As the debut ship of Royal Caribbean’s groundbreaking Icon class, Icon of the Seas is turning tides with unmatched scale and ambition. Selected for its decades-long reputation for outfitting the world’s top cruise lines, Martin Professional qualified Royal Caribbean’s confidence yet again. Working closely together, they developed one of the world’s most technically advanced entertainment and architectural cruise ship lighting designs.
From the futuristic and immersive AquadomeSM to the largest ice-skating arena in Royal Caribbean’s fleet, Martin solutions helped ensure each space was brought to life with artisan craftsmanship. As the leading brand for Icon of the Seas’ primary entertainment venues, Martin specified a variety of its most innovative fixture ranges. These included MAC Ultra, MAC Aura, ERA, ELP, Exterior, VDO, Atomic, P3 Control, and more.
We caught up with Morten Gjotz, Global Sales Director for Cruise, Marine, and Theme Projects for Martin and HARMAN Professional Solutions. Morten shed light on the innovative layers Martin brought to this landmark project. Morten also shared that since the completion of the Icon of the Seas project, Martin also completed an incredible installation aboard Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas and continues to collaborate with Royal Caribbean on other exciting projects.
Designing at Scale
Q: Thanks for taking time to talk with us, Morten. How did your team approach the ship’s scale and complexity?
From the futuristic and immersive Aquadome to the largest ice-skating arena in Royal Caribbean’s fleet, Martin lighting solutions brought each space to life. with precision artistic craftsmanship. Watch to learn more.
A: I’m excited to talk again and share more about this one-of-a-kind installation. It was one of the largest, most breathtaking projects we’ve had the honor to be a part of. Our approach to cruise ship lighting design begins with seeking core understanding and asking critical questions of the design, intended use, and critical elements and ambitions.
Then we listen even more intently to their answers and feedback. Next, we collaborated closely to develop a solution that exceeded both our expectations, including considering new solutions nearing being officially launched. When selecting fixtures, we prioritized quality of light, performance, and versatility to fulfill many different needs throughout the ship.
“Expect the unexpected …Everything that we have done on all of our previous ships, throw it out the window and put it on steroids and imagine that because… we’ve never had a ship with our shows that have so much technology…. It’s going to elicit a lot of emotions from our guests and we want them to go away feeling that all of those emotions were touched and that they feel fulfilled…”
— Mike Szwajkowski, Cruise Director, Icon of the Seas (see it in the video)
Overcoming Cruise Ship Lighting Design Challenges
Q: What were some of the biggest design and integration challenges of this project?
“We get involved early and assist with design, advise on solutions, and support creative experimentation.” – Morten Gjotz, Sales Director for Global Cruise, Marine, and Theme Projects for Martin and HARMAN Professional Solutions.
A: Cruise ships are some of the most technically advanced venues in the world. They differ greatly from land-based applications. Ships run 24 hours a day for days and weeks on end. They also move constantly and never in port more than a day at a time. And of course, they operate for years and years in ultra-harsh maritime environments. We needed a lighting solution that could deliver mission-critical reliability, superior performance and iron-clad durability.
The systems, venues, and spaces we helped design can be counted on to perform at the highest levels day-after-day, night-after-night in constant motion and in the most challenging conditions, with guests around 24/7. To see the final installations installed and working so well was truly gratifying for both the Martin and Royal teams.
“…This entertainment venue moves in three dimensions – up, down, sideways – so it’s got its own challenges when it comes to the actual installation and integration of the systems… This ship has the biggest lighting infrastructure of any ship in the world … so support (and) service and the quality of the fixtures… make a big difference on how we do it and who we pick…”
— Amir El Yordi, Co-Founder and President, Control AV (watch in the video)
Enabling Creative Collaboration
Q: How does Martin contribute to the creative process in multi-disciplinary projects?
A: We are partners and constant collaborators from concept to completion and as long as the system is in service. We get involved as early as possible to collaborate on the design, advise on the solution, and encourage creative experimentation.
“I’ll find myself in an elevator with guests, I overhear the conversation… The excitement that they have, either way, just puts a smile on my face. It validates the time, the effort, the energy, the blood, sweat, and tears that we’ve put into creating the venue and the production… Once that all comes together and we see that reaction from the audience – priceless.”
— Dewald Vermaak, Technical Director of Entertainment, Icon of the Seas (watch in the video)
Global Support Network
Q: What role does Martin’s global technical support and training team play in long-term operations?
“…We’ve never had a ship with our shows that have so much technology…. It’s going to elicit a lot of emotions from our guests…” — Mike Szwajkowski, Cruise Director, Icon of the Seas
A: As one of the world’s leading and most successful cruise ship lines, Royal Caribbean’s fleet of ships is nearly continually in service and downtime is never an option. That’s where our global support team shines.
Our unmatched, truly global service network ensures that Royal Caribbean’s ship crews and technical teams always have access to get timely help whenever, wherever they need us. No matter where we’re needed throughout the world, we respond quickly. Clients know that if they need a fix, an adaptation or anything else, we’re just a phone call away.
“Global support is terribly important to us, so we need to make sure that we have a partner that can support the vessel wherever it is in the entire universe.”
— Christopher Vlassopulos, Manager, Sound and Light, Newbuilding, Royal Caribbean Group (watch in the video)
Future-Ready Partnerships
Q: What makes Martin the right partner for future-ready cruise ship lighting design?
“This ship has the biggest lighting infrastructure of any ship in the world … so support (and) service and the quality of the fixtures… make a big difference on how we do it and who we pick…” — Amir El Yordi, Co-Founder and President, Control AV
A: We evolve with the industry and with our partners. Royal Caribbean chooses Martin for our superior collaboration, blend of technical excellence, creative flexibility, and second-to-none training, support and priority attention.
Martin’s role on the Icon of the Seas project was a prime example of how visionary partnerships can set new industry standards and adds genuine value to everyone.
“I’ve had a great relationship with Martin and they’ve been instantly in contact whenever I need them… it’s been a great help when I don’t know how to do something… ”
— Nick Mugnaini, Lighting Project Lead, Icon of the Seas (watch in the video)
Final Thoughts
Icon of the Seas serves as a living, breathing canvas where light, technology, and artistry converge at sea. Martin’s industry-leading entertainment and architectural lighting solutions have helped shape this canvas into unforgettable experiences. This collaboration proves what’s possible when bold vision meets technical precision.
Special thanks to: Royal Caribbean International, Christopher Vlassopulos, the Icon of the Seas team, Control AV, Tennagels, Ben Couling from Tristwell Designs, Nick Mugnani from Skylight Services, Design by Rui, and Project International Ltd. for their integral collaboration.
Explore Further
Explore our cruise ship lighting design solutions and resources utilized on Icon of the Seas, including specifications, videos, and more.
- Watch the Icon of the Seas Video Case Study
- Learn More about Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas
- Martin Product Ranges Specified for Icon of the Seas:
- Complete Martin Lighting Portfolio
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