The first day of Cruise Ship Interiors Design Expo Americas (CSI) has come to a close at the Miami Beach Convention Center. The event truly started the night before with the largest Opening Party in CSI history. It went off in classic CSI style as around 1,000 suppliers and buyers mingled in the New World Center on the evening of 5th June over drinks and music. The Opening Party, sponsored by Andriali Contract, Global Marine Travel & MJM Marine, featured a live set from Julio Iglesias Jr followed by a DJ who picked up the pace. Attendees dressed to impress, raising a glass (or two) and diving in front of the photo wall to take a snap.
Visitors and exhibitors could pick whether they wanted a gentle or impactful start to the first day of CSI, 6th June. Those who were looking for a mindful beginning joined the official Netwalking stroll along Miami South Beach to watch the sunrise. Others headed to the Kimpton Palomar for a bracing start to the day, as they took the plunge in an ice bath.
This year, CSI is a true feast for the senses. Read on and learn more about the highlights of the day here, and at the co-located Hotel and Resort Design South:
Tactile
So much of guest experience is built on the details that register in a passengers’ subconscious. They may excitedly note that a lounge on board a cruise ship feels upscale, but never realize they picked up on the feel of soft leather beneath their hands or that the soft glow of the pendant lighting. However, designers and buyers are highly attuned to these details. This is why the tactile nature of CSI is so important – it’s one of the few opportunities for designers to get up close and personal with textiles, ceramics, stone, fixtures and furnishings and explore a side-by-side comparison of the market’s best.
Here, exhibitors Chelsom, Poggesi and Delius display their products. The swathes of fabric adorning Delius’ booth invite visitors to get close, inspecting the weave and feeling the texture for themselves. Chelsom displayed their highly detailed fixtures against a backdrop of earthy boho tones.
Seeing is believing
There’s no better way to test the claims of would-be suppliers than live and in person at a trade show.
Buyers and designers who want to place the next generation of entertainment and activities on board their ship were in the right place. Visitors took their chance at the Attractions & Entertainment Technology Zone to experience the entertainment they hope will divert their guests while on board. Competition was on the cards as visitors tested their mettle on a selection of games, including both timeless classics and cutting edge revelations. One game on offer was Supercharged Shuffle, providing ‘traditional with a twist’ with an electric take on shuffleboard by Game-Volt, powered by CONDUCTR on Booth 847.
Wellness continues to dominate travel trends. Delegates wanting to build up a sweat – and who are looking to find the next fitness fix for their future guests – got the blood pumping on Booth 229 with Matrix Fitness’ testable fitness equipment.
Meanwhile, over at TuffSkin on Booth 1104, the team put their product to the test as they demonstrated how their unique formula protects delicate materials such as marble tiles. Durability is always on the mind of a specifier, as they balance the desire for exciting, fresh-looking materials with the inevitable heavy wear of a cruise ship.
Overheard at CSI
Entrepreneurial base is one of the pillars to any good organization, because it inspires free thinking and out-of-the-box thinking, which inspires innovation.
James Mitchell, SVP Newbuild, Norwegian Cruise Line
There really is no better place for a creative in the cruise ship interiors industry to sharpen their instincts and stay ahead of the curve than at the CSI conference and workshop. Where else could you hear a conference where cruise lines predict the next big thing than at State of the market, where speakers from Holland America Line & Seabourn, Royal Caribbean Group, Norwegian Cruise Line and MSC Cruises all shared their views on guest experience, demographics and what’s new in newbuild?
Everybody is discussing AI, and whether it is a friend or foe to people working in creative industries. In AI tools in the creative process, speakers from Royal Caribbean Cruise Line explored their predictions for how AI could aid in ensuring efficiencies and accuracies, and where AI might become a pencil, but never a person.
‘AI generates, iterates, inspires.’
Alix Loiseau, Director, Virtual Design & Construction at Royal Caribbean Cruise Line
Scent
Usually, the standout scent at any trade show is the waft of coffee. Visitors and exhibitors alike hunt the smell to the source, grabbing a cup of java to invigorate themselves for the day of networking and sourcing. However, this year there’s a new fragrance filling the hall. EcoScent and CITA Design have teamed up to bring a new element to CSI. EcoScent’s evocative Sea Salt & Wood Sage fragrance scented Cita Design’s stunning beachy booth.
Taste
Laticrete Marine hosted drinks and snacks, including traditional jamon, on their booth throughout the day. While delegates mingled, beautiful strains of the cellist based on the booth filled the air. Then, when it was time for the traditional Happy Hour Drinks Reception, hosted by Almaco, Somec Group, Greenhouse Fabrics and Aros Marine, the mood picked up a beat. Buyers and suppliers congratulated each other on a successful day. Some visitors even braved the caricaturist working the crowd.
One more day to go
Want to get inspired? There’s still one more day of CSI left! Join us at 10:30 for a day packed with content, product sourcing and networking.
Want more of this?
Check out the Cruise Ship Interiors (CSI) Design Expo Americas blog for more design insights and the latest industry updates. CSI Design Expo Americas is the world’s only exhibition and conference exclusively dedicated to connecting the buyers and suppliers of the cruise design industry. The next event will be taking place on 3 – 4 June 2025 alongside Hotel & Resort Design South and Cruise Xperience Innovation Summit at the Miami Beach Convention Center.