This Cruise Ship Is a Floating Museum

Courtesy of Viking Cruises

The Viking Sea features a minimalist Scandinavian décor and ambiance more closely resembling an elegant living space than a cruising behemoth. In addition to the luxe details, all public areas are appointed with an impressive mixed-media collection of travel, nature, and sea-related artwork—some dating back to ancient times—created by artists from around the globe. Here are a few of the ships' most eye-catching pieces.—Jessica Benavides Canepa

Courtesy of Viking Cruises

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Adrian Grey

Adrian Grey

WHERE: Fitness Center

One of the first artists to feature stone-balancing as an art form, this British-born creator photographs stone sculptures in seemingly impossible positions alongside natural settings.

Courtesy of Viking Cruises

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Britt Smelvaer

Britt Smelvær

WHERE: The Salon

Inspired by the whimsical beauty of Arabic ornaments, this Norwegian artist experimented with geometric patterns on Plexiglas to create a series of eye-popping works of art.

Courtesy of Viking Cruises

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Edvard Munch

Edvard Munch

WHERE: The Living Room

Best known for his Expressionist paintingThe Scream, Norway’s own Edvard Munch also dabbled in lithography and woodcut printing, including this rare piece from 1903.

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Kate Jenkins

Kate Jenkins

WHERE: World Café

With a touch of quirk, this celebrated British crochet designer has taken typical food, in this case seafood, and turned it into elaborately colorful masterpieces.

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Mikael Nilsson

Mikal Nilsson

WHERE: The Restaurant

This Swedish artist often takes his visual inspiration from films, computer games, and natural settings to offer a vivid, acrylic world on canvas.

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Queen Sonja

H.M. Queen Sonja of Norway

WHERE: The Restaurant

Norway’s reigning artistically inclined queen has been painting since her youth. In this haunting series, the monarch was inspired by nature, photography, and color manipulation.

Courtesy of Viking Cruises

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The Bayeux Tapestry

WHERE: Main Stairway

Arguably the most treasured work on display, the well-preserved tapestry depicts pivotal medieval events including the 11th-century invasion by William the Conqueror.

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Thomas Wilderberg

Thomas Widerberg

WHERE: The Spa

Eternally fascinated with remote places, this Norwegian photographer captures the stark loneliness of these locales. Finished works are heavily varnished to achieve a dynamic 3D effect.