Art Auctions?

[Observer]

I have to add my voice to those not wanting art auctions like the mass market cruise lines conduct.

 

Could we expand this to say we do not want conspicuous upselling of any kind, whether it's art easels in the corridors (with or without actual auctions), fashion shows from the boutique interrupting afternoon tea, art experts cozying up to people in bars and elsewhere and ingratiating themselves, destination shopping consultants who hold seminars and invite people to present his credentials at "preferred" onshore shops so that he can earn a commission, etc. If the revenue from such activities is essential to support the cruise line, I would gladly pay a bit higher fare to be free of these "come ons" and be able to enjoy a true luxury experience.

[Randyk47]

Could we expand this to say we do not want conspicuous upselling of any kind, whether it's art easels in the corridors (with or without actual auctions), fashion shows from the boutique interrupting afternoon tea, art experts cozying up to people in bars and elsewhere and ingratiating themselves, destination shopping consultants who hold seminars and invite people to present his credentials at "preferred" onshore shops so that he can earn a commission, etc. If the revenue from such activities is essential to support the cruise line, I would gladly pay a bit higher fare to be free of these "come ons" and be able to enjoy a true luxury experience.

 

Totally agree. We already pay a higher fare to escape the mass market nickel and diming and to have a more sophisticated cruising experience free from, as you say, conspicuous upsells and come ons.

[MLeh]

Totally agree. We already pay a higher fare to escape the mass market nickel and diming and to have a more sophisticated cruising experience free from, as you say, conspicuous upsells and come ons.

 

 

 

I’m in agreement with this. If SS even starts down this slippery slope I will be looking for a new cruise line.

 

 

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[spinnaker2]

I agree, I don't think most pax want some sales pitch on a cruise.

I also vote for some new and interesting lecturers. I can't abide the same old guys who drone on and on, one in a monotone who considers himself a writer, another who considers himself never to be wrong and yet another who gives the same lectures over and over again. Time for these guys to go elsewhere.

[wripro]

Everyone should just bring a spare towel from their suite and drape them over the artwork. If anyone asks say you have ver sensitive eyes: they react badly to bad art.

[Emtbsam]

Everyone should just bring a spare towel from their suite and drape them over the artwork. If anyone asks say you have ver sensitive eyes: they react badly to bad art.

Great idea!

[RachelG]

Everyone should just bring a spare towel from their suite and drape them over the artwork. If anyone asks say you have ver sensitive eyes: they react badly to bad art.

Excellent!

 

I️ was never happier than when Regent got rid of the “art” auctions.

[CruiseGal999]

I was surprised to read on this thread https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2562222 this by jollyjones -

I hate art auctions on cruise ships. You may say "Then don't go". The trouble is, on other lines (Princess) they are intrusive - you find passageways littered with 'art' (on easels) and they close down venues to hold the auctions.

 

Most of the art I wouldn't hang on my wall if given it for free. I don't want to look at anthropomorphic olives or fairy cottages in dappled sunlight being flogged (at vastly inflated valuations) by a guy who could sell snake oil to used car salesman.

 

I didn't know SS had art auctions. I'm new to SS and thought when I booked my cruise - 'Good... a luxury line that doesn't try to generate on board revenue at every turn.' Are these art auctions something new for SS?

 

I agree with you. I hate them also. In 2012, Alaska cruise, it was cold and raining. So TONS of people were at the art auction for something to do and drink free sparkling wine. The auctioneer began his auction ... no one was buying ... and he then began YELLING at everyone to buy or he was going to shut down the auction!

 

My last cruise, May 2017, I went to the auction for something to do. ALL drinks on that ship were free ... so that didn't matter. I met a woman who was attending and buying TONS of 'art' every day the auctions were held, which were several. I felt SO bad for her husband, it seemed like he just couldn't stop her from buying! And as we all know, it's UGLY and FAKE and WORTHLESS!

[Nitemare]

Please.

 

"Ugly" is in the eye of the beholder. Some of the "ugliest" art in the world is very valuable and highly desirable

"Fake"? What does that even mean? If you like the image and you have space for it on the wall then it's "Real"

"Worthless" means "having no worth", but like just above, if you like it and you have a space for it then by definition, it has worth.

 

I love how some folks like to tell other folks how they should spend their time and money on a vacation!

