Masterpieces at sea: why my art-loving clients can't stop talking about Regent Seven Seas Cruises newest ship - by Travel Associates cruise expert, Alison Lord.
After 15 years of arranging luxury cruises for my wonderful clients, I thought I'd seen it all. That was until Regent Seven Seas Cruises unveiled their newest masterpiece, the Seven Seas Grandeur. This stunning vessel who just completed her first season in Europe, isn't just a cruise ship – it's a floating museum that's revolutionising how we experience fine art at sea.
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A few months ago, I sent two of my most passionate art-loving clients around the Mediterranean onboard the Grandeur. Their first message to me? A photo of them standing speechless before three original Picassos in the ship's steakhouse. These masterpieces – "Toros y Toreros," "Antes de picar al toro," and "Picador picando al toro, con matador al quite" – are displayed against nailhead leather walls, creating an ambiance that perfectly balances luxury with artistic appreciation.
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What sets the Grandeur apart is how naturally art integrates into the cruise experience. The ship's 1,600-piece collection, curated over two years, becomes part of your daily journey (enhanced by an interactive art app that guides you through the collection). Imagine starting your morning with Walter Goldfarb's magnificent 40-foot woven tapestry "The Enchanted Tree" as you head to breakfast, or encountering the ship's pièce de résistance, "Journey in Jewels," on your way to the pool. As the world's only Fabergé egg to permanently reside at sea, it perfectly captures what makes the Grandeur extraordinary – where else can you casually pass a masterpiece representing the Seven Seas on your way for a swim?
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My clients were particularly enchanted by Savoy Studios' "Bonsai Cherry Tree," a bronze sculpture so lifelike they initially mistook it for a real tree. Their favourite piece was Zheng Lu's "Water in Dripping—Waterfall," a stunning stainless-steel sculpture that freezes a water droplet's explosion in time.
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The Grandeur, hosting just 744 guests with a crew of 548 across its 10 decks, offers an intimate setting for art appreciation. The ship's contemporary design by Studio DADO provides the perfect backdrop, from the diamond-inspired grand staircase chandelier, to the crystal-embellished trees in the Compass Rose restaurant.
For art lovers seeking a new way to experience masterpieces, this isn't just a cruise – it's a journey through a carefully curated gallery where fine art meets the freedom of the seas. As my clients told me upon their return, "This isn't just travel; it's floating through a museum with a martini in hand."
