November 8th, 2017 – Starting up shop late last year, a group of cruise ship interior designers has already outgrown their office space and is expanding.
“We decided to branch out on our own, be smaller and more boutique, giving personalized attention to our clients,” said Yohandel Ruiz, partner at Studio DADO. Ruiz works alongside fellow partners Greg Walton, Javier Calle and Jorge Mesa.
Projects include Carnival Cruise Line’s so-called Project Excel ships, Norwegian’s Leonardo class, and various refurbishment jobs.
Ruiz said the main focus for the company now is on Norwegian’s upcoming Leonardo vessels, of which the first delivery is scheduled for 2022.
“We’re very lucky to handle a multitude of different assignments. We can do anything from staterooms to corridors to public venues like restaurants, show lounges and spas,” he said.
When it comes to cabins, the design firm considers every millimeter in stateroom design, according to Calle.