If you've ever stood on a cruise ship balcony and thought this could use a touch more taupe, you’re not alone. Enter Kelly Hoppen CBE, design doyenne, queen of calm neutrals, and the woman behind the sophisticated interiors of Celebrity Cruises’ Edge-class ships.

Known for her signature blend of muted tones, texture layering and that ever-elusive ingredient called “taste”, Hoppen has helped redefine what modern luxury at sea can look like. No Vegas glitz in sight, but rather quiet confidence, her spaces feel much more akin to a high-end home than a floating hotel.

But how do you take a cabin (essentially a shoebox with portholes) and turn it into something that feels both serene and stylish? And how do you make a metal-clad balcony feel more like a Mediterranean patio than a place to dry your swimwear?

We sat down with Kelly to ask all of this and more, and not only did she answer, she essentially gave us a blueprint for how to bring her understated elegance back to dry land...

Cruise ships often begin life as vast, uniform spaces. What’s your first instinct when approaching something as blank as a ship’s cabin or suite?

My instinct is to draw inspiration from the sea- its changing hues and textures, letting the tranquillity of the water inform a palette of soft neutrals. The aim is to blur the boundary between indoors and out, creating spaces that breathe and flow with the ship itself. But equally, I believe that true luxury is inseparable from function. Every element I introduce must have a reason to exist. 

In designing for Celebrity Cruises, I was meticulous about how light moves through a cabin, how storage is integrated, how surfaces feel under your hand after a day at sea. It’s about anticipating every comfort, every practical need, while maintaining a refined visual simplicity.

The balcony spaces on Celebrity’s Edge-class ships are sleek and modern but could easily feel a little cold. How did you bring warmth and personality to these outdoor areas? Any tips for city-dwellers trying to soften a concrete patio or terrace?

Bringing warmth to modern outdoor spaces is all about tactile contrasts. On Celebrity’s Edge-class ships, I wanted the balconies to feel like an extension of the suite and not an afterthought. Lighting played a big role as well, soft, ambient glows transform the space at sunset. Subtle layering, makes even the most minimal balcony feel personal and inviting. For those who live in the city, I would say don’t be afraid to add softness, layer outdoor rugs, and mix in natural materials and make it your own.

At home, the key to avoiding a flat, uninspired look is to work with contrast and detail. Most importantly, play with lighting; soft pools of light, both natural and artificial, can transform neutrals. When every element is chosen for its tactile quality and its ability to reflect or absorb light, you create a space that’s soothing, timeless, and luxurious.

The neutral tones and textures you’re known for work so beautifully in a marine setting. What makes this palette sing at sea, and how can we recreate a similar feel at home without it becoming flat?

Neutrals at sea absorb the shifting light, echo the serenity of the ocean, and never compete with the views. On board Celebrity’s Edge-class ships, I chose a palette of soft taupes, greys, whites with accents of colour, precisely because they create a calm backdrop, letting the colours of the sea and sky take centre stage. The layering of textures is what gives neutrals depth and movement, making the space feel alive rather than static.

Storage is obviously a big challenge on ships. How do you balance function and form in such compact spaces, and what’s one smart storage trick anyone can use in their home?

The key to storage at sea is to integrate it so you don’t even know it’s there. You need to be able to maximise storage, without sacrificing the luxury of space or design. My tip for smart storage at home- use custom joinery where you can. It allows you to design storage that fits your life.

What elements of cruise ship interiors do you think homeowners often overlook, but could learn from?

Cruise ships really demonstrate the power of built-in lighting, of clever zoning, and of furniture that’s as practical as it is beautiful. It’s not just about what you add to a room, but the foundations of the space. Another important lesson is restraint and intention- creating a curated space rather than a cluttered one. With the size restrictions on board, every item has to be chosen with purpose.

Was there a design moment or space on board that felt like a breakthrough for you, something you were especially proud of?

I’m proud of it all and how every element on board has come together so seamlessly. But if I had to choose a breakthrough moment, it would be the transformation of the suites and their connection to the outdoor spaces. Blurring the boundary between the indoor and the open sea was a great challenge. Through carefully considered palettes, layered textures, and the thoughtful flow from the suite to the balcony, we created a sanctuary at sea.

Finally, your work always blends comfort with a sense of calm luxury. When you’re designing for a space that moves (quite literally) how do you ensure it still feels grounded?

Designing for movement is an amazing challenge. It forces you to think differently not just about materials and weight, but about how a space feels when everything else around you is in flux. My answer was to root everything in a sense of calm continuity. Rounded edges, a neutral palette, and materials that absorb rather than reflect.

There’s a reason Kelly Hoppen’s designs always feel so effortlessly luxurious, because they’re anything but. Behind every perfectly placed throw and whisper-soft neutral lies a deep understanding of how people actually live, move, and breathe in a space. Even when that space happens to float.

Whether you’re redesigning a superyacht or trying to soften a concrete balcony that overlooks a communal refuse area, Kelly’s philosophy is the same: comfort and calm, grounded in purpose. And perhaps most importantly, a gentle reminder that less is almost always more, except, of course, when it comes to built-in storage.

Find out more about the standout experience of cruising on Celebrity's Edge Class ships here...