Carnival Cruise "Fun Ship" Splendor

Sail off the coast to the Mexican Rivera under the luxurious cruise ship Carnival Splendor!!!

Inspiring interior architect Joe Farcus, has designed over 40 ships within his career. Many of his amazing works are lively created for Carnival Cruise Lines and Costa Cruises. One of his unique creations lies within the considered largest “Fun Ship” for 2008 which is the Carnival Splendor. Compared to her other fleet-mates, Carnival Splendor weighs approximately 113,300 tons enabling capacity to 3,006 passengers. FIPRO (Noncombustible Panels and Finished Elements for Ship Interiors) is one of the main feature suppliers of the ship.

Luxurious…..Sumptuous….Elegance…..Richness….Fine….all aspects in defining the theme in which this ship has to offer. Before the designing process, Farcus was given the name Splendor to serve as his foundation for inspiration. Working around the title, the design and function was to celebrate all the splendid things of the world. It was ordered in Dover, UK in 2005 and was successfully launched in July 2008. Under $750m, Joe Farcus worked very elaborately under the ever changing regulations along with engineering and naval architectural parameters to create the Splendor. The ship overall carries a very flamboyant presence that attracts the eyes of the embarking guests. Farcus’ goal was to pull away from repetitive design and making every project/ship different and unique from one another; “being not boring”. Indeed, personally I was struck with a “wow-factor” presence comparing it to the four of the older Fun Ships I have traveled on.

The first space every single guest will see when boarding the Splendor would the Atrium/Lobby. The Atrium serves as the heart of the ship for it is the common-room of the ship. Appealing to the female and male sensibilities, Farcus incorporates copper, pink and black stained woods, brushed aluminum, and glossy black tiles to create a dramatic and exciting environment. Many people can have a different reaction for example my sister thought it was a little overwhelming with all the pink, "I felt like all the pink circles were like a DNA helix". Within the common areas such as the elevator lobbies, stairwells, promenade, and atrium are these countless stainless steel 4 inch cutouts of circles backed by pink-stained wood with black pigment rubbed into its grain. These essentials are then bordered with a bronze frame made of plastic surrounded by shiny black tiles with neon green grout. Additionally, it is topped with burnished brown upper wall trim. The brushed aluminum being silver color has a very strong curvy yet reflective quality which gives the walls a lively feeling of mirrored lighting. The juxtaposition of these materials is intended to be reflective to play with the natural light piercing through the glass atrium (at night it would create a different mood reflecting artificial light).

(Ignore the girl on the right my little sister)

On top of that, decorated are numerous copper-leafed vaults and domes with little LEDs color changing light bulbs. The changing light bulbs play a very successful role for it continuously changes practically every corner of the environment. With a accent of dark pink leather chairs and gold-leafed beams, the atrium does send out a vibrant pop.

There are 3 fully glass enclosed platform elevators again with the same concept described above. One con I personally found was that the original art inside did not match by color or theme with the décor.

(These are the "original artwork" displayed around the Atrium, honestly it is really random and out of the motif")

The balcony in the Atrium and the main staircases continue on with this steel motif with railings that have a circular texture glass infill with orange and red glass jewels fused on and topped by the pink-and-black grained wood handrail.

Running along the circles are the gold-leaf beams and arches also illuminated with hundreds of changing sparkling lights. Farcus did quite well blending these composite materials together with its reflective character for it gives the ship a feeling of richness. The overall effect is quite striking indeed.

One of the main attractions is the all you-can-ear sushi bar; the California Roll where one may taste the “Splendid Delicates of the Sea”. The main focal points are the sculptured koi fish that are painted in Day-Glo colors. The colors give the fish a 3-dimensional feel as though it were coming out alive. The counter is decorated with natural river rocks while the tile that flows around the room are natural nacre aka mother of pearl.

Entertainment can be found in the grand Spectacular Spectacular. Farcus’ motive was to draw the whole room to be a stage, draped with proscenium curtains all around. Similar drapery swags can be found all over the ceiling, but it the stage’s curtain that stands out with its sparkling silver and blue fiberglass. Large glass-beaded chandeliers are suspended from the ceiling. The whole room has sparkling, flowing, and rippling curtains fit for a “Splendid Show”.

Down the trail of splendid things: (Due to the limit of the amount of pictures to post, I did include a link to the following so you guys can get an clear visualization!!!)

The Mojito, a Cuban bar on the promenade deck resembles a café in the streets of the Old Havana nights. Embodied within this space is the fusion of terracotta floors with aged stucco walls wreath with colorful, festive Cuban posters. It also features Spanish columns hung with classic domed lights and lanterns.

Up on Lido Deck, the restaurant has a very elegant and casual look with beautiful glass mosaic tiles arranged in geometric designs in soft colors. I noticed same as the Atrium that the columns and beams have the same copper colored gold leaf. The ceiling holds an ethnic African design and flowing throughout are dots of handmade Italian Murano glass buttons. There is a herringbone design of soft yellow and pink glass vertical louvers. The whole space is encompassed with Murano glass wall scones and chandeliers.

Permanently ensconced in front of the Red Carpet are queues of glitter painted mannequins waiting to get into the dance club. The room is decked out in sleek red glass along with polished chrome moldings and electric red lights jigged zagged through the ceiling beams. The effects of this were very successful for the warm colors turn out to be appealing a welcoming; giving everyone a sense of fame.

These are just a few spaces of what Farcus has to offer in the Carnival Splendor. He did quite well working with the materials to embody the concept of splendid things. He states, “The guest onboard is really my client and they just want to get away and not be reminded of home.”(Based on the interview from John Heald; Carnival Cruise Director)

-Timothy Truong

Bibliography:

"A Many Splendoured Thing"

Carnival Splendor Fact Sheet

"The Art of Cruise Designing"

Carnival Cruise Line Ship Profile

Carnival Splendor Profile Page

"Introduction to the Carnival Splendor"

"Carnival's Newest Ship, the Splendor, Lives Up to its Name"

Interview with Joe Farcus

Carnival Cruise Line Specification