Best Cruises for Art Lovers
From Europe and Asia to Australia and New Zealand, our state-of-the-art cruise ships bring you to some of the world’s most beloved masterpieces. Discover paintings, sculptures and architecture from iconic artists, and let their talent inspire your next adventure. Here are the best cruises for art lovers with Princess®.
Best Cruise Destinations for Art Lovers
From auctions and galleries to museums and exhibitions, find art on cruise ships and ashore with Princess. Our best cruises for art lovers take you to iconic cities that are brimming with creativity and talent, including:
Rome, Italy
Get a behind-the-scenes look at some of the most treasured art collections during a visit to the Vatican Museums. Tour the Pinacoteca and travel through time as you admire artwork from the Middle Ages through the 19th-century in Italy. Or stroll through the Sistine Chapel and gaze up at Michelangelo’s masterpieces that decorate the ceiling and walls.
Paris
No trip to Paris would be complete without a visit to the Louvre, the largest art museum in the world. From Egyptian antiquities to Islamic art, the museum is a mecca of over 70,000 pieces of art — including sculptures, paintings, drawings and prints — all spanning various countries and time periods. On a British Isles cruise with Princess — one of our best cruises for art lovers, history buffs and "plain 'ol tourists" alike — no trip to the Louvre would be complete without coming face-to-face with the Mona Lisa or the Venus de Milo, a Greek sculpture that dates back between 130 and 100 BCE.
St. Petersburg
With an art collection that contends that of the Louvre, Russia’s Hermitage Museum is a gold mine in every sense of the word. Revel in the works of Da Vinci, Monet and Renoir as you wander the halls with an art historian, who can share unique facts along the way. During one of our best cruises for art lovers, spend time in the Gold Room, explore the Treasure Room and marvel at marble masterpieces by Michelangelo, like the Crouching Boy.
Melbourne
From colorful murals to modern architecture, Melbourne is the epicenter of urban art. Tour the city with a local graffiti artist by your side and visit Hosier Lane, the unique backstreet where artistic imaginations run wild. Visit the Upper West Side Gallery and the bohemian styles of Fitzroy and Collingwood. At the end of your excursion, visit a local studio in Australia to meet the artists and leave inspired by their creativity.
Barcelona
Although Barcelona was once home to artistic giants like Dalí, Miró and Casals, its most famous resident was Pablo Picasso. Embark on a journey through his life at the Picasso Museum, home to over 4,000 pieces of artwork. Begin in his youth years at the Madrid Academy and end at his later work in the 1970s. Watch closely as his ever-changing use of colors, shadows and highlights reflect his financial and personal hardships, as well as inspirations during each period.
Istanbul
From mosques to manuscripts, discover Turkey’s various treasures as you travel to some of Istanbul’s best sights. Visit the Süleymaniye Mosque and admire the multi-colored tiles, pearl-lined shutters and stained-glass windows that furnish its interiors. Or revere religious art, Turkish carpets and carved wood from the Ottoman Empire at the Istanbul Art Museum.
Best Onboard Activities for Art Lovers
The art exploration doesn’t have to end when you get back on the ship. With an extensive gallery on board, revel in colorful pieces and learn about each artist during our lectures. You can even discover the thrill of buying art on cruise ships at our auctions. Head home with a variety of work from world-renowned creators like Thomas Kinkade, Peter Max and Michael Godard. If you buy any art, cruises ship them right to your door. Or delight in the many other art forms we feature on board — like Broadway-style productions, live music and street entertainers in the Piazza, as well as comedy and magic shows.
These next masterpieces aren't Degas or Dali-designed, but we consider them true works of art: Cruise ships that bear the Princess name and carry our guests to beloved art-filled destinations around the globe. We hope to welcome you aboard one of our crowning jewels soon!