MAKINEN Success Stories

References

We are proud to say that many of the world´s leading cruise lines and shipyards are MAKINEN customers. MAKINEN has successfully executed more than 600 projects in the past thirty years. Projects of all scopes and sizes, new builds, and refurbishments – for customers all over the world. Did you know that over 60,000 MAKINEN sofas are sailing the world’s seas today? Our extensive experience and broad network enable us to carry out even the most demanding projects on-time, at-budget, and beyond expectations.

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

Since 2018, SunStone Ships has been building its Infinity-class expedition series, with seventh vessels set for completion by 2025. MAKINEN has managed the full turnkey interior construction for each ship at the CMHI Shipyard in China, maintaining a steady pace, high standards, and reliable execution throughout the series.

The first vessel, Greg Mortimer, was completed in 2019—the first cruise ship built in China. MAKINEN has since delivered interiors for every ship in the series, including passenger cabins, restaurants, lounges, reception areas, crew spaces, and outdoor passenger spaces. With the final vessel, Douglas Mawson on its way, MAKINEN remains the only company with a proven track record of completing full interior outfitting for an entire vessel series.

Take a look at the interiors delivered – Ocean Albatros and Ocean Explorer:

A cruise ship at port surrounded by snow-covered mountains

SunStone Ships – Infinity series

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

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