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Will Carnival Cruise Lines, defined for decades by its flashy, over-the-top ship decor, tweak its signature look?
Joe Farcus, the architect that has headed up the interior design on every Carnival ship at sea, will not be the lead designer on the Carnival Breeze, the last Carnival vessel currently on order, scheduled to enter service in 2012.
Farcus' style is so legendary, it has been dubbed "Farchitecture" by industry insiders.
He has designed more than 40 Carnival ships since he began working with the line in 1977, and is still the lead architect on the Carnival Magic, scheduled to enter service next June. But he will work alongside German group Partnership Design, the firm that will take the lead on the Breeze, where Farcus will be in charge of only the theater and the casino.
What this means for the future Carnival ships is still to be determined. But inevitably, the ships will have a new look and feel, perhaps keeping with the direction taken on the Carnival Dream, which already had a somewhat subdued and streamlined look compared to its predecessors.
Carnival's CEO Gerry Cahill hinted as much to the Cruise Log during the Dream's inaugural one year ago, saying the line was taking its design into a new era with that ship, and planned to tweak its even more on future ones.
Farcus, who will continue working with Carnival's Italian sister brand, Costa Cruises, said that without his touch, Carnival's ships would inevitably have take on a different form.
"I've worked very hard to create a personal style," he said. "I don't think anyone has ever, to any great extent, been able to do what I do, because I'm an individual. I believe in a multiplicity of designs and feelings that the public should enjoy. I wouldn't want to live in a world where I designed everything."
Tell us Cruise Loggers, would you miss the flashy style of the Carnival ships, or would you like to see them take a new direction in design?
Gerry Cahill is really taking Carnival in a different direction, and not everyone is happy about it. It's amazing how many long term, senior Carnival executives have left since he has taken over. Now add the lead architect that is responsible for Carnival's signature style to that list.
Ernie
Pam
quote:Originally posted by Ernst:Of all the factors that contribute to how people select a (cruise) vacation the decor of the ship certainly plays a minor role at best.
You are wrong. You would never get me on Carnival Legend as I could never eat a meal in that dining room.
quote:Originally posted by PamM:You are wrong. You would never get me on Carnival Legend as I could never eat a meal in that dining room. Pam
Well, I am not sure whether you are a good example for an average Carnival passenger.
There is no doubt that some of this decor is simply horrible but nearly all contemporary passenger ships are rather tacky and I guess most people have no idea about that when they book and many certainly simply don't care - even if they don't like it.
It's about the destinations, the cabin with a balcony, the the food, the sailing date or the friendly crew and not so much about the decor of the ship (which is finally similar on most ships from a more distant point of view).
[ 09-10-2010: Message edited by: Ernst ]
quote:Originally posted by PamM:Farcus must want to retire someday. How old is he - Mid/late 60s perhaps. Winding down with Costa and then finishing possibly.Pam
John Heald posted on his blog that Farcus announced that he wanted to cut back and spend more time in his personal life. He is now 66 years old. According to Heald, Farcus will still design the main theatre and casino on the Carnival Breeze. I will be interested to see how the ship looks with a different company heading up the design.
A good point Pam, and yes Farcus can't go on forever. Interesting though he is staying on with Costa and not Carnival. That tells me it's more about a change of pace for Carnival than just Mr. Farcus wanting to retire. You would think he would want to go out with a bang so to speak, with something really special for Carnival.
Anyway, my history with Carnival goes way back to the days of MARDI GRAS, CARNIVALE, and FESTIVALE. It's hard for me to imagine a Carnival ship without the signature style of Joe Farcus. After a relationship of some 35 years, the decor of Farcus has been a key factor of Carnival's success. It gave Carnival it's "edge" so to speak, it's gimmick. For those that don't have this history with Carnival, or have never sailed on the line, I'm sure it makes little sense or difference to them.
One thing which always set Carnival apart was the decor. The minute you stepped onboard you instantly knew you were on a Carnival ship. Also, no two Carnival ships were alike. This was a fact the old management at Carnival was quite proud of. Each ship it's it's own distinctive decor. They even published a special brochure which was all about the decor.
Contrary to popular belief, the decor still matters to people. If it didn't, the cruise lines would make no effort what so ever to add decor to their ships, hire expensive designers, take the time and effort to plan out every public space, and we would not see pictures of restaurants and lounges in any of the ship brochures.
