Cruise lines are often eager to help their guests focus on a personal passion for art or artistic activities. So today, The Meandering Traveler is showcasing the best cruises for art lovers.
Here are five top art-focused options, some with creative elements onboard, others with options ashore. So, grab your paint brush, get ready to explore museums and check out the ship for world-class art.
(Shown in the photo above is one of the prime artistic pieces, a cherry blossom tree, on Seven Seas Grandeur. Photo by Susan J. Young.)
1. Best Cruises for Art: Oceania’s Artist’s Loft
If you love art activities, check out the lineup of voyages on Oceania Cruises‘ 1,250-passenger Marina or sister ship Riviera. Those two vessels offer the Artist’s Loft, a wonderful spot to indulge your creativity.
Both beginning artists and experienced painters will appreciate the line’s “Artists-in-Residence” program. That’s designed to inspire guests who will learn about artistic techniques in onboard workshops.
Depending on the voyage, an artist-in-residence may offer step-by-step classes in everything from painting with oils to sketching, collage making, sculpting or improving your photo skills.
Separately, art fans should definitely scan Oceania’s itineraries for shore excursions with an artistic bent. For example, during Marina’s 10-day “Belfast to Lisbon – Ireland to Iberia Traveler” itinerary, departing September 15, 2026, guests will spend time in Bordeaux, France.
World’s Largest Digital Art Center
In Bordeaux, Oceania’s half-day “Bassins de Lumieres – Art Experience” excursion will give cruise guests an opportunity to walk through the world’s largest digital art center. “It’s an experience unlike any other,” says Shelby Steudle, president, Pavlus Travel.
“In an incredible audio-visual experience, digitized artwork from such iconic artists as Vincent van Gogh, Claude Monet and Salvador Dali will surround travelers as they walk from room to room,” she explains. “Frankly, you’ll actually feel that you’re ‘inside’ the artwork.”
Another unique twist? The art is projected onto the walls and watery basins of flooring that was once within a former World War II submarine base. It housed German U-boats.
Another port of call on this itinerary — Biarritz (Saint-Jean-de-Luz) — also offers the opportunity for guests to book Oceania’s full-day “Guggenheim Museum” shore excursion. Those who do will marvel at the swirling titanium and glass architecture of Frank Gehry’s iconic Guggenheim Museum Bilbao. It’s also famed for its 20th-century and contemporary masterpieces.
At press time, fares for the “Belfast to Lisbon – Ireland to Iberia Traveler” itinerary on Marina started at $3,599 per person, double occupancy. Talk with your personal travel planner about this or how to indulge your artsy side on another Oceania cruise.
The upper premium line is also known for its culinary focus, with new options coming soon.
2. Best Cruises for Art: ACL’s “Art Immersion”
For travelers who enjoy art classes and prefer travel on small ships a bit “closer to home” within North America, American Cruise Lines (ACL) has “Art Immersion Cruises.” Guests can participate in onboard painting courses and art workshops.
“So, whether you’re a budding artist or a seasoned professional, you’ll learn something new,” emphasizes Pavlus‘ Steudle. “An onboard ‘artist in residence’ will offer step-by-step watercolor and mixed-media instruction.”
Best Cruises for Art: Choosing a Departure
At press time, these artistically focused ACL cruises listed below still had some availability. One tip? Keep in mind that NOT all departure dates for each of these individual itineraries are tapped as “Art Immersion Cruises.”
So, here’s the plan. First, consult the summary we provide in each header link. That will provide a good sense of the itinerary details.
Second, chat with your personal travel planner about booking only the specific departures listed below if you desire to sail on one of ACL’s “Art Immersion Cruises.”
- “Cape Codder Cruise” — The 100-passenger American Eagle, a nimble coastal catamaran, will sail seven nights roundtrip from Boston, MA, on July 29, 2025. Fares at press time began at $6,350 per person, double occupancy.
- “Hudson River Summer Classic Cruise” — American Eagle will sail a seven-night voyage, from New York, NY, to Albany, NY, on July 14, 2026. As of this publication date, fares at started at $6,350 per person, double occupancy.
- “Maine Coast & Harbors Cruise” – The 100-passenger American Legend, another coastal catamaran, will depart August 19, 2026, from Bangor, ME, to Portland, ME. At press time, fares began at $7,835 per person, double occupancy. Solo traveler? On this departure, a solo traveler cabin began at $9,365 for one person.
- “Northeast Harbors Cruise” – This seven-night voyage on American Eagle departs on June 30, 2026, and July 16, 2026, from Boston, MA to New York, NY. Pricing began at $6,350 per person, double occupancy, at press time. For the June 30 departure, a solo balcony cabin was also available starting at $8,860.
Third, get ready to sail and create your own masterpiece!
3. Blue Tiles in Porto: River Cruise Art
Glazed blue ceramic tiles — azulejos — adorn everything from houses to churches to railway stations in Porto, Portugal. Ever want to try your hand at painting one of these lovely tiles? Many river cruise lines sailing from Porto often offer an azulejos activity session onboard.
For example, The Meandering Traveler did this on a Scenic cruise along the Douro River. Given one clay tile per person, we selected a pattern we liked, picked up a paint brush and began creating our own “masterpieces.” A local art expert was aboard in Porto to offer her expertise about traditional painting and tile design techniques.
After the painting session concluded, she then gathered up our finished tiles, and took them off the ship. While we sailed the Douro River over the next week, a professional kiln “fired” them. When the Scenic Azure docked back in Porto at the end of the cruise, the tiles were waiting for us to take home as creative souvenirs.
Off the ship in Porto, many guests headed to local museums or visited Espaco Mira, two former warehouses. Today, those buildings showcase the works of aspiring Portuguese artists.
