The large multimedia atrium © Seaworld Express Ferry

The South Korean cruise ferry QUEEN JENUVIA has returned to service with redesigned interiors and new onboard attractions which range from Bread Barbershop-themed cabins to a Neoguri instant noodle pop-up. The 27,391 GT ferry, built in 2020, has been taken out of service for nearly five months to undergo the renovation.

According to the operator, the most striking change greets passengers as soon as they board. A large multimedia atrium comes into view as they ride the escalator into the ship. Bright colours and moving images bring the space to life and set the tone for the journey from the moment they step aboard.

The ferry now also features pop-up areas based on familiar brands and characters. Nongshim’s flagship instant noodle brand, Neoguri, and the popular animated series Bread Barbershop provide the themes for these new attractions.

The Neoguri pop-up includes a photo area featuring the brand’s distinctive imagery and characters. Passengers can pose with the characters and take home a memento of the crossing, adding some fun to the experience of trying the noodles on board.

The Bread Barbershop pop-up area features characters from the animated series. Existing four-berth family cabins have been turned into themed ‘Family Kids Rooms’, with character artwork and designs extending from the entrances throughout the cabins. Children can also watch Bread Barbershop in the onboard cinema.
Seaworld Express Ferry and Bread Barbershop have also collaborated on an onboard shop selling character merchandise, giving passengers a chance to take home a souvenir of their trip.

The onboard photo areas have also been revamped. The ferry’s branded photo area has been refreshed, and a selfie mirror has been installed for passengers to use. A dedicated four-frame photo booth called ‘Queen’s Four Cuts’ lets passengers travelling together take personalised photos to remember their time on board.

The refurbishment brings new attractions to spaces throughout QUEEN JENUVIA, from the multimedia atrium at the entrance to the photo areas, themed cabins, branded pop-ups and games area.

The ‘New Beginning’ event opened with an official ceremony, followed by a ‘First Look Tour’ of the refurbished areas, onboard catering, a prize draw and a fireworks display. Activities held around the ship included Nintendo competitions, a cup-stacking challenge and a Polaroid photo event. The prize draw and fireworks brought the evening to a close, with guests gathering to celebrate the ferry’s return and watch the display over the water.

Seaworld Express Ferry’s CEO, Lee Jong-hoon said: “With the refurbishment of QUEEN JENUVIA, we aim to offer our customers a more refined travel experience and a safe ferry service they can use with confidence.”

Seaworld Express Ferry operates three conventional RoPax ferries and two high-speed ferries. On 19 November 2025, the operator’s 2021-built, 26,546 GT QUEEN JENUVIA II ran aground on a rock in a narrow passage while en route from Jeju Island to Mokpo.

All 246 passengers on board at the time of the grounding had to be evacuated in a large-scale rescue operation. Thirty passengers subsequently received treatment for injuries. A subsequent accident investigation report criticised the bridge team for using autopilot and being distracted by their mobile phones at the time of the grounding.

Read also: QUEEN JENUVIA II runs aground off South Korean Coast; all 267 aboard rescued 

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