As new cruise ships launch and existing cruise ships age, it’s important to maintain fleets as a whole. Part of that process is ensuring an updated aesthetic on classic vessels to better match the most modern ones. Before that can be done, however, cruise lines must test various designs before selecting a final new decor.

Just as homeowners might paint different color swatches on a wall to determine their favorite, I’ve seen Holland America Line and Azamara Club Cruises do the same with wall panels and furnishings respectively.

READ MORE: Cruising Classic Holland America Line After Experiencing Modern Koningsdam

The Westerdam is awaiting a major refurbishment come April 2017, and when we were recently onboard, the premium cruise line was testing cabin corridor wall pattern replacements. As the Koningsdam and Holland America’s latest ships are doing away with traditional golds and other dark tones for a brighter look, it has the challenge of deciding on new materials that will modernize certain elements while harmonizing with existing others.

In all honestly, the current decor on the Westerdam is looking a bit dated and tired, so it was a pleasant surprise to discover the line testing several fresh hallway patterns to neutralize the golden tones. Similar to a thinner Formica, the appliqué (pictured above) easily adheres to the surface like durable wallpaper, and also like Formica, some of the patterns have a dimensional aesthetic for a more dynamic look. Some are more subtle than others, but the variegated stack stone variety in the foreground is the clear winner in my opinion.

READ MORE: Azamara Club Cruises Redesign Begins with Azamara Journey

Azamara Club Cruises finished extensively redesigning its Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest this year, but when I last sailed on the latter in 2014, the upscale line had three new sets of deck furnishings on display with a sign that read, “Dear guest, the furniture that you are about to enjoy is being tested for potential future implementation onboard both the Azamara Quest and Azamara Journey. If you would like to provide the management team with any feedback, please do so at the guest relations desk at your convenience. Thank you, Azamara Club Cruises.”

What was great about that was not only the testing itself but the invitation for guests to participate in the selection process. To be sure, design exclusively by focus group is not always successful – just look to Ford’s failed 1996 Taurus redesign – but, at the very least, incorporating guest feedback into the final decision is. In fact, it would be nice to see more of that in future processes.

Of course, both instances of decor testing that I witnessed were clearly only a small sampling of the overall redesign, and I’m sure there are many more endeavors happening at any given time. It’s just very cool to see a glimpse behind the scenes and be included in the process as well.

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