Welcome to Cruise Talk the Internet's most popular discussion forum dedicated to cruising. Stop by Cruise Talk anytime to post a message or find out what your fellow passengers and industry insiders are saying about a particular ship, cruise line or destination.
>>> Reader Reviews >>> CruisePage.com Photo Gallery >>> Join Our Cruise Club.
Latest News...Cunard’s newest ship Queen Anne set sail for her homeport of Southampton after officially joining the luxury cruise line’s iconic fleet. Cunard took ownership of their stunning 3,000-guest ship during a traditional handover ceremony at the Fincantieri Marghera shipyard in Venice on Friday (19 April). Crowds joined together at the Fincantieri Marghera shipyard to wave an emotional goodbye...
Latest News...Carnival Cruise Line solidified its position as the leading cruise line in California on Wednesday as it christened its newest ship, Carnival Firenze, at its new home, the Long Beach Cruise Terminal. Hollywood actor Jonathan Bennett served as the ship's godfather, and he and Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy celebrated all things Italian with the help...
Latest News...Royal Caribbean Group last week reported first quarter Earnings per Share ("EPS") of $1.35 and Adjusted EPS of $1.77. These results were better than the company's guidance due to stronger pricing on close-in demand, strength in onboard revenue and favorable timing of expenses. As a result of an exceptional WAVE season and continued strength in demand, Royal Caribbean Group said that it is...
I can also tell which shipyard built a ship by its way of building and type of fire doors or lighting fittings etc.
I expect the brief for QV is much more in line with QM2's ambiance. Theresa's group is more than capable of providing this. That's why I'm keen to see it.
The architects need to have an intimate knowledge of all of the IMO and SOLAS regulations. They must know all about the fire construction regs which dictate the level of insulation, the direction of escape, stairway width calculations, Escape routes, Dead ends and material usage.
And then don't forget ADA, sound insulation, power and lighting planning, and supervising shipyard teams. All of this in excess of designing for a building ashore.
quote:Originally posted by Gerry:I expect the brief for QV is much more in line with QM2's ambiance. Theresa's group is more than capable of providing this.
Just a personal opinion: I've only seen a couple of Princess interiors, but I though them to be increadably 'bland'. Not even 'understated' as our US freinds say, but 'bland'. Of course that does not make the team incompetent, that style of decor must have been their 'brief'.
Gerry, I assume that the budget that is available for a ships interior design has serious limits on what can and cannot be achieved, and the quality of that work. Now I know that there is always a ‘bottom-line’, but as a layman the QM2 looks like she has 'no expense spared' interiors. I'm thinking of all that plaster work, the bronze 'style' murals etc.
However, I wonder if the QV will be on a much tighter budget, which will make her interiors less lavish? The renditions certainly look very nice, but they always do, don't they.
But as far taste is concerned, Farcus creations are getting worse and worse, especially with Costa. There are more and more French reviews of the newest Costa ships which complain about the decoration...However, it's true that those ships are popular. But I don't think it's thanks to their design, it's despite it. BTW, I heard Costa France CEO telling that Costa Serena decors will be "more extravagant than ever". That is promising .
Oops, I completely went off topic !
Back to QV, I must say that the interior renderings are great and really matches QM2 style. And I don't doubt Princess team will do a great job with QV. Imagine : being forced by the executives to do always the same boring interiors, they must be more than motivated to have a chance once in a while to do imaginative things !
[ 10-04-2006: Message edited by: Pascal ]
quote:Originally posted by Pascal:It looks like if Farcus is completely free to do what he wants on his Carnival and Costa creations.
I suspect that he still has a rather tight 'brief'?
Its all about the 'Standard' that is stated in the shipbuilding agreement and that becomes part of the specification for the shipyard.
When the shipyard quotes a price for a ship to an owner, it is based on a number of things that the owner specifies. Amongst them will be a standard for technical aspects and a standard for outfitting. For both of these they will declare a reference ship.
Once the ship is being built it is up to the owners team, represented by the architects and engineers to ensure the reference standard is exceeded and it is up to the shipyard team to ensure the refernce standard is not exceeded.
In QM2's case, the reference ship for outfitting standard was the most recent Rotterdam as that was the most expensive outfitted ship available for reference at the time and I was quite happy with this as I knew the cost of the materials used by Fincantieri which we are able to argue into a higher standard for QM2. This is why, in my opinion, a strong owner's presence is vital in the shipyard to ensure the standards continue to get higher, otherwise they decline.
