The Sun Princess Dome

Weighing 175,500 tons and capable of accommodating 4,300 guests, the Sun Princess is the largest vessel ever commissioned by Princess Cruises. Befitting its grandeur, Journey was asked by Princess Cruises to envision an experience that would immediately set the Sun Princess apart in the world’s cruising ports.

We answered with a world-first that captivates even loyal guests who’ve been sailing for decades: a boundlessly adaptable performance venue that is the first true glass-enclosed dome ever constructed on a cruise ship.

Multilevel and multimodal, the 9,494-sq-ft venue breaks new ground for design versatility. It begins with the geodesic, glass-paneled dome.

By day, guests find a pool lit by sunlight. At night, a stage is illuminated by starlight.

To fulfill its many roles, we created a truly adaptive space. A motorized hydraulic stage system, jointly designed with TAIT Towers, seamlessly transforms the pool into an entertainment venue, with lighting effects, immersive screens and sound installations that adjust to suit the performance. This innovation ensures functionality and aesthetic congruency between day and night use within the limited floor plan.

By considering how to repurpose the site’s features, we reduced the need for complex reconfigurations from day to night. Sunlounger seating converts into two standard seats for evening performances, doubling capacity. The tiers are designed to create circulation space around the stage and ensure every guest has the best view possible. And to ensure accessibility, we integrated ramps and staircases from each seating level to the stage, as well as a wheelchair lift.