Art Auctions

[Zark427]

Hoping someone who has been to a Park West auction recently or is just familiar with the artist they feature on board can fill me in on who they are currently featuring... Specifically looking for Kre8 and Willardson. But any info on who they have... I am aware of the general line up, but looking to see who is relatively new to their line up. (Although I know Willardson has been around for a while).

 

Thank you - Happy Cruising!

[birdofsong]

I'm not an art expert, but I live very close to Park West headquarters, and my personal opinion, based on their history, is to purchase from somewhere else, if possible.

 

[George C]

We bought a couple of paintings a few decades ago and was happy with our selections . 

[captainannoyed!]

I bought a few pieces on my first cruise.  Yes, they were overpriced.  But I didn’t spend money on big ticket items, and I do still love what I bought.  If you want something specific, I wouldn’t be looking at Park West or any other cruise based art purchases.  Park West has had controversy in the past.  You can Google that and decide for yourself what you think.  I’d still be okay to buy a piece I liked at the minimum, provided they were not expensive (under $500).  But if I wanted specific art, I’d definitely look elsewhere.  Park West is more of an impulse purchase than true art collecting.

[Cruise a holic]

They seem to sell mostly posters (prints) of artwork.  Some with brush strokes of added paint.   If you are a serious collector, buy from a trustworthy gallery at home.  If just a souvenir of the trip and not expensive- enjoy.  We have purchased original Fazzino art work which we checked with dealer on land  via IM, before we made the purchase to verify authenticity.

 

[Mum2Mercury]

I usually go to the first art auction on each cruise.  I enjoy looking at the pictures and hearing about the artists, but I consider it a show -- not an opportunity to really buy.  In fact, I sit on my bidding number.  I do take pictures and write down artist's names; I came home and bought a puzzle-version of one painting I'd liked.  They must be making money, or they couldn't stay on the ship.

I read the details on the back of the bidding number everyone gets: 

- You don't buy the actual painting that you see onboard; rather, they send an identical copy to your house later.  I've read online their delivery is lacking. 

- You can choose to have your painting framed (for additional cost).  

- Service and delivery costs are added onto what you pay in the auction.

- These guys even push you to get a Park West credit card!  

[Mum2Mercury]

2 hours ago, Cruise a holic said:

 ... buy from a trustworthy gallery at home ... we checked with dealer on land  via IM, before we made the purchase to verify authenticity.

 

And I feel the same way about jewelry and watches purchased on cruises.  

[Cruise a holic]

True now that many ships sell effy jewelry in macy’s cheaper or the same price especially during a sale.  Watches also are genuine on ships. Some inexpensive models some designer and authentic 
 

However the “art” sold may be posters and prints. 

Edited Monday at 03:40 PM by Cruise a holic

[yogimax]

2 hours ago, Mum2Mercury said:

- These guys even push you to get a Park West credit card!  

Royal Caribbean would never do something like that, right?

[Not Revealed]

I've found the secret to buying Park West art for pennies on the dollar.  Old people enjoy cruises; many old people have money to burn; and, sadly, many old people are vulnerable to scams. The result of these facts means you can find Park West art that sold for thousands of dollars on a cruise ship if you go to estate sales where this "art" regularly sells for tens of dollars.

[joepeka]

On one of our earliest cruises years ago, we attended one of these auctions and somehow won a free print of one of the items. We liked it and wanted it (it was free... right?) but the cost for them to package and ship to us in AZ was horrible and we had to have it framed ourselves at home (it came from Park West in a mailing tube). Overall, the cost of the shipping and framing was a lot more than the value of the print and as such, we've never attended another "art auction" on any of our subsequent cruises. Lesson learned.

[TeeRick]

12 hours ago, Not Revealed said:

I've found the secret to buying Park West art for pennies on the dollar.  Old people enjoy cruises; many old people have money to burn; and, sadly, many old people are vulnerable to scams. The result of these facts means you can find Park West art that sold for thousands of dollars on a cruise ship if you go to estate sales where this "art" regularly sells for tens of dollars.

Old people.  Really?

[TeeRick]

We avoid the Park West auctions and areas, but acknowledge that others enjoy them.  Really my only issue with them is the annoying, almost daily, paper trail they send to our cabins promoting them.  Save some trees!

[bouhunter]

On 7/1/2024 at 9:27 AM, Mum2Mercury said:

And I feel the same way about jewelry and watches purchased on cruises.  

"Paintings" on a ship are entirely subjective and unknown.  Brand name watches or quality jewelry are nothing like that.  Apples and oranges, your comparison is pointless.

[graphicguy]

15 hours ago, joepeka said:

On one of our earliest cruises years ago, we attended one of these auctions and somehow won a free print of one of the items. We liked it and wanted it (it was free... right?) but the cost for them to package and ship to us in AZ was horrible and we had to have it framed ourselves at home (it came from Park West in a mailing tube). Overall, the cost of the shipping and framing was a lot more than the value of the print and as such, we've never attended another "art auction" on any of our subsequent cruises. Lesson learned.

Interesting you say that.  

