Cruise lines are continuing to refine the onboard experience, finding new ways to create environments that feel more immersive, personal and connected to the destinations they visit. As part of this shift, interior designers are taking an increasingly intentional approach to choosing art for onboard their vessels, transforming the role of their collections from visual filler to a valuable tool in shaping the guest experience.
For Jessica Payne, senior manager of interior design at Windstar Cruises, artwork has an important part to play in establishing the onboard environment.
“Our yachts are intentionally designed to create an environment that feels both intimate and inspiring,” she says. “Thoughtfully curated art contributes directly to that – it helps establish a sense of place, sparks curiosity and invites guests to engage more deeply with their surroundings.”
This emphasis on connection extends beyond aesthetics, with art acting as a natural continuation of the destinations on each itinerary. “Many of our guests are culturally curious,” says Payne. “That carries through both onboard and onshore.”
To support this vision, Windstar began working with Fountainhead Arts, a non-profit arts organisation that supports contemporary visual artists, in April 2022. The collaboration spans both onboard and onshore environments, with commissioned works ranging from large-scale murals on Windstar’s Star-class ships to smaller installations across its Wind-class vessels, as well as curated pieces for the cruise line’s Miami office.
“Collaborating with a non-profit like Fountainhead adds a meaningful and purpose-driven dimension to our programme,” explains Payne. “Its focus on supporting emerging and diverse artists allows us to showcase work that feels authentic, dynamic and globally relevant.”
The partnership has also enabled Windstar to expand into more experiential programming, offering guests new ways to engage with art beyond passive observation. Initiatives such as ‘Masterpieces at Sea’ allow guests to observe artists at work in real time or attend talks that will explore the artistic heritage of the destinations on the itinerary.
This creative engagement extends onshore through excursions that explore regional art and culture, including the architecture of Antoni Gaudi in Barcelona and the legacy of Pablo Picasso in Malaga, Spain.
Windstar works with Fountainhead Arts to develop art pieces aligned with the design of onboard spaces (Photo: Windstar Cruises)
Central to Windstar’s and Fountainhead’s partnership is a highly collaborative design process. Each project begins with the teams establishing a clear understanding of how a space should feel and function, before they select artists and artworks that align with that vision.
“We always start with the design intent,” says Payne. “We focus on the guest experience, the energy of the venue and how it transitions from day to night.”
Designers then engage closely with artists, via studio visits and in-person material reviews, to ensure each piece is developed with an understanding of both its creative and practical role.
“It’s not just about selecting something that looks good,” says Payne. “It’s about understanding the process behind it and ensuring it translates within a unique, technical environment like a ship.”
This level of intentionality is evident in several standout installations across the fleet. On Wind Star, two large-scale rope works – Talisman of the Wind and Talisman of the Star (2023) by Kandi and Katie Stirman – have become focal points within the main lobby. Created using repurposed rope, the installations draw a direct connection to the maritime environment while also reflecting the craftmanship behind their construction.
“The pieces are visually striking, but what makes them especially impactful is the process behind them,” explains Payne. “Because of their weight and complexity, we had to carefully engineer how they would be installed onboard, which required close coordination across multiple teams.”
Created using repurposed rope, Talisman of the Wind is a focal point of Wind Star’s lobby (Photo: Windstar Cruises)
A contrasting example can be found onboard Wind Spirit, where steel works by Carolina Sardi anchor the main lobby. Apache Too and Glimmering Associations (2025) introduce a more abstract, contemporary element, with the latter making a subtle reference to navigation and seafaring traditions.
“It creates an almost poetic connection to the stars,” says Payne. “It feels very aligned with Windstar’s identity, connecting guests to the heritage of sailing while still feeling contemporary.”
Across the fleet, all artworks are developed specifically for Windstar, ensuring alignment with both design intent and the broader guest experience strategy. Rather than serving as standalone decorative elements, they function as integral components of a wider narrative – one that connects ship, destinations and guest in a more meaningful way.
“We always start with the design intent,” says Payne. “We focus on the guest experience, the energy of the venue and how it transitions from day to night.” (Photo: Windstar Cruises)
For Payne, this integration is what defines the collaboration with Fountainhead. “These pieces aren’t just decorative,” she says. “They carry meaning, require real collaboration and ultimately become part of the overall onboard experience.
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