Sailing Through Art History
When I booked a cruise on Carnival Conquest, I had no idea I was about to step into an art history dream. My boyfriend planned the trip, so I didn’t know the entire ship was Impressionist-themed until we got there. The moment we stepped on board and had to walk up the stairs to Deck 9, I started noticing something familiar—on every pillar of the staircase, there were statues of Degas’ ballerinas.
At first, I was confused. Wait… is that Degas’ ballerina? And then, step by step, I realized—everything was Impressionist-inspired. From the artwork on the walls to the names of the restaurants and lounges, the entire ship was a tribute to the movement. It instantly brought me back to my art history classes, and I couldn’t stop taking in all the details.
A Floating Gallery
One of the coolest parts was that the ship even had an art gallery on board. We got to visit twice, which was such a unique experience—seeing artwork while sailing in the middle of the ocean just made it all feel more surreal. But beyond the gallery, the entire ship itself felt like a curated collection of Impressionist elements.
The most immersive space was definitely the Renoir Restaurant. The design was incredible—every inch of the space reflected Renoir’s style, from the intricate ceiling details to the artwork covering the walls. Even the bread plates had different Renoir sketches printed on them in black and white. It was such a small detail, but it made me appreciate how deeply the theme was woven into the ship’s design. If you weren’t an artist or didn’t know these painters, you might not have even noticed all the subtle touches. But I caught everything, and it made the experience so much richer.
Impressionist Vibes & A Relaxing Atmosphere
One of the things I love about Impressionist art is how it captures light, movement, and feeling without worrying about perfection. That same energy carried through the entire ship. Even in our cabin, we had a impressionist inspired painting of a field hanging on the wall—soft, flowing, and effortless. It matched the whole vibe of the cruise: go with the flow, don’t overthink, just enjoy the moment.
The ship’s color palette leaned heavily into warm golds, which gave everything a rich and classic feel, but the rest of the tones were softer and blended together in a way that felt natural. The whole aesthetic made the trip feel even more relaxing, like being inside a painting where nothing is rushed.
Finding Inspiration in Unexpected Places
Seeing names like Monet, Renoir, and Degas around every corner reminded me just how much their work has shaped visual culture. This trip also made me appreciate the power of intentional design. Every detail on the ship contributed to the theme, creating a fully immersive experience—something I strive for in my own work. It was a reminder that inspiration isn’t just found in museums but in unexpected places, like the golden glow of a staircase or the delicate sketches on a bread plate.
Whether it’s in a gallery, on a cruise ship, or in the smallest everyday details, art has a way of showing up where you least expect it—and sometimes, that’s when it’s the most inspiring.
In Middle of the Ocean.