Products & services

YSA Design celebrates four decades of cruise ship design

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 24 September 2025 24 September 2025

YSA Design, whose ship interiors and exteriors design creativity has helped to define guest experiences in the modern cruise era, is celebrating its 40th anniversary.

At a special gathering marking the occasion at its Oslo headquarters on 25th September, the company is bringing together past and present colleagues, customers, shipyards and other industry partners to celebrate its achievements over four decades of design excellence.

YSA Design has been at the heart of multiple award-winning ships, with its work featuring across vessels built for Costa Cruises, Holland America Line, Hurtigruten, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, SeaDream, Viking Ocean Cruises, Virgin Voyages and more. It has worked with Disney Cruise Line since the group entered the sector in 1993.

“We continue to innovate, by designing for custom-built vacations that serve luxury, wellness, individuality and adventure to match the creative vision of our clients’ brands,” says Anne Mari Gullikstad, CEO, YSA Design. “To attract the best next generation talent, we also invest in cutting edge design tools. Doing so enhances efficiency and transparency for customers and yards.”

Formally established in 1985 by partners Petter Yran and Bjørn Storbraaten, the company restructured as YSA Design in 2016 after a management buy-in, with Gullikstad working alongside fellow board members Einar Jungård, Jan Krefting, Trond Sigurdsen and Tov Arne Svalestuen.

Krefting, now Chair of YSA Design, joined in 1987 and has worked on high profile design projects through the cruise sector’s transformation into a market worth hundreds of billions of dollars.

“We’ve seen it change from a business where we were the first people the owner called and the job was agreed on a handshake into an industry involving multiple stakeholders and a complex regulatory framework, where every minute is budgeted for,” he says. “We are always evolving but remain anchored in decades of industry experience, developing everything from the GA onwards to balance the best in aesthetic form with effective function.”

With a 30-strong team made up of individuals from 13 nationalities, Gullikstad says multicultural dialogues are one driver for fresh thinking at YSA Design. “The team’s diversity offers a unique breeding ground for originality, and also provides the basis for the recommendations YSA Design makes on sustainable materials to protect our planet’s resources,” she says.

Krefting adds: “Reaching our 40-year milestone is a fitting moment for YSA Design to celebrate, both its resilience in an industry that faced the challenges of 9/11 and COVID, and the creativity, knowledge, and open and honest collaboration that kept our cruise clients coming back for more.”

Makinen to deliver interiors for Antarctica21’s new expedition vessel Magellan Discoverer

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 17 September 2025 17 September 2025

Makinen has signed a contract with Asenav shipyard in Valdivia, Chile, to deliver the interiors of Magellan Discoverer, a new expedition vessel for Antarctica21. Magellan Discoverer will join Antarctica21’s fleet of boutique expedition vessels that explore Antarctica, South Georgia, the Falkland Islands, and Patagonia.

The Makinen scope covers all fixed furniture in passenger cabins and public spaces, as well as curtains and decorative lighting throughout the vessel. Installation is scheduled for spring 2026 in Valdivia. The interiors are designed by Tomas Tillberg Design, a long-time partner of Makinen in expedition vessel projects.

This project follows the delivery of seven Infinity-class vessels for SunStone Ships, where Makinen executed full turnkey interiors. That experience provides a strong foundation for Magellan Discoverer and continues to strengthen our role in expedition newbuilds.

Starboard debuts vibrant, immersive retail experiences aboard Virgin Voyages’ newest ship, Brilliant Lady

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 13 September 2025 13 September 2025

Starboard Group, the world’s leading retail curator at sea, recently announced the latest expansion of its partnership with Virgin Voyages as the exclusive retail partner for Brilliant Lady. Starboard offers a vibrant, curated shopping experience at sea, blending luxury, sustainability and discovery across 5,500 square feet of retail space on the ship, which recently departed from New York City on its inaugural voyage. From exclusive, destination-inspired collections to iconic fashion, beauty and fine jewelry brands, the retail offering is designed to enhance the Virgin Voyages experience for every Sailor.