Scenic and other river cruise lines, among them AmaWaterways, Tauck and Uniworld Boutique River Cruises, sail the Douro River.
One Scenic voyage, for example, is the eight-day “Delightful Douro” itinerary roundtrip from Porto, Portugal. The 96-passenger Scenic Azure offers this itinerary on multiple dates in 2025.
At press time, the best available fare for Scenic’s sailing on November 25, 2025, started at $4,495 per person, double occupancy. Contact your personal travel planner for questions, to discuss accommodations and to smooth the booking process.
4. Best Cruises for Art Fans of Picasso
Although Barcelona was once home to such artistic giants as Dali and Casals, its most famous artist in residence was Pablo Picasso. Whether guests set sail on Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Seabourn, Silversea, Explora Journeys or another upscale line, many choose to tour the Picasso Museum, either on a port call or a pre- or post-cruise stay.
This museum displays more than 4,000 pieces of art! Here’s a link that will help you explore the collection.
Among the lines with port calls in Barcelona is Silversea. In one example, the 728-passenger Silver Ray offers a six-day sailing from “Monte Carlo to Barcelona” on June 21, 2026. We’d suggest talking to your travel advisor about booking a post-cruise hotel stay.
Then, you can relax and take all the time you desire to explore the Picasso Museum. Alternatively, travelers might immerse themselves in touring the city’s multiple sites designed by famed architect Antonio Gaudi.
Tip? In addition to Gaudi’s famous Sagrada Familia, we’d suggest heading to Park Guell. It’s a spot for perusing Gaudi’s architecture and also magnificent city views.
At press time, fares for this Silversea journey started at $5,680 per person, double occupancy.
Best Cruises for Art Lovers: Barcelona Roundtrips
It’s also advantageous to set sail on a roundtrip cruise from Barcelona. Then, travelers can have even more time in the city to explore the Picasso Museum and other artistic attractions.
We’d suggest Explora Journeys’ eight-night itinerary A “Journey of Rugged Coastlines and Artistic Marvels.” Explora I will depart March 25, 2026.
In addition to Barcelona, other calls will include Marseilles, France; Civitavecchia (Rome) and Livorno (Florence) Italy; Ajaccio, Corsica; and Valencia and Palma de Mallorca in Spain. Many of those spots have top-notch art museums or historic sites with world-class art.
At press time, the Explora voyage was priced starting at $4,610 per person, double occupancy. “Call us to learn more,” says Steudle.
5. Regent Seven Seas: Art Collections Afloat
A luxury cruise is sometimes more “artistic” based on what art masterpieces are on the ship’s walls and displayed around the ship. Case in point? Regent Seven Seas Cruises has built a strong reputation for world-class art gracing its vessels.
So, among our suggested best cruises for art lovers, we’d consider a voyage on the 744-passenger Seven Seas Grandeur. This ultra-luxury vessel debuted in late 2023. The ship’s 1,600-piece collection features predominantly contemporary art.
But that said, another sparkling artistic draw is a commissioned Faberge Egg, entitled “Journey in Jewels.” Displayed near the ship’s reception desk, it’s the first and only Fabergé Egg to reside permanently at sea.
Another impressive art piece is the nearly 40-foot-tall hand-woven tapestry, “The Enchanted Tree.” Created by world-renowned Brazilian artist Walter Goldfarb, it hangs adjacent to the elevator wall in the ship’s atrium.
Guests also love viewing the custom-made bronze and hand-cast glass Bonsai Cherry Tree Sculpture. Created by Savoy Studios, guests can view it at the entrance to Pacific Rim, the ship’s pan-Asian specialty restaurant.
The Digital Art Tour
Another plus for art-focused travelers sailing on Seven Seas Grandeur is its digital art tour. Called “Art Experience,” it’s available through the Regent Mobile App. It shines a light on works within central guest areas including creations by Rauschenberg, Matta, Sophie Elizabeth Thompson and Eduardo Arranz-Bravo.
One nice perk? Scanning certain artworks via the app, guests can then watch a film about each artist and the creative process.
Certainly, Paris is one city that artists love. So, one good option for art lovers is Seven Seas Grandeur’s 12-night “Epicurean Pageantry: Amsterdam to Lisbon” voyage that sets sail on September 27, 2026.
Beyond visiting such ports of call at London (Tilbury), Bordeaux and Porto, Portugal, all great cities for museum hopping, guests might also book a separate one-night overland journey to Paris during the port call at Honfleur, France.
Cruise fares at press time started at $11,399 per person, double occupancy. The overland trip (described in more detail below) was listed on the line’s website at $2,199 per person.
Overland Trip to Paris
Certainly, over the years, Honfleur itself has attracted its share of artists and writers including English painter Bonington, French painter Boudin, French poet Charles Baudelaire and Impressionist painters. But when people think “art museum” they often think of Paris’ Louvre.
Those on the overland trip will stay one night at Paris’ Hotel du Collectionneur or a similar hotel. They’ll be escorted by an English-speaking guide, dine in the Eiffel Tower, cruise the Seine at night and, yes, gaze at incredible artworks in the Louvre.
Guided through the museum, they’ll see the Venus de Milo, Winged Victory, Leonardo de Vinci’s immortal Mona Lisa, and other paintings by such masters as Delacroix and Gericault.
“This overland trip also makes a side trip to historic Rouen, France,” says Pavlus’ Steudle.
More About Art
The “picks” we’ve provided above are just the tip of the iceberg, so to speak. Look for future blogs with additional art-focused options. Most importantly, talk to your personal travel planner.
Find out how a pampering cruise can allow you to tailor your vacation experience based on your personal passions. The art world awaits, both on and off the ship!
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