Lighting for the two areas has been designed and specified by Chris Moylan of Berlin-based Optikalusion, who designs touring shows and assorted live and special events as well as currently designing lighting, video and automation for TUI Cruises' new shows and consulting on equipping the key entertainment locations on their new vessels.
He collaborated closely with TUI Cruises' head of technical Torsten Hirche on both these areas on Mein Schiff 3 to come up with a dynamic lighting rig that could meet all the various demands.
In the 1000 capacity theatre, the core of the lighting rig is 47 x Robe ROBIN DLF Washes which are rigged above the stage and used as the main wash fixtures front and back lighting. They are joined by 16 x ROBIN LEDWash 800s, some utilised for side lighting and some positioned on the stage deck where the requirement is for a small, neat and bright unit.
The Abtanzbar nightclub is fitted with 36 x ROBIN LEDBeams in a matrix shape over the dance floor, which looks "very cool," comments Moylan.
Mein Schiff 3 - and her identical sister ship Mein Schiff 4 to be delivered in 2015 - feature energy efficient power plants and solutions that reduce emissions by 30% - and set standards for the cruise liner industry, so it also made sense to continue this carbon-conscious approach with the lighting.
Moylan chose the DLFs for their good zoom range (5.5 - 60 degrees), the barn-doors for shuttering and because the RGBW LED module makes it an ideal fixture for lighting costumes.
The LEDWash 800s were also chosen for the RGBW LED module and the great quality of light this produces including proper whites, and also because the fixtures are small and powerful.
The LEDBeam 100s offered all the characteristics that have made them one of the most popular LED club products worldwide - tiny size and weight, speed, intense narrow beam, great colours and cost effectivity. The club ceiling is also low, so they really needed a small fixture to maximise the space, and the LEDBeam 100 was the answer.
Control for both venues is grandMA2 running over ArtNet.
Moylan was also involved in the re-design and re-lighting the two previous Mein Schiffs - 1 and 2 - which resulted in 14 x LEDWash 600s installed for front lighting in the main theatre on MS 2 and 14 x LEDWash 300s on MS1 which he says have withstood life on the high seas very well!
It was after the re-lighting of these two ships that he was asked to be involved much earlier in lighting MS3's primary entertainment areas.
Moylan has utilised various Robe products in his work for some time. He likes LEDWash range very much and comments that Robe was the first manufacturer to "Get it right" with an LED wash fixture.
"Robe always keep coming up with interesting innovations," he says, referencing the Cyclone - high powered fan with LED ring. He hasn't yet had occasion to use these - but likes the concept!
