In the world of luxury cruise vessels, the blend of cutting-edge technology, sustainable practices, and meticulous craftsmanship is essential for delivering exceptional experiences for passengers. Accomar Marine Interior AS, known for its expertise in turnkey marine interior outfitting, contributed to four cruise vessels built for Havila Kystruten at Tersan Shipyard. These projects – Havila Capella, Havila Castor, Havila Polaris, and Havila Pollux – each presented their own set of challenges. However, through careful planning, innovative design, and attention to detail, each project also resulted in unique learnings.
Havila Capella: A Leap into Sustainable Luxury
The Havila Capella project marked Accomar Marine Interior’s entry into the luxury cruise interior sector. As the first LNG-powered cruise vessel for Havila Kystruten, Capella was designed to navigate Norway’s pristine coastal waters with minimal environmental impact, making it a trailblazer in sustainable tourism.
One of the most pressing challenges was optimizing space within the vessel while ensuring that the design met stringent maritime safety regulations. Accomar delivered a complete range of turnkey interior solutions, including crew accommodations, recreational areas, and operational spaces like galleys and laundry facilities. They crafted high-quality furnishings that blended aesthetic appeal with safety standards. Materials were carefully selected for their durability in marine conditions.
In the Lighthouse Suite in Havila Capella, the space has floor-to-ceiling windows that invite abundant daylight, minimizing reliance on artificial lighting. This has the dual purpose of saving energy while improving well-being by maintaining a natural connection to the outdoors. Thick curtains, carpeting, and plush furniture contribute to heat and sound insulation, enhancing both energy performance and comfort.
Havila Castor: Precision in Every Detail
Accomar next outfitted the Havila Castor, a vessel that balances of modern aesthetics and operational efficiency. Like its sister ship, Castor is powered by LNG, and every element onboard was selected to support its energy-efficient profile.
One of the major hurdles was designing custom interiors that adhered to strict operational requirements while maximizing passenger comfort. From crew accommodations to passenger cabins and public areas, every space was meticulously planned for efficiency, durability, and elegance.
The public areas in Havila Castor feature an open-plan layout that supports multifunctional living, optimizing space and reducing the need for excess furnishings. Every element is intentional, serving both aesthetic and practical purposes with minimal waste.
Accomar provided custom furnishings ranging from soft seating to stainless steel fixtures, all tailored for marine-grade endurance. Operational areas such as galleys and laundry zones were equipped with high-performance systems to support seamless onboard service.
Havila Polaris: Pioneering Passenger-Centric Design
The Havila Polaris project further expanded Accomar’s marine outfitting scope. For this project, the focus was on delivering an exceptional passenger experience while upholding green values. Powered by LNG and designed with IMO environmental compliance in mind, Polaris offers a blend of technological sophistication and sustainable design.
Accomar was responsible for full-scale interior outfitting, ensuring that both crew and passenger zones met expectations for comfort, functionality, and aesthetics.
In Havila Polaris, Accomar utilized foldable furniture systems and multi-functional storage in passenger cabins to tackle space constraints while maintaining a high level of comfort. This allowed guests to enjoy both practicality and elegance in compact areas, without compromise.
The public spaces were crafted to promote social interaction and visual connection to the surrounding landscapes. Materials and finishes were selected not only for their beauty but also for their environmental credentials.
Havila Pollux: Merging Functionality with Elegance
Accomar’s work on the Havila Pollux marked the final chapter in this transformative journey. Continuing the commitment to sustainability, Pollux was also built with LNG propulsion and designed for high-volume, high-comfort marine travel.
Accomar’s challenge here was to fuse elegance with operational durability. Their challenge was to meet the expectations of luxury cruising while adhering to rigorous marine standards.
In Havila Pollux, Accomar used marine-grade faux leather and stone surfaces in lounge areas. These materials combine the elegance expected in premium travel with the resilience needed for high-traffic environments.
Key Takeaways from Accomar’s Havila journey
Through their involvement in the Havila fleet, Accomar gained insights that shaped their approach to marine interior outfitting. The first is that collaboration is crucial. Close coordination with shipyards, designers, and clients ensured cohesive design execution and efficient problem-solving across all four projects.
The second is that it’s important to place sustainability at the core of your practice. By ensuring sustainability informed every decision, from material selection to space planning, it was possible for eco-responsibility and luxury to coexist. The third takeaway is that attention to detail defines success. In marine interiors, small design decisions have outsized impacts.