Cruise ship art/Park West experience

[terracool]

I recently went on my fourth cruise, all NCL. On my first cruise, I discovered the art auctions and art lectures. I find them interesting and engaging, although I do have to say that the auctions were not a bed of artwork commerce - few bids, fewer sales. Certainly I was never about to buy anything, between the prices and the rather shady aura around cruise ship art.

 

So this recent cruise was different. The lecturer/auctioneer (Divan) was great. There was more action in the auctions than I'd seen on the other three cruises combined, including purchases well into five digits. I got all caught up in the moment and bought a modest piece for $650. It was a serigraph on wood with artist hand embellishments, framed with LOA.

 

My buyer's remorse started almost immediately. Sure, it all looks good on the ship, but would it look like a diner place-mat once it was in my home, not surrounded by other artworks? Would it serve as a constant reminder of my impulsiveness, naivete and general folly? I fretted for the rest of the cruise - went back to look at it a million times, etc. By the time I got off the ship, I was resigned to just learning a lesson from it. It would be, by far, the most expensive piece of art in my house, but I had zero excitement and anticipation waiting for it to be delivered - more like trepidation.

 

The art arrived last weekend, much sooner than I expected. The first thing I noticed was that the box and packaging were really, really nice - well thought out and easily sturdy enough to seriously protect the contents. When I finally opened the box and removed the piece ...

 

it was beautiful. It was so much more gorgeous in my home than it was on the ship. It was so much more dramatic when not surrounded by hundreds of larger and, sometimes, more colorful pieces. The frame was perfect - heavy, quality, extremely well done. The picture itself was bright and vibrant and bolder than I remembered. It was heavy, extremely well-framed, and beautiful. It looked and felt quality. It looked and felt rich. I was so giddy that I actually got goosebumps looking at it.

 

I don't know a lot about art and certainly not about appraisals and value, but just from casual shopping around small galleries and stores, I know that $650 was reasonable for this. I really don't know if it is $50 or $75 too much or too little, and I honestly couldn't care less. It's ballpark. It's no cheap rip-off, that's for sure. And the price included shipping this heavy, bulky piece from Florida.

 

It may be the most expensive thing hanging on my walls, but it is also the nicest by a long shot. It will hang prominently in my living room where I can see it constantly and where it will look so much more dramatic on its own, separated from all the other artwork on board. Best yet, I smile when I look at it because it is so beautiful and also reminds me of the wonderful wonderful cruise I was on.

 

So my view of cruise ship art has changed completely from the second I opened that box. I will attend future auctions with a whole new point of view and, likely, a view to buy.

 

 

Thanks for listening!

 

.

[kboltwkreations]

We love Park West and cruise ship art auctions. Our first piece was from a Princess cruise in 2014, and we bought 5 pieces on our last NCL cruise in May. I have looked at the online reviews and do not understand why there is so much negativity towards them. We have been very pleased with their customer service and artwork. Glad to hear another positive review in the mix with ALL the bad ones.

[TrinaLC]

I recently went on my fourth cruise, all NCL. On my first cruise, I discovered the art auctions and art lectures. I find them interesting and engaging, although I do have to say that the auctions were not a bed of artwork commerce - few bids, fewer sales. Certainly I was never about to buy anything, between the prices and the rather shady aura around cruise ship art.

 

So this recent cruise was different. The lecturer/auctioneer (Divan) was great. There was more action in the auctions than I'd seen on the other three cruises combined, including purchases well into five digits. I got all caught up in the moment and bought a modest piece for $650. It was a serigraph on wood with artist hand embellishments, framed with LOA.

 

My buyer's remorse started almost immediately. Sure, it all looks good on the ship, but would it look like a diner place-mat once it was in my home, not surrounded by other artworks? Would it serve as a constant reminder of my impulsiveness, naivete and general folly? I fretted for the rest of the cruise - went back to look at it a million times, etc. By the time I got off the ship, I was resigned to just learning a lesson from it. It would be, by far, the most expensive piece of art in my house, but I had zero excitement and anticipation waiting for it to be delivered - more like trepidation.

 

The art arrived last weekend, much sooner than I expected. The first thing I noticed was that the box and packaging were really, really nice - well thought out and easily sturdy enough to seriously protect the contents. When I finally opened the box and removed the piece ...

