Auction art still dominates the Mariner (yuck)

[Bfson]

There are several class action lawsuits pending against Park West.

 

See e.g.: http://www.fineartadvocacy.com/articles/2009/04/another-class-action-lawsuit-against-park-west-gallery-park-west-at-sea.php

[Travelcat2]

There are several class action lawsuits pending against Park West.

 

See e.g.: http://www.fineartadvocacy.com/articles/2009/04/another-class-action-lawsuit-against-park-west-gallery-park-west-at-sea.php

 

 

I'm sooooooo glad that you brought this up. Just another reason why Regent allowing Park West on their ships is tacky (and, could cause themselves to be included in the lawsuit)!

[wripro]

Maybe we could round up all the kids on the Mariner and make Park West give them art classes. That way we could marginalize both of them.

[MsBatt]

Maybe it's just me, but the last thing I am thinking about when I think about a cruise is purchasing artwork, any artwork, from anyone.

[wripro]

I don't think anybody thinks about it. They're counting on impulse buying like gum and candy and magazines at the checkout counter at the supermarket. They're hoping that you will be relaxed and in a happy mood (that's where the champagne comes in) and let your defenses drop.

[indigosea]

I would also like to comment on the cost of the photographs which I think are really really high. Haven't purchased any for several years now ... and I used to always pick a few good ones up every cruise. Once I even took photos of the photos with my digital camera!

[Travelcat2]

I would also like to comment on the cost of the photographs which I think are really really high. Haven't purchased any for several years now ... and I used to always pick a few good ones up every cruise. Once I even took photos of the photos with my digital camera!

 

Do you mean taking copy of the photographs that the photographer takes? Interesting! Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending upon how you look at it), photographers are no longer on Regent ships).

[Mike2131]

Do you mean taking copy of the photographs that the photographer takes? Interesting! Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending upon how you look at it), photographers are no longer on Regent ships).

Wow, that is great news. Just always thought they were too front and center. On the other hand, it does take away one of my favorite sea day activities - being amused at photos of fellow passengers even less photogenic than me (and that's saying something!).

[cruiseej]

Being on the Mariner now, I just thought I'd pop back into this thread with my observations. Yes, the Park West art is hanging on many -- but not all -- of the stairway landings and public space hallways. I agree it's tacky, but I don't find it offensive or bothersome. I also did not see any art on easels constricting entry to dining rooms as Travelcat described, though. So to me, it would be nice if Regent got rid of the art-for-sale decor, but it's not disruptive or overly annoying.

 

This morning in the observation lounge, I overheard a few passengers talking about going to the art auction this afternoon. "The price isn't really what matters; it's just whether you really like the piece," one man said. Several of them said they planned to go to the auction (cleverly timed for an at sea day with not much else going on). And this was in the morning, and no one had been drinking!;) (Of course, this same group was observing our approach to Hubbard Glacier and making comments about "is that all there is?" and us being "what, about half a mile away?" when we were in fact more than 15 miles away -- so maybe I shouldn't use them as a focus group!;))

 

-- Eric

[FabFam]

"This morning in the observation lounge, I overheard a few passengers talking about going to the art auction this afternoon. "The price isn't really what matters; it's just whether you really like the piece," one man said. Several of them said they planned to go to the auction (cleverly timed for an at sea day with not much else going on). And this was in the morning, and no one had been drinking!;) (Of course, this same group was observing our approach to Hubbard Glacier and making comments about "is that all there is?" and us being "what, about half a mile away?" when we were in fact more than 15 miles away -- so maybe I shouldn't use them as a focus group!;))

 

-- Eric

 

LOL Eric!! Maybe just to mix things up, later you should find the focus group and ask them if they located the ship's (nonexistent) movie theatre since there's nothing better than watching a movie during a cruise in an epic location such as Alaska!

[leese]

Is the fact that art is being peddled on a cruise or the art itself that is tacky?

[Travelcat2]

Is the fact that art is being peddled on a cruise or the art itself that is tacky?

 

For me it was the fact that it is being peddled on a cruise (particularly by Park West). I am glad to hear that they are not lining the pathway to Compass Rose and Prime 7 with "artwork" as they did one night when we were on board.

[DocDesdin]

Unfortunately when this topic comes up, some people feel the need to put down those that do buy the art or attend the auctions. While I agree that it shouldn't be in your face, it is merely another activity which you can choose to attend or ignore at will. There are many activities I choose not to attend, but i do not feel any need to look down at those that do. To each his or her own. I have bought art in the past at a reasonable price, have it on my wall and enjoy it, I hope I have not offended anyone. Incidentally, I saw another in the series of my painting at a local art gallery and it was priced 35% more than I had paid for it.

[Wendy The Wanderer]

Doc, good point. As I've said before, the art has never bothered me, even when it lined the corridor to the grand dining room on Diamond. And yes, there are activities that I don't partake which I could find quite offensive if I thought about it--the casino for instance, or the tacking broadway-style performances in the show lounge. Glad you enjoy your art purchases.

