Master's in Luxury Yacht Interior Design
This master's prepares you to conceive and deliver interiors for yachts, superyachts and custom vessels at the top end of the market. You will learn to read naval plans, plan spaces for owners, guests and crew, select lightweight marine-grade materials, design custom fit-out and joinery, and integrate lighting, home automation, acoustics and comfort, while meeting the safety rules that apply to interiors on board.
Prior knowledge check
These are the skills this program gives you. Tick the ones you already master and we will tell you which part of the syllabus is for you.
You are starting from scratch in this subject. The program is designed precisely for that.
What is the Master's in Luxury Yacht Interior Design?
This master's prepares you to conceive and deliver interiors for yachts, superyachts and custom vessels at the top end of the market. You will interpret general arrangement plans and hull sections, zone the spaces for the owner, guests and crew, choose noble and lightweight materials that withstand the marine environment, design staterooms, salons, wellness areas and exterior decks, and develop custom furniture that stays secure under way. You will also design lighting scenes and home automation, control noise, vibration and indoor climate, produce 3D visualizations and shop drawings, and manage budgets, contractors and work in the shipyard.
What sets this master's apart: a complete view of luxury interiors on board, from the owner's brief to the final set-up and delivery; materials and finishes chosen for weight, fire behavior and durability at sea; detailed work on custom fit-out and marine joinery; lighting, acoustics and thermal comfort treated as part of the design; and a Final Project in which you develop the full interior of a yacht between 30 and 80+ meters.
Program highlights
- From brief to delivery: the whole process of an interior project for a luxury yacht.
- Marine-grade materials: noble woods, lightweight stone, textiles, metals and composites.
- Custom fit-out: furniture and joinery designed to stay secure and quiet under way.
- Lighting and comfort: lighting scenes, home automation, acoustics and indoor climate.
- Digital toolkit: 3D modeling, photorealistic rendering, VR walkthroughs and shop drawings.
- Final Project: the complete interior design of a motor yacht, sailing yacht or explorer.
Syllabus of the Master's in Luxury Yacht Interior Design
11 modules. Select a module to see its content.
Foundations of Naval Architecture and Space on Board
- 1.1. Introduction to marine interior architecture: how it differs from residential and hotel design
- 1.2. Essential nautical terminology for interior designers: underwater body, topsides, length, beam, depth, port and starboard
- 1.3. Reading naval plans: lines plan, general arrangement (GA) and structural sections
- 1.4. Space zoning and flow diagrams: separating guest, owner and crew areas
- 1.5. Fitting volumes into complex geometries: curved walls, sloping ceilings and space optimization
- 1.6. Integrating the interior with the hull structure and watertight bulkheads
- 1.7. Ergonomics at sea: headroom, door openings, concealed handrails and fall prevention
- 1.8. International interior safety rules and codes: REG Code, IMO, SOLAS and LY3
- 1.9. Global trends in the interior design of superyachts, megayachts and luxury sailing yachts
- 1.10. Project methodology: from the owner's brief to the final delivery of the vessel
Noble, Lightweight Materials and Marine-Grade Finishes
- 2.1. Selecting noble woods for the marine environment: teak, mahogany, walnut, ebony and fire-retardant treatments
- 2.2. Lightweight natural stone: marble, granite and onyx on honeycomb panels
- 2.3. High-end textiles and upholstery for interior and exterior use: UV, water, mildew and flame resistance
- 2.4. Treating hides, marine-grade leathers and high-performance faux leathers
- 2.5. Metals in marine interiors: brass, 316L stainless steel, titanium and PVD finishes
- 2.6. Advanced polymers, epoxy resins, acrylics and carbon fiber composites for interiors
- 2.7. Structural glass, lightweight mirrors and glazing with thermal, acoustic and electrochromic control
