The distinct look of Carnival Cruise Lines ships could be about to undergo a sea change.
Carnival's ships have long been defined by bold, brassy, over-the-top decor that was the hallmark of one man, interior ship architect Joe Farcus.
Farcus has designed more than 40 Carnival ships since he began working with the line in 1977. His work, affectionately referred to as "Farchitecture" by industry insiders, is on every single Carnival ship at sea.
But Farcus will not be the lead designer on the Carnival Breeze, the last Carnival vessel currently on order, scheduled to enter service in 2012.
He is still the lead architect on the Carnival Magic, which is scheduled to enter service in June, but on that ship he will work alongside German group Partnership Design. And that firm will then take the lead on the Breeze, on which Farcus will be in charge of only the theater and the casino.
Gerry Cahill, Carnival Cruise Lines CEO, would not comment on whether Farcus' diminished role would affect the look of Carnival's future fleet.
"We are confident that Partnership Design will also create some truly exceptional and exciting interior designs that our guests will appreciate and enjoy," Cahill said.
"Our ships have evolved over time to meet the changing tastes and desires of our guests," he added. "I believe that will continue, and the ships we will be introducing in 2021 will be as different from the Carnival Magic, coming in 2011, as [they] will be from the Carnival Spirit and Carnival Pride, which were introduced in 2001."
Cahill commended Farcus and his impact on the industry.
"Joe is the most prolific cruise ship interior architect of the modern-day cruise industry," Cahill said. "His innovative and memorable designs have stood the test of time and have given our ships distinct personalities that embody the kind of fun that has been key to our success."
Farcus, 66, said he wants to concentrate on quality personal time.
"The grind of doing several ships at the same time is a lot of work," he said, explaining that between his work for Carnival and its Italian sister brand, Costa Cruises, he is sometimes working on two or three ships at once. "It's very intensive. ... I love the design work and feel like my designs are better than ever. But it's not my whole life."
He will continue working with Costa, citing a comfortable relationship with Costa CEO Pier Luigi Foschi.
Farcus acknowledged that without his touch, it was inevitable that Carnival's future ships would have a new look.
"It's different designers doing the work," he said. "Inevitably, it will have a different look. I've worked very hard to create a personal style."
Farcus added that Carnival's new management has put together "its own management style and ideas about what the product should be."
In 2009, when the Carnival Dream made its debut, some ship reviewers noted a somewhat "muted" look compared with other Carnival ships, and a more streamlined decor.
"We seem to hear this with every new ship we introduce, that it seems a little more toned down than the last one," Cahill said. "Carnival Dream was completely Joe's design, and it has been very well received."
To see a slideshow of 'Three Decades of Farchitecture,' click here.