[Travelcat2]

Unfortunately when this topic comes up, some people feel the need to put down those that do buy the art or attend the auctions. While I agree that it shouldn't be in your face, it is merely another activity which you can choose to attend or ignore at will. There are many activities I choose not to attend, but i do not feel any need to look down at those that do. To each his or her own. I have bought art in the past at a reasonable price, have it on my wall and enjoy it, I hope I have not offended anyone. Incidentally, I saw another in the series of my painting at a local art gallery and it was priced 35% more than I had paid for it.

 

I don't feel that anyone is putting down those who buy art or attend auctions on board the ship. My personal objection is to Park West (suggest you Google them sometime). If an art auction was held in a private area, had their pictures on display in a non-obtrusive way and had a store that you could visit and ask questions, there would be no problem.

 

During our 11 day Alaska cruise last year (S.F./Alaska/Vancouver), the Mariner lounge was turned into a art auction showroom twice -- the auction was also held there (not many attended, it could have easily been held in a more remote location). You could not have a drink in the Mariner lounge before dinner one night because of the auction. As many of you know, the Mariner lounge is next to the entrance to Prime 7 and Compass Rose. This is a very busy area between 6 and 7 p.m. Having the artwork lining the pathway up to the restaurants was very "in your face" and disruptive.

 

Just wanted to give a clear picture of what my objections were. A recent poster's comments (which sounded too similiar to our experience last year) prompted me to start this thread. This "problem" does not exist at all on the Voyager and only a bit on the Navigator (there was one auction held in Stars Lounge last February that prevented passengers from using that lounge).

 

P.S. Wendy, hopefully by the time you sail on the Mariner, it will have backed off on the "in your face" artwork and will be more like the other ships.

[Wendy The Wanderer]

P.S. Wendy, hopefully by the time you sail on the Mariner, it will have backed off on the "in your face" artwork and will be more like the other ships.

 

Or Voyager, or any other ship in the line. I've never felt it was "in your face" on Voyager, actually. Although as I've stated, we sometimes get a great chuckle out of the art posted in the corridors.

[linda_22003]

Just got off the Mariner and Yuck on the Park West!!

 

I saw a lot of it on our cruise last week too, but it didn't bother me. I just didn't pay any attention to it. I doubt they sold much on our cruise, from the looks of things.

[Dolebludger]

This art auction "hacking" is inexcusable on ANY cruise line -- especially a lux line. It is nothing at all like the "gift boutiques" which are confined to a specific ship area, and are not really "promoted" except for an occasional half price sale announcement in the Compass. With all that divergent "art" hanging all over the ship's walls, the place must look like Graceland. And being approached by art salespersons in the laundry room? Gross.

 

If I REALY thought that these things were saving me 20% on my fares, I'd re-think the matter. But from what I've seen of trends in fares, it would appear that the 20% is going into corporate pockets.

 

Surprisingly (to me) some RSSC regulars like the idea of having art auctions. But I can't imagine any of them liking the way the art issues are executed on the ships. A lux ship should be decorated well, including art -- and not just a mish-mash of Park West stuff. The art display and auctions should be confined to a specific area. And auction announcements should be confined to tasteful ones in the Compass.

[Longhorn1]

Well, this thread has cracked me up! WriPro, your comments on kids had me laughing out loud (and I am a proud Father!). Funny stuff, and I agree with you! Who wants to spend a bunch of bucks sailing around the world and feel they are back in Cub Scouts? Plenty of other places for that...

 

On Park West...I have seen the art and it is what it is--in the eye of the beholder. All well and good. But let's not think for a moment that this is keeping "fares down". I've owned a business for many years and that ain't the way it goes...where it goes is in your pocket!! Budgets are based on fares and expected occupancy, minus overhead. Art is a bonus..

 

Thanks Wendy for starting this--I loved it. And, for the record, I'd vote with those who'd keep the auctions private, and separate. Let those who want them go have them--I don't need a big focus on it! Just like the casinos. PS: Any time I go to the Obervation Lounge is all cocktails all the time! Don't know if I go there to ponder much except meeting other interesting, fun folks!

[cruisebugbit]

And being approached by art salespersons in the laundry room? Gross.

 

.

 

Actually, she didn't approach me as an art salesperson in the laundry room. No mention whatsoever of artwork. Just a coincidence.... I was ironing a shirt.... she came in to gather her thongs, I mean things.

[Suite Travels]

Actually, she didn't approach me as an art salesperson in the laundry room. No mention whatsoever of artwork. Just a coincidence.... I was ironing a shirt.... she came in to gather her thongs, I mean things.

 

Cruisebugbit, thanks for my morning laugh. Your reply was too funny.

[Wendy The Wanderer]

... I was ironing a shirt.... she came in to gather her thongs, I mean things.

 

Ahh, very good! So I take it that at least the art consultant was a knockout? That makes up for something, at least for the guys!

[wripro]

Maybe the black velvet had collected so much dust she was in the laundry room rinsing it out.

[Dolebludger]

Silversea did away with art auctions years ago due to guest comments on the comment cards requesting they cease. If all RSSC cruisers would do the same, this is probably the best way to do away with these darn things.

[cruisebugbit]

Maybe the black velvet had collected so much dust she was in the laundry room rinsing it out.

They would have been very small paintings from what I saw...