Log In | Customer Support
Home Book Travel Destinations Hotels Cruises Air Travel Community Search:

Search

Search CruisePage

Book a Cruise
- CruiseServer
- Search Caribbean
- Search Alaska
- Search Europe
- 888.700.TRIP

Book Online
Cruise
Air
Hotel
Car
Cruising Area:

Departure Date:
Cruise Length:

Price Range:

Cruise Line:

Buy Stuff

Reviews
- Ship Reviews
- Dream Cruise
- Ship of the Month
- Reader Reviews
- Submit a Review
- Millennium Cruise

Community
- Photo Gallery
- Join Cruise Club
- Cruise News
- Cruise News Archive
- Cruise Views
- Cruise Jobs
- Special Needs
- Maritime Q & A
- Sea Stories

Industry
- New Ship Guide
- Former Ships
- Port Information
- Inspection Scores
- Shipyards
- Ship Cams
- Ship Tracking
- Freighter Travel
- Man Overboard List
- Potpourri

Shopping
- Shirts & Hats
- Books
- Videos

Contact Us
- Reservations
- Mail
- Feedback
- Suggest-a-Site
- About Us

Reader Sites
- PamM's Site
- Ernst's Site
- Patsy's Site
- Ben's Site
- Carlos' Site
- Chris' Site
- SRead's Site


Cruise Travel - Cruise Talk
Cruise Talk Cruise News

Welcome to Cruise Talk the Internet's most popular discussion forum dedicated to cruising. Stop by Cruise Talk anytime to post a message or find out what your fellow passengers and industry insiders are saying about a particular ship, cruise line or destination.

>>> Reader Reviews
>>> CruisePage.com Photo Gallery
>>> Join Our Cruise Club.

Latest News...Disney Cruise Line announced today that the honorary role of "godparent" for its new ship, the Disney Treasure, will be held by The Walt Disney Company cast, crew, Imagineers and employees around the world. The profound declaration is a heartfelt tribute to the more than 200,000 dreamers and doers who make every Disney entertainment, vacation and at-home experience possible. Disney Cruise Line is proud to celebrate...

Latest News...Carnival Cruise Line is adding to its line-up of 2026/27 deployment with sailings from New York City on Carnival Venezia, and more Long Beach sailings on Carnival Firenze and Carnival Radiance. “Our two Carnival Fun Italian Style ships offer great options from the east and west coasts, conveniently connecting New York and Long Beach to popular destinations, while delivering unique experiences on board...

Latest News...Vacationers are in for more ways to make memories across Royal Caribbean’s latest combination of tropical and Northeast 2026-27 getaways. The lineup of 12 Royal Caribbean ships rounds out a variety of adventures across Florida, Texas, Puerto Rico and the Northeast for every type of family and vacationer to get away any time of year. Crown & Anchor Society loyalty members...

More Cruise News...


Post New Topic  Post A Reply
my profile | register | search | faq | forum home
  next oldest topic   next newest topic
» Cruise Talk   » Cruise Ships   » Art Auctions on cruise ships proved to be a con.

UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!    
Author Topic: Art Auctions on cruise ships proved to be a con.
mike sa
First Class Passenger
Member # 5957

posted 04-24-2010 10:10 AM      Profile for mike sa   Author's Homepage   Email mike sa   Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Park West Gallerys who operate all art auctions on board cruise ships with the exception of Princess and just recently fired by Disney have lost a case actions Fine Arts Register. As a result the judge found that they regularly (90% of the time) made thier own "independent" valuations exceeding the true market values by many and sometimes 10s of thousands of $. That they knowingly sold (if not actually created) fake Dali prints, and Picassos.

Princess have their own auctions in house and there is no suggestion that their operation is in any way dubious.

RCI recently defended using Park West despite the many ongoing court cases, large numbers of complaints etc etc - obviously they made serious commissions from Park West. They are also used on board Cunard, Carnival, Celebrity, HAL, etc etc etc . I heard that even Crystal use them.

Perhaps in light of this court judgement the above cruise lines might reconsider the use of this very dubious company (some would say con merchants) and find someone else of higher moral and business ethics.

Why all Carnival brands could not fall under the Princess programme I don't know.

BTW I do actually enjoy these auctions as a bit of fun unless they are being rammed down your throat every 5 minutes.


Posts: 2272 | From: Durban, South Africa | Registered: Sep 2005  |  IP: Logged
oslo dutch
First Class Passenger
Member # 4669

posted 04-24-2010 01:47 PM      Profile for oslo dutch     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
I've never understood these so called art auctions. Mind you I don't know a lot about art,but that tacky stuff I've seen they auction on cruise ships seem to be very overvalued. It seems to be a huge money spinner.

They seem to take disadvantage of the "stupid people" on board. Over the years I've been reading some really bad reports about Park West. For example people received a different piece of art of less value afterwards. Or they paid far too much for it in the first place.

But as long as it's out of the way and not too much pushed I don't mind. However I can remember years ago visiting a Princess Ship where they had this trash cluttered in corridors all over the ship. I looked really cheap. Don't know if they still do it.


Posts: 349 | From: Oslo | Registered: Apr 2004  |  IP: Logged
desirod7
First Class Passenger
Member # 1626

posted 04-24-2010 03:10 PM      Profile for desirod7     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
My travelmate on my first Queen Mary cruise is an art conservator and found the auction laughable. It is what you see in Walmart or a Vegas shopping mall.

He noted that Dali in his later years was very senile and would sign his name to a 3 dollar bill.

