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Stefano Pastrovich designs new luxury X‑Expedition cruise ship powered by Wärtsilä

Monaco-based Italian naval architect Stefano Pastrovich has created  X-Expedition – a new hybrid design featuring superyacht-inspired interiors and Wärtsilä hybrid propulsion targeted at ‘New X-travellers.’

Holly Payne, Editor Video Production and Deputy Editor

June 1, 2020

2 Min Read
Credit: Seatrade Cruise News

‘They’re travellers who find what they’re looking for in the world of boutique hotels, luxury concierge services and private jets,’ explains Pastrovich, ‘but are still not served by anything like that in the cruise Industry’.

Cruise ship vs. super yacht

In order to maximise the efficiency of materials and space, each X-Expedition ship is designed on modular principles, including a standard cruise ship construction platform with cabins, windows, vertical accesses and common areas that meet like a ‘jigsaw puzzle’. 

‘Right from the first sketch, we based the design on integrating different construction techniques, leveraging the efficient modular approach of the cruise industry while combining it with the high-end techniques typical of superyachts’, comments the 20 years’ veteran in ship design. ‘This enables us to achieve efficient cost management and construction times without sacrificing luxury construction detail.’ 

A 101mtr long ship with a 19mtr beam, there are three possible suite configurations: Optimal for 108 guests in 48 standard suites, four deluxe suites and two owner suites; Deluxe for 84 passengers in 24 standard suites, 16 deluxe suites and two owner suites and Owner for 64 guests in 24 deluxe suites and four owner suites. 

Measuring 29 sq mtr, 58sq mtr and 87sq mtr respectively, each suite comes with a balcony and is set for a 1:1 guest-crew ratio, keeping with Pastrovich’s expression that ‘space makes for privacy and privacy determines exclusivity’.    

Eco technology

A partnership between Pastrovich and Wärtsilä means the X-Expedition design works with the Wärtsilä HY hybrid system, which is currently utilised in the naval industries.

‘The partnership with Wärtsilä has focused on integrating the Wärtsilä Hybrid system in the ship’s operating system but the aim was to go beyond energy savings’, says Pastrovich. ‘Guests have the opportunity to enjoy nature’s symphony of sounds undisturbed’.

Wärtsilä’s system increases power redundancy to engines, meaning ships can operate closer to their optimum design point; allegedly releasing ‘zero smoke under all conditions’ the system consists of  a green mode for zero noise, zero vibration and zero emissions. 

In addition to its environmentally friendly elements, the hybrid system utilised in the X-Expedition design is claimed to lower maintenance costs owing to ships’ reduced engine operations and result in longer Time Between Overhauls because of decreased component stresses. 


 

 

 

 

About the Author

Holly Payne

Editor Video Production and Deputy Editor

Holly is Deputy Editor, Seatrade Cruise Review & Seatrade Cruise News and has experience managing a range of highly successful international business and consumer titles. With a flair for video reporting and a history of overseas work documenting people and places of diverse cultures, Holly brings a variety of skills to the Seatrade Cruise portfolio.

Holly’s academic credentials include oral and written Arabic language skills (intermediate-advanced), an MA Multimedia Journalism with NCTJ accreditation, and a BA (Hons) Degree in Classical and Archaeological Studies with English and American Literature.

 

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