The £6m renovation of the Mayflower cruise terminal in the Port of Southampton has begun this week with wholesale changes expected to revolutionise how passengers use the terminal.
As cruise ships continue to grow larger and more technologically advanced, cruise terminals are required to keep up-to-pace to support the ships elegantly and efficiently. As the future home of one of the world’s first smartships and one of the most technologically-advanced passenger vessels, Anthem of the Seas, Southampton’s cruise terminals need to be as cutting-edge as the ships they host.
Designed to offer cruise passengers stress-free embarkation and disembarkation days, the terminal’s departure, check-in, security, passenger lounges and drop off points have all been redesigned. With a number of ships in the Royal Caribbean fleet improving their check-in services – intelligent, intuitive terminals are necessitated.
At the heart of the redesign will be a new 35,000sq foot reception area, capable of housing a large volume of cruise guests at any one time. The work will necessitate the removal of 100 tonnes of walls and floors in the complete overhaul.
The historic location is one of the most famous historical ports still in service and the Associated British Ports has identified the importance of bringing the Port of Southampton ‘in line with the requirements and standards of the modern-day cruise ship.’
The work is expected to be complete in April, just in time for the arrival of the Anthem of the Seas.
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