- 2.8. Wall and ceiling linings: marine vinyls, flexible microcement and decorative acoustic panels
- 2.9. Varnishes, high-gloss lacquers and traditional marine polishing techniques
- 2.10. Sustainability in material selection: FSC-certified woods, recycled and vegan materials
Space Planning and Design of Staterooms and Main Areas
- 3.1. Master stateroom: layout, dressing rooms, fold-out private terraces and studies
- 3.2. VIP and guest cabins: flexible space, convertible beds and concealed storage
- 3.3. Main salon and formal dining room: open-plan spaces and connection with the deck
- 3.4. Relaxation and wellness areas: steam rooms, saunas, massage rooms, spas and gyms on board
- 3.5. Entertainment spaces on board: private cinemas, cocktail bars, wine cellars and game areas
- 3.6. En-suite bathrooms: marine drainage, built-in fittings and watertight shower screens
- 3.7. Integrated exterior areas (beach club, sun deck, flybridge): indoor/outdoor furniture and sunbathing areas
- 3.8. Architecture and ergonomic design of the galley and pantries
- 3.9. Optimizing and designing crew spaces: crew mess and crew cabins
- 3.10. Smart storage solutions in bulkheads, under floors and in false ceilings
Custom Nautical Furniture (Fit-Out) and Marine Joinery
- 4.1. Principles of nautical furniture design: structural fixing, rounded edges and no sharp corners
- 4.2. Retention and locking systems for navigation: concealed latches, magnetic catches and soft-close runners
- 4.3. Marine cabinetmaking: joints, assembly and tolerance to changes in temperature and humidity
- 4.4. Suspended and floating furniture: resilient fixing to bulkheads to absorb vibration
- 4.5. Space-transforming systems: hydraulic or electric lifting tables, fold-away beds and movable partitions
- 4.6. Designing bars, countertops and service areas with anti-spill fiddles
- 4.7. Integrating automated mechanisms: hidden TVs, furniture with lifts and interior gangways
- 4.8. Weight control in furniture: structural foam cores and lightweight composites
- 4.9. Designing marine interior stairs: tread, riser, ergonomic handrails and step lighting
- 4.10. Workshop fabrication, dry-fit and final assembly inside the hull
Architectural Lighting, Scenography and Home Automation on Board
- 5.1. Fundamentals of nautical lighting design: functional, ambient, accent and courtesy lighting
- 5.2. Specialized LED technology for marine environments: IP65/IP67, tunable CCT and color rendering (CRI >90)
- 5.3. Indirect lighting integrated into coves, plinths, ceilings and under furniture
- 5.4. Working with daylight: large windows, skylights, deck lights and reflection on materials
- 5.5. Designing lighting scenes for day, night, navigation and social events
- 5.6. Integrated home automation systems (Lutron, Crestron, KNX): touch interfaces and mobile control
- 5.7. Exterior deck lighting, walkways and underwater lights
- 5.8. Energy efficiency in lighting and heat load calculations for the air-conditioning system
- 5.9. Curtains, automatic blinds and smart glass with opacity control through home automation
- 5.10. Rules for emergency lighting, escape route signage and low-intensity lighting for navigation
Acoustics, Thermal Comfort, Vibration and Insulation
- 6.1. Marine interior acoustics: absorption, reflection and insulation against structure-borne and airborne noise
- 6.2. Acoustic comfort criteria of classification societies (RINA, DNV and Lloyd's comfort classes)
- 6.3. Decorative sound-absorbing materials: upholstered panels, concealed acoustic foams and high-density carpets
- 6.4. Decoupling bulkheads, ceilings and floating floors with silent blocks and resilient mounts
- 6.5. Integrating HVAC grilles, linear diffusers and air returns into the design
- 6.6. Controlling relative humidity, condensation and indoor air quality in saline environments
- 6.7. Damping vibration from engine rooms, propellers and generators
- 6.8. Fire and thermal insulation of bulkheads (Class A, B and C divisions under IMO rules)
- 6.9. Odor control and quiet ventilation in bathrooms, galleys and bilges
- 6.10. Pre-delivery acoustic testing and surveys: decibel (dBA) measurements during sea trials
Styling, Textiles, Art and Luxury Curation
- 7.1. The concept of yacht styling: creating exclusive, personalized atmospheres
