42 hand, you want the design to create big and impactful moments for the guest on a cruise ship. On the other hand, less noticeable design elements such as comfort and durability are also influential in shaping the overall quality of a guest’s onboard experience. It’s important to get those small things right to help a guest relax, even if they aren’t going to go away talking about how comfortable the sofa was.” After five years at Holland America, Schneider left and founded her own design studio in 2020. Liz Schneider Interiors has since carried out both land-based and marine projects, including the redesign of several suites and restrooms onboard Windstar Cruises’ luxury yachts, and managing the planning and installation of dry dock refits for Holland America, Windstar and Princess Cruises. Schneider says that experience with refit projects is important in understanding the challenges they pose. “There are bound to be surprises with what you find on some of the older ships when you start pulling back materials, and having the experience of knowing what to do in those situations is absolutely crucial,” she says. “One thing that’s always a challenge with refit projects is determining the scope, because if you’re not renovating the entire vessel, there can end up being a very obvious divide between the old and the new. During such refit projects, a designer has to understand and work with the older designs to create solutions that transition between the two.” Environmental responsibility and sustainable practices have become a priority for the cruise industry in general in recent years, and Schneider says this has significantly influenced her own design choices when creating interiors. She highlights the need for designs to become less ephemeral if the sector is to become more sustainable. “I would like to see the spaces we create become more long-lasting and timeless,” she says. “One way we can make that happen is by rethinking the furniture we use. We can choose products made from sustainably produced materials that can easily be maintained, then refurbish and recycle them instead of replacing them at the end of their lifecycle.” Schneider highlights UK-based Morgan Furniture as an example of a manufacturer taking this approach to producing furnishings. For example, the company’s COVER STORY Choosing new and more innovative products for projects can help change attitudes towards sustainability, says Schneider Photo: Liz Schneider “ If we’re thinking about how to make people comfortable on these long voyages, it’s helpful to look at the places they call home”
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