Art Auctions?

If this is going to become a thing on Silverseas, perhaps they can create an ‘art auction’ icon (a gavel?) on their website, similar to the other ‘enhancements’. I don’t mind art, I just don’t want it cluttering up the hallways or interfering with Tea.

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

I strongly agree. Guests deserve to have notice before booking that a cruise will diverge from what one reasonably expects on Silversea.

Mleh

 

Just go to the

 

Facebook page for the dreams fine art. There's a link on it. Also a photo from the Whisper...who knows maybe you can cruise for free too.

 

The dreams fine art specializes in wall decor too.

 

Is that a euphemism for "art"?

Spins: I don’t want to cruise for free. I want to cruise ‘art auction’ free. ;)

And to respond to your wall decor comment: excuse me while I go off on a slight tangent, as for some reason I have Bare Naked Ladies’ “If I had A Million Dollars” running through my brain. The specific lyric “I’d buy you some art (a Picasso or a Garfunkel)”. (In our house we refer to most art as a ‘Garfunkel’. We have a weird sense of humour.)

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Spins: I don’t want to cruise for free. I want to cruise ‘art auction’ free. ;)

 

And to respond to your wall decor comment: excuse me while I go off on a slight tangent, as for some reason I have Bare Naked Ladies’ “If I had A Million Dollars” running through my brain. The specific lyric “I’d buy you some art (a Picasso or a Garfunkel)”. (In our house we refer to most art as a ‘Garfunkel’. We have a weird sense of humour.)

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

:evilsmile:

We have been using Regent since 2003 and have never experienced an art auction.

They used to have them, particularly annoying on Mariner where the “art” was on display in the hallway by the Coffee connection. Fortunately they were discontinued maybe 4 years ago.

No one is making you go to the art auction. Like no one is making you play bingo, buy jewelry, or go to the casino. You (and I) are free to attend whatever events we want to on the ship. I won't tell you what you should do, you don't tell me what not to do, ok?

 

 

 

Yes, we've bought art on ships. Numbered prints advertised as numbered prints (lithographs). Properly explained, properly priced (we never spent more than $200 on anything, including shipping). Things that took up space on our walls and that we liked. It's art, by definition. It's real, I can see it, so it's not fake. And I checked: I couldn't get the same pieces (or similar ones) by the same artists, in similar frames for the same price on land. Do they also advertise originals? Some times some of the pieces are advertised as originals. And with everything else in life, you have to decide for yourself: Is this worth it? And if you think it's worth it, buy it.

 

 

Are/were there crooks out there in the art auction business? Absolutely. Is Bingo on board a bad investment? Are the casinos a bad investment? Absolutely. So is the jewelry on board. And many of the drink deals are a "bad investment". But everyone does what they want to do, of their own free will. No one forced us to buy those prints, and many years later we are happy with the ones we still have on the wall, and have replaced some with other things we've bought.

 

If you don't want to go on cruiselines that have art auctions, then don't go on cruiselines that have art auctions. But just because you don't like something doesn't mean others don't, or are getting ripped off by it. I don't buy jewelry on board because I think it's ridiculously overpriced, but I don't tell other folks not to buy jewelry on board -- we all make our own decisions.

You argument makes no sense. Bingo and jewelry do not clutter the corridors and assault your senses. They are products one has to seek out. Art in the hallways gets in my way. That is what I object to.

For me, the issue is when venues are taken away from other customers for a organised trip of this nature. It looks as though there were special dinners/receptions, auctions etc as well as the cluttering of space. ]

I recall being very inconvenienced a few years ago in the Mediterranean, by a group of about 40 people travelling with a Californian winery. They took over Terrazza some nights, and Le Champagne for others, as well as closing bars for 'ordinary' passengers, while they did their 'exclusive' wine tastings. The sommeliers were so busy helping with these tastings, they had no time to do any for passengers not in the 'wine group', as is usual on sea days, for example. I felt that, even at dinner, the sommeliers were focusing all their time on the 4 or so big tables that the wine group were always seated at, and not on other passengers. Although the winery team did a session in the Lounge that was billed as a wine tasting, it was purely marketing for their winery, and the wine, in any case, was not that great. I did pass a comment about our disappointement to Head Office, but didn't get a response.

For me, the issue is when venues are taken away from other customers for a organised trip of this nature. It looks as though there were special dinners/receptions, auctions etc as well as the cluttering of space. ]

I agree. I think the issue for me is whether the group is taking away venues/services to which I would otherwise expect to have access.

For example, the theatre is rarely used during the day, except perhaps for a lecture. Assuming it did not conflict with a lecture, I would have zero issue with a group's using the theatre during otherwise idle times. The Bar was generally open at few if any hours before 5 or 6 pm. (Heaven knows there were other places to imbibe.) As far as I am concerned, a group could use that space. It seems to me that they can reserve tables at dinner, etc. There are lots of options. The ones I greatly resent are those that limit my access to the cruise amenities (without prior notice).

BTW: Re. the recent art auction. Why didn't they use the theatre instead of invading Panorama?

I have just come off the Whisper and was discombobulated to see the art auction. The work was not to my taste but I went to one auction to see what happened. For the two lots which I sat through, the opening and closing bid was $11,000 for what were described as original works. They looked like pencil or line drawings. The rather hextpronf style of the auctioneers was not to my taste and I disliked the fact that the Panorama Lounge was out of bounds during these talks and auctions.