- 7.2. Selecting luxury tableware: custom porcelain, cut crystal and precious-metal cutlery
- 7.3. Bed linen, household linen and personalized towels for the owner and guests
- 7.4. Integrating and securing artworks, sculptures and antiques in a moving environment
- 7.5. Decorative accessories, coffee table books and nautical ornamental details
- 7.6. Selecting and customizing tableware and accessories for exterior areas (high-end unbreakable materials)
- 7.7. Integrating plants, preserved vertical gardens and floral arrangements on board
- 7.8. Designing crew uniforms in line with the color palette and style of the interior
- 7.9. Provisioning logistics, special packaging for marine transport and reserve storage
- 7.10. Protocol for preparing and presenting the yacht for delivery (set-up) and photo shoots
3D Visualization, Rendering and Artificial Intelligence in Nautical Design
- 8.1. 3D modeling of complex geometries and hulls in Rhinoceros and AutoCAD
- 8.2. Photorealistic rendering of yacht interiors with V-Ray, Corona Renderer or KeyShot
- 8.3. Creating complex PBR materials: lacquered woods, honeycomb-backed marble, metals and textured fabrics
- 8.4. Immersive virtual reality walkthroughs to present projects to owners
- 8.5. Applying generative artificial intelligence to moodboards and style concepts
- 8.6. Photorealistic digital lighting of interiors: simulating open-sea sunlight and night lighting
- 8.7. Post-production of renders and promotional material for shipyards and brokers
- 8.8. Detailed joinery drawings and breakdowns for fabrication (shop drawings)
- 8.9. Preparing physical and digital sample boards for high-end clients
- 8.10. Managing BIM files and digital collaboration with naval engineers and architects
Project Management, Shipyards, Refit and Budgets
- 9.1. Structure of the yachting industry: new-build shipyards, refit yards and design studios
- 9.2. Working with the naval architect, captain, broker and owner's representative
- 9.3. Planning and scheduling the work (Gantt): coordinating trades in the confined space of a yacht
- 9.4. Preparing luxury interior budgets, controlling deviations and managing procurement
- 9.5. Managing contractors, specialist subcontractors and authorized installers
- 9.6. Specifications for interior refit and conversion projects: restoration and modernization
- 9.7. Supervising work in the shipyard: quality control, tolerances and weight checks on board
- 9.8. Nautical interior design contracts, intellectual property and confidentiality clauses (NDA)
- 9.9. Health and safety protocols during outfitting work in the shipyard
- 9.10. Handing over the interior owner's manual and managing warranties
Regulations, Safety and Certification of Luxury Yacht Interiors
- 10.1. FTP Code for fire test procedures
- 10.2. Fire-retardant and type-approved materials
- 10.3. Escape routes and signage
- 10.4. Requirements for headroom, stairs and guardrails
- 10.5. Classification society requirements
- 10.6. Electrical safety in interiors
- 10.7. MLC requirements for crew accommodation
- 10.8. Weight control and stability
- 10.9. Documentation for approval
- 10.10. Inspections and final certification
Final Project
- 11.1. Choosing the commission: defining the vessel (motor yacht, sailing yacht or explorer from 30 m to 80 m+)
- 11.2. Researching the owner's profile, lifestyle on board and overall creative concept
- 11.3. Developing the interior general arrangement (GA): deck layouts and zoning
- 11.4. Selecting the palette of materials, finishes, textiles and lighting for every space
- 11.5. Detailed design of the master stateroom and main salon
- 11.6. Technical drawings of custom joinery: breakdowns, sections and furniture construction details
- 11.7. Lighting design and home automation scheme for the main areas
- 11.8. Hyperrealistic 3D renders and a presentation book for the client
- 11.9. Design report, detailed furniture and finishes budget and shipyard execution plan
- 11.10. Public presentation, physical or digital materials board and oral defense of the project before a panel
Duration and format of the Master's in Luxury Yacht Interior Design
It is 1,500 hours. Tell us how many you can study each week and we will tell you when you will really finish.