“We’re proud to continue building our partnership with Virgin Voyages as its exclusive retail partner for Brilliant Lady’s inaugural season,” said Lisa Bauer, Starboard’s President and CEO. “We’ve leveraged our curation expertise, creativity and global resources to create unforgettable retail offerings that perfectly reflect Virgin Voyages’ blend of modern, adults-only sophistication and rebellious fun.”

Starboard reimagined retail on Brilliant Lady through bold visual merchandising, open-flow boutiques and pop-up activations that create an experience that’s less traditional store and more concept gallery. From lab-created diamonds and limited-edition designer collections to sustainable fashion labels, cult beauty and destination-inspired assortments, Starboard brought trend-forward brands directly to sea.

“Starboard is unique in its ability to turn retail into an immersive lifestyle experience that enhances each voyage, and we’re pleased to expand our partnership as we launch Brilliant Lady,” said Nicole Huang, SVP of Fleet Experiences at Virgin Voyages. “Through thoughtful curation and one-of-a-kind activations that blend exclusivity, storytelling and personalization, Starboard is setting a new standard for cruise retail and helping ensure our Sailors have an unforgettable experience.”

First-at-sea luxury offerings

Aboard Brilliant Lady, Starboard is pioneering the future of cruise beauty retail with the launch of the very first Clarins boutique at sea, offering a tailored selection from the French luxury brand along with personalized beauty consultations and complete look transformations. Other first-at-sea offerings include stunning assortments from Blue Stallion Farm and cruelty-free, clean beauty from Briogeo. Men’s and women’s fragrances from the world’s most renowned luxury brands, including INITIO, Loewe, Mancera, Montale and Tom Ford, will also feature prominently. In addition, Virgin Voyages will debut its first TAG Heuer boutique and smart sunglasses from the new Ray-Ban® Meta AI collection onboard Brilliant Lady.

Immersive activations, personalization and sustainability

Multi-sensory activations that spark connection, create memories and foster discovery – such as exclusive liquor tastings, trunk shows and personalized styling sessions – will be key to the Brilliant Lady retail experience. Customization options range from the engraving of jewelry, fragrances and liquor bottles to personalization of apparel and accessories with Virgin Voyages – themed patches.

Sustainability is a core retail pillar, building on Virgin Voyages’ ethos of “Creating an Epic Sea Change for All.” The line already partners with like-minded brands that source responsibly, such as Yellow Leaf Hammocks and Intelligentsia. On Brilliant Lady’s High Street, Sailors discover an expertly curated selection designed to extend product life cycles and reduce environmental impact, from certified pre-owned Rolex watches to lab-grown diamonds by sustainable jewelry brand Engrace Diamonds to vintage luxury handbags from What Goes Around Comes Around. This commitment extends beyond retail, with initiatives like reusable mugs that help eliminate single-use plastic bottles.

Fine jewelry, designer fashion and destination-inspired finds

Brilliant Lady also feature fine jewelry from Roberto Coin, the Italian luxury brand celebrated for its craftsmanship, quality and design, along with artisan handcrafted pieces from John Hardy and modern, fashion-forward designs from Shy Creation. The fashion jewelry shop will offer collections from Uno de 50, Swarovski, Kendra Scott, Jet Set Candy and Shae, Starboard’s exclusive fashion jewelry brand.

The luxury accessories selection showcases handbags and small leather goods from Coach, Marc Jacobs and Kurt Geiger, complemented by a range of timepieces, from the Swiss precision of Frédérique Constant, Longines, Movado, Norqain and Tissot to the timeless appeal of Bulova and Citizen.

Women’s resortwear, accessories and lifestyle pieces from trend-forward labels such as Kiwi St. Tropez, Lamarque and Skemo are offered, while athleisure fans can enjoy stylish, functional Fabletics apparel for both men and women. Men’s fashion options will include contemporary picks from 7 Diamonds, Invicta, John Hatter & Co., Mavrans and New Era. Tees, tanks, hats, totes and sunglasses adorned with the iconic Virgin Voyages logo will also be available, along with a special collection celebrating Brilliant Lady’s inaugural season.

