Get rid of the art and auction

[SkyPiglet]

I find the auctions kind of fun. On our second cruise (out of six), we did purchase a few David Najar prints for a few hundred dollars. They looked nice, and will look good on the wall (they are still in their packaging at our house). I enjoy looking at the art pre-auction and learning a bit (though limited) about the artists. In retrospect, I doubt I would buy art on the ship again.

 

Though it is easy to say we were ripped off by buying the art, and it was overpriced at the time, we do like what we bought, and tend to spend FAR more in the Casino with nothing to show for it each cruise. On the other hand, looking at art galleries and auctions online (not ebay), giclees from the same artist that we bought from goes for more than we paid, so though not an accurate representation of value, there is that.

 

If you want an interesting perspective of the art gallery staff, there is a series of four books by Brian David Bruns: Cruise Confidential, Ship for Brains, The Unsinkable Mr. Brown, and High Seas Drifter. The series chronicles his career working on cruise ships, starting as a waiter on Conquest in the first book, and then working the art auctions on various lines through the rest of the books. It is quite eye opening.

Edited June 3, 2018 by SkyPiglet

[teknoge3k]

If you want an interesting perspective of the art gallery staff, there is a series of four books by Brian David Bruns: Cruise Confidential, Ship for Brains, The Unsinkable Mr. Brown, and High Seas Drifter. The series chronicles his career working on cruise ships, starting as a waiter on Conquest in the first book, and then working the art auctions on various lines through the rest of the books. It is quite eye opening.

 

I've read Cruise Confidential and Ship for Brains. Are the other 2 any good? I enjoyed the first 2.

[spleenstomper]

Oh! I read cruise confidential and didn’t realize he wrote more books, thanks!

 

 

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[repo-cruiser]

Oh! I read cruise confidential and didn’t realize he wrote more books, thanks!

 

 

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"I'm not bald. I shave my head like this for the environment. It reduces the amount of shampoo that winds up in our lakes. And it makes me more aerodynamic. So that when I'm walking around, I'm burning fewer calories. Which means I don't have to eat as much. Which saves the Earth's precious resources. My head's not like this because I'm going bald or something. If I let it grow out it would look like Justin Bieber's hair — like a blonde helmet. And then I'd get lots of babes. But I choose to be bald and alone for the planet."

[SkyPiglet]

I've read Cruise Confidential and Ship for Brains. Are the other 2 any good? I enjoyed the first 2.

 

I thought they were definitely worth reading, but Cruise Confidential was by far the most interesting. The first two feature behind the scenes on Carnival more, and the later two go beyond to other higher-end cruise lines. They also focus more on the story with love interest Bianca, outside of the cruise ships. To be fair, they do not portray "Sundance at Sea" (the made up name for what I am assuming is Park West), in a very positive light.

 

As far as the relevance to this thread is concerned, the books make it clear that the art galleries make the cruise line a lot of revenue with almost no overhead. Since the employees are paid by Park West, the only cost incurred by Carnival would be a small room for a "gallery," some storage, occasional use of a lounge, and some cheap champagne. So if they get a percentage of the sale costs, it is almost all profit. This is even more true now since most of the art is shipped from Park West's land based business in Southfield, Michigan, so storage isn't as big of an issue.

[spleenstomper]

Lol

[Purvis1231]

Park West misleads about their " champagne " just as much as they do about the value of the " art " they sell. The complimentary beverage is sparkling wine. Only wines made with grapes grown in the Champagne Region of France are permitted to be labeled as champagne under international law and the authority of the French government. If Park West can't call the swill they serve sparkling wine this begs the question: what else are they being deceptive about? :confused:

 

The name champagne is protect under the European Union but many wine maker use the term. Most Carnival ship are Panamanian flagged. I doubt they care about the EU rules.

 

Many people drink Korbel California Champagne.

[sanmarcosman]

The name champagne is protect under the European Union but many wine maker use the term. Most Carnival ship are Panamanian flagged. I doubt they care about the EU rules.

