Royal Caribbean X ArtCenter

Imagine the new look of "Icon of the Seas"

Why AquaDome?

The current AquaDome can be considered a showcase of Royal Caribbean's state-of-the-art technology on Icon of the Seas. Still, aside from watching performances, it is not used for other purposes. We saw this big space as an opportunity to provide customers with many other enjoyable experiences and make it more monumental.

Current Customers

The primary age group of customers going on a cruise ranges from 40 to 69. This suggests that families with children or retired couples on senior trips predominantly favor cruise trips. This challenged us to think about how we might attract other age groups, in their 20's and 30's.

Stereotype of Cruise

These are the images that come to mind when thinking of cruise trips. The main customer base being older couples or families with children is understandable, but this stereotype is one of the reasons many young people do not prefer going on cruises. Therefore, many cruise companies are now trying to offer programs and activities aimed at younger customers.

How might we redesign the AquaDome as a monumental place to give memorable experiences and attract more diverse age groups of customers as well as satisfy current main customers?

Putting interesting elements in the entrance differentiates it from the outside. It has a lot of representations of the surface of the water: textured glass ceiling that mimics waves that water creates, side walls that have thin vertical lighting to emulate a feeling of a waterfall, and the blocked front view to create a sense of mystery as if you were going into somewhere that you don't know what would happen.

the interactive lounge area with a view of the infinite ocean

Walk through the entrance, you will see the sunlight zone: Helios. This is the top level of the AquaDome where we can use the advantage of the sunlight and a facade structure.

We want this area to be friendly, light-hearted, and lively.

Seatings inspired by the wave and cushions inspired by pebble stones. The modular design allows customers to create a different environment and look depending on how they play around with them.

Screens on the rail on the edge of the structure for customers to enjoy the gorgeous view outside even more by playing AR games projecting the outside view.

the island with the stage, light rings, and touch tanks

This area is the center of the dome where the fountain is situated. LED light rings around the iconic ring-shaped fountain elevate the show experience and the see-through floor and seatings being below the ground create a feeling of being in the water.

As you walk, you will see the aquarium underneath which makes you feel like walking on water.

Lounge areas where you can grab casual food and experience touch tanks. The level being lower than the ground gives you a unique feeling of lounging as if you were dipping down water.

The stage will be used for the shows at night, and during the day, there will be a fountain show.

the interactive bar with an immersive pool

Lumina is located on the second floor of the AquaDome around the edge. Incorporating the twilight zone of the ocean with bioluminescence life, it creates a moody, diverse, and zen feeling by using dynamic lighting and sophisticated visuals. The sunken sofas being lower than the floor level adds to a mesmerizing experience.

During the day, it's more for activities and being family-oriented.

The sunken sofa creates a greater visual effect when you look up. Or, you can just sit on them and hang with your party playing board games, grabbing drinks, or just relaxing.

The pool is connected to the immersive cave around the edge of the AquaDome. When you enter the immersive cave, it gets dark and you will see star lighting on the ceiling.

the aquarium restaurant

As this is the deepest zone according to the concept, this place makes you feel you are in the water. This is the lowest floor of the AquaDome and is surrounded by the aquarium. Since this is the last destination, we wanted this place to be the end of the journey and customers can feel the space in their ways.

Main entrance connecting with Lumina by stairs.

Short-cut entrance connecting with the entrance of the AquaDome

Reflection

The opportunity to work with other majors allowed me to adapt to a new way of planning out the project. This was the first time I spent a lot of time to build the story and concept thoroughly. As a UX/UI designer myself, designing such a big space made me think outside the box beyond the screen. Moreover, working with the stakeholders, the Royal Caribbean team, made me learn how the industry works and set the scope to make a feasible plan and determine what can be done and what can't be done realistically.