So now that you have booked your cruise, it’s time to discover some of the amazing onboard cruise activities at your fingertips! There are so many activities available it is hard to know where to start. From pools to spas to libraries and nightclubs, today’s cruise ships offer so much onboard entertainment. For the more cultured, there are art auctions and onboard wine tasting cruise activities to enjoy. You will have a hard time deciding what to do next. Perhaps now is the time to discover something new?
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Two of my favorite onboard cruise activities are art auctions and wine tastings.
Up until recently, I never even considered art. I always knew it existed and in fact, I have a relative whose livelihood revolves around art. For many people, art is somewhat of an unattainable past time as purchase prices tend to be high for known artists.
But there is so much more to the world of art. When I took my last cruise, I decided to explore the world of art as I had the time to do so in a relaxed atmosphere. The cruise ship provided the perfect place to learn. I fell in love with art auctions!
Did You Know There is an Art Gallery on Most cruises?
If you are an art lover (or want to be), did you know there is an Art Gallery on most cruises? The artwork is supplied by Park West Gallery. They are the world’s largest art dealer and have expertise and insight into some of the great masterpieces. The presence of Park West on a cruise ship introduces a new audience to the history and value of art. Price points are available for any budget and onboard credit applications can make easier payment arrangements if you choose to purchase.
Art Auctions –
The first time I discovered art was on a Princess Cruise and a friend convinced me to attend an art auction. If you have never been to an art auction or have never experienced the fine arts, the art department aboard a cruise ship is an excellent way to learn about them. I had a lot of questions about how this worked.
The auction usually starts of with a glass of champagne (and who says no to that?). The host then explains the rules of the auction and allows the attendees about 10-15 minutes to peruse the artworks scattered around the room.
The art comes in a variety of price-points, artists, and styles; truly providing all patrons with an opportunity within their means. On my last cruise, there was a patron who purchased a Picasso bowl for $22,000USD! They wanted to add it to their collection. Another patron purchased a group of 3 paintings including a Rembrandt for $52,000USD! Clearly, there were some valued clients on this cruise.
If you did not budget for purchasing art, there is a fine arts credit card available if you qualify.
The auction itself goes very quickly. An artwork that is too expensive or that has no buyer goes away. Each piece of art is identified with who the artist is, the genre, the medium and if the piece includes the frame or not. Art auctions are the best way to discover the art gallery on cruises and are great onboard cruise activities.
Mystery Art Auctions –
Mystery auctions are a fun component of the auction. The host places 3 to 4 pieces in the front of the room facing backwards. You are placing a bid on them without seeing them first. Sounds weird, right?
By placing a bid, you are only guaranteeing a time slot to further examine the art with no obligation to purchase. Following the reveal of the pieces, you can choose to purchase at the discounted rate or pass. Many of the mysteries include ALL of the pieces. Once you have your time slot reserved for the more detailed examination, you can sometimes negotiate with staff for other options.
Art Seminars –
A top question is how do I learn about the artists? Seminars are offered by members of the art team. They explain the history of a specific artist and why they are important to the art world. On my last Princess cruise, there were seminars on Picasso, Peter Maxx, and Thomas Kincaid.
By attending art sessions on a cruise ship, you allow yourself to experience art in a more relaxed setting and the staff have the time to explain the art to you. It takes away the stigma associated with art, which is, that the fine arts are only attainable by a more affluent society.
And to make the seminars even more fun, these onboard cruise activities are often held in bars and lounges so you can enjoy a glass of wine while you learn. You also receive a small art print with a certificate of authenticity which is suitable for framing. Go to all the seminars and you will acquire the whole set!
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So now that we have discovered art, let us look at my other favorite onboard cruise activity – Wine tasting!
If you are like me, you have been known to enjoy a glass of wine (or two). Hey, you are on vacation, after all. But whether you are a true wine connoisseur or just want to expand your palette, wine tastings are the way to go. They give you the opportunity to learn how to taste, to explore the history of wines and wine regions and to help determine what types of wine you enjoy.
I was once at a wine tasting and we were asked to describe the smell of the wine. I came up with “Bambi”. Everyone laughed but it gave them the image of a dense, damp forest with rich scents and a relevant description of a full-bodied red wine.
So how does wine tasting work as an onboard cruise activity?
In case you didn’t know, most cruise ships have quite an extensive wine collection and wines are available at several different price points. But how do you know which wine to choose and if you will like it. For the wine lover, the best way to explore the world of wine is through tastings. Discover what you like and do not like without having to purchase the entire bottle. Wine tastings as an onboard cruise activity allow you to experiment. They can be a lot of fun as well!
The Tasting Environment
The daily shipboard newsletter usually informs you of the wine tasting events. If this is something you want to do, it is better to book the activity at the beginning of the cruise as space is limited and will fill up quickly. And to answer the next question, yes, there is usually a small fee for this extra activity but as a wine connoisseur, it is always worth it!
The tastings are usually limited to about forty people and are in a lounge area. On larger ships, these groups can be up to 100 people so be prepared. Once the group has arrived, you will be separated into small table sizes of about six to eight. The smaller table size allows you to focus on the presenter and chat more freely about the love of wine (and cruises).
The Wines
There are commonly about five to six wines that are available for tasting in the cruise activity. Your sommelier or wine steward will discuss the history of the wine and the wine growing region. Tastings typically include a variety of whites, reds, and sometimes champagne. Prices for the tastings are around $15-25USD per person and may or may not include some cheese and fruit to cleanse the palate. Often these are suggested food flavors to compliment the wines and bring out the flavor even more. Depending on the food, the taste of the wine can dramatically change!
Although the depth of the information may not equal what you would find on a typical land winery tour, it is very informative, nonetheless. Wine tastings area a great way to explore wine with a knowledgeable person.
In addition to tasting some great wines, you will also benefit from meeting other like-minded tourists who share your desire to explore the world of wine. Often, meeting new acquaintances is part of the vacation experience.
The Wine Bar
If you prefer to skip the more formal wine tasting cruise activity, you could also head on over the cruise ships’ wine bar. Most ships have one these days and they are a treasure trove of wine information. The wine stewards and sommeliers are extremely knowledgeable and will assist you in find a wine that will suit your palate.
At the wine bar, you may also find some wines that are not on the published wine menu or, there may be unique tasting flights and wine blending classes. These are all done with an experienced sommelier, so you can learn a lot from them.
Even if you had an all-inclusive drinks package, expect to pay a bit more for your wine at the wine bar rather than the typical bar on the ship. The higher end wine and wine flights can range from $6-15USD per glass.
So, if you are already a wine lover or if you are just experimenting, wine tasting is a great onboard cruise activity. It allows you to explore wine on many different levels and it provides a great starter conversation with your new friends.
We all know that cruising is one of the best vacation experiences that money can buy. Now you know two of the most interesting onboard cruise activities. Don’t be shy. Discover something new!
Will you be one of the new art or wine lovers on the cruise?
Let me know if you found your Picasso or unique bottle of wine. Did you sign up for one on the wine tasting cruise activities? How was your experience?
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