 

Many people drink Korbel California Champagne.

 

Yes, EU would be the updated version. If I recall correctly Korbel, and perhaps others were challenged legally on the use of the term champagne. The matter was settled amicably when Korbel agreed to add the word California on the label preceding the word champagne. Thanks for jogging the story loose for me.

Edited June 3, 2018 by sanmarcosman

[naxer]

I guess the waste of paper would be my only complaint. Otherwise, I like watching them set up the pictures and move them around throughout the cruise, and I do enjoy looking at the variety. I never bought any, and never went to an auction. I will go to the auction on my next cruise just for the experience, but I won't buy anything. The art sales seem to keep some of the decor moving and switching--I wonder if it would lose anything not to have it?

[Elaine5715]

I find the auctions kind of fun. On our second cruise (out of six), we did purchase a few David Najar prints for a few hundred dollars. They looked nice, and will look good on the wall (they are still in their packaging at our house). I enjoy looking at the art pre-auction and learning a bit (though limited) about the artists. In retrospect, I doubt I would buy art on the ship again.

 

Though it is easy to say we were ripped off by buying the art, and it was overpriced at the time, we do like what we bought, and tend to spend FAR more in the Casino with nothing to show for it each cruise. On the other hand, looking at art galleries and auctions online (not ebay), giclees from the same artist that we bought from goes for more than we paid, so though not an accurate representation of value, there is that.

 

If you want an interesting perspective of the art gallery staff, there is a series of four books by Brian David Bruns: Cruise Confidential, Ship for Brains, The Unsinkable Mr. Brown, and High Seas Drifter. The series chronicles his career working on cruise ships, starting as a waiter on Conquest in the first book, and then working the art auctions on various lines through the rest of the books. It is quite eye opening.

 

I've read Cruise Confidential and Ship for Brains. Are the other 2 any good? I enjoyed the first 2.

There is another series by Joshua Kinser who was a ship musician and moved into art auctions. He said $60,000 a week was typical in art sales.

[BoDidly]

The art baloney generates so many unnecessary papers to the cabin. It’s ridiculous.

 

The “art” is in ugly and out of style golden frames and Carnival would be better to get rid of that junk and use the space for something better.

 

Who is with me on this?

Perhaps a wine tasting event ?

 

[Doggielover68]

Art is okay, but how about this. They should add a special venue (for additional fee) for a Paint Nite type activity. They have this on Legend I believe. I feel like quite a few people would participate, plus bar sales would add to the revenue. People like to have something they can take home, but it's even better to have the memory of creating something instead of just throwing money around for overpriced artwork

 

 

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[BoDidly]

Art is okay, but how about this. They should add a special venue (for additional fee) for a Paint Nite type activity. They have this on Legend I believe. I feel like quite a few people would participate, plus bar sales would add to the revenue. People like to have something they can take home, but it's even better to have the memory of creating something instead of just throwing money around for overpriced artwork

 

 

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Hi ! I'm a wine drinker did you say Pink Nite ? :o

[Drazil65]

The “art” is so nasty. Lol. Preying on unsuspecting people who don’t know what art is.

 

Not unsuspecting at all, Park West has been around for decades peddling their so called art, 60 minutes (or Dateline or one of them) did a huge piece on them several years ago and what a scam it all is, they are on (or were on at the time of the news piece) several cruise lines. This is well known and if you choose to buy "art" on a cruise ship (any cruise line) without doing some research beforehand, then you get exactly what you get, pretty much nothing! It is like going to the timeshare dinners or free weekends and buying a timeshare then claiming you didn't know it was all a scam to take your money.

Lots of info out there on the web, with all the people that spend so much time looking down at their mobile devices (where information is rampant), you would think we all would be the smartest population in the world. :confused:

[Moviela]

Art is art, and Park West merchandises some of the most collected art in the world. Few can afford original art, however, many artists (and their estates) make a good living from prints (flat art) and castings (sculpture.) Decades ago art prints were often made on stone blocks using a process called lithography. This is seldom used any more, but high resolution ink jet printers can mimic most any color and texture of an original painting.

