Cruise Ship Interiors Awards welcomed a new generation of champions to the winners’ circle earlier this month.
Ending the annual Cruise Ship Interiors Design Expo Europe, the awards were handed out across 11 categories, including Best Refurbishment, Guest Experience Tech of the Year and Best Dining Space.
The complete list of winners include:
Best Dining Space – Irth, Cruise Saudi, Aroya Cruises, SMC Design.
Best Suite, sponsored by Bath Fitter –Studio DADO and Fincantieri for Regent Suite, Regent Seven Seas.
Best Stateroom, sponsored by Ball & Young – SMC Design and Meyer Werft, Balcony Cabin, NYK Cruises’ ‘Asuka III’.
Best Public Space, sponsored by Varuna Cruise Engineering Powered by STIM Tech Group –Tillberg Design of Sweden, for Sanctuary on board ‘Sun Princess’, Princess Cruises.
Best Onboard Experience, sponsored by JSN United –Royal Caribbean, Wilson Butler Architects and Breakfast, NY, for The Pearl, ‘Icon of the Seas’, Royal Caribbean.
Best Dining Space, sponsored by Lavagnoli – SMC Design and MJM Marine for Irth, Aroya Cruises.
Best Refurbished Space, sponsored by Somec Group – Windstar Cruises, DESIGN STUDIO BERG++ and Civil Marine Contract for Wind Star Lounge, ‘Wind Star’.
Guest Experience Tech of the Year, sponsored by Cocon Decor – MRD Lighting, Lighting Design.
Interior Innovation of the Year, sponsored by Fantoni –Meyer Turku, Sustainable Stateroom.
Galley Innovation of the Year, sponsored by Workhouse –MKN – SteelPlus.
Brand Partnership of the Year, sponsored by Ocean Shade Canopies and Awnings – Princess Cruises & Akula.
Legend of Design – George Scammell, Director Interior Asset Management, Princess Cruises.
The awards ceremony opened with the drinks reception, hosted by Trimline. Representatives from AmaWaterways, Ambassador Cruise Line, Carnival Maritime, Chantiers de l’Atlantique, Disney Cruise Line, Explora Journeys, Holland America Line & Seabourn, Hurtigruten, HX, Marella Cruises, Meyer Turku, Meyer Werft, MSC Cruise, Norwegian Cruise Line and more, mingled in the crowd, ready to celebrate the winners.
Elite Exhibitions CEO, Toby Walters kicked off the ceremony giving thanks to the awards sponsors, including Global Headline Sponsor, Kalmar Lighting. The trophies were created by Laticrete and were created out of beautiful, dark marble, affixed with gold-coloured plates.
SMC Design were among the big winners of the night. The company won its first award, Best Stateroom, in partnership with Meyer Werft. The winning stateroom, Balcony Cabin was situated on NYK Cruises’ ‘Asuka III’.
She was designed to appeal to experienced guests as well as those new to cruising, thus NYK Cruises wanted an interior that felt fresh and inviting with an international appeal.
SMC’s second award, Best Dining Space, came for work with the pioneering new cruise line, Cruise Saudi, on the extensively refurbished and transformed Aroya Cruises. The winning dining space, Irth, is the flagship Saudi restaurant. It offers guests an immersive dining experience showcasing speciality dishes crafted from the freshest local produce.
Royal Caribbean was one of the most-nominated brands. The company’s new vessel, the largest cruise ship yet built, ‘Icon of the Seas’ was a finalist in many of the awards categories.
Victory was assured for Royal Caribbean when the cruise line won the award Best Onboard Experience, in partnership with Wilson Butler Architects and Breakfast, NY for The Pearl. A smooth sphere and pearlescent exterior gives way through large portals to showcase a dynamic interior within.
Here, thousands of kinetic tiles ebb and flow, emotionally reflecting the energies of the water just outside and the Royal Promenade below.
Windstar Cruises, DESIGN STUDIO BERG+ and Civil Marine Contract took home Best Refurbished Space for the Wind Star Lounge on ‘Wind Star’.
Transformation is key to the space, as in its new form, it is a quiet space where guests can curl up with a good book and a hot latte, enjoying the adjacent Yacht Club Café.
As the day progresses, the lounge evolves into a lively pre-dinner cocktail venue, and later, a dynamic space for dancing with the entertainment team or enjoying the celebrated crew show.
Ending on a high
The awards ended with a pleasant surprise when George Scammell received a previously unannounced award – The Legend of Design award.
As Toby said when he announced the award, George has had a tremendous impact on the cruise ship interiors industry over his decades as a designer. He’s not only influenced the trends, but been an immensely valuable mentor and leader to many designers who now lead their own teams.
About the awards
The Cruise Ship Interiors Awards (CSIA) provides a platform to recognise the vast and diverse talent that is so abundant in the cruise interiors industry.
For more information on the awards please contact Senior Marketing Manager, Olivia Irving – olivia.irving@elite-exhibitions.com
