- Sectors: Hospitality
P&O Cruises commissioned our design team to craft the interiors of Iona, one of Britain’s largest cruise liners, and create a unique seafaring experience. The Grand Atrium, a breathtaking, triple-height space with an Italian marble staircase, anchors the ship’s elegant design, blending sea views with dynamic entertainment. The ship also features a vibrant cocktail bar, a luxury restaurant for wine enthusiasts, and a new concept gastropub.
For our first seaborne project, Jestico + Whiles designed the interiors for the public spaces on Iona, one of P&O Cruises’ next generation of cruise ships. The 184,000-ton vessel is one of Britain’s largest cruise liners, with space for 5,200 passengers.
At the heart of the ship is the Grand Atrium: a lively focal point that encapsulates the spirit of the ship. The soaring triple-height space is designed to draw the outside in, providing unprecedented panoramic views across the ever-changing seascape around them from a variety of vantage points.
The atrium acts as a key entertainment space, where the sea provides a dynamic backdrop to live music, aerial and circus performances, and many more unique experiences. Its centrepiece staircase is designed as a piece of sculptural architecture, its curving form evoking the glamour of 20th century cruise ship design. Our carefully considered lighting design ensures a seamless transition from coffee in the morning to sundowners at dusk.
On the lower deck of the atrium, a dramatic cocktail bar in vibrant emerald green draws you in from the aft of the ship, while the coffee bar embraces the portside views with a low and elegant form that contrast with the soaring architecture above. The colours echo the patisserie display, in sugared almond tones of pistachio and rose.
Moving up to the middle deck, The Glasshouse restaurant draws on autumnal shades of burgundy and ripened berries, with a contemporary copper toned bar and custom feature wall by Giles Miller. Tastings, talks, and wine-pairing dinners make this a destination for the wine connoisseur.
On the top deck sits The Keel & Cow, P&O Cruises’ first ever gastropub, offering a taste of home at sea. The crisp tones of the staircase yield to inky blues, while classic touches like tan Chesterfield sofas and weathered brass lending an air of timeless sophistication.