A below-the-waterline lounge with two windows shaped like whale’s eyes and equipped to provide the sounds and feel of the underwater world will debut on Ponant cruise ships next year.
Ponant, which specializes in ‘expedition’ cruises, calls the lounge the ‘Blue Eye.’ It debuts next year with a new ship, Le Laperouse, and will be a feature of three more after that.
In addition to the two windows, there are digital screens and speakers connected to hydrophones outside the ship, which can pick up the sounds of marine mammals. The furniture, with designs inspired by jellyfish and crustaceans, transmits the vibrating feel of the sea as well.
Expedition leader Mick Fogg said the sound experience would be a phenomenal natural symphony of whales singing, dolphins frolicking and fish chomping on coral. “With over five kilometres of noise, you’re going to want to turn that volume down, ” he said.
