A First Glimpse Of BRITANNIA’S Interiors
A First Glimpse Of BRITANNIA’S Interiors story filed by Peter Newall
February 12, 2014: At a very unusual sensory event held this evening at Forman’s restaurant in the East End of London, P&O Cruises launched the first flavour of its new ship which will enter service in March 2015. Here are the first renderings of her interiors.
Three-deck-high atrium with “starburst” chandelier
Self-service buffet restaurant
Coffee shop
Atrium café/deli
Panoramic observation bar
12 cook stations for cooking classes
Show lounge
Alternative restaurant
Supper club
Live entertainment lounge
Special thanks to Lisa Royall
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Whilst I really dislike Britannia’s exterior design, her interiors look very attractive indeed. I don’t think P&O has had a ship with such distinctly stylish interiors since Oriana and Canberra came into service in the early 1960s.
From these computer generated renderings I see a blending of styles that will probably work well with the new ships, aesthetically, and hopefully in reality be less stark than the computer renderings.
The most obvious design elements are with the chairs, mostly mid-century inspired, what with their rounded backs, and the banquettes that are shown. The lack of chairs with arms in dining venues is to me always alarming, and not conducive to lingering over a nice meal.
Why does a cruise line feel it needs a cooking demonstration area? It is a waste of space, and of course, it will probably generate money for the so called demonstration lessons. Blah!
Overall, a nice melding of late ’50″s and mid ’60’s style and flair, with an upbeat yet reserved fashion of today, without appearing being rakish and cheap.
There must of been a paint sale at the hardware store, too much white on the walls especially the Atrium. To me its another over sized floating condo. The new funnel livery makes it look like it should be the MSC Britannia. the last time P&0 got it right in my view is the Oriana /Aurora.
Finally, a new ship with some real class–inside and out! Excellent–makes me want to book now, though I wish there was more emphasis on British culture and traditions to fit the name–
Absolutely stunning, especially the atrium. Just WOW! For having near the same “bones” of Royal Princess, this is a 110% marked improvement, and I never thought RP was too bad. Well done for their design firm if they can bring this out as depicted
The interiors do look good. Unfortunately, the exterior of the vessel provides no relief from the modern wedding cake look to which me must resign ourselves, I fear. Aesthetics in this aspect of naval architecture is not only an endangered species, but faces extinction. The Watergate complex gone to sea.
Remarkable: a “ship” (and one does feel constrained to use that term nowadays) with interiors that are completely contemporary without those nagging and intrusive ethnic or “traditional” themes that pop up like cow pies in a pasture. Why there’s nary a P&O liner model or cricket bat to be seen or the upscale Hampshire nursing home furnishings of ORIANA. It all looks very nice indeed, clean, crisp and soothing without the endless sepia pap of Princess. I just hope they can keep it all clean and fresh given the hordes this vessel is meant to accommodate.
A vessel this size will surely contain public spaces that are not part of the P&O photo op as presented beautifully above.
These spaces convey interior “nods” from some of the great liners of the past, that is, near past, as I noted above, 1960’s and 1950’s.
While not copies of public rooms from ships that are no longer with us, there are certainly grand touches that are reminders of the vast spaces, say, of the SS FRANCE, SS MICHELANGELO and RAFFAELLO, SS ORIANA, QUEEN ELIZABETH 2,as well as others to be sure.
I see the FRANCE in the Crystal Room, with the metal railing, piano perched on the edge of the stage, the very ceiling chandeliers and vastness of the room. The great Italian liners of the mid-century past are noted in the Oriental Restaurant, in looks, not cuisine. Java Deck & Coffee Shop, Oriana, with other familiar design cues, even some reflect the QE2 in ways, perhaps the Atrium sort of “Triple” up/down room? These interiors are pleasing and a great departure from the faux wood veneer and laminates placed in too many smallish clubby rooms that are underutilized to a great extent.
The night clubs, dark, sexy and richly appointed, are definite throwbacks to ships clubs 50 to 60 years ago. Limelight Club, SS OCEANIC in appearance.
Where Cunard has done a stellar job reflecting its grand past with Edwardian and Victorian interiors in their three Queens, P&O has done an admirable a job in capturing the less fussy richness of the last mid-century as seen in the interiors of some of the most popular ships of that era in cruising.
It looks like most new and big cruise ships are starting to look like this. The design of the Britannia is very similar to that of the Norwegian Breakaway and Getaway. Just a coincidence?
Nice modern interiors…I can imagine sitting with my eyes close imagining see liners coming up the Hudson rather than seeing the
New York skyline gliding by coming up the river to dock in NYC.
Whatever happened to the real nautical feeling if a liner. This look
is for hotels and fine dining venues.
One comment about dining chairs, Mr. Eden, some passengers are not comfortable dining in armchairs, especially the larger passengers who simply might not fit in some armchairs. The illustrations suggest every dining venue except the Limelight Club will have some armchairs. I’m sure all you would need to do to get an armchair for your seat is to ask. I’m notorious for dawdling after dessert over a last espresso, and excusing myself to go to the gents’ room briefly before I finish conversation with my fellow diners. I quickly convince my dining room steward not to remove the bread and butter from the table until I have left the dining room for the last time. What you want can be accomplished by the assistants with the snap of your steward’s fingers.
I feel like Clive on this. Interior is excellent, beautiful. Exterior is the rather typical Vegas hotel mounted on a barge.
I know, I know, they’re trying to make best use of the hull. Trying to be efficient, and not worrying about fast crossings on the North Atlantic.
But that doesn’t make it look any better.
Mark D.
Her exterior design and colors remind me of a British Airways 747 on the water…(I still like it) 🙂
I don’t care what these new ships look like, none of which I would care to Cruise on, and yes I have done so I know what I’m talking about, but when they get to retirement age who will care less about them gong to the knackers yard, classic liners win with me everytime, I.E the QE2 the Veronique (Kungsholm) these are real ships… Happy Cruising 🙂
Looks like a well designed office or hotel lobby and restauants ! Totally lacking any nautical look or feel !!
Hmmmmm
Looks like somebody expects the good ship lollipop for real nautical authenticity.
Anyone that has sailed a cruise ship, liner even a ferry should have noticed that the interior of these ships is not to portray nautical themed decor.
In several great books that have been written during the past decades, it is commonly known that the interiors of the ships was to assist the passengers in not feeling the nautical look and atmosphere, but the enhance the luxury of the sailing by creating a homogeneous decor, such as grand hotel – I DESPISE comparatives between passenger ships and hotels – but, there it is.
Disney comes closet with a “pirate” theme, straight out of their animation Disney-Pixar closet.
The ugliest ship I have ever seen – built for sheer profit – and this is what it looks like.