CSI and CXI 2025: Design, Experience, and Innovation
The world of cruise ship design is gearing up for one of the most anticipated events of the year: the official content program for the 2025 edition of Cruise Ship Interiors Design Expo Americas (CSI Americas) has been announced. The event will take place from June 3–4 at the Miami Beach Convention Center.
CSI Americas continues to establish itself as an essential hub for the entire cruise interior design ecosystem. Serving as a meeting point for top-tier suppliers, cruise lines, designers, and shipyards, CSI is the beating heart of an industry in constant evolution. The announcement of the 2025 program has already drawn significant attention across the sector, with high-profile speakers confirmed from Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, MSC Cruises, AIDA Cruises, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, and many more. The IDCEC-accredited sessions will provide a platform to discuss the latest trends and future challenges in cruise ship interiors.
CSI
CSI
One of the key themes at the conference will be ship size. In an industry seemingly split between mega-ships and boutique hotel brands entering the market with smaller luxury yachts, the opening session, “Does size matter?”, will explore these dynamics, analyzing consumer trends, return on investment, and the evolving preferences of the cruise traveler. Sustainability will also be in sharp focus with a special session from the Sustainable Design Summit, titled “Reducing the mid-life waste crisis.” This discussion will dive into the importance of circularity in refurbishment projects, offering concrete strategies to reduce waste over a ship’s lifecycle. Experts like Bruce Goff of IHG Hotels & Resorts and Marc Spingler of AIDA Cruises will share operational insights and key case studies.
The program won’t stop at large panels. Attendees will also have the chance to participate in more intimate conversations with the creative minds behind cruise brands and leading design studios. Hybrid content and networking sessions will offer an insider look at business practices, procurement processes, and brand positioning strategies. Already confirmed events include “In Conversation with The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection,” a Q&A “Meet the Brand” with The Parker Company, and the highly anticipated “305 Design Break”—a spotlight on five Miami-based design studios sharing their experiences across hospitality, from hotels to cruise ships, retail, and dining.
CSI24
CSI24
Co-located with CSI is CXI – Cruise Experience Innovation Summit Americas, which will for the first time present its official content program, aiming to explore the heart of the onboard experience—from entertainment to dining, wellness to service—with a focus on increasingly immersive and personalized offerings. CXI will also run from June 3–4 at the Miami Beach Convention Center, sponsored by Journey, a key partner in shaping experiential identity at sea.
The opening session, “Frictionless guest interaction for improved guest experience,” will examine how to create truly seamless and personalized journeys onboard, featuring Cristina Fernandez, Senior Director of Digital Product Strategy at Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings. Day two will kick off with “New Concepts in Immersive Experiences on Cruise,” exploring the latest in immersive design at a time when the hospitality industry is working to elevate guest interaction to new heights. Subsequent sessions, including “Beyond the Plate: Experiential Dining” and “Interactive Signage+”, will investigate innovative ways to present products onboard and engage guests through technology and sensory design.
CXI will also feature interactive sessions and live experiences on the expo floor, such as “Lunch & Learn”—a direct dialogue between a cruise line buyer and a supplier focusing on the development of tech-driven entertainment. A must-see is also the “Battle of the Brands,” a pitch competition where brands will go head-to-head in the CXI lounge on June 3.
CXI PR
The lineup of speakers includes prominent names such as Charles Steadman, Director of F&B Experience and Partnerships at Virgin Voyages; Katy Harris, Director of Creative Experiences at Carnival Cruise Line; Marisa Christenson, Director of F&B Operations and Development at Holland America Line; and Ronnie Farzad, Principal at Spark Cooperative.
The synergy between CSI and CXI reflects an integrated vision of the cruise experience, where interior design and onboard offerings must evolve in tandem. With a 50% increase in the newbuild pipeline between 2024 and Q1 2025, the cruise industry is facing both fresh challenges and exciting opportunities. CSI and CXI serve as the go-to events for anyone looking not only to understand the trends but to actively shape the future of cruising.
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