Viking Ocean Cruises – Band Risers & Band Fronts
Sometimes the simplest designs are the most effective.
Working with Viking Ocean Cruises, we were tasked with creating a series of elegant band risers and band fronts that would enhance the appearance of the onboard entertainment venues whilst remaining practical, durable and easy for the ship's crew to use on a daily basis.
What started as a relatively straightforward brief has become one of our most successful repeat projects, with more than ten complete sets now manufactured and installed across the Viking Ocean fleet.
What We Built
Three bespoke band risers per installation
Two custom band fronts per installation
In-house fabricated aluminium stage decks
Harlequin Marine dance floor finishes
RGBW LED tape integration
Heavy-duty LED extrusion systems
Black glitter scenic finishes
Brushed aluminium accent detailing
Plug-and-play electrical systems
Repeat manufacture across the Viking Ocean fleet
The centrepiece of the design is a set of three bespoke band risers, fabricated entirely in-house using our own aluminium stage deck system. Manufactured in our Hampshire workshop, the decks utilise lightweight aluminium construction, precision TIG welding and marine-suitable finishes to create a robust yet practical staging solution for life at sea.
Each riser is finished with Harlequin Marine dance floor, carefully selected to match the existing stage surface and ensure a seamless appearance when installed. The risers are surrounded by elegant scenic fascias finished in black glitter, contrasted with brushed aluminium accent strips that add a touch of sophistication without overwhelming the overall design.
Integrated within the surround is RGBW LED tape housed within durable aluminium extrusions. This provides subtle architectural lighting that can be programmed to complement different performances and entertainment formats, helping transform the look of the venue whilst maintaining a clean and professional appearance.
Alongside the risers, we manufactured two bespoke band fronts designed to discreetly hide what we affectionately refer to as "the gubbins" — cables, stands, equipment and all the other practical necessities that make live entertainment possible. The result is a cleaner stage picture and a more polished guest experience.
One of the key requirements was ease of operation. We designed the entire system with simple plug-and-play electrics, allowing stagehands and technical crew to quickly assemble, position and connect the elements without complicated setup procedures. This is particularly important in cruise ship entertainment venues, where efficiency, reliability and flexibility are essential.
Projects like this highlight the range of services offered by Clockwork Scenery, combining scenic fabrication, aluminium TIG welding, bespoke stage construction, LED integration, set electrics and cruise ship installation into a single, practical solution. It is a great example of how thoughtful design, quality fabrication and straightforward engineering can deliver a product that not only looks fantastic but works hard every day.
The fact that Viking continues to roll these installations out across additional vessels is perhaps the best endorsement we could ask for.
