For All, Virgin Voyages has carefully curated a ‘Creative Collective’ featuring some of the world’s leading interior design firms, none of whom have ever designed for the cruise industry before.
Across the ship, Virgin Voyages has partnered with Tom Dixon’s Design Research Studio in London, Roman and Williams in New York, Concrete Amsterdam, Softroom in London and WorkAC in New York. Virgin Voyages’ first ship is due for delivery in 2020.
“At the core of our Epic Sea Change For All is ensuring that the spaces on our ships are well-styled, distinct and reflective of the dynamic experience we want to bring to our sailors,” said Tom McAlpin, President and Chief Executive Officer for Virgin Voyages. “Our design partners together with our internal design team have dreamed up eye-catching, intimate and alluring spaces that we can’t wait to see come to life.”
Virgin Voyages opted to use multiple interior designers, in order to focus on the strengths of each firm and to show diversity throughout the ship, using the principle of the Modern Romance of Sailing as the guiding star to a cohesive vision. Within the brand ethos, modern is representative of a contemporary holiday aesthetic paired with romance, which offers a nod to a love of the historical glamour and sophistication of a sea voyage. Classic nautical elements such as steel, brass and portholes are tastefully sprinkled throughout the ship so that Virgin Voyages sailors are always conscious that they are sailing at sea.
“Ranging from gritty to glamorous, we’ve collaborated with a collection of brilliant interior designers and architects to create a variety of spaces that our sailors will love,” said Dee Cooper, Senior Vice President of Product Design for Virgin Voyages. “With careful thought, humor and attention to detail the Creative Collective has designed a ship that’s styled for those thirsty for a wonderfully modern holiday at sea.”
Beginning with the ship’s top deck, Richard’s Rooftop designed by Tom Dixon’s Design Research Studio will be an exclusive chic outdoor lounge reserved for the ship’s suite guests. An iconic name in interior design, Design Research Studio is known for disruptive designs that are forward thinking. Richard’s Rooftop is a private club that features a futuristic aesthetic with circular loungers, giant umbrellas and accents of dichroic glass that will cast shadows of rainbow reflections across the outdoor lounge.
Heading inside the ship, Tom Dixon’s famed void lighting will adorn the entryway to Pink Agave, the ship’s upscale modern Mexican restaurant designed by Design Research Studio. Electric blue metallic lighting fixtures will cascade from the ceilings above oversized banquets that line the dining room’s portholes. An elongated curved lounger centers the room with round tables for two offering an intimate dining experience. The upscale restaurant will feature a bar area in the foyer and a private dining room for larger groups.
Known for their work with notable celebrity residences as well as eye-catching hotels like The Standard Highline in New York City, the Roman and Williams design firm was a natural fit to design The Manor, the signature nightclub for Virgin Voyages. Inspired by Richard Branson’s history in the music industry and his first ever Virgin music studio of the same name, the dance music fueled space has been expertly outfitted with details, platforms and corners that make it both somewhere to see and to be seen. With emerald, aubergine undertones and gold accents The Manor will bring glitz and glamour to sea.
Roman and Williams are also the masterminds behind The Dock, an outdoor lounge with a focus on relaxation, socializing and an appreciation of the gorgeous views the ship provides. Located on the very aft of the ship on deck 7, The Dock is reminiscent of the chicest seaside lounges in the Hamptons, Ibiza, Bali and beyond. The inspiration behind The Dock was to create a space where by day, the sun, sea and sailing are the stars of the show and a cold beverage, a book and the view are the perfect companions--a place where sailors can lose themselves in serenity and the day can seamlessly turn into night.
Back atop of the ship, relaxation and adult-play will meet yachting glamour at The Athletic Club, an outdoor lounge that celebrates traditional nautical elements designed by Concrete Amsterdam. Featuring the largest daybed at sea, the white and red striped semi-circular lounger is the perfect spot on board for sunbathing or star gazing. Adjacent to the daybed is a 220 square foot area of triple netting where sailors can layout and overlook the open space and decks below, as if they were sailing on a catamaran. The Athletic Club expands across both sides of the aft of the ship with 10 cabanas overlooking the ocean with beverage service from the adjacent bar.
Known for incorporating emotion and a bit of eccentricity in their designs, the team at Concrete Amsterdam are the brilliant architectural minds behind hotels like citizenM and hotel Zoku as well as eateries like 212 Amsterdam, among others. Their human-centric approach will nudge sailors to focus on the form, function and elements of food at the Test Kitchen restaurant. Concrete Amsterdam designed the restaurant with an inviting entryway with lighting fixture images that mimic the periodic table. The Test Kitchen’s laboratory-like environment is accented by metallic furniture, sleek clean lines and of course the finishing touches of beakers, test tubes and volumetric flasks.
The remaining onboard public spaces and cabins designed by the Virgin Voyages’ interior design Creative Collective will be revealed throughout the year. Future sailors and travel partners are invited to check out Virgin Voyages by visiting www.virginvoyages.com or following @virginvoyages on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.
ABOUT VIRGIN VOYAGES
Virgin Voyages is a global travel brand committed to creating the world’s most irresistible holiday. With operations in the US, UK and Europe, Virgin currently has three ships under order with master shipbuilder Fincantieri. Virgin Voyages’ first ship will arrive at PortMiami in 2020 for her inaugural sailing season, where she will sail to the Caribbean hosting more than 2,700 sailors and 1,150 amazing crew from around the world. Keep watch on virginvoyages.com for more updates.