Al Mare – NYK Cruises – ASUKA III

Submitted by: Kate Porteous
Lead Designer: Emily Purton
Studio: SMC Design
Outfitter: DeWave
Shipyard: Meyer Werft
Completion Date: 01/07/2025

The brief for Al Mare was to deliver a speciality Italian restaurant with a progressive, contemporary character that still reflected Japanese artistry and the wider design language of the ship.

At the heart of the venue, sculptural lighting pendants provide a focal point; their fluid, asymmetric forms echo design motifs repeated throughout ASUKA III, while its warm glow sets the restaurant’s intimate, theatrical atmosphere. Below, tables are arranged to balance privacy with sociability, inviting both couples and groups. Illuminated feature waterfall artworks created by celebrated Japanese painter Hiroshi Senju walls both frame the architecture whilst adding drama to the dining experience.

Materiality was key in shaping the mood. Soft banquette seating runs the length of the room, paired with rich blue dining chairs that provide a striking contrast against crisp white tablecloths. A bespoke carpet design with flowing veining patterns subtly references nature, whilst smoky timber hues and Italian marble add depth and tactility into the space. The lighting has been carefully orchestrated – from concealed architectural washes to the glow of the wall lamps – ensuring Al Mare feels atmospheric and inviting from day to night.

The culinary concept complements the setting, with Italian fine dining presented as theatre. Seasonal ingredients are introduced tableside, and the layered, sensory approach to food mirrors the intimate, atmospheric qualities of the design.

For SMC Design, Al Mare epitomises the essence of ASUKA III: a bold, sophisticated dining space where architecture, materiality, art and atmosphere combine to create an extraordinary experience at sea.