Many of the prints and paintings are done on an assembly line where one person does the background, another the forms, a third; highlights. It is all shlock.

Anyone who parts with their money deserves what they get.

Me; 5 semesters of art history in school as a requirement. I am not an art expert, but know the garbage from the gold.


Posts: 5727 | From: Philadelphia, Pa [home of the SS United States] | Registered: Oct 2000  |  IP: Logged
Jack McCoy
First Class Passenger
Member # 5709

posted 04-25-2010 10:34 PM      Profile for Jack McCoy     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
I've purchased a grand total of one piece of art on a cruise ship. On the ss Norway, 1997, they displayed a print of the ss Norway on the promenade as a way to get people into Checkers for the auction; it worked, I went. After 20 minutes I realized I was sitting in a bar at 3pm in the middle of the Caribbean looking at art I had no interest in. I spoke to a Park West rep and said "I want that print." He said I had to bid. I said give me a price. He finally did, I bought it and it was shipped, framed, to my house. It's in my family room to this day and I'm still happy with my purchase. I've seen one other just like it on E-Bay and it sold for more than what I paid. So I guess I'm a satisfied customer, but I'd never waste my time on a cruise at an auction. For me, there are too many other things to do and no time for that.
Posts: 38 | From: Minnesota | Registered: May 2005  |  IP: Logged
claudio
First Class Passenger
Member # 1214

posted 04-26-2010 12:47 AM      Profile for claudio   Email claudio   Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
i often go to see how many idiots they can cram into a lounge i usually walk in grab as many glasses of free champagne i can carry and walk out and go an sit with my friends and ahve a free drink
Posts: 468 | From: melbourne australia | Registered: Apr 2000  |  IP: Logged
geno-er
First Class Passenger
Member # 4202

posted 04-29-2010 10:33 PM      Profile for geno-er   Email geno-er   Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
quote:
Originally posted by claudio:
i often go to see how many idiots they can cram into a lounge i usually walk in grab as many glasses of free champagne i can carry and walk out and go an sit with my friends and ahve a free drink

Hey are you my long lost brother LOL, i do the same thing!


Posts: 159 | From: Pocono's, Pa. | Registered: Oct 2003  |  IP: Logged
claudio
First Class Passenger
Member # 1214

posted 04-30-2010 11:20 PM      Profile for claudio   Email claudio   Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
geno ar u know what they say
GREAT MINDS THINK ALIKE cheers from australia

Posts: 468 | From: melbourne australia | Registered: Apr 2000  |  IP: Logged

All times are ET (US)  

Post New Topic  Post A Reply Close Topic    Move Topic    Delete Topic next oldest topic   next newest topic
Hop To:

Contact Us | CruisePage

Infopop Corporation
Ultimate Bulletin BoardTM 6.1.0.3

VACATION & CRUISE SPECIALS
Check out these great deals from CruisePage.com

Royal Caribbean - Bahamas Getaway from $129 per person
Description: Experience the beautiful ports of Nassau and Royal Caribbean's private island - CocoCay on a 3-night Weekend Getaway to the Bahamas. Absorb everything island life has to offer as you snorkel with the stingrays, parasail above the serene blue waters and walk the endless white sand beaches. From Miami.
Carnival - 4-Day Bahamas from $229 per person
Description: Enjoy a wonderful 3 Day cruise to the fun-loving playground of Nassau, Bahamas. Discover Nassau, the capital city as well as the cultural, commercial and financial heart of the Bahamas. Meet the Atlantic Southern Stingrays, the guardians of Blackbeard's treasure.
NCL - Bermuda - 7 Day from $499 per person
Description: What a charming little chain of islands. Walk on pink sand beaches. Swim and snorkel in turquoise seas. Take in the historical sights. They're stoically British and very quaint. Or explore the coral reefs. You can get to them by boat or propelled by fins. You pick. Freestyle Cruising doesn't tell you where to go or what to do. Sure, you can plan ahead, or decide once onboard. After all, it's your vacation. There are no deadlines or must do's.
Holland America - Eastern Caribbean from From $599 per person
Description: White sand, black sand, talcum soft or shell strewn, the beaches of the Eastern Caribbean invite you to swim, snorkel or simply relax. For shoppers, there's duty-free St. Thomas, the Straw Market in Nassau, French perfume and Dutch chocolates on St. Maarten. For history buffs, the fascinating fusion of Caribbean, Latin and European cultures. For everyone, a day spent on HAL's award winning private island Half Moon Cay.
Celebrity - 7-Night Western Mediterranean from $549 per person
Description: For centuries people have traveled to Europe to see magnificent ruins, art treasures and natural wonders. And the best way to do so is by cruise ship. Think of it - you pack and unpack only once. No wasted time searching for hotels and negotiating train stations. Instead, you arrive at romantic ports of call relaxed, refreshed and ready to take on the world.
Holland America - Alaska from From $499 per person
Description: Sail between Vancouver and Seward, departing Sundays on the ms Statendam or ms Volendam and enjoy towering mountains, actively calving glaciers and pristine wildlife habitat. Glacier Bay and College Fjord offer two completely different glacier-viewing experiences.

| Home | About Us | Suggest-a-Site | Feedback | Contact Us | Privacy |
This page, and all contents, are © 1995-2021 by Interactive Travel Guides, Inc. and/or its suppliers. All rights reserved.
TravelPage.com is a trademark of Interactive Travel Guides, Inc.
Powered by TravelServer Software