Actually the Legend is rather subdued. It's the Miracle that has the garish dining room. Pinkish purple grapes everywhere. The room looks like it was attacked by a swarm of Skittles.
quote:Originally posted by Atlcruiser:Actually the Legend is rather subdued. It's the Miracle that has the garish dining room. Pinkish purple grapes everywhere. The room looks like it was attacked by a swarm of Skittles.
The LEGEND is all about urns. There are urns everywhere in the decor. That may be what Pam was referring to.
Both the CARNIVAL SPIRIT and CARNIVAL PRIDE actually have very attractive dining rooms. My favorites in the Carnival fleet.
quote:Originally posted by eroller:The LEGEND is all about urns. There are urns everywhere in the decor. That may be what Pam was referring to.Both the CARNIVAL SPIRIT and CARNIVAL PRIDE actually have very attractive dining rooms. My favorites in the Carnival fleet.Ernie
I remember those urns well. They are everywhere except the dining room. Carnival Pride was my favorite Carnival ship with believe it or not, the Celebration coming in second. Great little ship.
quote:Originally posted by Atlcruiser:I remember those urns well. They are everywhere except the dining room. Carnival Pride was my favorite Carnival ship with believe it or not, the Celebration coming in second. Great little ship.
PRIDE and SPIRIT are my two favorites.
Personally I'm a little sad about this news. It's the one thing that for me, has identified Carnival almost from it's inception. I already feel Carnival has lost it's "edge" so to speak, and without this crazy decor what really makes them interesting? Certainly not their advance ship design.
Sad to see ya go Joe!
Cam J
quote:Originally posted by eroller: It's amazing how many long term, senior Carnival executives have left since he has taken over. Ernie
Who Vicki Freed?? Thats one, but you make it sound like the whole marketing team at Carnival left the building when Cahill came in.
Set from a German film between the wars
Same chairs on QM2 Britannia, flooring and walls one off
Very good detailing
quote:Originally posted by Cam J:Who Vicki Freed?? Thats one, but you make it sound like the whole marketing team at Carnival left the building when Cahill came in.Cam J
A lot of the travel industry literature has highlighted many of the management changes at Carnival. I was a travel agent and still subscribe to travel trade and Travel Agent magazines and I too have read of many top execs "leaving" Carnival. I can't remember names but Vicki Freed was the most prominant because of her role with the company and her "advocacy" to the travel agent community.
But movement like this is normal I think when a new CEO comes into town.
quote:Originally posted by eroller:WOW, this is unbelievable to me! I've said this before, without Carnival's head popping decor, what is really left to differentiate the line?
When I first saw Carnival decor I commented that it looked like it was designed by 'Ronald McDonald'.
Interestingly McDonald's decor has now become rather tasteful cappuccino culture brown leather sofas etc. replacing the plastic red and yellow seats.
Maybe we are moving into a post-Farcus era? I noted that Epic's decor (although still rather las Vegas Hotel) is toned down from the 'Jewel class'.
As for Epic, I thought she was quite subdued in colouring too. Personally I preferred the previous NCL ships, the brightness seemed more appropriate somehow.
quote:Originally posted by Matts:I don't think that switching to partnership design means less vivid designs, just different ones. The Aida ships for instance, done by psd, are very bright and welcoming. They don't have those farcus touches (urns, faces, reliefs etc) but they are in my view brighter than a normal Carnival ship. As for Epic, I thought she was quite subdued in colouring too. Personally I preferred the previous NCL ships, the brightness seemed more appropriate somehow.
It will be interesting to see what they come up with. I do agree the Farcus decor does tend to be rather dark, but at night is when it really shines (literally!). Personally I hope they don't look like a copy of Aida. I would prefer something as original as possible for Carnival.
Time will tell.
quote:Originally posted by eroller:[...] Personally I hope they don't look like a copy of Aida. I would prefer something as original as possible for Carnival.Time will tell.Ernie
There is an amazing variety amongst the references of Partner Ship Design that goes well beyond Aida ships. Giving that it's probably safe to say that they should in principle be able to come up with a unique design for the new Carnival ships.
[ 09-11-2010: Message edited by: Ernst ]
quote:Originally posted by Malcolm @ cruisepage: Maybe we are moving into a post-Farcus era? I noted that Epic's decor (although still rather las Vegas Hotel) is toned down from the 'Jewel class'.
And many of the new Vegas hotels have very stylish interiors. Times, they be a chang'in.
Joe Farcus Interview
Rich
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