Space Diner – Cruise Saudi – Aroya Cruises
Submitted by: SMC Design
Lead Designers: William Woodham, Alan Stewart, Maria Gallego & Liz Richardson, SMC Design
Outfitter: Trimline
Completion Date: 30/11/2024
World Dream from Genting Cruises was sold to Cruise Saudi in 2023. The 335m 151,000 gt ship has had a major refurb and is due to go into operation in early 2025. The brief was to create a luxurious family-oriented cruise ship for the Saudi Arabian market.
The Space Diner is located on Deck 7 & seats 126 guests. The design style of the interactive, gastro-entertainment diner is ‘retro-futurism’, inspired & influenced by the 1950’s Art Deco diners of the past, fused with futuristic space travel. It’s an other-worldly take on the traditional American diner serving space-themed burgers & shakes, offering Saudi families & teen guests a unique unforgettable dining experience.
Upon entering the restaurant guests step through a back-illuminated mirrored entrance portal, creating a feeling of stepping into another world. SMC Design worked closely with DPA lighting specialists to add drama to the diner. Typically the lighting levels sit lower than other venues. To compensate, each table comes with a table lamp giving an individual sense of space per table. The ceiling’s fibre optics twinkle like the night sky and walls are decorated with hi-res space galaxy prints. Neon pink light is subtly used, accentuating the polished chrome & industrial steel.
The open ceilings, exposed aircon ducts & cable trays give the interior an industrial space age feel. Geometric patterned floor tiles surround the bar, whilst raw concrete flooring makes the feature turquoise and orange colour scheme pop.
The most memorable feature are 2 replica NASA Apollo 11 space capsules. For these SMC appointed esteemed furniture designer Timothy Oulton, to build 1:1 scale space pods clad in polished steel panels. Each capsule is handcrafted and took 1400+ hours to make in 5 different workshops.
The pods are fitted with a service button & there is an intercom system for guests to communicate between pods.
In addition to the Apollo 11 pods, we also have three smaller space capsules further providing unique sculptural interest to the interior. Each capsule fitted with table projection with retro games such as Space Invaders creating an unforgettable dining experience and fantastic Instagrammable moments for guests.
The layout is designed to give guests an experience akin to a 50s diner. Sitting around the bar in the Space Diner, skilled staff create bespoke shakes & sodas to order, with the aim to surprise guests with new gastro creations. Expect the unexpected – a dining experience out of this world!
