Future Leaders

Professor Charles Boggs began his pursuit of designing for the cruise industry in 2005 as part of the design team at RTKL (now Arcadis) working on Celebrity Solstice. Since that time, he has worked on every new class of ship for Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises, including leading the design team for a number of venues on the new Icon of the Seas.

Design is just part of the story, however, as Professor Boggs has worked for over a decade to bring cruise design to the next generation. Leading courses and studios specializing in the cruise design specialty, he has exposed students to the unique needs and processes of our amazing industry. Additionally, through his work as Professor and Associate Chair of Interior Design at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), he has brought attention to the industry to majors and disciplines outside of traditional architecture and interior design, incorporating cruise design into the curriculum of SCADpro real-world projects and off campus excursions composed of students from a range of creative disciplines and backgrounds. His proudest accomplishment has been working alongside former students and watching them step into their own future leader roles.

As an architect, researcher, and project manager at OSK Design Emilie is intent on creating captivating, functional and enduring spaces for both passengers and crew. Being a curious listener and a creative practitioner, she believes that open transparent dialogue, innovative solutions, and generous collaborations is at the heart of good conscientious design. 

Over the past three years, Emilie and her team have intensified their work towards more sustainable designs for passenger vessels. Therefore, she will argue relentlessly that finding transparent, data-driven, and sustainable paths forward goes beyond trends and is the only way to secure the future of the cruise industry. 

When Emilie is not dreaming and drawing up new interiors, investigating trends or engaging with clients, suppliers, passengers, and crew, you can find her cruising on a 24-foot sailing boat in and around Copenhagen.

Esteban Alvarez, an accomplished Interior Designer, brings over 8 years of hands-on experience in cruise ship and hospitality design. Holding a Master’s degree in Interior Architecture from Florida International University (FIU), he is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of design innovation.

Esteban distinguishes himself as a leader within the realm of interior design, with his mastery in conceptualization and crafting immersive experiences for clients. As an active member of the IIDA South Florida Chapter, he collaborates with professionals, staying ahead of industry trends and fostering a collaborative spirit within the design community.
Rooted in a family legacy of design, Esteban combines an artist’s heart with a designer’s mind, approaching each project with unwavering creativity and dedication. Believing in the transformative power of a well-executed design, he sees his passion not just as a profession but as a future of continuous growth and remarkable experiences, fuelled by his commitment to excellence and a genuine love for the craft. His unique blend of artistry and professionalism ensures that each space he designs becomes a testament to his creative vision.

With over 20 years of dedicated experience in the cruise industry, Fabiana is proud to serve as the Senior Interior Architect and Head of Sustainability & Implementation at YSA Design.

Fabiana’s journey in this dynamic field has equipped her with invaluable skills in adapting and navigating various unexpected situations, essential for the complex world of cruise building. At YSA Design, she leads with a commitment to achieving the highest environmental standards, reflecting my deep-seated belief in responsible stewardship of our oceans. From the initial concept stage to interior design solutions and material selection, Fabiana brings a keen eye for detail and a passion for design to every project. Her expertise extends beyond design, encompassing project management in shipyards and the organization and coordination of interdisciplinary teams. Through continuous dialogue and collaboration with clients, shipyards, and various stakeholders, she ensures seamless execution and delivery of projects. In this ever-evolving industry, Fabiana stays at the forefront by embracing new technologies and keeping abreast of evolving design trends.

With years of experience sailing through the intricate seas of cruise industry regulations Fabiana brings forth expertise to deliver innovative solutions tailored to every challenge, drawing upon her extensive involvement in numerous prestigious cruise lines and major projects

Harriet is a well-travelled, imaginative, and ambitious Procurement Specialist, currently working with MSC Cruises in their London office. With additional buying experience at Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises, she has a wealth of experience across multiple categories including Spa, Hotel and Technical.

She joined the Cruise industry from The Royal Household where she worked as a food buyer, travelling to residences across the United Kingdom alongside Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and The Royal Family.

She says “I am thrilled to be joining the CSI Future Leaders this year and relish the chance to collaborate with other like-minded young professionals determined to make their mark on this incredible industry. I hope this programme offers me the chance to connect with new industry peers who share my beliefs and value positive change and innovation as much as I do. We are seeing exponential growth throughout the Cruise sector, and there is no better time to be driving creativity and sustainability into our practices.”

Harriet was nominated by her colleagues and peers in recognition not just of her procurement acumen, but of her charity work and volunteering with The Muscle Help Foundation; a charity created to support the dreams of young people with Muscular Dystrophy.

Janne has loved ships and the sea since he was a small child. He was very lucky to be able to turn that interest to University studies and now he holds a Masters in Naval Architecture.

Janne has worked with Royal Caribbean Group New Building since 2015. His tasks have been divided between different topics in the field of technical, interior and naval architecture. Janne has managed technical items from Main Engines to hotel systems and ensuring that ships have been built to be as safe and efficient as possible across several deliveries. He has also been leading Owner’s Work, including building interior areas to fulfill guest expectations.