 

it was beautiful. It was so much more gorgeous in my home than it was on the ship. It was so much more dramatic when not surrounded by hundreds of larger and, sometimes, more colorful pieces. The frame was perfect - heavy, quality, extremely well done. The picture itself was bright and vibrant and bolder than I remembered. It was heavy, extremely well-framed, and beautiful. It looked and felt quality. It looked and felt rich. I was so giddy that I actually got goosebumps looking at it.

 

I don't know a lot about art and certainly not about appraisals and value, but just from casual shopping around small galleries and stores, I know that $650 was reasonable for this. I really don't know if it is $50 or $75 too much or too little, and I honestly couldn't care less. It's ballpark. It's no cheap rip-off, that's for sure. And the price included shipping this heavy, bulky piece from Florida.

 

It may be the most expensive thing hanging on my walls, but it is also the nicest by a long shot. It will hang prominently in my living room where I can see it constantly and where it will look so much more dramatic on its own, separated from all the other artwork on board. Best yet, I smile when I look at it because it is so beautiful and also reminds me of the wonderful wonderful cruise I was on.

 

So my view of cruise ship art has changed completely from the second I opened that box. I will attend future auctions with a whole new point of view and, likely, a view to buy.

 

 

Thanks for listening!

 

.

 

Can you link to a picture of it?!

[blackwing]

I am glad you enjoyed your experience and your purchase. We have only bought art from them once, and it was back when they used to have these "slightly dented and scratched" closeout sales on the last night of the cruise.

 

I have mixed feelings about the art auctions. I enjoy seeing the pieces, but honestly, I'm there only to look and to get the free small lithograph they give away at the end. I find the auctioneers to be very pushy, especially the assistants that walk around and whisper things to you like "come on, it's only $2,000, that's a steal!" I find it amusing when the auctioneer talks about how lucky we are to be viewing an "original Rembrandt" and that it is a bargain at $25,000. If by "original", he means printed from a copy of a copy of copy of a plate that Rembrandt etched hundreds of years ago, well, then... yeah. Some people at those auctions seem to be made of money. Unfortunately I am not one of them!

 

Also, I don't feel the pricing is comparable to on land. If there is a particular artist of theirs (and they seem to mostly auction art that is only produced by their stable of captive artists), then do some research online and on eBay to see what is a fair price. You can usually get the pieces you want for far less on land.

 

In sum, as long as you go into it and look at it as part of the cruise experience, and as long as you truly love what you buy from them, then no problems. I still look at the piece we bought from them that has been a fixture in our family room, and I fondly remember that cruise. Just don't go into these auctions expecting to get a "steal" or a great bargain.

[terracool]

I am glad you enjoyed your experience and your purchase. We have only bought art from them once, and it was back when they used to have these "slightly dented and scratched" closeout sales on the last night of the cruise.

 

I have mixed feelings about the art auctions. I enjoy seeing the pieces, but honestly, I'm there only to look and to get the free small lithograph they give away at the end. I find the auctioneers to be very pushy, especially the assistants that walk around and whisper things to you like "come on, it's only $2,000, that's a steal!" I find it amusing when the auctioneer talks about how lucky we are to be viewing an "original Rembrandt" and that it is a bargain at $25,000. If by "original", he means printed from a copy of a copy of copy of a plate that Rembrandt etched hundreds of years ago, well, then... yeah. Some people at those auctions seem to be made of money. Unfortunately I am not one of them!

 

Also, I don't feel the pricing is comparable to on land. If there is a particular artist of theirs (and they seem to mostly auction art that is only produced by their stable of captive artists), then do some research online and on eBay to see what is a fair price. You can usually get the pieces you want for far less on land.

 

In sum, as long as you go into it and look at it as part of the cruise experience, and as long as you truly love what you buy from them, then no problems. I still look at the piece we bought from them that has been a fixture in our family room, and I fondly remember that cruise. Just don't go into these auctions expecting to get a "steal" or a great bargain.

 

I completely agree with some of this - I don't think that a cruise auction is the place for a "steal". And while I found the auctioneer pleasant, I thought the assistants going through the crowd trying to urge people to buy was intrusive. I'm sure they are directed to do that.

 

As to land-price comparisons, I don't look at it that way - at least not for a given artist. As you say, some of these artists are pretty clearly connected to Park West and, therefore, pricing on ebay or elsewhere can be difficult or impossible to find. I actually checked for several of the artists that I liked in the days before I bought this piece. I don't think the value is in the artist or exact work, necessarily.

