Cruise interiors is an evergrowing market, with more luxury ships on order in 2018 than any years previous. Cruise operators want to know what guests want from a 21st-century cruise, hiring the world’s top cruise interiors designers to fulfil those needs under multi-million-dollar contracts. In 2018, we saw the debut and conception of several cutting-edge ships, including the highly anticipated Celebrity Edge. Now we’re delving into the most coveted interior design trends, from innovative interiors to unique trends for 2019, featuring examples from MSC Seaside, Celebrity Edge, Costa Venezia and more.
What do guests want from contemporary cruise ships?
Cruise ships as we know them have come along leaps and bounds since they first gained mainstream popularity in the 1970s, with commercial cruise lines truly taking off after the advent of large passenger jet aircrafts in the 60s. In fact, demand for cruising has increased rapidly in the past five years alone, seeing a 20.5%* increase in popularity and making it the fastest-growing category in the leisure travel market. The past decade has presented guests with more excitement than ever, with off-shore excursions and onboard dining reaching new heights of grandiosity. But now, cruise operators are turning their eye to interiors, using interior design to provide unforgettable, (and nowadays, Instagramable), moments. At the inaugural Cruise Ship Interiors Expo, which took place from June 19-20, 2019, expert speakers from cruise lines and design studios took to the stage to guide attendees through the booming order book and upcoming design trends.