P&O Cruises, P&O Iona
dpa lighting consultants are proud and privileged to have worked for P&O Cruises in association with Martin Francis of Francis Design, Jestico + Whiles, Partner Ship Design and Richmond International, to design the front of house and cabin lighting for this new 180,000-ton vessel, Britain’s most environmentally conscious cruise liner being powered by Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), a clean burning fossil fuel that addresses new maritime rules on harmful emissions. Cruise ships of this scale are incredible feats of engineering and at 344 metres long, Iona is also Britain’s largest with a normal operating capacity of 5,200 guests and 1,800 crew, designed to capture unprecedented panoramic views across the ever-changing seascape, at every available opportunity.
Through close collaboration with the client and design team, the exterior and interior architectural lighting design has been developed and harmoniously integrated to enhance the quality of the guest experience. The ship accommodates a plethora of themed food and beverage spaces including P&O favourites such as The Keel & Cow and The Olive Grove, that provide the guest with a tremendous dining choice and varied ambiences catering for all. Many of these venues connect to the ship’s centrepiece, the Grand Atrium which spans port and starboard in cross section allowing a unique passenger connection to the sea through the vast glazed elevations
The lighting control is articulated to respond to the time of day and activity, ranging from energetic atmospheres to more refined and personalised ambiences.
Client: P&O Cruises
External Profile of Ship: Martin Francis of Francis Design
Architects/Design Team: Jestico + Whiles, Partner Ship Design and Richmond International
Photography: Courtesy of P&O Cruises
