cruising deacon Posted November 23, 2013 #26 Share Posted November 23, 2013 I look forward to the fine art auctions and information. But then again I don't like the swimming pools and dripping wet people who walk over the ship after they use them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thinfool Posted November 23, 2013 #27 Share Posted November 23, 2013 Hi Caroline!Park West is based here and I'll tell you privately later what a good friend who is familiar with them said about them - it wasn't good. I don't get why Princess would do this. :confused: Why? Is it a classified matter subject to sanctions by DHS? Tell us all. They doubtless earned the report. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ssantow Posted November 23, 2013 #28 Share Posted November 23, 2013 I look at it a great way to pass a few hours on a sea day. Free Champagne and a show. Sit at the back and you get to see the "plants".IMHO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwipete Posted November 23, 2013 #29 Share Posted November 23, 2013 I look at it a great way to pass a few hours on a sea day. Free Champagne and a show. Sit at the back and you get to see the "plants".IMHO And a great place to "people watch" with a free drink! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Hlitner Posted November 23, 2013 #30 Share Posted November 23, 2013 (edited) When it comes to the cruise lines, profit seems to trump all! There has been much written about the art auctions (not much of it good) and one could just Google "cruise ship art auction scams" and spend some time reading the many tales. But, as others have said, the art auctions generate a nice profit for the cruise line, and allowing Park West to operate onboard involves little extra cost for the cruise line (they do give some staff support) and guarantees extra income. When we think of cruise line art auctions what comes to mind are the famous words attributed (inaccurately) to P.T. Barnum (There is a sucker born every minute). Hank Edited November 23, 2013 by Hlitner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Holomoku Posted November 24, 2013 #31 Share Posted November 24, 2013 (edited) When it comes to the cruise lines, profit seems to trump all! There has been much written about the art auctions (not much of it good) and one could just Google "cruise ship art auction scams" and spend some time reading the many tales. But, as others have said, the art auctions generate a nice profit for the cruise line, and allowing Park West to operate onboard involves little extra cost for the cruise line (they do give some staff support) and guarantees extra income. When we think of cruise line art auctions what comes to mind are the famous words attributed (inaccurately) to P.T. Barnum (There is a sucker born every minute). Hank Hank, I do take exception to being called a "sucker" for enjoying something and getting a good deal on it. I have looked up some of the items we have purchased online prior to the auction and found the price they go for on board to be quite a bit lower. Then I found one in a port gallery once that was 5 times the price it went for on board and it also was a print. We do enjoy them every time we walk through and see them on the walls. We also have originals from galleries and from artists and purchased an original on our last cruise. The auctions are enjoyable and that is what cruising is all about, so no need to slander those that find a part of a cruise, that you don't, enjoyable. Herb Edited November 24, 2013 by Holomoku Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Hlitner Posted November 24, 2013 #32 Share Posted November 24, 2013 (edited) Herb, Perhaps I owe you an apology.....,or then again perhaps not! You might to do some online research about cruise line art auctions, You can read articles in publications such as the New York Times, US Today, NBC News reports, etc... which will all add to the "slander" you have mentioned. To be really honest, our goal of posting this info is not to hurt those who have made purchases and love their art...but rather to inform potential future customers that caveat emptor certainly applies when it comes to cruise line art auctions. We also sometimes get enjoyment out of attending cruise line art auctions and have a friend who used to run some of these auctions on Princess ships (he is a retired professional athlete who made a very nice living as an auctioneer). On some cruises, with a skilled auctioneer, the auctions can become the best entertainment on the ship. That being said, you will not find us bidding,,,,just watching, enjoying, and sipping the cheap champagne :) By the way, one interesting facet is that some folks think that Princess took their art auctions "in house" in order to avoid some of the problems reported on cruise lines who out sourced their art auctions to other companies (Park West would be one of the largest of these out source companies). And now we hear that Princess is going to outsource their art program to Park West. Go figure. Hank Edited November 24, 2013 by Hlitner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Times