Imagine how much room could be saved if a couple floors of a cruise ship were set up like a hostel. Picture an open floor plan with bunk beds, locking wardrobes and a big shared bathroom. Instead of cramming thirty rooms on a floor there could be three big rooms, a large bathroom and a lounge. Knocking down a bunch of walls would help get rid of the claustrophobic feeling and encourage roommates to become friends. The space used in hallways can be converted into rooms. Roommates could be grouped together on sleeping schedules and shared interests.
Bathrooms would have several toilets, showers and changing stalls all grouped together at the end of the floor. There could always be an employee on duty to clean the bathroom as it gets dirty. This would discourage the users from making a big mess and eliminate a lot of the staff normally needed to clean each room's individual bathroom. Instead of every room having its own mini bar and small TV, the extra room made by the hostel style design could be used to make lounges for people to hang out together. The lack of in room entertainment would also encourage people to leave their rooms and use more of the ships other features and amenities. (Which can lead to more revenue!)
Another benefit is the flexibility in booking passengers. With a hostel style set up; gone is the need for double occupancy booking. One person, three people or a group of twenty-seven could go on the cruise without worrying about finding an even number of roommates or being separated. The saved space would also lower the cost to the cruiser.
This type of room situation would target the 18 to 24 age crowd who are used to dorm living and using hostels in Europe and the United States. There would also need to safety considerations and separation based on age and sex, but as the hostel concept is well proven and successful. (www.hostels.com) It's time to put this concept to use in the cruise industry.
Photo from maplandia.com.
