German shipbuilder Meyer Werft has unveiled a new prototype cruise ship, the Serenity, targeting older guests, specifically those 80 years old and above.
Tim Krug, of Meyer Werft Concept Development, says the population of America and Europe will have the same number of people 80 years and older in 2100 as there are currently people over 65 today.
“We derived a new target group from this, which we called 80-plus, and took a look at what needs and requirements such a target group would have,” Krug said.
“Serenity meets the special needs and requirements of this target group, without being a nursing home,” Krug adds. “Put simply, today there are ships for young, middle-aged and old, and in future there will be a need for a subdivided older target group.”
He emphasises that Serenity is not a nursing home, as the ship would offer services for people who can live independently, with the additional features from assisted living homes.
“Good examples are additional requirements in terms of walking routes on board, e.g. corridor widths and social interactions as well as the passenger flow and orientation on board in general,” Krug concluded.