When creating the interiors of a passenger ship, a designer faces a unique challenge. Each space they create onboard needs to appeal to a broad range of guests from different demographics and with different expectations, and then continue to do so for as long as possible over the ship’s operating life without an expensive refurbishment being required.
As they look to meet this challenge, designers must therefore ask themselves a question: should they follow the latest trends to create a design that makes a big impact upon delivery, or should they take a more timeless approach to produce a space with greater longevity? For many, the choice is increasingly clear.
“While there remains a place for innovation and new ideas, astute shipowners are increasingly demanding interiors that offer a longer-term return on investment,” says Alan McVitty, design director of Key Interiors and Designs. “As a result, they are now favouring timeless elegance over transient trends, guided by formal design principles and culturally informed practitioners. This approach ensures that spaces are not only stylish but also enduring and durable.”
But what defines a timeless interior design? My Nguyen, design director for Holland America Line and Seabourn Cruises, provides one explanation.
“I define timeless design as an experience where you walk into a space and there is no association to an era in time, but rather a feeling of comfort and calm,” she says. “When you come back to that space later, it still feels as fresh as when you were last there. The opposite of timeless design is when you walk into a space, and you think ‘this is trendy now, but I’ll be tired of it soon’.”
Creating that sense of timelessness requires designers to balance shape, colour and texture, according to Nguyen. There should also be an element of personal style.
“Textures and colours that relate to nature are timeless because these elements have a direct link to human experiences,” she says. “I also reflect on what I personally think of as timeless, such as Danish furniture from the 1950s and 1960s, or denim in fashion. The commonalities between these products are that they are good quality, comfortable, and texturally appealing regardless of if you are a Boomer or from Gen Z. Making a timeless design is more about balancing wow factors with investments in longevity than including any one element. Each designer will have their own signature way to balance these elements, and that is what makes a design unique.”
Cunard looked back to the line’s own history as it looked to create a timeless appeal on its newest ship Queen Anne, says Lee Powell, the cruise line’s vice president of brand and product.
“We started at the beginning with our archives, the story and past of Cunard,” he says. “I wanted to bring a Cunard experience to life for 2024, but in a way that celebrated and told that story through design. For example, the Golden Lion, our onboard pub, has taken the quintessential British pub experience and elevated it. There are the brass finishes, green leather banquettes and stained-glass details, but then also elements such as a collection of contemporary artwork that demonstrates the eccentricity of Britishness too.”
Ship staterooms, however, should always be timeless, says Nguyen, not least because the design may need to be finalised up to four years before delivery.
“Since cabins are built as modular units and take up a large percentage of the ship real estate, cabin units are one of the first designs to be produced,” she explains. “The design also needs to last at least seven years in operation before the renovation cycle takes place. Therefore, the design vision for the staterooms of Holland America Line’s Rotterdam was to mix texture and pattern while keeping the colour palette light and natural. We combined graphics with floral patterns, since those are timeless elements that you see in nature. Our goal was to have a guest’s first impression be that their accommodation is comfortable, sophisticated and timeless regardless of whether they came onboard during the inaugural voyage or five years from now.”
Aros Marine
In spring 2023, Aros Marine refurbished Hurtigruten’s Trollfjord, with the Rost restaurant being one of the main spaces the team worked on. The month-long project involved around 150 workers and embraced a design ethos that balances heritage with modernity. Rost’s interior, crafted by YSA Design, features timeless Nordic aesthetics with clean lines, natural materials and subtle colour palettes inspired by Norwegian landscapes. The use of wood, stone and sustainable materials ensures durability, while reupholstering existing furniture honoured the ship’s 130-year legacy. This design creates a warm, elegant atmosphere that is both contemporary and enduring, reflecting Hurtigruten’s commitment to cultural and environmental sustainability.
MJM Marine
A timeless product or space transcends fleeting trends, offering enduring appeal through classic design, functionality and quality craftsmanship. Royal Caribbean International’s cruise ship Utopia of the Seas, with interiors designed and crafted by MJM Marine, exemplifies this. It embodies the essence of timeless design, with the Royal Railway and Pesky Parrot bar. The meticulous attention to detail and use of high-quality materials ensures spaces are both elegant and resilient. The ship’s blend of modern luxury with classic aesthetics ensures it remains captivating to passengers, regardless of changing trends. MJM Marine’s work onboard reflects a commitment to creating environments that offer lasting comfort and quiet luxury, adding to its portfolio of high-quality fitouts.
Partner Ship Design
Timeless design is based on delivering functionality in combination with form and colours in harmony.
Instead of following fashion trends, timeless design emphasises elements inspired by nature, and showcases well-considered design down to the smallest details, such as coordinated lighting and well-balanced proportions.
At Partner Ship Design, we are convinced that timeless design can, but does not have to, speak a soft design language with moderate and calm colours. Investing in quality workmanship, materials, furniture and accessories ensures that the space remains appealing for many years. As a result, timeless interior design always stays relevant and up to date.
SMC Design
At SMC Design, timeless design has been implemented for many different brands. The team creates a unique individual style specific to each brand that differentiates and defines the guests’ experience, producing a familiarity which meets their expectations. The brands and their designs are incredibly different and yet they all have everlasting appeal.
To create a design that stands the test of time there must be a synergy, with all aspects existing in harmony to collectively create a considered and correct design. An award-winning example of this is the Masters of the Sea pub for MSC Cruises’ MSC World Europa, which has resulted in a design that is authentic, exciting and, most importantly, timeless.
Tihany Design
For a design to retain its relevance over time, it must be based on cultural references and create emotional connections for those using the space. Strong storytelling that delves into meaningful references is essential for achieving a timeless result. A timeless design balances appreciation across various cultures by distilling cultural elements to their essence and making them universally understandable. Seabourn Venture and Seabourn Pursuit exemplify such strong designs. Their lasting appeal stems from the inception of the idea and the inspiration behind the aesthetic, ensuring their timelessness.
Tomas Tillberg Design
Passenger ship operators are increasingly favouring interior designs that emphasise timelessness over fleeting contemporary trends. They seek long-term value in their investments while continuing to follow formal design principles. While there is still room for new ideas and innovation, the focus is on achieving lasting appeal. This approach is driven by astute owners who demand enduring payoffs for their interior expenditures. Our designs, such as onboard the Aurora Expeditions’ ship Douglas Mawson, demonstrate the insights of our designers and showcase products that adhere to a timeless design philosophy, balancing tradition and innovation to create spaces that remain relevant and elegant over time.
YSA Design
Timeless design endures because its functionality and aesthetic appeal outlast the whims of fashion. Distinguished by simplicity, clean lines, high quality and craftsmanship, timeless designs serve practicality, harmony and versatility, and favour understated elegance and cultural neutrality over ostentation and stereotyping.
Conceived by YSA Design, Hudson’s restaurant on Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Prima embodies timeless design. A venue with a unique personality for a first-in-class vessel, Hudson’s combines the flair of the modern, luxury dining experience with an enduring low-key elegance. Strong in concept, clear in vision and executed with excellence, Hudson’s upmarket appeal will last for years to come.