Prince Posted November 24, 2013 #33 Share Posted November 24, 2013 Herb, Perhaps I owe you an apology.....,or then again perhaps not! You might to do some online research about cruise line art auctions, You can read articles in publications such as the New York Times, US Today, NBC News reports, etc... which will all add to the "slander" you have mentioned. To be really honest, our goal of posting this info is not to hurt those who have made purchases and love their art...but rather to inform potential future customers that caveat emptor certainly applies when it comes to cruise line art auctions. We also sometimes get enjoyment out of attending cruise line art auctions and have a friend who used to run some of these auctions on Princess ships (he is a retired professional athlete who made a very nice living as an auctioneer). On some cruises, with a skilled auctioneer, the auctions can become the best entertainment on the ship. That being said, you will not find us bidding,,,,just watching, enjoying, and sipping the cheap champagne :) By the way, one interesting facet is that some folks think that Princess took their art auctions "in house" in order to avoid some of the problems reported on cruise lines who out sourced their art auctions to other companies (Park West would be one of the largest of these out source companies). And now we hear that Princess is going to outsource their art program to Park West. Go figure. Hank Invariably the news reporting on questionable (using a kindly adjective) practices can be found to relate to Park West, not Princess Fine Arts, which is what makes a move to outsource to Park West really strange.That is what I tried to note earlier by pointing out the positives of the in-house art auction integrity. Anything is caveat emptor, from t-shirts to jewelry. Princess Fine Arts however has had products with good value compared with reliable dealers. I will be much more skeptical about Park West because of their history. P.S. If your athlete friend played basketball and is named Stu then say Hi from me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LoveThisCruisingThing Posted November 24, 2013 #34 Share Posted November 24, 2013 I look forward to the fine art auctions and information. But then again I don't like the swimming pools and dripping wet people who walk over the ship after they use them. In complete agreement with both points. I have bought several pieces and have had no problems. Never in my life did I think I would own one let alone two Wyland prints. I hate to see Princess change hands and my art buying days will be gone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Hlitner Posted November 24, 2013 #35 Share Posted November 24, 2013 (edited) . P.S. If your athlete friend played basketball and is named Stu then say Hi from me. That would be the man! We actually cruised with him (and his lovely wife) about 18 months ago and they are both doing very well. Hope to see them on a future cruise. He is living a good life thanks, in a large part, to the big profits from the art auctions he ran. Hank Edited November 24, 2013 by Hlitner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sbrown2100 Posted November 24, 2013 #36 Share Posted November 24, 2013 I am going to differ from the majority here. In the past Park West had issues but they seem to have "cleaned up their act." In fact they now have much better value and variety than other cruise ship art auctions. I went to several Park West auctions on the NCL Breakaway this summer. I actually bought a few things (something I had not done in years). In contrast to the Park West art auctions on NCL, I was disappointed at the items for sale at the art auctions on the RCL Allure (which was not Park West) last Christmas. So my humble opinion is that Park West may be an improvement. I think they learned from the lawsuits and bad press. The only thing I was unhappy with relating to my recent Park West purchases were the frames. Next time I will get the art framed on my return. Art Connection in Pompano is great for that Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luv2cruisekc Posted November 24, 2013 #37 Share Posted November 24, 2013 Hank,I do take exception to being called a "sucker" for enjoying something and getting a good deal on it. I have looked up some of the items we have purchased online prior to the auction and found the price they go for on board to be quite a bit lower. Then I found one in a port gallery once that was 5 times the price it went for on board and it also was a print. We do enjoy them every time we walk through and see them on the walls. We also have originals from galleries and from artists and purchased an original on our last cruise. The auctions are enjoyable and that is what cruising is all about, so no need to slander those that find a part of a cruise, that you don't, enjoyable. Herb DITTO! We also have enjoyed and purchased. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
