The concept design process and designers’ vision are two of the most important factors that have contributed to the evolution of cruise ship builds, but only a relatively limited amount of research has been done in this area. The importance of documenting the early planning phase of this process has been examined in an early study on the subject,but Finnish shipyards’ role in cruise ship construction remains underrepresented in the literature. This study endeavours to remedy this shortcoming by contributing a discussion on collaboration’s role in concept development, as well as central actors’ forward-looking visions, with a view toward identifying and analysing how collaboration has been constructed at the social network level. This article focuses specifically on the historical development of the concept design process, ideation’s role and
the networks of designers, architects and other experts involved in these processes. This discussion
aims to provide an overview of influential ships, planning process innovations and
actors who have contributed to Finnish-built ships’ reputations as modern and innovative products. This study examines cruise ships built in Finland from the 1960s to the present.