It was indeed a group which had come aboard and a number of them seemed to have sailed with Silversea several times before.

I commented on my dislike of the art auction in the midterm comment card and received a response from the hotel director which was specific to my comments.

The group wasn't particularly intrusive but one member was allowed to play and sing on the bar from time to time. Remon and Oliver the bar manager had nothing to fear

Rp

.

I commented on my dislike of the art auction in the midterm comment card and received a response from the hotel director which was specific to my comments.

You are (understandably) guarded in what you say about the HD's response. Presumably he was talking with you one-on-one and did not expect what he said to be reported on the internet.

Nonetheless, can you say anything more? Did the HD make clear that art on easels in the corridors/art auctions was not a new "feature" of SS cruising? That this was a one-off experience. Did he understand your dislike and even suggest that what took place was not precisely what SS had anticipated in selling the suites?

Thanks.

I simply cannot understand why SS is risking its reputation on intrusive money making “events”... I had thought the owners had outgrown this alienating type of promotions. I find it embarrassing...but I am an old timer and definitely not the demographic SS is courting. For the record, 20 + years ago, my feelings would have been exactly the same. I definitely have never sailed to buy “art”. Big mistake to bring this stuff back. How do you say tacky in Italian?

Big mistake to bring this stuff back.

I think -- very much hope!! -- that Silversea is not bringing anything back but instead sold a block of suites on a single cruise to this art dealer with the understanding that the gallery could display the art around the ship, hold an auction and perhaps some other events. It may have gotten out of hand, there may have been misunderstandings, and in any case Silversea must understand that this did not go over well with guests who were paying directly for their fares (not being comped by the gallery). Presumably this will not be a regular feature on future cruises. Let's hope that the contract with the gallery did not involve multiple cruises over the years.

I simply cannot understand why SS is risking its reputation on intrusive money making “events”... I had thought the owners had outgrown this alienating type of promotions. I find it embarrassing...but I am an old timer and definitely not the demographic SS is courting. For the record, 20 + years ago, my feelings would have been exactly the same. I definitely have never sailed to buy “art”. Big mistake to bring this stuff back. How do you say tacky in Italian?

At least its not a hard sell timeshare condo being pushed with salesmen ambushing you as you leave your room and stalking you about the ship. Only just though! :p

Hope I just didnt sow any ideas there!

You argument makes no sense. Bingo and jewelry do not clutter the corridors and assault your senses. They are products one has to seek out. Art in the hallways gets in my way. That is what I object to.

Bingo takes up a lounge/theater just like the Art Auction takes up a lounge/theater.

And having been on all types of cruise lines, from Princess to the fanciest, I have seen tons of art in the corridors and I have yet to trip over any piece, nor had my senses "assaulted". If the art is getting in your way, report it as a hazard.

I simply cannot understand why SS is risking its reputation on intrusive money making “events”... I had thought the owners had outgrown this alienating type of promotions. I find it embarrassing...but I am an old timer and definitely not the demographic SS is courting. For the record, 20 + years ago, my feelings would have been exactly the same. I definitely have never sailed to buy “art”. Big mistake to bring this stuff back. How do you say tacky in Italian?

Pacchiano...

I simply cannot understand why SS is risking its reputation on intrusive money making “events”... I had thought the owners had outgrown this alienating type of promotions. I find it embarrassing...but I am an old timer and definitely not the demographic SS is courting. For the record, 20 + years ago, my feelings would have been exactly the same. I definitely have never sailed to buy “art”. Big mistake to bring this stuff back. How do you say tacky in Italian?

:mad:Totally agree Pashmina! As usual - you nailed it. Tacky is right.

Bingo takes up a lounge/theater just like the Art Auction takes up a lounge/theater.

 

And having been on all types of cruise lines, from Princess to the fanciest, I have seen tons of art in the corridors and I have yet to trip over any piece, nor had my senses "assaulted". If the art is getting in your way, report it as a hazard.

Bingo triva etc is often held in the bar which is otherwise unused during the day. These art events- talks and auctions- were over 2.5 hours in length and generally held in the early afternoon. At this time the Panorama is the only indoor public area where there is a drinks service and many people want inside space without being in their cabins. I did not see the art group impinging otherwise in the dining room apart from taking over the piano in the Bar on 2 occasions. But the artwork dominated the Panorama throughout the voyage.

Rp

Well, one thing's for sure - if SS read these boards, they should be getting a good sense of the strong feelings aroused by this subject!

I wrote my comments in the end of cruise questionnaire too.

I simply cannot understand why SS is risking its reputation on intrusive money making “events”... I had thought the owners had outgrown this alienating type of promotions. I find it embarrassing...but I am an old timer and definitely not the demographic SS is courting. For the record, 20 + years ago, my feelings would have been exactly the same. I definitely have never sailed to buy “art”. Big mistake to bring this stuff back. How do you say tacky in Italian?

Spot on, echoing my sentiments[emoji106]

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Well, one thing's for sure - if SS read these boards, they should be getting a good sense of the strong feelings aroused by this subject!

 

I wrote my comments in the end of cruise questionnaire too.

I doubt it. There was a lot written on these boards about SS arbitrarily adding a daily fee to your onboard account for the owner's wife's charity without permission, You had to specifically go to the purser's desk to have it removed. And still nothing has changed. If there's a spare penny to be made SS will find it. Hence, also, the charge for specialty restaurants.