Award-winning designer Vittorio Garroni will share his industry expertise with eager attendees at Cruise Ship Interiors Conference on Thursday, June 20, 2019. Speaking in the session ‘Legends of Design – Q&A’, the CEO of design firm Garroni Design will discuss key questions facing the industry alongside a panel of fellow design legends.
To gain some insight into what to expect on the day – and hear more about the man behind the design on cruise ships including Crystal Cruises’ Harmony, Symphony and Serenity – we sat down with Vittorio for an exclusive speaker Q&A.
Thanks for speaking with the Cruise Ship Interiors Expo team today! Tell us about your current role and what it entails on a day-to-day basis?
I graduated with a degree in architecture in Rome in the early 70s and simultaneously founded my design office and started a university career. I then founded the Italian Nautical Design School and retired from the university. I am currently the professor emeritus in industrial design.
I also had a long friendly collaboration with NYK Line while designing for Crystal Cruises and the SES 2030 container vessel innovative concept.
I have designed some cruise vessels and many pleasure boats and I am proud to present here in Miami the LeYACHT project, a micro cruise ship in the shape of a luxury yacht.
What inspired you to venture into the marine industry?
Culturally, my roots are linked to the shipbuilding industry. 40 years teaching of Naval Design in Italy ended with my last teaching appointment at the Jimei University in Xiamen, China.
Can you tell us about any key opportunities or challenges faced by the cruise ship interiors industry at present?
My intent is to combine the perfect hotel organization of cruise ships with the individuality of a private boat. This is why I developed the Le Yacht Cruises project I am presenting here in Miami.
Tell us about a recent project that was particularly challenging, interesting, or unique in some way.
I mentioned briefly the LeYACHT cruises, an unconventional cruise organization based in Monaco, which is about to start and will be managing fleets of pleasure boats less than 30m with up to 12 guests each, professionally crewed and managed by a superlative luxury hotel organization.
LeYACHT-cruises, rather than compressed cruise ships are enlarged yachts, with the functional grandeur of the cruise ship. Produced in series, operating as fleets and supported by LeLODGE, Club House terminals, they fulfil all the highly exclusive luxury requirements of the best cruise vessels.
In the cruise interiors industry, forecasting trends for the years ahead is vital to stay on top of the game. What trends are you expecting to emerge in the next few years? This could be anything from new lighting solutions to new materials or sustainable solutions and beyond!
The juxtaposition between gigantic ships and those of much smaller size is commercially very clear. Two completely different markets have been developed and the market of small ships is further fragmented on the operational specificities. For example, exploration ships, polar routes, etc. I believe that in the coming years, new categories will be developed among the extra-luxury small ships: Le Yacht Cruises is an example.
Using just three words, how would you describe the current state of the cruise interiors industry?
Extreme, creative, vitality.
This June you’ll be speaking in the Cruise Ship Interiors Conference. Without giving too much away, can you tell us what we might expect from your session?
I am a singular designer because I combine skills in two different sectors that share only the sea: cruise ships and pleasure yachts. The LYC project was born from the union of these skills which opens up new opportunities in the cruise market. In my session I will try to illustrate the merits of this new type of cruising.
Finally, we have to ask, what are you most looking forward to at the inaugural Cruise Ship Interiors Expo Miami?
The cruise industry has grown enormously over the years, continues to grow and offers development potential almost without limits. It is great to participate in this new specialized adventure in the marine and cruise industry because it provides the opportunity to better study these important sectors individually. Specialization is an element of qualification and I am very interested in the opportunity to meet and attend an event with people specifically interested in my area of expertise.