[Observer]

There was a long article in BUSINESS WEEK last year about Park West Gallery, which I am fairly certain ran the auctions on one luxury line (a line that another poster says has discontinued auctions.) I do not believe that Silversea ever had a relationship with Park West.

 

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2016-12-14/ever-bought-artwork-on-a-cruise-prepare-to-be-seasick

 

To be clear, I do not believe that Silversea has ever held auctions. Instead, it had (and perhaps is doing so again, alas) allowed "consultants" working for some outfit or other to deal one-on-one with guests to encourage sales of art on the ship.

 

The BUSINESS WEEK article is in any case a good read.

[spinnaker2]

I suppose if one considers that the art onboard is getting such a reaction, then it has achieved it's purpose, as it is supposed to be evocative. Good or bad, the art makes you feel something.

It's the selling of it onboard I don't like.

I don't want to trip over easels in the corridor or be confronted by a salesperson.

Art Auction aboard, please please no.

[briar14]

I share your aversion to art auctions, and I was surprised to learn that Silversea maybe introducing them. This has not been a "feature" of the line in the past. Regent had (and may still have) art auctions. They were, as you suggest, very obtrusive. It was one of several reasons I quit selling them.

 

I hope that the OP was mistaken or that this was a one off experience on Whisper. Could a current passenger let us know?

 

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

[MLeh]

Please.

 

"Ugly" is in the eye of the beholder. Some of the "ugliest" art in the world is very valuable and highly desirable

"Fake"? What does that even mean? If you like the image and you have space for it on the wall then it's "Real"

"Worthless" means "having no worth", but like just above, if you like it and you have a space for it then by definition, it has worth.

 

I love how some folks like to tell other folks how they should spend their time and money on a vacation!

 

 

 

Actually if you like art auctions, please feel free to sail on a line that has them. We’re not telling you how to spend your time and money, we’re telling SS how we don’t want to spend ours.

 

 

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[wripro]

Please.

 

"Ugly" is in the eye of the beholder. Some of the "ugliest" art in the world is very valuable and highly desirable

"Fake"? What does that even mean? If you like the image and you have space for it on the wall then it's "Real"

"Worthless" means "having no worth", but like just above, if you like it and you have a space for it then by definition, it has worth.

 

I love how some folks like to tell other folks how they should spend their time and money on a vacation!

 

Fake means fake. We're talking art here, not news. Fake means it's not an original piece as advertised. And finally, fake to me means you are paying far more for theses pieces as you would on land. If none of that means anything to you feel free to overspend. I just don't want to have the stuff staring me in the face every time I walk the ship's corridors.

[Observer]

On my recent cruise on the Muse, there was no art auction nor was there a cobbler. There was, however, a jeweler and his cohort salesman. They didn't sell gold by the inch on tables in the hall. The prices were unbelievablely high. There was a jewelry trivia, and the prize was a 300$ off certificate. I don't think that discount would help much.

And Yes Emtbsam, that art hawker was Michael Judge. Good grief, I hope the "art" auctions are not coming back.

 

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Did this cruise include stops in Brazil/Rio? As I recall, representatives of an established and large jewelry firm with headquarters or at least stores in Brazil have over the years purchased cabins on Silversea ships to house handsome young salesmen to promote their wares. They also offered private limo transfers from the ship to the stores. As I understood it, this was not an enterprise sponsored by Silversea but for various reasons they were unable to stop the subtle salesmanship on this segment of the South American cruises.

[Observer]

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

 

I am fully prepared to be informed that Regent no longer has art auctions. But they have certainly had them since 2003. See for example this 2009 thread:

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=995997&highlight=art+auction&page=4

 

or this 2011 thread:

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1441567&highlight=art+auction

 

or this 2013 thread

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1761615&highlight=art+auction

 

To be clear: I understand that Regent has cancelled or not renewed its contract with Park West and no longer has art auctions. But having been on a couple of Mariner sailings within the past decade I know from personal experience that they did have such activity.

Edited November 11, 2017 by Observer

[Bill B]

To be clear, I do not believe that Silversea has ever held auctions. Instead, it had (and perhaps is doing so again, alas) allowed "consultants" working for some outfit or other to deal one-on-one with guests to encourage sales of art on the ship.

