December, Brighton – Cruise Ship Interiors Design Expo Europe (CSI Europe) brings the
cruise ship interiors calendar to a close in style – and what a way it was to finish a brilliant year
of new partnerships, new launches and an orderbook and refit schedule bursting at the seams.
With CSI Europe situated in Hamburg for the first time, this year’s opening party embraced the
festive feel of the city. Taking place at the Former Mains Customs Office, Christmas-market
stalls dotted the heated outside area, serving hot Glühwein, roasted nuts, pretzels and
sausages in buns. Attendees, comprising of exhibiting suppliers, visiting design studios, cruise
lines and shipyards, were invited to wear Christmas jumpers and festive best. Many rose to the
occasion, but none looked so festive as Jacob Jürgensen Wood, whose entire team were
decked in Fair Isle-style jumpers. The opening party kicked off the show in style, with plenty of
networking, which allowed buyers and suppliers alike to create new connections ahead of the
busy two days ahead.
A complete supply chain under one roof
Having made the move to continental Europe, the heart of the European cruise market, over
300 suppliers, outfitters, and design studios joined the event in an exhibiting capacity, with 100
being brand-new to CSI. Exhibitors included Zenko HF Interiors, Marine Interiors (Fincantieri),
Crivellari Divani & Poltrone, Harmony Marine Solutions, Ekornes, Tuuci, Pooky, MEYER Re and
more. Recognising the rare opportunity to celebrate the skilled communities of marine artisans,
companies such as Finnish Marine Industry gathered over 50 people to take part in a
photoshoot celebrating a country that acts as a pillar of the industry. Exhibitors old and new
referred to a ‘meticulously curated’ event that felt like a ‘mature show’, enjoying the full range of
events that CSI Europe had to offer.
Of course, the light-hearted but zesty face-off Pitch and Pint made its return, as new-to-the-
show suppliers distilled their business to a powerful one-minute pitch made to a panel of
esteemed industry names. Winners Panomax Cruises & Yachts fought off powerful opposition
by unveiling a metres-long banner that wound across the audience.
Sustainable material company Oceancircle hosted bracelet making on their stand, using
recovered ocean waste to create stylish closed-loop accessories. Outfitters SD Marine Interiors
crowned two winners of their repair competition, turning the tables on visiting buyers and
challenging them to meet the meticulous standards that the industry’s outfitters operate to.
Oceancircle also nabbed the award for most sustainable stand, while HEWI won the most
accessible stand award and Zenko was awarded best stand design.
Over a thousand meetings took place across several speed networking events, connecting
suppliers with buyers keen to source the next product that will create weight savings, meet
sustainability targets, extend the lifecycle and bring the edge over their competitors. Competitor
cruise brands became peers as knowledge and inspiration was shared in the second year of
peer-to-peer networking, taking place on the second day of the show.
“Representing Hurtigruten, I walked in hoping to find fresh inspiration and walked out with a
notebook full of ideas, a stack of business cards, and the firm belief that the design world is in
very good hands.”
Tom Arild Trosterud, Vice President Procurement at Hurtigruten Expeditions
