She is an imposing presence: her bow adorned with an enormous glass dome that rises above a show theatre, a swimming pool and a waterfall. Multicoloured slides snake across the stern - six of them with record-breaking dimensions. The “Icon of the Seas” (to be delivered before the end of this year) will once again win the title of “World’s largest cruise ship” for her owners, the US-based company Royal Caribbean. The previous bearer of this proud title was “Wonder of the Seas”, likewise a Royal Caribbean vessel. Since 2006, the operator – part of the world’s second biggest cruise corporation – has commissioned one huge newbuild after the other, each time setting new dimensional records.
The “Icon of the Seas” continues this tradition: at 365 metres, she is just slightly longer than the “Wonder of the Seas”, but two decks taller, and 100 cabins larger. The giga vessel will accommodate 7,600 guests and 2,350 crew members. What is even more impressive are its “inner values”: the suites, more than 20 restaurants, clubs and bars, or the spectacular water park. The cruise vessel is being built by Meyer Werft. The world market-leading shipbuilders based in Papenburg, Germany are top experts who know what matters most in such a giant project, and how interior design plays a pivotal role in the overall concept. The company contributes some of its exceptional know-how as an exhibitor and advisory board member to the MARINE INTERIORS Cruise & Ferry Expo from 6 to 8 September 2023. At the fair, the Meyer Werft representatives will not only meet suppliers of ship interiors. “Since Seatrade Europe takes place in parallel, the entire value chain of the cruise industry will gather in Hamburg in September: Cruise operators, designers, yard owners, suppliers and representatives of cruise destinations. Having so many decision-makers from the cruise segment all in one place at the same time is an exceptional opportunity. We have come up with some exciting networking formats for these events,” says Claus Ulrich Selbach, Business Unit Director – Maritime and Technology Fairs & Exhibitions at Hamburg Messe und Congress. Another added value: Every visitor will automatically have access to both trade fairs.
Design trends and ferry interiors
The varied conference programme developed by the trade fair organisers is sure to deliver plenty of food for discussion. The latest cruise trends will be the subject of a session featuring Sascha Lang, Vice President, Architectural & Design, Newbuild & Innovation at Royal Caribbean Cruises (Thursday 07 Sept.). The expert knows that these trends are about much more than “bigger, longer, wider,” having played a key role in the design of the “Icon of the Seas” (see above). “When we set out to create the ship, we simply wanted to make the world’s greatest holiday,” said Lang. Developing the vessel took five years. Close cooperation between the designers, engineers, architects and various artists was crucial for a successful outcome. The direction cruise ship design may take in future will be discussed by a panel of experts including him as well as Wybcke Meier, CEO of TUI Cruises, and Thomas P. Illes, Owner and CEO of the coaching and consultancy firm thilles consulting.
Another session featuring top-flight industry representatives is “Creating a first-class customer experience“ (Wednesday 06 Sept.). For the first time a conference will be entirely dedicated to ferry interiors. Panellists will include Peter Ståhlberg, Managing Director of Wasaline, and Matteo Della Valle, Sales & Marketing Director at Grandi Navi Veloci. „Ferry operators must provide a seamless experience that makes passengers feel valued and understood. The fact that MARINE INTERIORS is focusing on ferry interiors this year is insanely exciting for us. The interface between design and shipbuilding has been missing on the market so far,” said Della Valle. During the second part of the session, international designers will explain what they believe are the most crucial elements to consider in the planning process: While Alan Stewart, Director at SMC Design, wishes for more explicit sustainability rules from ship classification societies, Helena Sawelin, Partner at Tillberg Design, believes effective planning is most essential “to avoid overhasty design compromises.”
Refitting & sustainability
It doesn’t always have to be a completely new ship. A thorough refit will leave even older ferries and cruise vessels looking like new. The experts from Partner Ship Design know perfectly well how to accomplish that: For example, they have given a fresh new look to iconic vessels like AIDA's "AIDAcosma" or Carnival Cruise Lines' "Mardi Gras". Together with Alexander Höfling, Managing Director at Meyer RE, the mega yard’s after-sales subsidiary, they will spend a dedicated session discussing the challenges that must be overcome when refitting a cruise ship (Wednesday 06 Sept.).
Rebuild instead of building new: That is the sustainable approach. What else is the industry doing to make shipping greener? A question Carla Guilbaud, Vice President Member Experience at CLIA, will ask her guests in a panel discussion (Friday 08 Sept.). “Another intriguing proposition has been brought forward by Schiff & Hafen magazine and the supplier association VDMA: they see the cruise industry as the vanguard of alternative propulsion technologies,” said Claus Ulrich Selbach. The matter will be examined in depth by editor-in chief Katrin Lau and Hauke Schlegel from VDMA during their session (Wednesday 06 Sept.).
Access to the MARINE INTERIORS conferences is included in the ticket price.
"Cruise Days, thought-provoking conferences, suppliers, destinations and line operators: We deliver the full package for the entire cruise industry. By organising Seatrade Europe in parallel with MARINE INTERIORS and working closely with CLIA Global, we can offer two events in one, bringing-in the largest number of cruise-related leaders from all over Europe. Hamburg is the only city offering such a unique opportunity,” said Selbach.
For the full programme go here.
Get your ticket here.