 

 

Jollyjones is very clear in that -

 

"... but apparently they are ordinary art auctions, just like onboard the mainstream lines."

[Observer]

Perhaps jollyjones could clarify what he apparently saw. S/he was on a recent cruise, and it may be sadly the case that Silversea has resorted to art auctions. (Not from Park West, I should hope!!) It's difficult to miss the art on easels that he describes. But it would be good if s/he or others on this recent Whisper cruise would report whether there were actual auctions, where they were held, what the attendance was, and whether Silversea is now "featuring" such events. Do I recall reading that Whisper is on a charter now? Is it possible the "art" was loaded for the charter client?

 

Tell me it's not so...... :)

[Nitemare]

Actually if you like art auctions, please feel free to sail on a line that has them. We’re not telling you how to spend your time and money, we’re telling SS how we don’t want to spend ours.

 

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?

 

Fake means fake. We're talking art here, not news. Fake means it's not an original piece as advertised. And finally, fake to me means you are paying far more for theses pieces as you would on land. If none of that means anything to you feel free to overspend. I just don't want to have the stuff staring me in the face every time I walk the ship's corridors.

 

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.

[Silver Spectre]

Is Bingo on board a bad investment?.

 

 

 

Breaking news - SS prize points revealed as new, hot crypto currency. Invest before they all run out! Tulips coming soon.

 

 

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[jollyjones]

I am on the Whisper now. (disembarking tomorrow)

The subsequent five days may be a charter.

The public corridors are cluttered with large pictures on easels.

There is an Art Group Leader.

There has been at least one art auction advertised in the Chronicles, open to all, I think it was 2pm in the Panorama on a sea day. There have also been art talks, open to all.

There is an article about a different artist each day in the Chronicle, but I have not been aware of any hard sell around the ship.

 

I really can't be bothered to find out any more, I am not interested in what some people may consider art but which I find to be a hideous waste of space. I did not go the auction. I only mentioned the subject because I was surprised to see the easels.

 

However, I have heard whisperings that 'some passengers are having a free cruise because of some art they bought'. I also notice in today's Chronicle that there is, scheduled at 7pm in the Observation lounge, the Dreams Fine Art Group farewell party.

 

So make of that what you will.

 

Maybe there is an art group on board and this is a one off. Or maybe not.

[spinnaker2]

Just looked up dreams fine art on net.

Their facebook page says they are on A VIP connoisseur cruise on the whisper with 1.5 million dollar collection of art.

"Cruise for free and collect the art you love'.

OMG.

 

They also have a photo of the art on easels with an auctioneer.

A picture is worth a thousand words.

 

Does that answer the question of art auctions on Silversea?

[Observer]

Just looked up dreams fine art on net.

Their facebook page says they are on A VIP connoisseur cruise on the whisper with 1.5 million dollar collection of art.

"Cruise for free and collect the art you love'.

OMG.

 

They also have a photo of the art on easels with an auctioneer.

A picture is worth a thousand words.

 

Does that answer the question of art auctions on Silversea?

 

Thanks! This is very helpful and suggests (to me at least) that the eruption of all of the art and the auction activity is a one-off related to the fact that this company booked a number of suites on this cruise, etc. The Facebook post photo is clearly from Whisper. I was struck to see that the company says "Dreams Fine Art has been a leading authority in fine art and wall décor for over 15 years." Is it common for art dealers to describe their businesses as "wall decor"?

The BUSINESS WEEK article to which I gave the link (above) says that Park West Galleries underwrote the cruise fares of steady customers who had made significant purchases on previous cruises. It's like casinos comping high rollers. (There was no suggestion that Silversea was associated with Park West.)

 

I am very sorry that Silversea is going down this road, and I hope that this will really be a one-off or at worst very rare event on Silversea.

Edited November 12, 2017 by Observer

[MLeh]

Sad to see, but business is business.

 

Can someone subscribe to their email list, and warn us about upcoming cruises so we can avoid booking that particular cruise (or at least expect lower fares)?

 

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.

 

 

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[spinnaker2]

Sad to see, but business is business.

 

Can someone subscribe to their email list, and warn us about upcoming cruises so we can avoid booking that particular cruise (or at least expect lower fares)?

 

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.

 

 

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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"?