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Royal Caribbean brings hammer down on art auctions
If you liked the art auctions on your Royal Caribbean cruises, brace yourself. In a post on his blog, the company's president and CEO, Adam Goldstein, wrote that the contract it had with Park West Art Services to run its auctions on the ships expired and that it isn't going to renew. He adds that other art-related endeavors could be on the chopping block as well: "We are evaluating what if any art-related programming we may offer in the fleet in the future beyond Oasis of the Seas where Art Actually is our provider of art tours and art for purchase onboard."
For now, Royal Caribbean and Park West Art Services are going through a "wind down period" as the art auctioneers wrap up on different ships over the next few months.
Filed under: North America, United States, Cruises
Reader Comments (Page 2 of 2)
Glo May 17th 2010 12:59AM
Princess needs to dump the art auction too. Last cruise the pictures were all over the ship's public lounges. You couldn't sit or walk through the mess everywhere. Everyday they hawked the junk. Years before, I bought a piece. Instead of rolling it up I had to pay $50.00 to have it shipped 200 miles when I didn't receive it I called Princess, they said the building had been hit by the hurricane and paintings were no longer available. I asked to have my credit card charged back and they refused!!!
Going on my 84th cruise in December and hope by then people read what RCCL has done and refuse to buy on Princess cruises
Barb May 17th 2010 1:24AM
Yay! I am so happy to hear that Royal Carrbean dropped Park West! My husband and I were "suckers" on our first cruise and spent 800.00 on absolute crap! We got caught up in the moment and thought we were bidding on actual Paintings not lithgraphs. While its true people spend money on the casinos and bingo they know the deal on those things. Park West made an otherwise wonderful vacation an regrettable experience for us. You can bet from now on we will go on Royal Carribbean cruises from now on! Barb from ohio
dennis May 17th 2010 1:49AM
We cruise as often as possible, and I always visit the art auctions while my wife plays bingo. Like anything else, you simply have to do your homework; know what you are buying; and know when to quit. I have acquired some excellent paintings, and was able to confirm my savings by visiting art studios upon my return. This is a form of entertainment for me just like going to the casino is to you. The only difference is that I will have something at the end of the day.
Steve May 17th 2010 1:53AM
What? You mean my original Galileo isn't real? He didn't paint the Moona Lisa? I won a piece of art and hung it above my mantle. I bought a cel of Daffy Duck. We like the stuff. Aw hell, I would rather they lost the casino than the art auction.
Debbie May 17th 2010 2:05AM
My sister went to one of these auctions on Royal Caribbean. She got caught up in the bidding and "won" several pieces. After awhile, she had second thoughts and went to tell them that the piece she "won" could go to the next lowest bidder. Well, low and behold, they had already charged her card with the amount she bid and she HAD to take what she bid on. And the starting bids were already outrageous. She's not doing that again. Good riddance!!
Foxsnooze May 17th 2010 4:39AM
I worked for, and with, five different charity art auction houses a few years back. One of them did cruise line auctions, and the others concentrated on land-based auctions, mostly at military bases, or for local charities. One of them was an honest auction house, who would never inflate prices, or lie about the art they sold.
The other four were not quite so honest, and one of them was an outright bunch of crooks.
My point is that art auctions, at best, are rarely the ideal places to purchase art. As another poster mentioned, you should never buy auction art as an investment, no matter who the artist is. If you like the artwork, and the price is right, then buy it solely for those reasons, and not with pie-in-the-sky thoughts of making a huge profit on the piece in a few years. That simply isn't going to happen.
I think the cruise line was correct in dropping the art auctions, especially with the problems mentioned about the art they were selling, and the way they handled complaints. The simple truth is that the art sales world, from high-end to low-end, is full of pitfalls for the unwary buyer. And even the most intelligent and informed buyers sometimes get burned in an art sale.
brad May 17th 2010 4:51AM
I am planning / wanting to go on my first cruise in the next year. Just for the size Oasis seems so unreal. Hearing about scams beforehand helps alot so thanks for the comments. I don't think I would be going to the art auctions, but then again if its there, seems may wander in...just like the casinos!
I still go by the motto if its too good to be true, it probably is
Seems there are lots of ways to get to your wallet while at sea. Hhmm.