The newest Celebrity cruise ship has now taken to the warm Caribbean waters and Park West is, of course, on board with a stunning new art gallery! The Celebrity Ascent is the latest Edge Series ship, a series of fabulous vessels that have been showered with awards for innovative, impeccable, and artful design. Park West Gallery director Kenny Omeir, a former professional baseball player from Nicaragua, notes that the “Elegance and atmosphere of the Ascent is unparalleled,” adding that the ship is arguably one of the most luxurious at sea.

Guests enjoying their sailings in the Caribbean this winter and then in Europe next summer will find the art gallery on deck 5, at the embarkation entrance and stretching right through to the theater. Thankfully, artfully constructed cocktails and fine wines pair beautifully with world-class art, because Omeir tells us that a world-class bar sits beside the gallery space and just a stone’s throw away is the heartbeat of the ship, the glamorous and glittering Grand Plaza.

The most technologically advanced ship that is also a work of art in and of itself demands the finest art education, collecting experience at sea and that’s exactly what Park West and Celebrity deliver on Ascent. The Park West art gallery has a marvelous Picasso sculpture garden for all passengers to enjoy as well as an interactive AI touch screen allowing guests to pre-select artworks for the auction, browse through the entire collection, and even access archival artworks.

Omeir says, “The design and overall aesthetic of the gallery give it a real museum look and feel with a pleasing burst of color too, ideal for featuring a diverse roster of artists from around the globe.”

Park West collectors can expect to see their favorite artists, like Romero Britto, Kre8, the world-famous Peter Max, Yacov Agam, Michael Godard, Daniel Wall, Slava Ilyayev, Nano Lopes, and many more, pop out immediately upon entering the gallery space. Omeir says that , “The artistry also features a plethora of mediums from different price points to marry into Park West’s vision that Art is for EVERYONE.” In addition to contemporary greats, the masters of art history are sailing on Ascent too! The gallery will be showing works by Rembrandt van Rijn, Pablo Picasso, Fransisco Goya, Henri Matisse, and even famed Spanish surrealist Salvador Dalí.

Park West’s Executive Vice President John Block notes, “Park West is proud to continue our partnership with Celebrity Cruises and to deliver the finest art experiences at sea through educational events, thrilling auctions, and a gorgeous gallery space that is second to none. Our passionate team on board Ascent is excited to help every guest better understand and appreciate fine art, and to begin collecting art that they will cherish for generations.”

When it comes time to bid on your next favorite work of art to hang proudly in your home or office, you’ll head to the destination gateway space on deck 2 midship. This is where a total of three thrilling auctions will be held during each weeklong itinerary. Omeir is excited about these Park West auctions because they are events that teach and inspire, as well as help everyone to begin collecting art or expand upon their existing relationship with fine art. Passengers will be invited to a Grand Opening, Rapid Fire, and Grand Finale auction during which complimentary champagne will flow, tons of amazing prizes will be raffled off, and free artwork will be given out to all who attend. For Park West VIPs on board, there will be a VIP event with wine, champagne, and hors d’oeuvres, as well as exclusive art viewings and the opportunity to collect artworks seen by no one else!

While the auctions themselves allow for some art education, as the Ascent auctioneer, Wouter Coetsee, discusses the history of the artists and the meaning and importance of their work.   Guests can attend free enrichment seminars on Picasso, Dalí, and Peter Max, plus a brilliant 30-minute, 3000-year crash course in art history! Special art unveilings and private previews in the gallery are also a daily routine.

Of course, we are biased and believe that the Park West art gallery on board is the highlight of the Celebrity Ascent experience, but this new ship is a living organism that has a unique personality, says Omeir. All of the restaurants are mouth-watering and exquisite, including the four unique main dining room concepts. The shows in the main theater are world-class as are those in Eden (a specialty restaurant and transformative event space outfitted with over 5,000 living plants). Every neighborhood around the ship transports you into a different mood and elevates your cruise experience and the ship has been designed with over 3,000 artworks all around, on every deck, to be enjoyed as you cruise to St. Thomas, Saint Martin, Cozumel, and beyond!

Are you planning a cruise? Join us for an exciting art auction by pre-registering now! When you do, you’ll receive a gift and a $100 art credit to help you collect a new work of art during your vacation at sea!