 

However, I do think that the value of the art itself is about right for the price. I'm not sure I could get it for "far less" on land because I'm not entirely sure I could even find it on land. Maybe a print? But for the size, it being on wood, the 3D/depth from the artist's hand additions, the really nice frame and framing/matting, I don't think I could get something comparable to this for a lot less on land. Maybe a little less? Maybe. Probably. But not so much that it would have me feeling foolish. I'm fairly confident of that.

 

Plus I loved that it just showed up at my door. I didn't really have to shop or go to galleries or arrange framing, just sat and drank champagne and enjoyed the cruise and waited - albeit with trepidation - for it to arrive. The next one, I'll be waiting with endless excitement.

Edited June 13, 2016 by terracool

[CPD050]

I really enjoy the art auctions on cruises by park west. I have even made a couple purchases and haven't had any remorse. First, attendees must keep in mind park west is a company which makes $$. With that in mind, anyone who buys a $10,000 piece of art without doing research first is either quite wealthy or really trusting. Some people have lost a lot of money while others have purchased some very fine pieces at a reasonable price.. Buyer beware.. I have no complaints with my experiences. I really loved the pieces I purchased and after several talks with the auctioneer was able to get a good price. The item was shipped on time, securely packaged and delivered by fedex. You can't get better framing. Just buyer beware and don't get caught up in the hoopla sometimes created in the "auction" environment.

[Laszlo]

A lot more bad than good. If you like something and spent within your budget thats great. Most of it is a joke and a rip off......reproductions for original art price

 

 

http://www.yelp.com/biz/park-west-gallery-southfield

[Sonora5]

Fortunately I am married to a very knowledgeable artist and thus have been made personally aware of the junk Park West tries to sell. I just checked out their reviews on YELP and there is a very disturbing trend of artworks paid for and not arriving.

 

We go to our local antique auctions where REAL ORIGINAL art is often available extremely cheap. We often by things just for the frames, for $10 or $20. Park West is a hustle on the order of resort time shares-you may get something you like, you may not, but you will almost certainly pay an excessive price for it.

 

That said, if you like what you bought, continue to enjoy it. I don't understand casinos either.

[Laszlo]

"The art auctions were the highlight of my recent Alaska cruise experience"

 

This from a Yelp reviewer, I almost peed myself when I read it

 

 

 

 

.

Edited June 13, 2016 by Laszlo

[April42749]

My attitude towards the art: If something is in your budget and you like it...buy it. That's my attitude towards the jewelry too. They're souvenirs of your trip...lasting memories.

[casofilia]

Has any other non-American won a raffle with this lot? We did and were astonished at the cost of winning the raffle. The prize was NOT available on the boat. The prize was NOT available to pick up in Miami where the cruise ended. The cost to having it sent to NZ was, I think, USD75!!! We could have had it sent to a daughter in Canada, USD55 I think.

 

To me, you enter a raffle and pick up the prize you have won, preferably on the spot; you certainly don't pay the earth to have it delivered.

 

I complained loud and often to both NCL and the auction people and I will give them their due the did send it to me at no cost. But, the hassles!!

 

Mike

[blackwing]

Has any other non-American won a raffle with this lot? We did and were astonished at the cost of winning the raffle. The prize was NOT available on the boat. The prize was NOT available to pick up in Miami where the cruise ended. The cost to having it sent to NZ was, I think, USD75!!! We could have had it sent to a daughter in Canada, USD55 I think.

 

To me, you enter a raffle and pick up the prize you have won, preferably on the spot; you certainly don't pay the earth to have it delivered.

 

I complained loud and often to both NCL and the auction people and I will give them their due the did send it to me at no cost. But, the hassles!!

 

Mike

Kudos on getting them to waive the shipping. But I think it's perfectly reasonable, considering it didn't cost you anything to enter the raffle. You show up and they give you raffle tickets. There is a choice of artworks and they aren't going to have them right there for you, they are shipped from the warehouse. I think it is reasonable for them to charge a shipping fee. I think the fee is a little high, but that'd be my beef with the shipping fee being high, and not with the existence of a fee itself.

 

You could certainly decline to claim the raffle prize. I saw a number of people declining when they realised there was a shipping fee. Park West is a business, of course they will try and make money. They also try to get you to have them frame it, because that's more profit for them. You can easily decline the framing.

