We are launching MAKINEN In Focus, a six-part video series taking a closer look at what goes into marine interior projects. From planning and logistics to project management and execution, we’ll discuss what it takes to deliver high-quality interiors for both newbuilds and refurbishments. Along the way, we’ll cover the process, challenges, and solutions—and how everything comes together at a dry dock.

The first episode, About MAKINEN, is now live. CEO Jaakko Makikalli and President of MAKINEN Inc. Markus Makinen explain what we actually do when we deliver marine interiors—whether it’s refurbishing existing spaces, building new ones, or managing full turn-key projects.

New episodes will be released every few months, each focusing on a different aspect of marine interior projects. You can also find past videos of completed projects on our YouTube channel—subscribe to stay updated!

MAKINEN is featured in the latest edition of Business Enquirer (Issue 132). The article explores MAKINEN’s expertise in turnkey marine interiors, highlighting recent projects such as Icon of the Seas, Margaritaville at Sea Islander, and the SunStone Ships Infinity-class series.

CEO Jaakko Makikalli and Markus Makinen, President of Makinen, Inc. USA, discuss the company’s focus on precision, transparency, and delivering projects efficiently. These values have been at the heart of MAKINEN’s success over the past three decades, helping the company build a solid reputation in the marine interior industry.

The article highlights how MAKINEN’s commitment to quality and on-time delivery continues to drive its growth and global presence.

Click here to download the MAKINEN article: The Rising Demand for Marine Interior Expertise

Click here to view the full Business Enquirer  Issue 132

In April, MAKINEN completed the refurbishment of 803 cabins at the Margaritaville at Sea Islander in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The project included updates to furniture, carpet, textiles, lighting, and headboards, along with the installation of TV panels, vanity mirrors with lights, and ceiling moldings.

The production method used in the project, known as the MAKINEN Way, delivered minute-level accuracy and clear visibility throughout the process. The customer team members could easily follow the progress in real time, knowing exactly what would be done and when each batch of cabins would be ready for final inspection and handover.

“Our method eliminates guesswork by providing detailed plans before the work begins and offering our clients full transparency throughout the project,” says Jaakko Mäkikalli, CEO of MAKINEN.

The MAKINEN team was able to complete 32 cabins per day, excluding ramp-up and ramp-down time, finishing the entire project of 803 cabins in 28 days. For the customer, the process was transparent. The team coordinated material deliveries to match the pace of production, and the client could track progress easily. MAKINEN’s system also provided updates for hotel management, showing how many cabins were under renovation each day and when they would be available for use again.

“Efficiency and flexibility are key,” says Mäkikalli. “This project demonstrates our ability to adapt, scale production, and deliver results on time while maintaining our focus on quality and customer satisfaction.”

Enjoy the photos and video of the finalized cabins and see how the updates have transformed the spaces.

For further inquiries, please contact:
Jaakko Mäkikalli at jaakko.makikalli@ismakinen.com

Photos and video: Heikki Salonen Photography

MAKINEN’s Refurbishment team has completed the enhancement of the Celebrity Constellation, focusing on updates to The Retreat, including the The Retreat lounge, Luminae, The Retreat’s private restaurant, and the Sunset Suites to further enhance both design and functionality. Executed in the MAKINEN Way, the project was led by Project Manager Mikael Karlsson, who expressed pride in the outcome:
“We are very pleased with the overall team effort and the quality of work delivered. The project reflected outstanding collaboration between all teams, and everything went smoothly and according to plan. We couldn’t be happier with how these spaces turned out. The transformation is truly impressive.”

Explore the Transformation: Dive into the stunning details of the updated interiors and the quality of workmanship with our highlights video.

The MAKINEN team partnered with Compagnie Française de Croisières to transform the interiors of CFC Renaissance, the former Holland America Line Maasdam. Acquired by the cruise line in August 2022, the vessel overwent a multi-million-euro renovation at the Damen Brest shipyard before debuting later in 2023.

In January 2023, the MAKINEN team dedicated themselves to refurbishing a total of 628 passenger cabins and staterooms, in addition to 17 public spaces. The areas were upgraded to ensure a higher standard of comfort and elegance.

Press play and enjoy some of the highlights of MAKINEN’s ship refurbishment project at CFC Renaissance!