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Millennium Class, Celebrity Cruises
Millennium and Infinity
Wilson Butler Lodge designed the Grand Foyer
and circulation spaces for Celebrity's new Millennium Class ships. Millennium,
the class' flagship, is due out this summer, followed by Infinity,
its sister ship, this winter. The Grand Foyer acts as the ship's main entry
and the atrium serves as its vertical circulation core. These integrated
spaces profoundly effect a passenger's sense of arrival and movement throughout
the ship. The warm glow of the backlit golden onyx staircase creates a calm
harbor serving both as a destination and as a safe anchorage.
The Grand Foyer and surrounding spaces are designed in a palette of woods
and sheers. They are organized by an articulated wall of patinated metal
rising from the entry to the top of the ship. The sheers were envisioned
as diaphanous shafts of colored light emanating from above, enhancing the
foyer's ethereal quality. The subtle lighting scheme passes from day to
night as the ceiling coves gradually turn to blue in the evening.
The atrium is animated by an elliptical bank of external panoramic elevators
which provide a constant reference to the sea. The bank extends from deck
two through deck eleven and is rendered almost entirely in metal and glass.
Its luminous vertical form recalls an abstract lighthouse and serves as
a beacon for passengers onboard or those returning to the ship.
The Grand Foyer is also complimented by a number of other amenities and
public spaces designed by WBLI. From the lower to upper decks, these spaces
include the shore excursion desk, the Celebrity
Theater, the Cova Café and Tea Room, "Notes"
a CD music library, "Words" an international library, "Online"
the ship's internet room, "Extreme"
a sports bar, a card room, and on Infinity, the Emilio
Robba Magnolia Garden Conservatory.
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As Celebrity's new flagship "Millennium" (left) awaits delivery, sister ship "Infinity" takes its final form (right).
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"Millennium" completed and seen
from the shipyard.
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Celebrity's flagship "Millennium"
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