He’s proud to be able to divide my work and personal time having time to reflect after busy days at the office. During his free time Janne likes to play with my daughter and take long walks with his dog Börje. He also loves to practice sports such as swimming, football and skiing.

Kim Bjørge Hofslundsengen is the VP of Hotel Operations in Hurtigruten. He joined the company in 2016.

Hurtigruten has achieved notable success through a series of refurbishments over the years. The most recent project, focusing on MS Trollfjord, garnered acclaim, winning the prestigious Best Fine Dining (small ship) award from CSI. Additionally, MS Trollfjord received a commendation in the Condé Nast Travellers Gold List as one of ‘The Best Cruise Ships in the World.

Kim Bjørge Hofslundsengen served as the project manager for the operational aspects of the MS Trollfjord refurbishment. With a keen focus on efficiency and excellence, Kim ensured the operational success of the entire undertaking. “The most rewarding aspect of my role is witnessing guests genuinely adore the product, understanding the significant effort invested by the design team, suppliers, and the operational staff. I am passionate about working in this industry, driven by the opportunity to craft unforgettable memories.

Liz Schneider, owner of LSI, is an Interior Designer based in Seattle, Washington. Passionate about interior architecture and design, Liz creates design packages for cruise, ferry, and luxury vessels.

In addition to design, Liz is project liaison, managing the project as it develops through to execution. Whether in-service or docked, she works alongside the project team to achieve successful completion of vessel refits. Driven by timeless details, innovative ideas, and the guest experience, she looks forward to this new era of design in our industry. Sustainability and maintainability onboard the ships are exciting ways to approach interior design and shape the future of cruising.

When she is not creating, Liz lives for the outdoors, live music, and meals with friends.

• Born in Indonesia and educated in the Netherlands with Masters Degrees in Architecture and Design Management from both Delft and Eindhoven Universities of Technology

• Wrote a book when completing post-graduate programme in Eindhoven about the design & refurbishment process of a well-known listed building in the city.

• Gained experience as Senior Interior Designer and Project Manager in retail and luxury/high-end restaurant and residential projects in Amsterdam and London from 2001 to 2011 before entering the cruise ship industry in 2012.

Being in the cruise ship industry for 12 years, Martin tends to utilise his strong architectural design background and project management skills to engage people from different backgrounds and encourage them to develop their skills to their best potentials. To achieve the best results: respecting company’s identity, being aware of the ocean environment and the rise of sustainable products while creatively following the design trends – among so many other factors – are keys.

Following the marine regulations and respecting work schedules are one thing, but being pro-active and able to offer pragmatic solutions for various challenges onboard the ships are qualities that he believes everybody in this industry should possess. These involve a lot of friendly, respectful and cautious approach to different parties, but often also clear and firm exchanges and negotiations to achieve the best results for everybody: both from the client and the builder sides. Building a ship is about maintaining a balanced approach: on the one hand you have to keep an eye to get the job done on time and within budget, but on the other hand you need to maintain heathy relationships between all parties involved.

Intelligent structures, a clear design language and a love of craftsmanship – these are the hallmarks of Patrick’s work.

His creative and unusual designs are characterized by harmonious details, high-quality materials and a clever eye for individual needs. He is driven by a passion to create an embracing environment always with a focus on people, and committed to investigating new ideas and thinking outside the box.

Patrick’s goal is to explore new paths together with my clients and to realize visions for modern, strong and distinctive spaces. Co-creation and embarking on exceptional journeys with partners are key to his mission. During Patrick’s many years as a graduate interior designer, he was able to gain a great deal of expertise in cruise ships – from exclusive bars and restaurants, wellness areas, lounges and entertainment zones to inviting open deck spaces. He is a designer, an architect, an owner’s representative, a project manager, a coordinator and a strategist. Both for new builds and refits.

Patrick’s interior design studio, P-O-I. Design was founded in 2014 in Hamburg, a leading cruise port. Customer centricity, sustainability, pragmatism, innovation and a hands-on mentality are at the core of our DNA.

As Sustainability Manager at TUI Cruises, Victoria is working on sustainability topics for both the Mein Schiff and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises fleet. The sustainability team develops and implements the companies’ sustainability strategy & policies. It is working with all relevant departments on strategic initiatives and projects to deliver to the strategy.

Among other things, Victoria is involved in interior retrofit projects from the sustainability perspective as well as general material choices and product development in regards to circularity and sustainability.

Victoria is fascinated that sustainable design is constantly evolving and that its aspects are no longer an afterthought but are now an almost fully integrated part of interior projects. A circular approach can cover all project phases: from flexible layout considerations, to exploring waste-based materials and products that are easy to dismantle and repair, to site work. A conscious and wholesome approach that offers thought-provoking impulses to Victoria and of course to all designers.