Shipboard design continues to push boundaries in bringing innovation to cruise ship environments like never before. Now regarded as more than attractive living spaces or simply backdrops, cruise ship interior design has evolved as a major driver of the passenger experience. For designers, cruise ships have unlocked a canvas of opportunity that challenges tradition and demands larger-than-life imagination and inventive engineering.
Swarovski’s longtime partnership with MSC Cruises has allowed us to successfully diversify our portfolio and discover new ways of showcasing the artistic spirit of crystal, and how this versatile material can be used in highly creative and sometimes unexpected ways.
Our first endeavor for MSC was the famed Swarovski staircase that debuted on the MSC Fantasia in 2008 and is now a featured design element of all MSC cruise ships. A key factor in building the staircase was to understand the constant motion of the ship and calibrate those movements into a durable design. While no easy feat, the result was a stunning 78-step grand Swarovski staircase created with state-of-the-art LED lighting and a total of 38,220 crystals. The staircase has become a signature “crown jewel” feature of the MSC experience thrilling hundreds of thousands of passengers over the years.
We’re immensely proud of this project as it prompted a new wave of shipboard design for MSC and allowed us to showcase Swarovski crystal in unique ways. The dazzling design of the staircase has made it the most photographed spot on the ships, garnering invaluable visibility and recognition for both brands across marketing and social media platforms.
Perhaps the most challenging yet rewarding part of cruise ship interior design is that every new project raises the bar on imagination and adaptability. Ships are very particular environments with high passenger expectations that necessitate a balance between ultra-modern technology and classic elegance.
When designing anything from a delicate jewelry piece to a complete room, our mission has always been about stimulating wonder and joy. Our most recent collaboration with MSC reflects this vision with the introduction of the world’s first crystal cabin, featuring 700,000 Swarovski crystals, on the line’s newest flagship MSC Bellissima.
The new crystal cabin, situated in the MSC Yacht Club, gleams from floor to ceiling with accents such as a crystalized cabin number outside the door and carefully selected elements to complement the cabin design including a crystal-studded sideboard, coffee table, and bedside tables. Wall sconces were crafted to offer stunning lighting and beautiful coral artwork, also sparkling with crystals, adorn the cabin walls.
Offering outstanding engineering capabilities, fine products and a globally renowned brand, Swarovski has executed a wide range of projects for both private mega yachts and the cruise industry, bringing to life captivating, Instagram-worthy shipboard interiors. Through our cruise lines partnerships, we continue to diversify our portfolio, leveraging our expertise with crystal to bring elegant thoughtfulness and ingenuity into all our interior designs.
To learn more about the latest trends and partnerships in design and ship interiors, join the industry’s top designers and architects at Seatrade Cruise Global 2020 for dedicated programming, including expert-led panels and the Design Lounge, a collaborative space to meet cruise lines and fellow creatives. For more information or to register visit SeatradeCruiseGlobal.com.
