No More Art Auctions?

[yogimax]

I posted on another tread as to the ripoff so called art auctions are. The prints cost very little to produce compared to what you pay for them. Was in the printing bussiness for 40 years and know about this. What you paid for the print and what you can sell it for (if you can sell it at all ) maybe one tenth in price. Agree No more art auctions on vacations a good thing.

 

Your mistake is not knowing that the value of a signed limited edition lithhograph, serigraph, etc., is based on SUPPLY & DEMAND, not production cost.

[Topo Gigio]

They had the auction last month on the Brilliance, but it was very low key. Guess a european doesn't buy "art" as easy.

[negc]

I posted on another tread as to the ripoff so called art auctions are. The prints cost very little to produce compared to what you pay for them. Was in the printing bussiness for 40 years and know about this. What you paid for the print and what you can sell it for (if you can sell it at all ) maybe one tenth in price. Agree No more art auctions on vacations a good thing.

 

By your standard the Mona Lisa should only be worth whatever the canvas, paints and frame cost and a restaurant should only charge what it cost them to assemble the ingredients required for your meal. I doubt that in your 40 years in the printing business, your company only charged their customers an amount equivalent to the expense they incurred in doing the actual printing. That isn't the way things work in the real world and supply and demand will determine what vendors can charge for their merchandise.

[WEELYNCRUZER]

What is the big deal. If you don't like the auctions don't go.If you don't like using a t a don't use one. Mabe cruise critic should have a thread for whiners.

[negc]

What is the big deal. If you don't like the auctions don't go.If you don't like using a t a don't use one. Mabe cruise critic should have a thread for whiners.

 

I would agree with you except that when Parke West was running those art auctions you could hardly ignore them since they were loud, obtrusive and took over large areas of the public space onboard. On Radiance class ships they frequently were held in the Centrum, and the auctioneer and his spiel could be heard on every level of the multi-deck Centrum. It wasn't a matter of deciding not to go, but rather a problem of finding an area of the ship where you could escape from them. :( In addition they frequently tied up the elevators for long periods of time when they were moving the artwork from the Centrum to their storage areas or the reverse.:)

[WEELYNCRUZER]

I understand your frustration. I like bigger ships so you can avoid them. FYI they have a new company and Billy is the auctioneer that trains all of them. The ship keeps 20% of the profit so that helps keep the cost of the cruise down as well as the profit from the drinkers and the money they make from pictures,and thye casinos. I would like to thank everybody that does. It sure helps my bottom line.

[lovetotravel700001]

I posted on another tread as to the ripoff so called art auctions are. The prints cost very little to produce compared to what you pay for them. Was in the printing bussiness for 40 years and know about this. What you paid for the print and what you can sell it for (if you can sell it at all ) maybe one tenth in price. Agree No more art auctions on vacations a good thing.

 

I agree with you on this. Thank heavens they seem to have toned it down and are in a lower part of the ships where we probably won't noticed and be annoyed and embarrassed.

I feel the same way about the seminars and coupon books for shopping in St Thomas. I am an antique and collectible dealer and I can get my hands on plenty of precious metals & diamonds (and art) at estate auctions right here in my town so it is a big joke. Also the casinos and the bars are about the same.

You just gotta let people go on the vacation they want and hopefully they will be happy with it, as you are on yours.:)

[ITMan]

We bought a number of pieces a couple of years ago in a moment of weakness (and I was feeling flush at the time - yea yea!). We bought what we liked and paid a reasonable price - lets be honest - art is worth what your prepared to pay for it - we bought it because we liked it not because it was going to make us rich!!.

 

All are signed limited editions., maybe one day they will be worth something to our heirs!

 

All were shipped to the UK as part of the cost so we didn't have to worry about transport

[lovetocruise75]

yes it's still going on but like others have said it is contracted through a different company.

 

For the most part, it does seem to be less intrusive than in years past which is a good thing. i suspect that most people rank the art auctions just below the tours of the sanitation facilities on their lists of ship highlights for the week.

 

 

lol!!! :d:d

[teajak]

Gotta know what you are buying.

 

And for the ones who don't like the events, it never really seemed as if many participated anyway- nobody is forcing you to go....

When Park West was having them in the atrium,using the elevators and hallways the only way you could get away from them and the noise was to go to your cabin.:eek:

[cruisercrazy69]

When Park West was having them in the atrium,using the elevators and hallways the only way you could get away from them and the noise was to go to your cabin.:eek:

I thought it was Park Worst

[Water709]

DH and I and our two kids, ages 23 and 19 sailed Enchantment of the Seas 5/25/2012 - 5/31/2012. There was indeed an art auction onboard at least twice on this six night sailing. For the first time in 30 years of cruising, I attended two of them with my daughter (19). I studied art history in college and have followed the field of art for the past three decades. I ended up bidding on and winning two numbered prints. Both were framed and will be shipped to me from Florida to my home in PA within 6-8 weeks, and the cost of shipping was disclosed up front before the bidding began. My daughter and I enjoyed the auctions! The art which was displayed for bidding was only what was suggested by the participants in the auction. It was free to sign up and attend the auction. The only complimentary drinks offered to those over 21 were glasses of cheap champagne and those were few and far between. I felt the auctioneer was very informative and there was no pressure to buy. All of the elevators in the centrum were still working during the auction and only one floor of the centrum was partially taken up by the artwork displayed. I hope that RCL continues having the art auctions. For once I was able to afford and bid on something which I loved. No it did not cost thousands and nobody was pressuring me in any way. If you don't want to attend or bid on the art work, then don't go to the activity! There were many other activities taking place up on the sun deck and in other areas of the ship when the art auction was taking place. I really felt the experience enhanced my cruise. Maybe it was a once in a lifetime if RCL is thinking of abandoning this activity, but I think it would be a shame. I really look forward to receiving the art I bid on and won, and it gives me something to look forward to several weeks after my wonderful vacation has ended.

