MAKINEN Success Stories

References

We have delivered interior projects for cruise lines and shipyards worldwide for over 30 years. During this time, we have completed more than 600 projects, ranging from newbuild interiors to large-scale refurbishments, across vessels of different sizes and types. This work includes the refurbishment of more than 55,000 cabins, full turnkey interior outfitting for a seven-vessel expedition newbuild series, and over 65,000 MAKINEN-manufactured sofas sailing onboard cruise ships.

With decades of expertise and a global partner network, we deliver high-quality interiors to international cruise lines worldwide.

MAKINEN Delivers Interiors for SunStone Ships’ Multi-Vessel Newbuild Project

Since 2018, SunStone Ships built its Infinity-class expedition vessel series, completed in 2025 with the delivery of the seventh ship. MAKINEN delivered full turnkey interior outfitting for every vessel in the series at CMHI Shipyard in China.

The first vessel, Greg Mortimer, was delivered in 2019 as the first cruise ship built in China. MAKINEN’s scope covered passenger cabins, public areas, crew spaces, and outdoor passenger areas across the series.

Completing the full interior scope for an entire expedition vessel series is uncommon. Across the seven vessels, MAKINEN delivered a large cumulative interior volume within the expedition segment, while establishing a trusted partner network and strengthening team expertise specific to expedition newbuilds.

Expedition vessels operate in the remotest regions of the world. Delivering seven consecutive newbuilds has shaped MAKINEN’s understanding of expedition-specific requirements. This expertise can be applied to new projects regardless of build location. MAKINEN delivers full expedition vessel interiors at shipyards worldwide.

Take an inside look at the interiors delivered – Ocean Albatros, Ocean Explorer, and Douglas Mawson:

SunStone Ships – Infinity series

  • Ships: Greg Mortimer, Ocean Victory, Ocean Explorer, Sylvia Earle, Ocean Odyssey, Ocean Albatros, and Douglas Mawson
  • When: 2018– 2025
  • Place: Nantong Haimen, China
  • Full interior visual turnkey of vessels
  • Project size: 150 workers, 180 team members in total

AIDA Cruises Evolution refurbishment program – Award-winning interiors

MAKINEN has delivered interior refurbishment works as part of the Evolution program for AIDA Cruises, covering a three-vessel series within the Sphinx class: AIDAdiva, AIDAluna, and AIDAbella. The scope across the series includes passenger cabin refurbishments, suite conversions, and Pier 3 conversions into crew cabins as part of the Evolution concept. The Evolution refurbishments of AIDAdiva and AIDAluna have been completed. The refurbishment of AIDAbella is currently in progress and scheduled for delivery in early spring 2026.

Interiors outfitted by MAKINEN onboard AIDAdiva were recognized at the Cruise Ship Interiors Awards 2025, where the Premium Suite with Private Sundeck won Best Cabin. The Evolution series highlights MAKINEN’s strength in large-scale cabin refurbishments, where careful planning, lean execution methods, and quality come together.

See more of the Evolution interiors delivered by MAKINEN – inside AIDAluna passenger cabins and suites:

AIDA Evolution Program

  • Ships: AIDAdiva, AIDAluna, AIDAbella
  • When: 2024–2026
  • Place: Chantier Naval de Marseille
  • Refurbishment of over 1,000 passenger cabins and suites; Pier 3 conversion
  • Project size: appr. 280–300 team members

Margaritaville at Sea Islander – High-Volume Cabin Refurbishment

In spring 2024, MAKINEN completed the refurbishment of 803 cabins on Margaritaville at Sea Islander during a 28-day dry dock in Belfast. The project followed MAKINEN’s production method, the MAKINEN Way, enabling a flexible workflow that adapted to material availability, minimized quality issues, and increased efficiency and transparency, while maintaining a steady pace of 32 cabins per day. The project was completed on schedule, delivering refreshed, high-quality cabins that met the customer’s expectations.

Margaritaville at Sea Islander

  • When: April, 2024
  • Place: Belfast, Northern Ireland
  • Cabin and Stateroom Refurbishment
  • Project size: More than 140 workers

Refreshing spaces onboard Celebrity Constellation and Infinity

MAKINEN completed select upgrades on Celebrity Constellation and Celebrity Infinity, enhancing premium guest spaces. The work focused on The Retreat (including Luminae Restaurant), and the Sunset Suites, refreshing these areas to align with Celebrity Cruises’ high standards. Updates included new furnishings, finishes, and design improvements, elevating the onboard experience. With efficient execution and precise coordination, both projects were completed on schedule.

Celebrity Constellation

  • When: April 2024
  • Place: Marseille, France
  • Conversion of 12 family cabins into suites; Lounge refurbishment; Suite restaurant Expansion and Refurbishment
  • Project size: 87 workers

Icon of the Seas – Large-Scale Project Management

MAKINEN contributed to Icon of the Seas, the world’s largest cruise ship, delivered in late 2023. The scope covered around 60 work sites of Owner’s Work: the full art installation package, and key areas such as Behind the Pearl, the Bubbles Champagne Bar, the Embarkation Portal, the Grove Entrance, and more. The project showcased MAKINEN’s ability to handle large-scale, high-profile work with a streamlined, end-to-end approach.

As external coordinators, MAKINEN managed multiple suppliers and finishing teams, keeping the fast-paced project on schedule. Operating in a new environment with a different project concept, the team successfully adapted to complex coordination demands, strengthening MAKINEN’s position as a trusted partner for challenging projects. The project was completed on time, to a high standard, and with outstanding feedback from the client.

Icon of the Seas

  • When: Fall 2023
  • Place: Turku, Meyer Shipyard, Finland and Cadiz, Spain
  • Owner’s Work. Art installations; 60 distinct worksites.
  • Project size: Varying, up to 80 workers at times.

Transformation from HAL Maasdam to CFC Renaissance

In early 2023, MAKINEN completed a major refurbishment of CFC Renaissance, the former HAL Maasdam, for the newly launched French cruise line Compagnie Française de Croisières. The project involved extensive interior upgrades, preparing the vessel for its new operations.

 

Photo Credit: Compagnie Française de Croisières

CFC – Renaissance

  • When: January, 2023
  • Place: Brest, France
  • Passenger Cabin Refurbishment; Select public spaces
  • Project size: 135 workers