Everything you need to know about art cruises
Want to combine two of your great passions into one? Then an art cruise could be just the ticket.
The onboard art collection
Gone are the days of cruise ships hanging cringeworthy portraits or daggy still lifes on their walls. Now, many ships have an art collection that could rival a gallery. Oceania Riviera has over 2,000 pieces including a signed Picasso lithograph and several Picasso sketches. Celebrity Cruises’ Solstice Class ships feature pieces from Jeff Koons, Robert Rauschenberg and Anish Kapoor, and have iPads loaded with digital tours. The new Quantum of the Seas has an onboard art collection worth $5 million, including an eight-ton magenta pink bear.
Brush up on your knowledge
If you have an interest in art but would like to know more, then an art cruise is a great place to start. Many ships will run art enrichment classes that focus on different periods or artists, hosted by industry experts and luminaries from the art world. Take a tour of the onboard collection led by one of the staff or attend a gallery party (complete with wine and cheese). Celebrity Cruises runs artists meet and greets and Oceania has an Artist Loft that features artists in residence who will be painting, sculpting or creating throughout the cruise.
Take a class
Sure, it’s nice to look at art but it can be even more enriching to create it yourself. Cruise lines form partnerships with leading artists who will lead onboard classes for passengers that are usually free of charge. These hands-on classes will give instruction on artistic styles, techniques and practical tips for improving your style. Plus you’ll get a great piece of your own to take home!
See the world’s greatest galleries
The best part about cruising is that it takes you to many different places within the one journey. Specially designed art cruises will focus on the history of various regions and run shore excursions that visit galleries and museums, take exclusive tours of the private homes of artists, or walk through areas of architectural significance. Imagine walking through Monet’s home one day and the Louvre the next, or exploring the Uffizi in Florence and the Picasso Museum in Barcelona without every having to unpack your bags?