By
Laura Hyde |
Cruise lines are increasingly using interior design to shape the onboard experience in response to evolving guest expectations. No longer defined solely by aesthetics, today’s cruise ship interiors are designed as dynamic, multifunctional spaces that serve every kind of traveller, from solo adventurers to multigenerational groups seeking shared experiences.
For Norwegian Cruise Line, this shift is driving a more deliberate approach to spatial planning and storytelling, with interiors that feel “intuitive, effortless and emotionally engaging, guiding guests naturally through their day without them having to think about it,” says Gary Anslow, vice president and head of Norwegian Cruise Line UK and Ireland. “Design helps tell the story of the voyage. Norwegian Luna’s signature hull art, La Luna by artist Elle, sets the emotional tone even before guests step onboard, exploring themes of rhythm, movement and connection to the sea that carry through the ship’s interiors."
Norwegian Luna’s hull art, La Luna, was created by artist Elle (Photo: Norwegian Cruise Line)
“Onboard, the way spaces are planned influences how guests come together and how their day unfolds," says Anslow. "Areas like Horizon Park are designed as natural gathering points, encouraging casual social interaction in an open-air setting. Similarly, the layout of Indulge Food Hall invites guests to explore global cuisine in a relaxed, informal way, while adaptable venues like the Luna Theatre transform seamlessly from theatre to nightclub for evening entertainment. In this way, design works quietly in the background to remove friction and enhance the overall sense of enjoyment.”
Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri delivered Norwegian Luna in March 2026, and the ship will spend its inaugural season sailing Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries. “The ship was designed with a ‘something for everyone’ approach, creating varied venues across the ship that feel natural rather than segmented,” adds Anslow.
To support this approach, Norwegian organised the ship’s interiors into a series of distinct ‘neighbourhoods’, each with its own purpose and personality, designed to accommodate different moods, energy levels and guest preferences throughout the day.
“A standout example of this is the Observation Lounge, a lightfilled space designed to maximise panoramic ocean views while offering guests a calm, welcoming environment to relax, read or simply watch the world go by,” says Anslow. “Its expansive glazing and comfortable, layered seating make it a prime example of how interior design enhances both journey and destination, turning transit into an experience in itself.”
The Observation Lounge is a light filled space designed to maximise panoramic ocean views (Photo: Norwegian Cruise Line)
“Elsewhere, spaces like Luna Midway introduce playful, open-air energy inspired by classic amusement parks, while the Indulge Food Hall shows how design can make global dining feel relaxed and intuitive rather than formal," says Anslow. "Our specialty restaurants, including Sukhothai and Le Bistro, use interior design to express their culinary identities, creating immersive environments that enhance the dining experience. These interiors demonstrate how design on Norwegian Luna works as a cohesive system, shaping an experience that evolves naturally throughout the voyage.”
Building on the success of the Prima Plus class, Norwegian Cruise Line will expand its fleet over the next decade, with eight newbuild ships currently on order. “As we look at the next phase and the delivery of more ships from partners like Fincantieri, we see cruise interiors becoming increasingly flexible, immersive and experience led,” says Anslow. “The Prima Plus class already represents a shift towards boutique style comfort supported by highly sophisticated engineering, and that approach will continue to evolve.
“At the same time, the connection between ship interiors and our destinations will become more seamless. As our private destinations such as Great Stirrup Cay evolve with new features like the Great Tides Waterpark, the interiors of our ships will likely mirror that energy and scale. We’re not just building ships; we’re building a continuous experience that starts the moment you see the hull art in port and continues through every carefully considered space onboard.”
Discover more insights from interior design experts like Anslow in the 2026 issue of Cruise & Ferry Interiors. Don’t miss out – subscribe for FREE and get the next issue delivered straight to your inbox.