generichandle Posted November 24, 2013 #38 Share Posted November 24, 2013 I must say that while I enjoy the art, I will likely never buy it. How about some more natural art. Wet tee-shirt contest or some such? :p I swear nature is more beautiful than man can imagine. Still, I DO look at it, and think I might miss it if it was gone. Each their own. Doug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iancal Posted November 24, 2013 #39 Share Posted November 24, 2013 Good. Have to wonder if litigation played role in their decision. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caribill Posted November 24, 2013 #40 Share Posted November 24, 2013 Good. Have to wonder if litigation played role in their decision. I suspect some bean counter figured there would be more beans left over if Princess outsourced this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donaldsc Posted November 25, 2013 #41 Share Posted November 25, 2013 Somehow I can't think of the card playing dogs or dancing olives as fine art! But what about the fine champagne you get at the fine art sales? LOL!! DON Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jkadventures Posted November 25, 2013 #42 Share Posted November 25, 2013 We have always enjoyed the art auctions and have purchased many pieces we enjoy everyday. Each one reminds us of a particular cruise and the feeling we had when we bid on it. We have just added to our collection on the Royal and look forward to its arrival. We hope this is just rumor or that it will only effect certain ships. As for our last trip, business at the auctions was booming- a win for the passengers and artist alike! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jkadventures Posted November 25, 2013 #43 Share Posted November 25, 2013 Hank,I do take exception to being called a "sucker" for enjoying something and getting a good deal on it. I have looked up some of the items we have purchased online prior to the auction and found the price they go for on board to be quite a bit lower. Then I found one in a port gallery once that was 5 times the price it went for on board and it also was a print. We do enjoy them every time we walk through and see them on the walls. We also have originals from galleries and from artists and purchased an original on our last cruise. The auctions are enjoyable and that is what cruising is all about, so no need to slander those that find a part of a cruise, that you don't, enjoyable. Herb BRAVO Herb- well said! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MauiLvrs Posted November 25, 2013 #44 Share Posted November 25, 2013 DITTO! We also have enjoyed and purchased. Us too.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanFromFL Posted November 25, 2013 #45 Share Posted November 25, 2013 But what about the fine champagne you get at the fine art sales? LOL!! DON I find the "champagne" particularly effective at separating fools from their money. Probably equally effective at stripping paint from an outhouse. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sonic Posted November 25, 2013 #46 Share Posted November 25, 2013 Have been in touch with a Globel Fine Arts (GFA) on another matter over the weekend, so ask the qustion as to whether there was any truth in this thread and the response was:- 'GFA business has been acquired by Park West Galleries. This new operation will continue to be branded as Princess Fine Arts.' I guess we may not be buying any more art whilst crusing with Princess. We shall make a final judgement on our next cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seamanfs Posted November 25, 2013 #47 Share Posted November 25, 2013 Us too.... We have purchased several pieces which we still love today after 22 cruises! They each remind us of a particular cruise that we really enjoyed! What's wrong with that??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caribill Posted November 25, 2013 #48 Share Posted November 25, 2013 Have been in touch with a Globel Fine Arts (GFA) on another matter over the weekend, so ask the qustion as to whether there was any truth in this thread and the response was:- 'GFA business has been acquired by Park West Galleries. This new operation will continue to be branded as Princess Fine Arts.' Which means Princess sold it to them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrivesLikeMario Posted November 26, 2013 #49 Share Posted November 26, 2013 Somehow I can't think of the card playing dogs or dancing olives as fine art! Best comment of the whole thread! LOL :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sammiedawg Posted November 26, 2013 #50 Share Posted November 26, 2013 (edited) The art auctions can be entertaining depending on the art director. I can think of a couple who were real showmen, infusing the canned material with real life anecdotes about themselves or the artist. They also have to schmooze passengers who may have been invited to sail for free in return for buying a minimum amount of art. We have talked to people who got free cabins but they were required to spend a couple thousand at the auctions. Edited November 26, 2013 by sammiedawg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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