Ever-more innovative designs, a fast-growing small luxury cruise ship sector, a resurgence of retrofits and a sustainability focus were the major themes for passenger ship interiors in 2023
A pause button was placed on the huge revitalisations cruise ships were undergoing, due to the after effects of the pandemic. But finally, we are seeing a rebound in retrofits, from the extensive retrofits of Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony, to Saudi Arabia’s first cruise ship undergoing one of the largest cruise ship refurbishment projects to be undertaken within the marine industry, and many others, including Windstar’s multimillion redesign of its Wind star class, featured in this newsletter.
We are not quite at the stage of the enormous conversions seen before the pandemic – but with the foundations we have seen this year, it is likely these will become a feature of the cruise industry yet again.
A flurry of newbuilds this year have shown ever-more innovative designs. A particularly interesting sector for the interiors industry is the small luxury cruise sector. According to figures from Veson Nautical, small cruise vessels occupied more than half of the 2022/23 orderbook. Companies such as Four Seasons and Ritz Carlton have inked orders for two such vessels apiece, with a “focus on creating an ultra-luxury, superyacht-styled experience targeted at the ultra-high net worth customer,” says Veson Nautical valuation analyst Oliver Kirkham.
Sustainability has been a fast-growing theme within the cruise interiors sector for awhile, and has become huge this year. Our newsletters have shown all the different projects and focuses within this sector. Stand out ones include Holland America Line’s circularity in marine design project and – as shown in this newsletter – the launch of a first of its kind carbon efficiency estimator which measures the total amount of carbon a furniture piece uses in its lifecycle.
It has been a positive year for the passenger ship interiors industry – expect to see the themes outlined here grow next year.
Have a very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
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