Cruise Ship Design

In the design profession there are so many ways someone can choose to go. I would love to design cruise ships, specifically Carnival, but any would be an honor. Carnival cruise line is known for their fun and affordable pricing. There have been many ships added to the fleet and as a fellow cruise lover the new designs can be very different compared to the older ships.

photo taken by me I want to have an impact on the future of cruisers to make their vacations everything they could ever dream of. For me cruising is an escape from the real world. Depending on the time you spend on the ship the design can change the entire experience. The first impression from walking into the grand atrium sets the tone for the whole trip so it needs to have a good impact. One of the most important design factors for ships is wayfinding. For people who have never been on a Carnival ship or ship at all learning where everything is can be difficult. One of the most common ways Carnival adds wayfinding into their ships is a change of flooring material. Another one is maps and keeping public spaces on certain floors and rooms on others. Another important factor in cruise ship design is materials and textiles. Materials and textiles are a huge decision in a design but especially on a moving ship. Some of the carpet that is in the older ships have a wave pattern on them and can almost act as an optical illusion when walking down the hallway. The materials also need to be durable with all the high traffic and spilling of drinks they experience daily. Along with durability it is a moving object, so they need to be flexible and lightweight.

photo from Cruise ship design also needs to affect people’s emotions. By adding bright colors in entertainment areas and calming colors in rooms like staterooms designers can almost control people’s behaviors. One thing that Carnival is known for its themed ships, for example one of the newer ships The Venezia, is Italian themed, before starting anything the designers start with finding design precedence in different cultures and architecture. There are many things that go into cruise ship design that people do not think about. From having so many different activities on the ships the rooms need to be able to fit large groups of people while also being flexible for activities. Vacations are an amazing thing and for me cruising tops it all. Being a cruise ship designer allows me to have more creative freedom and push the boundaries compared to just designing a regular resort. Sources Charlie. (n.d.). Unveiling the creative minds behind carnival cruise interiors. Ferkey Builders Inc. https://www.ferkeybuilders.com/unveiling-the-creative-minds-behind-carnival-cruise-interiors/