It will come as no surprise that we’re looking forward to 2021. It’s a new year and we can’t wait for the newbuilds, new markets and fantastic new design that’s coming our way.
Here are the five cruise events and developments that are topping our list for 2021.
Sailing again
First things first. The outlook for cruise ship sailings to resume in 2021 is cautious… but optimistic. Governments around the world have put together comprehensive vaccination programs. Passengers and cruise lines alike are eager to resume sailing – and so are we! With a host of stunning newbuilds, refurbished vessels, river cruise ships and expedition ships due for their maiden voyages in 2021, we can’t wait for things to get started.
First rollercoaster at Sea… and other innovations
At the heart of great cruise design is the desire to make passengers’ dreams come true. We love how cruise design never pauses at the many limitations of design at sea. Cruise design keeps making the impossible possible. Thrill-seeking passengers? Try the world’s first rollercoaster at sea on board Carnival Cruise Line’s Mardi Gras. Don’t want to compromise on balcony space? How about the Infinite Balcony on Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Edge. Desirous of an adventure like no other? Board Crystal Expedition Cruises’ first ship, Crystal Endeavour and you’ll even take a ride in a submarine.
Studio DADO reveals the inspiration behind their FIRST American domestic river cruise designs. Check out New Horizons for Studio DADO below below.
New sustainable technologies
Sustainability may have been bumped off as the hottest trending design topic by the ‘C’ word, but it’s still a hugely pressing issue for cruise lines and passengers alike. It’s also an opportunity for companies to truly innovate. We’ve seen leaps forward in sustainability on the materials level, such as the Cradle to Cradle certified carpets of Dansk Wilton to the recyclable lighting material Alamar, created by Cristallux. Cruise ships themselves are also taking a massive leap forward in eco-conscious construction: check out hybrid expedition vessel Le Commandant Charcot, powered by LNG, marine diesel and, in short bursts, battery power.
New Markets
With new markets come new design frontiers. The American domestic river cruise market looks set to be shaken up as Viking Cruises prepare to launch Viking Mississippi in 2022 and ACL collaborate with external designers for the first time as Studio DADO work on American Melody. Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, the Chinese cruise market continues to expand. Viking have announced a joint venture with China Merchants Shekou to launch a luxury domestic cruise line. Assembly work has also begun on China’s first domestically built ocean-going cruise ship, part of a joint venture with Carnival Corporation and China State Shipbuilding Corporation.
CSI Plus arrives!
We have to shout about this one! CSI Plus is an innovative online platform that has the impact of face-to-face events. Featuring the first-ever CSI Plus-approved Makers List, plus an online, downloadable Members Directory, CSI Plus is a first for the cruise industry. Our unique platform will be the first designed exclusively for cruise lines, ship owners, architects, designers, outfitters and suppliers to connect and network, making it easy for designers to specify the products they need.
But we didn’t stop there! CSI Plus members will have exclusive access to the popular Cruise Conversations webinar series, plus in-depth interviews and topical White Papers.
Learn more about the best new things in cruise interiors here.