Cruise & Ferry Interiors 2021

1 1 3 simple, yet luxurious, accommodation that will stand the test of time. Also evocative of the Cape Cod region is the Aft Lounge, which has a cool blue colour palette, furnishings with nautical touches, a central skylight and a bar surrounded by expansive windows with panoramic views. The space opens out onto an appointed deck with various seating options. It is directly connected to the upper deck where there is an athletic area with a jogging track and a shuffleboard. Taking guests on an experiential journey further down the US East Coast, Studio DADO has designed the main dining room to reflect the colonial heritage of Charleston, South Carolina. This has been achieved by installing panelled walls and a planter with unique wrought iron screens, which are reminiscent of the city’s traditional architecture. Elsewhere on American Melody, Studio DADO’s team has focused on creating connections to the sea. The midship arrival lounge on Deck 2 features cool coastal blues and yellows, while the multifunctional lounge on Deck 4 has been inspired by the USA’s coastal marshes and includes custom-designed gaming tables and a library. Similarly, the red and brown hues of the furniture in the Forward Lounge recall the colours of a coastal sunset. The lounge also features a dance floor, enabling it to host lectures and entertainment. Studio DADO collaborated with ACL throughout the design process, scheduling weekly meetings with ACL to ensure it could deliver on time and on budget, despite the Covid-19 pandemic. “Although it was a new way of working for our team, our client, the shipyards, our long-standing partners and the collective marketplace, we didn’t skip a beat,” says Mesa. “While the pandemic challenges could have slowed our process, our dedicated and increasingly efficient team ensured every sourcing detail and shipping deadline was executed with precision.” Mesa believes American Melody will surpass guest expectations and propel Studio DADO to new creative heights. “As a team of designers with various expertise, backgrounds, and stylistic influence, we are collectively energised when we tackle something we’ve never done before,” he explains. “We see this inaugural project in the domestic cruising industry as a creative catalyst; it challenged us to see how we could integrate the best features of a country’s culture and guest travel preferences into our designs. We are extremely pleased with how our team united and explored this new territory by producing standout, client-pleasing designs.” CFI The Aft Lounge (top) and the staterooms (bottom) both feature blue colour palettes and furnishings with nautical touches inspired by Cape Cod