Cruise ship design – Lido Deck upgrades to interior design on Crystal Serenity after upgrades.

Last December, I sailed on Crystal Serenity. The cruise was amazing (read about it here) and one of the highlights was seeing the results of the extreme makeover, which is a fancy expression for ship refurbishment. The changes to the Lido Deck public spaces were many but the most ambitious change was the removal of the pool to make way for more space for passengers to relax.

The aft pool has been removed and the addition of a Living Wall has been added. Cruisers might remember that the first living wall at sea appeared on sister ship Crystal Symphony.  Crystal Serenity added four “living walls” to the Trident lounge area.

Lido Café

The Lido Café remodel eliminated the buffet counter and added multiple food islands.

Tastes

Edge-lit geometric fret-cut screens separate the Lido dining space into smaller more intimate spaces.

Trident Bar & Grill

The Trident Bar and Grill got a facelift as well. Notice the new video screens, they are part of the technology enhancements on the ship. The servers at this casual outdoor restaurant used iTouch devices to facilitate a paperless ordering system.

Scoops

Newly re-designed ice cream bar on Crystal Serenity.  Scoops ice cream bar area received all new counters, digital signage, and toppings display to showcase what is on offer.

From Crystal Crusies press release:

London’s Adfecto architectural interior design firm was inspired by Santa Barbara’s casual, yet cultured, “California Riviera” vibe for the “Extreme Makeover” of the ship’s spacious Lido deck.  The existing Lido Cafe was demolished and extended forward to increase space for all new service and seating areas.  As with Crystal Symphony, Crystal Serenity’s Lido Cafe has been redesigned with modern food islands (instead of long buffet counters), more tables for two, and a live, open kitchen, which includes a bakery.

Highlighted by floor-to-ceiling windows, the space was reimagined with rich tones of denim blue and ochre fabrics, geometric neutral blocks of bronzes and cream-tile floors, and pale blue glass tiled-walls.  Edge-lit geometric fret-cut screens help separate intimate “by-the-window” seating areas from all new light stone island counters.  Custom-made ceramics, gold leaf speckled mosaic tile from Italy, decorative internally-lit herb-inspired sculptures and strapped bronze pendant lights add layers of detail.  Warmth is introduced with the various shades of wood, including comfortable UK-made timber-framed Morgan furniture.  The restaurant’s aft outdoor dining space was refreshed with ochre patterned cushions and umbrellas.

In total, the remodel saw the installation of 17 counters, all new WMF coffee machines, Citrocasa orange juicers, EuroCave wine refrigerators, and two Sveba Dahlen ovens (one in Lido Cafe for baked goods, one in Tastes for pizzas), enabling Crystal chefs to enhance the preparation and presentation of fresh hot and cold food selections, as well as support beverage service.

While the lighting is carefully designed to showcase the food, the Lido Cafe is also Crystal’s first fully LED low energy-lit restaurant, demonstrating the line’s commitment and investment in modern energy-saving technology.

Lido Deck – Tastes, Trident Grill, Scoops, and Palm Court
Adfecto’s major remodel saw the removal of the indoor pool and all of its surrounding galleys and eating areas to create new indoor/outdoor casual dining and lounging spaces with expansive ocean views.  The Lido Cafe’s theme is continued, but this space opens up into a light and airy courtyard with a retractable glass roof.  Crystal white granite table tops, natural stones, white wicker, tan sofas and an array of blues with pops of tangerine set the resort-like tone.  Most striking is the lush greenery in the form of multiple variegated “living walls” of plants, a fresh herb garden for Crystal chefs, and live olive trees under-planted with lavender.

A fret-cut, internally-lit sculpture uses thyme and rosemary motifs to reflect the herb and dining concepts.

Mid-ship dining spaces on Lido are all new, including a Tastes restaurant with another open kitchen, Scoops ice cream bar, Tastes Bar, and Trident Grill.  The angled living walls, planters and sculpture are used to subtly divide and bookend various seating groups and dining concepts.  The lines of the teak decking, sleek stretched taupe canvas ceilings over the waterside tables, and angled blocks of light and dark stone, ceramic and mosaic tiles help define the space.

The Trident Grill and Scoops ice cream bar area on the port side of the wall has large sofa and armchair groups suitable for laid back relaxation and conversation.  All new counters, digital signage, and toppings display showcase what is on offer.

The starboard side features Tastes restaurant, bar and custom-built open kitchen that allows guests to watch the food being prepared.  While Tastes is open during the day for a “Late Risers Breakfast” and full lunch menu, including specialties such as Chinese noodles and dumplings, after 6:00 PM, the restaurant is transformed into a cool and casual evening eatery with dramatic lighting that showcases the trees, plants, and decorative screens.  Its new global-inspired menu was created in association with Sapphire Restaurants in Laguna Beach, CA, where acclaimed Chef Azmin Ghahreman offers cuisine with accents from around the globe.  An Alsatian Tarte, Tunisian Crab Warka, California Street Tacos, and North African Lamb Dumplings share the bill with a dozen other inventive small plates that are designed to be shared.

On the opposite end of the deck, Palm Court — the ship’s popular evening spot dancing — was refreshed with a new cherry wood dance floor.