[emeraldcity]

I noticed the absence of the art auctions on the Grandeur in April, but I thought it was due to the fact that this was a Spanish Immersion cruise and that event wasn't necessarily a popular component of the cruise experience. I wouldn't mind the art auctions if they weren't so "in your face". I prefer the smaller ships and I feel the practice of comandeering the most central public space for this activity degrades the cruise experience of those who aren't interested. The Centrum should be a venue for music ... not commerce.

[cruisefrost]

There is a difference between original art and something that comes off a printing press If you don't know this there is one born every min.

[cruisefrost]

Last post to NACG

[negc]

There is a difference between original art and something that comes off a printing press If you don't know this there is one born every min.

 

I don't think there are many who don't recognize the difference but the price of those items off a printing press still depends on whatever the customer is willing to spend and not dictated by the cost of producing that print. It is just one more instance of supply and demand setting the price.:)

[TDubz]

We went to one of the Art Auctions on FOS when Park West were doing them and purchased one, I cant remember the exact price but it was near to £100 and they said that it would be shipped to us in UK. It arrived..........a poster in a tube, we were very disappointed to say the least...........but after doing a search about Art auctions on cruise ships, I now realise that they are not all they seem and many people have been complaining about them.

[MikeKool]

What is the big deal. If you don't like the auctions don't go.If you don't like using a t a don't use one. Mabe cruise critic should have a thread for whiners.

 

I agree!!! Just got off Enchantment and the auctions were done by Royal. Very similar to Park West........and they DID take up the center of the ship and could be heard on many decks. Personally......I like the auctions. Like any other activity......if you don't like it....leave! Whining is whining!

[MikeKool]

DH and I and our two kids, ages 23 and 19 sailed Enchantment of the Seas 5/25/2012 - 5/31/2012. There was indeed an art auction onboard at least twice on this six night sailing. For the first time in 30 years of cruising, I attended two of them with my daughter (19). I studied art history in college and have followed the field of art for the past three decades. I ended up bidding on and winning two numbered prints. Both were framed and will be shipped to me from Florida to my home in PA within 6-8 weeks, and the cost of shipping was disclosed up front before the bidding began. My daughter and I enjoyed the auctions! The art which was displayed for bidding was only what was suggested by the participants in the auction. It was free to sign up and attend the auction. The only complimentary drinks offered to those over 21 were glasses of cheap champagne and those were few and far between. I felt the auctioneer was very informative and there was no pressure to buy. All of the elevators in the centrum were still working during the auction and only one floor of the centrum was partially taken up by the artwork displayed. I hope that RCL continues having the art auctions. For once I was able to afford and bid on something which I loved. No it did not cost thousands and nobody was pressuring me in any way. If you don't want to attend or bid on the art work, then don't go to the activity! There were many other activities taking place up on the sun deck and in other areas of the ship when the art auction was taking place. I really felt the experience enhanced my cruise. Maybe it was a once in a lifetime if RCL is thinking of abandoning this activity, but I think it would be a shame. I really look forward to receiving the art I bid on and won, and it gives me something to look forward to several weeks after my wonderful vacation has ended.

 

Hi Water.....I was at those auctions......which artist you buy if you don't mind me asking?

[Peggy13]

I always liked the art auctions too - it would be a shame to see these go. Funny story years ago on another cruiseline, I was in the room bidding on a painting and somebody in the back was bidding against me. Turned around to see that other person was my husband! We both didn't know we were bidding against each other. Got the painting though! I have a few pictures framed in my house and they always remind me of my cruise!:)

[joe6666]

Your mistake is not knowing that the value of a signed limited edition lithhograph, serigraph, etc., is based on SUPPLY & DEMAND, not production cost.

 

Do the auctions start with zero dollars?

If there is a starting reserve, then the art is not priced by supply and demand.

[alfaeric]

Do the auctions start with zero dollars?

If there is a starting reserve, then the art is not priced by supply and demand.

If that's what you think of when you see colors on a piece of paper or canvas, you are not forced to buy it.

 

Others know that there is a value that is non zero for a piece of print created by the artist back in 1970, who did this form of print intentionally, and limted the numbers, and is considered a master.

 

if you think your kid can make the art, let them, and hang it on your wall.

 

Is it all perfect? No- that's why one needs to pay attention and do some resarch. But is it all about value? No, there's also a significant degree of taste and enjoyment that goes into buying anything, particularly art.

 

One final thing, another reason it's not a no-reserve buy- like oil, art is a demand that has a wide audience. Just because the cruise you are on doesn't buy something- that does not mean that everyone else wont as well.

 

Still- just don't go, and let the very, very few of us who do, enjoy it.

[teajak]

I agree!!! Just got off Enchantment and the auctions were done by Royal. Very similar to Park West........and they DID take up the center of the ship and could be heard on many decks. Personally......I like the auctions. Like any other activity......if you don't like it....leave! Whining is whining!

That would be a good idea if they didn't have them in the heart of the ship. A lot is geared to the centrum and you need to either go there or pass thru. The art auction takes up almost the entire area,blocks off 2 elevators to move the paintings, the upcoming paintings are everywhere, it is a mess.Move it to the theater or a conference room for the people that enjoy this comedy show and don't inconvenience everyone else.