[coolbolts]

If you don't mind paying a 50% premium enjoy. Take a moment and see what those same prices are selling for in eBay

[NHL Philly Fan]

First off the colorings that are sold by park west are no more art than what most parents have stuck to the door of their refrigerators with magnets. Calling that stuff art does a great disservice to real art and real artists. Most of it is merely mass produced copies of 'art' created on end ink jet printers (albeit some high end inkjets). Take any thing you purchase at Park West into any real art dealer and you will most likely be laughed out of the shop. Most of it is "worth" about 10% of what they sell it for tops.

 

Having said that, if you like it and you are willing to pay the prices being asked then by all means go for it. Just know that you can get "real" art for similar prices and be ripped off.

[ssaito1]

I have had nothing but positive experiences with Park West Gallery on all of my NCL cruises on the Epic, Pearl, and Jewel. Most of the main auctioneers I don't particularly care for (except for Fabrizio who was on the Jewel in Jan, great man), but the associates are pleasant and very helpful. If you also spend a lot with PWG, they'll invite you to their VIP events in which they'll pay for your hotel and/or cruise. We just got back from the Ritz Half Moon Bay VIP event!

 

Now, is the art a steal? Almost always the answer is no. However, like the auctioneers always say, if you love the art and it speaks to you, the price is irrelevant (in most circumstances). I've actually found a similar unique work on eBay to one that I just bought and I got it for almost 40% lower on the ship than what the eBay asking price was. Also, buying art online without any guarantee is not worth the risk no matter how much cheaper it may be. Personally I'd rather buy a unique piece of art than blow a few grand in a ship casino. I find it hard to believe that people are shocked by the terms and conditions of shipping items, customs fees, etc. Every single team I've been with goes into great detail as to what comes framed or not, cost of shipping, etc. As OP has mentioned with the raffle, if you don't want to pay for shipping on a free item, you can always decline it!

 

As someone who lives in Hawaii, the complimentary framing and sometimes discounted shipping (due to our large orders) that PWG provides is GREATLY appreciated. The shipping alone on items to Hawaii could cost as much as $350+ with some of the pieces I've gotten. And they're not lying when they say the framing can cost $700+ on land. I've priced it out and it's costly. So for me, it's a great value. Even if I think the price of the art was a little high, the framing and shipping make up for the price I paid.

 

Bottom line is that as long as you've found a piece you love, and don't feel ripped off about the price you paid, then all is well. I know PWG has mixed reviews, but in my numerous experiences, I've had very pleasant encounters with the staff! Do your homework, talk with the staff, and have fun!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

[tempus137]

I bought a lithograph while I was on the POA last December. One way of looking at it, it has quadrupled in value already.

 

How, you may ask?

 

I bid $70 for the print. They then added a $35 appraisal fee on top of the $35 shipping charge. So no we're up to $140. Naturally, the piece is shipped from the warehouse unframed. So now it's a trip to the local framing shop. Another $140 for framing (and that was in a fairly inexpensive frame.)

 

So my $70 litho is now worth (or cost me) $280.

[blackwing]

First off the colorings that are sold by park west are no more art than what most parents have stuck to the door of their refrigerators with magnets. Calling that stuff art does a great disservice to real art and real artists. Most of it is merely mass produced copies of 'art' created on end ink jet printers (albeit some high end inkjets). Take any thing you purchase at Park West into any real art dealer and you will most likely be laughed out of the shop. Most of it is "worth" about 10% of what they sell it for tops.

 

Having said that, if you like it and you are willing to pay the prices being asked then by all means go for it. Just know that you can get "real" art for similar prices and be ripped off.

I'm not the biggest fan of Park West, but I have to disagree with the assertion that the items they sell are not "art". They make no secret of whether the particular piece up for auction is an original oil painting, a lithograph with additional hand embellishment oils, or a lithograph. If people are truly sitting there and thinking they can get an original oil painting by an established or semi-well known artist for $200, well, that's not the fault of Park West. It's important for people to educate themselves about exactly what it is they are buying.

 

But like you said... as long as people are happy with what they buy, it's their money, and more power to them. On my recent cruise, as we were leaving one auction, I heard a lady call up someone on the phone (probably her husband) and excitedly exclaim that she "just bought this beautiful original Thomas Kinkade oil painting and it was so cheap!" It was a lithograph, but I didn't bother to correct her.

[baflagg]

We purchased two pieces of art work on the Breakaway back in April and I immediately had buyers remorse as soon as we got back to the room. However this was the first time we saw anything that we truly loved. The items are supposed to be delivered at the end of August so hopefully we'll love them just as much when they are received.

