Affected by the health crisis, cruise shipping companies were forced to delay newbuild launches and cancel voyages to cut costs. However, the pandemic's pause is also a period of reflection, both in business and personal lives.
During the pause, the cruise industry has shown it is one of the most flexible, innovative, and creative industries out there. There is also a supportive community of hotel managers, executive chefs, architects, designers, and more, ready and willing to help, offer opinions, as well as provide assistance.
This was wrapped up in a quote from My Nguyen, Cruise Ship Interiors Expo Advisory Board member – “With the gift of time, you can innovate.”
During the pandemic, the industry has seen the receipt of countless cruise ships, including P&O’s largest liner Iona, Virgin Voyages’ Scarlet Lady and Celebrity Cruises' Apex.
Exhibitors at CSI-Cruise Ship Interiors Expo and CSH-Cruise Ship Hospitality Expo have seen great success in the industry. CSH exhibitor ALMACO embarked upon a number of projects, such as providing the cabins for Swan Hellenic’s Vega project, and completing a catering project for Saga; CSI exhibitor Marine Interiors won a contract to supply a total of 2800 cabins for Carnival’s new Chinese-market ship; CSI exhibitor Studio DADO is now working with ACL-American Cruise Lines as their external designer.
A number of CSI and CSH exhibitors innovated in completely new ways. For example, marine flooring supplier Bolidt launched virtual tours of its Innovation Center, while Shores Global collaborated with Tillberg Design of Sweden to create the Innovation Lounge, an on-land cruise ship interior design experience.
The show organizers focused on it with Collaboration Week, publishing pieces exploring the partnerships between exhibitors. This included the collaboration between two Cruise Ship Hospitality Expo Health & Hygiene Zone exhibitors, SleepAngel and Room to Breathe, who came together to strengthen their services, improving passenger and staff safety.
The cruise industry is due to meet again at the Miami Beach Convention Center, June 8–9, 2021, at Cruise Ship Interiors Expo and Cruise Ship Hospitality Expo.