YSA Design, Omega Architects showcase cruise ship with ‘luxury yacht DNA’

Omega Architects and YSA Design have combined their respective expertise in yachts and cruise ships to create an eye-catching boutique cruise liner concept which promises the exclusivity of luxury yachting to high-end cruise clientele.

Omega Architects founder and lead architect Frank Laupman said the unique concept is the result of a long-running conversation between the two companies. The Dutch company has already developed an exterior concept for the boutique cruise liner, with Oslo-based YSA Design taking responsibility for GA development, cabin and suite lay-outs, guest flow-through and SOLAS compliance.

“There’s an exciting market opportunity for a small cruise ship with the characteristics of a luxury yacht in its DNA,” said Mr Laupman. “A strict division of public and private spaces provides the key to ensuring the attractions of the yachting experience are available to premium-end cruise guests.”

“Premium cruise guests are always open to the offer of fresh luxury experiences, and we are delighted to partner with Omega in offering the very best in yacht and cruise ship design in a single concept,” said YSA Design chairman Jan Krefting. “Our contribution draws on YSA’s near 40-year track record in designing for cruise ship spaces, owners and builders and – critically – for safety of life at sea.”

The concept locates all cabins and suites in a mid-section where an individual fire zone 2 provides the limit for the length of the hotel block and includes a separate block for power. Meanwhile, the ‘yacht DNA’ is embodied in the public spaces aft, from the sun deck, down to a beach club deck near the water level, in what Mr Laupman describes as a “blanket of entertainment. Designs for the bow and stern will be tuned to the philosophy and revenue model of the ship,” he added.

In combination, the bow, hotel block, power block and stern will define the ship’s exterior, but YSA Design’s 3D modelling will bring refinements. The company has modelled a first variation – an eight-deck ship accommodating 200 guests. Other variations could include ships with smaller capacity for a mixed business model of corporate charters interspersed with seasonal direct bookings.

“It’s been clear post-pandemic that demand for high-end, small-scale luxury cruising is a growth area, and that people want increasingly special experiences,” said YSA Design chief executive Anne Mari Gullikstad. “A growing cruise constituency seeks to custom-build vacations.”

Design work will also focus on sustainability, and how best to accommodate lower carbon fuels and power sources, including batteries and fuel cells. “Builders of high-specification ships other than the traditional cruise shipyards can also compete for the boutique cruise liner,” added Ms Gullikstad.