‘Pillars’ of cruise ship design

Age of design

Next, keynote speaker Adam D Tihany took to the stage to speak about ‘Defining narrative – cruising in the age of design’. In his roles as creative director for Costa Cruises and Cunard line, as well as designer for Holland America and Seabourn, Mr Tihany has developed the design vision for some of the largest and smallest new ships at sea. Highlights of his speech included his first collaboration with Celebrity Cruises, on Celebrity Solstice. This looked at the Grand Epernay restaurant and its role in pushing dining rooms from decorated to designed. Mr Tihany also discussed how he applied the architecture of music to the Pinnacle-class of Holland America ships.

Elsewhere, sustainability was a prominent theme, running both through the conference and the expo. The ‘Sustainable cruise interiors’ session highlighted the importance of sustainability needing an industry-wide, international ruling similar to IMO. Waste management in drydocks was also discussed.

The wide-ranging conference programme included an in-depth look at the specifications and procurement process. Moderated by Petra Ryberg (P&O Australia), the panel included Alexis Gouilly Frossard (Kettal), Angelica Bapty (Genting Hong Kong), Antonio Di Nenno (MSC Cruises) and Daniela Herget (Quark Expeditions).

A key focus was how suppliers connect with cruise operators. Ms Herget recommended to anyone wanting to break into the cruise industry to go on a cruise themselves and experience the things a guest needs, while Ms Bapty suggested suppliers spend time educating their clients on the durability of their products. Asked about how to break into the market by an audience member, Mr di Nenno said “[At this exhibition] you will find most of the people that will be behind the doors you are knocking on”.

‘Streamlining the refit process’ examined the importance of time saving and how to achieve efficiencies.

River and expedition design spotlight

Elsewhere, river and expedition cruise ship designs were under the spotlight. Delegates enjoyed an indepth look at space considerations, with input from the panel consisting of Eleonora Brugnolotto (Crystal Cruises), moderator David McCarthy (AD Associates) and Lauren West (AmaWaterways).

Ms West pointed out that with limited venues on board, it is important that spaces can be flexible and repurposed during the day – such as the moving floor of a swimming pool, which when raised, repurposes it into a cinema. Mr McCarthy suggested the space-saving techniques used for technical parts on board river vessels can be transferred to ocean ships. The refurbishment timetable of river vessels was also singled out, with a close look at its benefits. As they are smaller than ocean cruisers, materials can be re-used instead of replaced, leading to less waste and vessels that are in excellent condition all season.

In design imperatives for expedition interiors, a panel of Daniela Herget (Quark Expeditions), Anu Shaw (Kudos Design), Eleonora Brugnolotto (Crystal Cruises), Fredrik Johansson (Tillberg Design), and Stefanie Jentz (Hapag-Lloyd Cruises) took an indepth look at design and interiors topics specific to this cruise segment. This ranged from space considerations for effective operations and expedition vessel design being inspired by natural form, as well as applying the Arctic code to design.

Finally, the last session, ‘Future global outlook’, offered an absorbing range of topics, with top cruise ship designers – David McCarthy (AD Associates) Andy Yuill (SMC Design), Greg Walton (Studio DADO), Anne Mari Gullikstad (YSA Design), Marco de Jorio (De Jorio Design International), and Duo Yang (Kuhne Logistics University) – looking at how ships are changing, how interior design is impacted, which regions are growing fastest and the future of sustainability in the cruise industry.

P&O Cruises Australia head of design Petra Ryberg sums up the benefits of the first Cruise Ship Interiors Expo Europe. “Honestly, it feels like this show is truly made for me. I get to meet all the people I communicate with on a weekly or project basis. There is nothing better than meeting face to face. I only wish I could have more time with everyone.”

The next Cruise Ship Interiors Expo Europe will be held on 2-3 December 2020, ExCeL London.

Cruise Ship Interiors Expo Europe countdown

• Over 150 exhibitors.
• More than 2,000 attendees.
• 10 panel discussions.
• 1 keynote session.
• 47 cruise lines in attendance.