 

This was before the shutdown,  but one couple on one of the cruises with Park West won an art piece that was sizable.  The couple balked at the crazy charges they wanted to ship it to their home after the cruise,

 

Couple stated they'd have it shipped at one of the ports we were going to (thinking Bahamas?...).  

 

Anyway, the "auctioneer" handed them their "winnings"...no tube, no frame...nothing!  The couple had it framed, insured and shipped for a ¼ of what Park West wanted to charge them just to ship it in a tube.

[Crism]

Biggest scam onboard Royal!

[alfaeric]

5 hours ago, Crism said:

Biggest scam onboard Royal!

lol. The casino rakes in a LOT more money than the art auction. Gambling is a far bigger scam. Unless you know of a “Vegas” built on art auctions out there. 

[alfaeric]

6 hours ago, bouhunter said:

"Paintings" on a ship are entirely subjective and unknown.  Brand name watches or quality jewelry are nothing like that.  Apples and oranges, your comparison is pointless.

So there is a subjective difference between a $500 Hamilton vs a $50,000 Hublot?  They both tell time, the only actual difference is perception.  

[joepeka]

30 minutes ago, alfaeric said:

lol. The casino rakes in a LOT more money than the art auction. Gambling is a far bigger scam. Unless you know of a “Vegas” built on art auctions out there. 

I'm thinking the distinction is that you know casino gaming is definitely tilted in favor of the house and you enter and play with that knowledge. Whereas with art auctions, people want to see them as more high class and ethical - after all, you are dealing in "art" and not the vagaries of casino games. That's my hypothesis at least. 😉

[alfaeric]

1 minute ago, joepeka said:

I'm thinking the distinction is that you know casino gaming is definitely tilted in favor of the house and you enter and play with that knowledge. Whereas with art auctions, people want to see them as more high class and ethical - after all, you are dealing in "art" and not the vagaries of casino games. That's my hypothesis at least. 😉

Do people?  The fact that there has to be gambling addiction info for every gambling ad tells me otherwise. 
 

it’s funny how giving a company loads and loads of money is better than giving some money and getting something for it. 
 

Let alone there a diamonds international at every single port. Far more than art galleries on ships. They are not there by accident or to provide value. 

[joepeka]

1 minute ago, alfaeric said:

Do people?  The fact that there has to be gambling addiction info for every gambling ad tells me otherwise. 
 

it’s funny how giving a company loads and loads of money is better than giving some money and getting something for it. 
 

Let alone there a diamonds international at every single port. Far more than art galleries on ships. They are not there by accident or to provide value. 

Let's just agree that there are dollars to be made in both situations and people's expectations of them - casino, art auction, jewelry stores, etc. - vary according to their perception. 

[alfaeric]

59 minutes ago, joepeka said:

Let's just agree that there are dollars to be made in both situations and people's expectations of them - casino, art auction, jewelry stores, etc. - vary according to their perception. 

I agree to that, but this group calls one out as the worst scam when others take in a lot more money. On people who think they have an actual chance to win big or that they think they know better about. One isn’t worse than the others. 

[joepeka]

32 minutes ago, alfaeric said:

I agree to that, but this group calls one out as the worst scam when others take in a lot more money. On people who think they have an actual chance to win big or that they think they know better about. One isn’t worse than the others. 

Bingo!

[Mum2Mercury]

On 7/3/2024 at 6:00 PM, joepeka said:

On one of our earliest cruises years ago, we attended one of these auctions and somehow won a free print of one of the items. We liked it and wanted it (it was free... right?) but the cost for them to package and ship to us in AZ was horrible and we had to have it framed ourselves at home (it came from Park West in a mailing tube). Overall, the cost of the shipping and framing was a lot more than the value of the print and as such, we've never attended another "art auction" on any of our subsequent cruises. Lesson learned.

I'll say again -- go, if you consider it entertainment.  A show.  But sit on the number they give you.  

23 hours ago, TeeRick said:

Old people.  Really?

Stereotyping isn't nice.  

19 hours ago, bouhunter said:

"Paintings" on a ship are entirely subjective and unknown.  Brand name watches or quality jewelry are nothing like that.  Apples and oranges, your comparison is pointless.

No, the watches and jewelry are also subjective and unknown.  Most of us have no idea /no way to verify on the ship /islands whether that gem or that watch is actually what the jewelry shop says it is.  Or what it's worth. 

Haven't we read the stories on this board?  I bought a pair of earrings, and when I got home I learned they're worth 25% of what I paid!  I bought a watch, and it broke -- I can't get any customer service from home!  Or I bought a watch, and now I found out it's not actually [insert name brand here].  

13 hours ago, alfaeric said:

lol. The casino rakes in a LOT more money than the art auction. Gambling is a far bigger scam. Unless you know of a “Vegas” built on art auctions out there. 

Yes, putting cruise tickets aside, the cruise line's three big money makers are alcohol, the casino, and shore excursions.  

12 hours ago, alfaeric said:

They are not there by accident or to provide value. 

That's worth repeating.  

[yogimax]

13 hours ago, joepeka said:

Bingo!

Yes Bingo may be the biggest money maker onboard. The prizes do not come near the amount spent to play.