The faux woods, which have been called 'plastic' are not at all. They are mainly veneers of real wood which is acceptable under SOLAS. The high gloss finish which the architects wanted as it protects from scuff marks better, tends to cheapen the look.
Cunard did have their own team for QM2. I headed it.
Now that Cunard is in Sta Clarita with Princess, that team is now responsible.
HAL has their own team, Carnival has their own team and Princess has their own team.
quote:Originally posted by Gerry:You have to be aware though that the architects work to a brief given to them by their principals. A good designer/architect will give the principal what they want.
This I understand although I have not seen any work by Teresa Anderson outside Princess Cruises. I really have no idea what she is capable of when given a different set of parameters to guide her.
I don't believe Joe Farcus is given any "briefs" or parameters when it comes to Carnival Cruise Lines. He may have many years ago but my understanding is that today they pretty much just let him do what he wants. There is a trust between Farcus and Carnival that I imagine is quite unusual in any industry.
Ernie
quote:Originally posted by eroller:I don't believe Joe Farcus is given any "briefs" or parameters when it comes to Carnival Cruise Lines. He may have many years ago but my understanding is that today they pretty much just let him do what he wants. There is a trust between Farcus and Carnival that I imagine is quite unusual in any industry. Ernie
That's my feeling too, Ernie.
quote:Originally posted by Malcolm @ cruisepage:Just a personal opinion: I've only seen a couple of Princess interiors, but I though them to be increadably 'bland'.
Just a personal opinion: I've only seen a couple of Princess interiors, but I though them to be increadably 'bland'.
Oh dear, perhaps I'm boring in thinking they are quite tasteful, as if for European tastes!!
Andrew
quote:Originally posted by OceanVoyager:Oh dear, perhaps I'm boring in thinking they are quite tasteful, as if for European tastes!!
Andrew, there is a fine line between tasteful (understated) and boring decor. It's all very subjective and I was just giving my personal opinion.
One UK newspaper called the QM2 interiors the tackiest ever designed. They obviously don't out much!
Onno
quote:Originally posted by Pascal:From what I've heard, many consider Princess interiors as boring not because of the quality of the design in itself, but because it's continualy repeated on every ships whith very little changes.
Keep in mind, most passengers could care less about whether one ship from the same cruise line is different form another. Many passengers don't even remember the name of the ship.
From their perspective, the fact that the ships are similar is a big plus. They don't have to worry about the differences between vessels and just have to find one that is available when they want to cruise.
If you want variety, try a different cruise line.
Joe at TravelPage.com
quote:Originally posted by joe at travelpage:Keep in mind, most passengers could care less about whether one ship from the same cruise line is different form another.
In fact cruise lines want their ships to be similar to each other, to re-inforce their 'brand'. They want each vessel in the fleet to feel familair. Most people are essentially creatures of habit.
quote:Originally posted by Gerry: CGT, I think youre a little mixed up. The Commodore club on QM2 was designed by Tillberg's Sweden. The new QV is under the Princess in house team. Unless you are talking about a rendering of QV's Commodore Club which I haven't seen.
[ 10-04-2006: Message edited by: CGT ]
Mauretania Edwardian by Robert McNeece of Rship fame
Mid Ships
Caronia Art Deco by SMC Tillberg
Aft
QE2 Mod by Pierluigi Cerri
That would make her a unique ship.
I acutely envisioned my Vista style QV as a ship divided in three segments (only from exterior view point)
[ 10-05-2006: Message edited by: Onno ]
Somehow I feel that interiorwise Cunard is being "Disneyfied" like they did with Holland America and CostaWhy can't they go for something stylish modern instead of this fake retro or tacky Farcus all the time?There is nothing Italian about Costa anymore. Pity because italian interior design can be stunning
Having been on the Maasdam I was appaled by these so called "Dutch touches" As a Dutchman it felt all very Vegas to me and had absolutely nothing to do with the Netherlands.
quote:Originally posted by CGT: Yes, I am talking about a rendering of the QV Commodore Club. I am surprised you haven't seen it, it is freely available, and it comes from the CUNARD website.
I've not seen it either. In fact I can't find it at all.
Got a link, please?
quote:Originally posted by oslo dutch:My opinion is probably very different here...Somehow I feel that interiorwise Cunard is being "Disneyfied" like they did with Holland America and Costa [...]
Somehow I feel that interiorwise Cunard is being "Disneyfied" like they did with Holland America and Costa [...]
I also find it horrible. This is right the opposite of what I like.
Ultimate Bulletin BoardTM 6.1.0.3
More Vacation & Cruise Specials...