36 to work from a practical standpoint, and comply with ISO requirements, but it also has to stir the soul and remind us all why travel is such a fulfilling and transformative experience.” Calle explains that design must offer guests “some version” of escape. “A stateroom or dining venue should do more than function well; it should draw people out of their everyday life and into something more vivid and emotionally resonant,” he says. “We go beyond logistics to focus on the elements people remember – the room, the lighting, the mood during dinner, the sense their experience felt a little heightened. This is what shapes how guests talk about their trip. We’re always chasing that emotional connection and when we get it right, guests carry that memory with them forever.” Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) was one of the first major brands to recognise Studio DADO’s potential and enlisted the firm to refine the luxury positioning of its Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises (Regent) brands. “NCLH gave us our first big break,” says Mesa. “We aligned on several core tenets, most notably the importance of guest experience and that great design is a key differentiator. We were hired to work on Norwegian Cruise Line’s R-class and Jewel-class ships, which led to our project on the first Prima-class vessel, Norwegian Prima.” The companies have since collaborated on subsequent Prima-class vessels, as well as several ships for both Oceania Cruises and Regent. “NCLH was the perfect early client and remains an important partner,” says Mesa. “The team cares about design and creating unforgettable experiences for guests. They see the value we bring to the table and give us a lot of latitude.” The success of these projects led to projects for other brands, including Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises and river operator American Cruise Lines. “That’s when we knew we had something special,” says Mesa. As Studio DADO’s client base and project portfolio expanded, the firm refined its business processes and strengthened both its team and capabilities. “We were a small, boutique practice but we were “ We still have a lot of fun with our work and that makes a huge difference” Javier Calle Oceania Vista’s private dining space Privee is designed to make guests feel like they are dining inside a flower, with the backlit debossed walls and the chandelier resembling the petals and the pistils, respectively COVER STORY Photo: Nick Tortajada
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