This is the pace at which most students finish. It fits well with the installment plan.
Academic leadership and faculty
The Navalis teaching team: working professionals who teach and supervise the programs.
Dr. Marina AlcoverAcademic Director and Head of Quality Assurance
Eng. Diego CifuentesSenior Lecturer in Naval Welding and Non-Destructive Testing; Head of QA/QC for Welded Joints
Capt. Javier Abaroa (MCA)Senior Lecturer in Ship Handling, Electronic Navigation (ECDIS/Radar/ARPA) and GMDSS; STCW Compliance and Bridge Resource Management Coordinator
Dr. Pau FerrerSenior Lecturer in Naval Architecture and Simulation; Director of the Hydrodynamics and CFD Laboratory
Dr. Nuria LlobregatSenior Lecturer in Marine Meteorology, SAR and Operational Safety; Navigation Risk Management Coordinator
Eng. Javier BañulsSenior Lecturer in Electrical Engineering, Automation and ETO Engineering; Electronic Integration and Engine Alarms Coordinator
Eng. Sofía MarquinaSenior Lecturer in Materials, Composites and Corrosion Protection; Coordinator of the Advanced Paints and Coatings Line
Eng. Tomás RieraSenior Lecturer in Propulsion, Alternative Energy and Hybrid Systems; Energy Performance and Vibration CoordinatorObjectives of the Master's in Luxury Yacht Interior Design
Career opportunities after the Master's in Luxury Yacht Interior Design
Questions about the Master's in Luxury Yacht Interior Design
Luxury vessels such as motor yachts, sailing yachts, superyachts, explorers and private cruise vessels, with attention to both new builds and refit projects.
No. A background in design, architecture or engineering is advisable, and the first module covers nautical terminology, naval plans and the constraints that make a yacht interior different from a residential or hotel project.
Module 8 works with 3D modeling in Rhinoceros and AutoCAD, rendering with V-Ray, Corona Renderer or KeyShot, VR walkthroughs, generative AI for moodboards, shop drawings and BIM collaboration.
Yes. Module 10 covers the FTP Code, fire-retardant and type-approved materials, escape routes, stairs and guardrails, classification society and MLC requirements, weight control, approval documentation and final inspections.
Yes. Module 9 covers interior refit and conversion specifications, budgets, scheduling, contractors, supervision in the shipyard and the handover of the interior owner's manual.
Through practical design exercises in each module and a Final Project in which you develop the complete interior of a yacht, from concept and general arrangement to joinery drawings, lighting, renders and budget, presented before a panel.
A Navalis Institute master's certificate and a professional portfolio built during the program, including the full interior project of your Final Project.
The master's is taught online and comprises 1500 hours of study across 11 modules of about 136 hours each, ending with a Final Project.
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Admission process
No waiting for a call back. If your documents are in order, you can enroll in the same session.
- Profile: aimed at interior designers, architects, naval architects and engineers, furniture and luxury materials suppliers, shipyard managers and graduates in design, architecture or fine arts; demonstrable professional experience in interior design, naval architecture or luxury furniture design is also a valid route.
- Language: sufficient command of English to follow the classes and the technical documentation.
- Technical resources: a computer able to run design and 3D software (AutoCAD, Rhinoceros or similar), a stable internet connection and a camera for live sessions and project presentations.
- Admission: online application, review of your profile and a short interview with the academic team.
- 01ApplicationYour details, background and documents.
- 02Instant reviewWe check that everything is complete and in order.
- 03EnrollmentChoose full payment or instalments and reserve your place.
Admission is provisional until the committee validates the documents provided. If you do not meet the requirements, the full amount is refunded.
Ask us before you enroll
Leave your details and admissions will write to you to answer any questions. If you are already sure, you can apply and pay in the same session.