Holland America Line ships are renowned for their collections of fine art and antiques from around the globe. Now selections from the premium line's art treasures have been assembled in "The Art of Cruising: Fine Art and Antiques of Holland America Line."

The 176-page full-color hardcover coffee-table book features a diverse collection that ranges in scale from contemporary pieces such as a saxophone signed by former President Bill Clinton and Waterford® crystal atrium centerpieces, to pre-Columbian artifacts and original paintings from a variety of artists and epochs. Renowned cruise photographer Michel Verdure meticulously captured images of the vast art and antiques collection, and travel journalists Paul Lasley and Elizabeth Harryman provide accompanying text.

"Beautiful objects and museum-quality works of art of cultural or historical significance are an integral part of the shipboard ambiance of Holland America Line ships," said President and CEO Stein Kruse. "This dedication to aesthetic excellence sets us apart from other cruise lines and provides our guests with a rich and rewarding cultural experience."

"The Art of Cruising: Fine Art and Antiques of Holland America Line" highlights unique pieces such as Andy Warhol's famed Queen Beatrix series; an original Man Ray sculpture, murals by international artists Gerti Bierenbroodsport, Ian Cairnie, Barbara Broekman and Wout Muller; Captain Stephen J. Card's acclaimed marine oil paintings; contemporary Norwegian artist Nicolaus Widerberg's abstract marble sculpture of a Viking ship; and Susanna Holt's life-size bronze sculptures of wildlife. The outstanding Holland America Line antique collection portrayed in the book includes artifacts spanning several thousand years of world culture.

Authors Paul Lasley and Elizabeth Harryman are award-winning journalists who have written extensively on cruising and art for publications around the world. Together they narrate Holland America Line's innovative art tours, an on-board self-guided exploration that includes interviews with artists and photo images displayed on iPod screens. Contributors to national television shows, the married journalists produce and host daily radio features for XM Satellite Radio, American Armed Forces Radio and OnTravel.com. Their broadcasts currently reach more than 170 countries.

Based in Miami, French-born photographer Michel Verdure has built his career around a life-long passion for the sea. He began with underwater photography, accompanying Jacques Cousteau and his crew on several expeditions aboard the famous exploration boat Calypso. With more than 150 cruises in his personal portfolio, Michel is recognized as one of the foremost cruise photographers in the industry.

A must-have for cruise enthusiasts and art lovers alike, "The Art of Cruising: Fine Art and Antiques of Holland America Line" ($45) pays homage to the artisans and artists whose works create a rich environment aboard each Holland America Line ship. The book will be available for sale fleetwide as well as on the line's Web site

[ 08-06-2007: Message edited by: joe at travelpage ]

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Originally posted by PamM:
Does it say anything about availability in the UK? The website refuses to let me go to .com & there is nothing on the UK site.

Pam

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The book doesn't seem to be listed yet on HAL's regular shopping website, but the special email directs one to this site:

www.shophollandamerica.com/artbook

See if you can go there.

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Originally posted by Frank X. Prudent:
Royal Caribbean published the same sort of book a few years ago. It's hard cover, coated stock, coffee-table size, and is a delight to peruse. The price too was a delight! It was under $20.00 at the ENCHANTMENT OF THE SEAS logo shop.

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Yes, I have a nice, boxed copy--it's called "Elegance at Sea: The Art and Architecture of Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises." Published in 2001, I've seen it still advertised on used-book websites and eBay.

Costa also published a great art book in 2002: "Cruising into Art: Art on Board Italian Liners." It focusses mainly on the many historic ships in the Costa fleet, but there are also photos and text regarding the other old Italian liners as well.

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Originally posted by navitalia:
Could you tell me something more about the book "Art on Board Italian Liners". In Italy I've never seen it before. Who is the author?

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Si chiama "Crociere nell'Arte: Arte a Bordo delle Navi Italiane", scritto per Paolo Piccione e Matteo Fochessati. 2003, Tormena Editore, e Costa Crociere SpA. ISBN 88-8480059-5.

Costa also produced another art book, this one in English, called "Costa Crociere: Fifty Years of Style." (I'm sure there is an original Italian version out there, but I only have the English edition.) Written by Paolo Piccione and Gian Paolo Ceserani, published by Costa in 1998, it covers the history of all their ships, focussing on design, style, and artwork. Superb photos in color and B&W of the interiors.

Rich

[ 09-28-2007: Message edited by: Linerrich ]

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Originally posted by navitalia:
[QB]Grazie! Parli italiano?

QB]

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Si, parlo e leggo italiano. Ho molti libri dei navi in italiano. (Yes, I speak and read Italian. I have a lot of ship books in Italian.)

Rich

[ 09-28-2007: Message edited by: Linerrich ]

Unfortunately, my English is not good than your Italian. I read English and I write English too (or I try...). I have serious problem with the pronounce of your language and so I can't speak English correctly.