HANSA 06-2019

Schiffstechnik | Ship Technology
which public areas are busier than others,
it allows them to analyse this data and
offer a much better service going forward.
The cabins are probably seeing the
most change as it stands whereby passenger
have total control of the lighting, AC,
window blinds and can even make restaurant
reservations all at the touch of a
button.
How does the growing trend to expedition
cruises effect the supplier market?
Walters: Well, from the interiors point of
view, there are definite trends: the type
of cruise guest on board smaller expedition
ships expect comfort and luxury, of
course, but they also want authenticity.
Part of the attraction can be that they are
voyaging along famous routes of exploration,
so the ship needs to feel ›rugged‹
and instil confidence in its ability to handle
rough weather. Materials need to be
sustainable and feel natural to the touch,
for example.
»Cruise Ship Interiors Expo« in brief
The »Cruise Ship Interiors Expo« is described
as the world’s first highly focused
event dedicated exclusively to the interior
design, architecture, and outfitting segments
in the cruise industry. Its Miami event will
host more than 200 exhibitors from across the cruise interiors supply chain and
deliver a conference program led by industry experts. At its inaugural event, the
expo aims to provide the cruise interiors industry »with a much-needed platform
to come together under one roof and network face-to-face«. Attendees at the event
will also have the option to see the co-located Marine Catering Expo.
The conference agenda brings together senior-level delegates to debate and discuss
the most pressing topics in a series of panels and keynote sessions. Key topics
include:
••
Cruise industry outlook
••
Sustainability: design & operation
••
Design trends 2021
••
Designing for passenger flow
••
Color: endless boundaries
The conference will begin on Wednesday, June 19, with a Leaders’ Debate featuring
panelists from Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Carnival
Cruise Line, and Holland America Line.
From your point of view: Does the industry
see and react on the trend towards
more and more Asian cruise development?
Walters: This is a fast-developing market,
but we can already see that Asian
cruise guests have slightly different priorities
than their American and European
counterparts: they appreciate
more retail space and a different range
of dining experiences. More specifically,
there is little appetite for sunbathing
among Chinese guests, but there
is more demand for picnicking areas.
Again, traditional bars serving alcohol
are less of a priority but there is greater
demand for interactive entertainments
such as karaoke or semi-private areas
for gaming and socializing, as well as
public casinos.
The last three years have seen some
of the most iconic ships in the industry
deployed into Asian cruising, the
refurbishment of ships with the Asian
cruiser in mind, and the delivery of the
first ships designed and purpose-built
with the Asian cruise audience in
mind.
What do you think about fears of some
international market observers, that the
cruise industry is building up a »bubble«?
Walters: It is a question I hear a lot, and
a question I often ask my contacts at the
cruise line companies. What happens
to the older ships when the scheduled
newbuilds are completed. It is a question
I am yet to have answered so I
think we will need to wait and see what
happens over the next 2-3 years.
What has been the last and what might
be the next »game changer« in the industry
for cruise ship interiors?
Walters: I would say that the cruise lines
are having to come up with bold new ways
to stand out from their competitors. Take
Carnival for instance, they have installed
a roller-coaster on their latest ship ›Mardi
Gras‹ which is the first time in history for
a cruise line to have a roller-coaster onboard
– if that isn’t a game changer then
I don’t know what is.
Interview: Michael Meyer
YSA Design delivered a »stylish slice« of »Costa
Venezia« to China. The Canal Grande Aft
features a real gondola floating in backlit glass
© YSA
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