Studio DADO partners, from upper left, clockwise, Jorge L. Mesa, Yohandel Ruiz, Greg Walton and Javier Calle
December 19, 2016 – Greg Walton, Yohandel Ruiz, Javier Calle and Jorge L. Mesa—all previously with CallisonRTKL—already bagged newbuild and refurbishment business from Norwegian Cruise Line, Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Carnival Cruise Line.
DADO comes from the word for ‘dice’ in Italian, Spanish and Portuguese, and Walton said that although the partners are taking a gamble in striking out on their own, they all feel confident of success.
Walton’s fat cruise portfolio began with the original Crown Princess and ranges from working on ‘Royal Caribbean International’s Oasis-class ships to the most luxurious ship ever built and everything in between,’ as he put it. (The most luxurious ship is how Regent touts Seven Seas Explorer.)
Mesa has vast experience in refurbishments, including the ‘Royal Advantage’ program for Royal Caribbean’s Vision and Voyager classes, and for Norwegian’s recent Pride of America and Norwegian Dawn upgrades.
Calle and Ruiz have worked mainly on newbuilds, including Seven Seas Explorer and the Oasis class, but Calle also created designs for this year’s refurbishment of Seven Seas Voyager and for Seven Seas Mariner’s upcoming drydock update.