Brilliant Lady recently was launched from New York, making her way down the East Coast to her home port of Miami for a winter season in the Caribbean. In 2026, she will reposition to Los Angeles in preparation for her highly anticipated Alaska itineraries – a first for the Virgin Voyages fleet.

Bureau Veritas launches OptiCARBON to optimize fleet energy, fuel and compliance costs

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 17 September 2025 17 September 2025

Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore (BV), a world leader in testing, inspection, and certification, together with its technical advisory arm Bureau Veritas Solutions Marine & Offshore (BVS), has launched OptiCARBON, a SaaS platform which represents an all-in-one solution capable of optimizing and predicting energy, fuel, and compliance costs across an entire fleet.

OptiCARBON utilizes BV’s highly accurate digital vessel models to simulate various operational, regulatory, and financial scenarios tailored to the user's requirements. OptiCARBON's advanced modeling capabilities enable users to explore multiple decarbonization pathways, assessing emissions reduction alongside cost and compliance impacts. The platform’s comprehensive forecasting and scenario planning tools allow users to measure and compare the impact of their operational strategy over time.

The platform is modular, scalable and customizable to different fleet sizes and vessel types. OptiCARBON is designed to support dynamic, long-term decarbonization strategies that evolve alongside new technologies and regulations. While initially developed to meet the specific needs of ferries, cruise ships and RoRo vessels, its future-proofed framework allows for rapid expansion to other vessel segments.

OptiCARBON has already been deployed with Brittany Ferries, where it delivers highly accurate mapping and compliance simulations, while facilitating the company’s EU-ETS requirements. The results demonstrate that combining data-driven forecasting with BVS’ specialized maritime consulting expertise can serve as the cornerstone of a company’s long-term strategic planning.

Matthieu de Tugny, Executive Vice President, Industrials and Commodities, BV, said: “The maritime industry is under mounting pressure to decarbonize. With the EU ETS, FuelEU Maritime, and the likely introduction of the IMO’s Net-Zero Framework, it’s not just compliance costs that are rising but also operational complexity and uncertainty.”

Flavia Caldi Rezende, Vice President, BV Solutions Marine & Offshore, said “With OptiCARBON, we’re making dynamic, forward-looking planning accessible to more stakeholders. Our goal is to empower stakeholders to reduce costs, avoid penalties, and develop tailored pathways to net zero – backed by unparalleled regulatory insight and maritime expertise.”

Heineken appoints Natalia Kuldyaeva as new Head of Global Duty Free business

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 12 September 2025 12 September 2025

Heineken has announced the appointment of Natalia Kuldyaeva as Global Duty Free Manager. In this strategic role, Natalia will lead the entire Heineken global duty free business across cruise lines, ferries, airlines, border stores and diplomatic channels, reinforcing the company's ambitions to expand its premium presence in travel environments worldwide.

Commenting on her new appointment, Natalia remarks, “I’m excited to be leading the Heineken business in global duty free, building on its already strong performance, and driving forward initiatives that align with the company’s global ambitions to become the partner of choice and to win the hearts of consumers. Our focus is on delivering premium experiences and championing sustainable innovation at every opportunity.

“Global Duty Free is a powerful channel, offering both commercial growth and brand-building opportunities. Travel environments are ideal for driving premiumization and visibility, enabling us to create memorable connections with travellers for our iconic brands such as Heineken, Heineken 0.0, Birra Moretti, Tiger, Amstel and Desperados, as well as regional favourites such as Red Stripe, and Cruzcampo. Together with our partners, we curate offerings tailored to the diverse preferences of multi-generation guests across cruise and air routes. In today’s challenging domestic landscape, global duty free stands out as a strategic touchpoint, engaging consumers during their journeys and reinforcing brand relevance when they return home.”

Since joining Heineken in 2003, Natalia has held a range of high-impact commercial roles including channel transformation, sales and marketing across several key international markets including the USA, Russia and Italy. Her leadership was instrumental in expansion of Heineken premium portfolio in these markets, delivering significant growth in volume and profitability.