FINAL CALL
Starship Enterprise
For its new flagship, MSC Cruises re-imagines the bar to transport guests to another world.
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With commercial space travel soon to become
using a natural voice and expressions. Not
a reality, developers and designers are looking
only does Rob prepare an impressive range of
beyond the stratosphere for inspiration, seeking
cocktails, he speaks eight languages, has his
to replicate a life in space in their projects on
own distinct personality and uses his LED face
land or at sea. Or at least that’s the case for
to convey emotion, so that passengers can enjoy
MSC Cruises, whose new flagship MSC Virtuosa
the performance while sipping on their tipple.
is home to a futuristic space-themed bar and
In keeping with the theme, the status of the
entertainment venue.
cocktails is displayed on digital monitors and a
Kitted out with 3D holograms, a digital art
ticker-tape-style LED strip above the bar, while
wall and 12-seater interactive table that allows
the finished product is served in futuristic glasses
passengers to explore the universe on their very
that visitors can take away as a souvenir.
own intergalactic tour, MSC Starship Club could
This latest innovation takes cutting-edge
be mistaken for something out of a sci-fi movie
robotics and digital technologies to deliver an
– think Starship Enterprise – and is fronted
immersive entertainment lounge, completely
by the ocean’s first-ever humanoid bartender.
re-imagining the traditional bar experience to
Named Rob, the resident barman can mix and
transport guests to another world. It may be
muddle just like a human – albeit taking orders
one small step for MSC, but it could mark the
from guests in digital cockpits – and interacts
beginning of one giant leap towards automation.
