A cruise ship is actually two ship: the part cruise travelers see and the part they don’t.  The part passengers do not see includes the engine room and other secure areas as well as a variety of behind the scenes places.  Those who design cruise ships, especially the passenger areas, are keenly aware of the esthetics that go into making those areas where guests will live, be entertained and dine pleasant places to be.  When ultra-luxe cruise line Seabourn chose a driving force to be in charge of building their new 40,350 ton ship, due out in 2016, they knew exactly where to go.

Contracting with hospitality design icon Adam D. Tihany to create the indoor and outdoor guest areas of the new ship, Seabourn is obviously happy with their choice.

“Adam Tihany’s artistic sensibilities are a wonderful match with Seabourn,” said Richard D. Meadows, Seabourn’s president.

Tihany will create a design vision for the entire 604-passenger vessel including multiple dining venues; the Spa at Seabourn; showrooms; casino and lounges; outdoor deck areas; and the innovative and popular Seabourn Square multi-purpose space.

“His designs convey the essence of ultra-luxury with a vitality that is lively and exciting yet perfectly embodies the relaxed elegance that has always been the heart of Seabourn’s hospitality,” added Meadows, and with good reason.

Tihany is Art Director of the Culinary Institute of America, sits on the advisory Board of the New York School of Interior Design and the Holon Design Museum and is renowned for his restaurant projects for high-profile celebrity chefs, including Thomas Keller, Daniel Boulud, Jean Georges Vongerichten, Charlie Palmer, Heston Blumenthal, Paul Bocuse and Wolfgang Puck.

His outstanding contribution to the world of design has been recognized with numerous honors and awards, including an Honorary Doctorate from the New York School of Interior Design and induction into the Interior Design Hall of Fame.

Tihany is no stranger to luxury hotel operations either.  His list of accomplishments include worldwide, South Africa’s One & Only Cape Town resort, Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas, King David Hotel in Jerusalem, The Oberoi Hotel in New Delhi, The Beverly Hills Hotel, The Breakers in Palm Beach and Hotel Cipriani in Venice to name just a few.

Another value that Tihany shares with Seabourn is a dedication to personalization; taking pride in drawing inspiration from his clients’ backgrounds or preferences.

“What I strive to do is to find an aesthetic that expresses the personality of the brand,” said Tihany. “Thus, my goal is to design a beautiful, and very uniquely Seabourn ship, one that will reflect Seabourn’s aura of casual elegance and thoughtful attention to detail, that will make their guests feel welcome and invite them to experience Seabourn’s special brand of ultra-luxury.”

The new Seabourn ship continues a fleet expansion that Seabourn began in 2009 with the launch of Seabourn Odyssey. This award-winning class of ships, which includes Seabourn Sojourn (2010) and (personal favorite) Seabourn Quest (2011). Based on the Seabourn Odyssey-class ships, plus one additional deck and new expanded public areas, the new ship is being built by Italy’s Fincantieri, the design will maintain Seabourn’s high ratio of space per guest and enable highly personalized service by nearly one staff member per guest on board.

Not familiar with Seabourn?  This video gives us an idea of what they are all about:

http://youtu.be/nkCdsZFYHYU

Flickr photo by Grand Canyon NPS