 

I might argue some of the worlds greatest art adorns the Vatican in Rome. Given a choice between a Raphael from the Vatican Museum and a study of James Dean and Marilyn Monroe in a diner on Sunset, quite a few would hang the latter on their walls.

 

So why the angst for those that might want a Kincade print for $1,200 bucks?

 

Is it a real auction? Not really, nothing truly desirable falls under the hammer. The auction is only to build excitement and educate people who not been exposed to collectible art before.

 

That said you can purchase the same art from reputable dealers for a lot less in many cases.

[dorchrislen]

But...but...there's free champagne.

 

did you get a hard sell for the art after? just wondering if the free champagne is worth having to sit through the pitch.

[in2up2]

 

 

Hate to tell you this about the Agams...but I got one directly from his studio (not website...I live by his studio) that I paid less than $1000 ($900 something). They were going for $3500 at the same time on the ship. I'm not sure of their going rate now.

 

 

 

I kept them because I like them. Not to resell or as an investment. They cost me nothing.

 

 

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[CruiseGal999]

"I'm not bald. I shave my head like this for the environment. It reduces the amount of shampoo that winds up in our lakes. And it makes me more aerodynamic. So that when I'm walking around, I'm burning fewer calories. Which means I don't have to eat as much. Which saves the Earth's precious resources. My head's not like this because I'm going bald or something. If I let it grow out it would look like Justin Bieber's hair — like a blonde helmet. And then I'd get lots of babes. But I choose to be bald and alone for the planet."

 

Awww ... and the planet thanks you. LOL :')

[SkyPiglet]

There is another series by Joshua Kinser who was a ship musician and moved into art auctions. He said $60,000 a week was typical in art sales.

 

Interesting. I wonder what percent the cruise line takes, at any rate, that is definitely going to produce decent revenue for very little overhead cost from the cruise line's side.

[CruiseGal999]

I've read Cruise Confidential and Ship for Brains. Are the other 2 any good? I enjoyed the first 2.

 

Has anyone read these books on an eformat? Specifically, Nook? I saw some of the reviews on one of the books saying it was not readable on eformat. Anyone else have this problem? Thanks.

[richfret]

I hear or read about the art displays and then I go to play Bingo. No problem. You pick what you like. Every body is happy that way.

[Tatka]

I’m ok with arts staying. We won’t buy anything of course, but it’s fun to look at some works, although some of it is too artificial...

 

If somebody isn’t doing their homework about pricing, well it’s his or he problem. Same can be said about jewelry and other stuff sold on the ships.

[drsel]

Art is art, and Park West merchandises some of the most collected art in the world. Few can afford original art, however, many artists (and their estates) make a good living from prints (flat art) and castings (sculpture.) Decades ago art prints were often made on stone blocks using a process called lithography. This is seldom used any more, but high resolution ink jet printers can mimic most any color and texture of an original painting.

 

I might argue some of the worlds greatest art adorns the Vatican in Rome. Given a choice between a Raphael from the Vatican Museum and a study of James Dean and Marilyn Monroe in a diner on Sunset, quite a few would hang the latter on their walls.

 

So why the angst for those that might want a Kincade print for $1,200 bucks?

 

Is it a real auction? Not really, nothing truly desirable falls under the hammer. The auction is only to build excitement and educate people who not been exposed to collectible art before.

 

That said you can purchase the same art from reputable dealers for a lot less in many cases.

Very well written!

[Elaine5715]

Interesting. I wonder what percent the cruise line takes, at any rate, that is definitely going to produce decent revenue for very little overhead cost from the cruise line's side.

In the books by Brian David Bruns (he used to occasionally post here) , he talks about selling art in the 6 digits.

[TEXASMUNK]

The art program is a fee based operation. Sell or don't sell, each cruise line gets their money fee. Many years ago, asked the Captain of the Rhapsody of the Seas who had the easiest job on the ship. He replied, "Those clowns who run the art auctions, they are useless".