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Are cruise ships finally getting into fashion?

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23 May 2011 | By Colleen Clark
SS Antoinette

Uniworld Cruises SS Antoinette ups the glam factor with velvet and toile.

Sure, there are beautiful cruise ships out there, but the industry isn’t exactly known for pushing the design envelope.

As a result, anonymous decor that wouldn't pass muster on dry land dominates, and innovation generally rests in the realm of boutique hotels. That is, until now. Two new ships from luxury river cruise company Uniworld float the concept of boutique-style design.

Rooms on the SS Antoinette split the difference between whimsical urban retreat and Old World glitz. Think toile drapes with Hollywood Regency headboards, tufted velvet chairs with mod glass lamps. The SS Duoro takes a more understated approach with rooms that would be at home in a bachelor pad, all slick flatscreen TVs and clean-lined blond wood furniture. A few other small ships - Aqua Expedition's M/V Aria, the boho Nour el Nil Nile boats - sail in style, but the time seems ripe for big ships to follow suit.

How do you feel about cruise ship design? Would you like to see slicker staterooms? And would you be willing to pay for them? Leave a comment on our Facebook page.

Web link http://www.bbc.com/travel/blog/20110324-are-cruise-ships-finally-getting-into-fashion

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