[Laszlo]

I'm not the biggest fan of Park West, but I have to disagree with the assertion that the items they sell are not "art". They make no secret of whether the particular piece up for auction is an original oil painting, a lithograph with additional hand embellishment oils, or a lithograph. If people are truly sitting there and thinking they can get an original oil painting by an established or semi-well known artist for $200, well, that's not the fault of Park West. It's important for people to educate themselves about exactly what it is they are buying.

 

Sorry but that BS. I'm an artist, fine art and commercial print. When I'm on a cruise and if I have the time I will pop into auction or just stop by when someone is their. I've seen and heard it over and over one of their experts telling someone they are buying an original oil or water color. I know very well what they are selling is a reproduction from a digital printer

 

If people are truly sitting there thinking they can get an original oil painting by an established or semi-well known artist for $200 its IS Park West fault

[Barb Nahoumi]

Once in a while I attend the Art auctions by Park West. All that I do is sit, watch and listen

 

To date I haven't spent a penny.

[blackwing]

Sorry but that BS. I'm an artist, fine art and commercial print. When I'm on a cruise and if I have the time I will pop into auction or just stop by when someone is their. I've seen and heard it over and over one of their experts telling someone they are buying an original oil or water color. I know very well what they are selling is a reproduction from a digital printer

 

If people are truly sitting there thinking they can get an original oil painting by an established or semi-well known artist for $200 its IS Park West fault

I'm not an artist, but I understand the difference between an original oil painting and a lithograph. To me, a lithograph IS art. It's not an original painting or worth lots of money, but it's still art to me. You're an artist, so you would have a negative view of lithographs, but to many, they are an affordable way to collect art.

 

In the particular instance I cited, I'm fairly certain the auctioneer said "this is a lithograph by the well known Thomas Kinkade, the Painter of Light". Price was maybe $250 (I think). He said something like "if this was an original oil painting, it'd be selling for tens of thousands, so this lithograph is a bargain at $250 and a great way to collect Thomas Kinkade."

 

It didn't stop the lady from telling her husband that she bought an original oil painting by Thomas Kinkade. People hear what they want to hear.

[casofilia]

Once in a while I attend the Art auctions by Park West. All that I do is sit, watch and listen To date I haven't spent a penny.

 

And like most of us drink the free "champagne". Being an ex-farmer who attended real auctions I also have to smile at the actions of the auctioneer and assistants.

[khaide612]

I go for the free champagne & the door picture. I have all of the take away pictures hanging in my cube at work for color - my mom and friends even started bringing them home for me. I also take a lap around and look for any of the "carry off" pictures. I once got a really pretty original painting by an unknown artist in a gorgeous frame for $50 to carry off. The frame would have cost me at least 5x that at home. Sometimes before a cruise I will go on PW's website to see who they are peddling so I can research prices before I go - then I laugh at the auction when they try to sell them for 3-5x the land prices. ;)

[Duff Man]

So, a person spends a few bucks at the auction on a piece they likey (and love in OP's case), and they are "getting ripped off." Pax routinely spend outrageous prices on marked up alcoholic drinks (we're guilty), and they are "having a good time." :rolleyes: If I should do both, then I am just enjoying myself. :)

 

Glad to hear you are enjoying your art!

[NHL Philly Fan]

I'm not the biggest fan of Park West, but I have to disagree with the assertion that the items they sell are not "art". They make no secret of whether the particular piece up for auction is an original oil painting, a lithograph with additional hand embellishment oils, or a lithograph. If people are truly sitting there and thinking they can get an original oil painting by an established or semi-well known artist for $200, well, that's not the fault of Park West. It's important for people to educate themselves about exactly what it is they are buying.

 

But like you said... as long as people are happy with what they buy, it's their money, and more power to them. On my recent cruise, as we were leaving one auction, I heard a lady call up someone on the phone (probably her husband) and excitedly exclaim that she "just bought this beautiful original Thomas Kinkade oil painting and it was so cheap!" It was a lithograph, but I didn't bother to correct her.

 

 

You failed to read what I posted. The vast majority of the junk sold by PWG is not art, it is not original anything. It is merely high end (at best) ink jet printer copies of art (gilcee). They are printed off at a cost of pennies a piece and peddled as art. True original oils, water colors, lithos or any other medium are one thing. Knock of dime store copies peddled as "original" are quite another. PWG is (at the very best) slightly dishonest with the description of what they peddle.

 

You are indeed right that it is important for people to be educated. This is why many people provide truthful input on threads about PWG such as this one.