Art Auctions on Regent

[Dolebludger]

Still, they surely must convey some sales message to guests onboard, such as the kind of goods offered, the price, some representations as to quality and such, along with the transportation offer, right? If so it is a sales promotion by a guest and should be banned in the contract of passage, if it is not already.

[count florida]

We don't mind the art on the walls, not at all; it's the art clogging the aisles that bother us.

 

We did buy a relatively inexpensive framed print on one cruise, because the saleswoman saved us much more than it’s cost by offering to store two pieces of our luggage till the ship got back to Ft. Lauderdale, where we could pick it up along with the print, saving the shipping on that as well. We were completing a 37 day cruise from Los Angeles and were going to ship the luggage back from Australia before beginning a tour 'down under' as we didn't want to lug our formal attire and other excess baggage all over Australia with us. Saved upwards of $700. That was in the Radisson days - 2004; Regent no longer permits unaccompanied bags! Another loss for all of us!

 

Incidentally, as recently as 2006-’07, Cunard was still storing passengers’ unaccompanied baggage on board, so it isn’t a legal issue as some have claimed. A couple we know cruised around South America as far as California on the QM2’s maiden World Cruise, left a bag on board, and picked it up, using the formal wear it contained before taking it home with them after making a crossing from Southampton that summer.

[ricki]

We were on Mariner in March and were surprised that the ship had very, very little of it's own art and a glut of ticky-tacky art from Park West EVERYWHERE! As a previous poster said, it was very "in your face." In addition, the art salesman provided "lectures" on art (very poorly attended--he stood in the bar trying to get people to come to them). The salesman was a pleasant guy, but very young and not very knowledgeable.

 

A quality line like Regent should rethink this honky-tonk approach to selling art and get some good lecturers on other topics and not use this poor excuse for an art lecture as a substitute.

 

Ricki

[wripro]

I wonder what effect the NY Times article and all this subsequent discussion on several boards will have on Regent and Oceania re: the art auctions. People will now be much more wary of attending and bidding. If this lowers the amount of art they sell it will necessarily change the whole process. I'm assuming it may have less effect on lines like Royal Caribbean, Carnival etc. If the art is garish on Regent can you imagine what it must be like on the mass market lines?????

[Dolebludger]

It has been over eight years since we cruised a mass market line. But then, the whole matter was very tacky. There were seemingly constant announcements on the loud speakers (even in the rooms) about when and where the next art auction would take place. Our daily activities tabloid was filled with "stuffer papers" advertising the art auction (and other commercial matters). And, as wine and champagne was very "dear" aboard these ships, the fact that it was free at the art auction was a big draw. The art itself tended to be items like prints of "Tweety Bird"!

 

We haven't cruised on Regent for about three years now (victims of rising prices). But from comments on this thread, it appears that these auctions and use of the "art" has become more offensive on Regent than that which we experienced.

[VIRGINIA ARTIE]

I am a professional artist and can tell you that the art I see at Park West is WAY OVERPRICED. A print not authentically signed and numbered is useless. I print some of my artwork. It is not signed and sells for $25 max,depending on the size. Another rip off are their giclees. A giclee is a lazer print on canvas,sometimes retouched by an amateur. They should not sell for more than $100 depending on the size. I brought both these topics up with the PW salesperson. He said that the public is aware that they are prints and giclees, but he does not explain the terminology. Buyer beware!

[traveller333]

I agree, I sure wish they'd do away with the art auctions. I never attend so I guess the auction itself doesn't bother me but all the tacky artwork on the walls and clogging the hall ways is so detracting from a luxury cruise line. I don't know any passengers who like it.

 

Doesn't Regent realize Less is Better

[wripro]

Are you expecting Regent to realize that less money is better? If they didn't make a killing off these fake art works they wouldn't be there, trust me!!!! They don't care that you have to step over paintings to get where you want to go.

[Travelcat2]

The art "in your face" concept is relatively new. On our past Regent cruises, we were hardly aware of the auction and there was never art stuck in places that obstructed your ability to walk from one place to another. While a lot of the art has been a bit strange, we enjoyed strolling by and laughing at some of it. When Regent receives negative feedback, they may still have auctions -- but just may revert to tastefulness. Hope so!

[Dolebludger]

Travelcat2:

 

Thanks for clarifying that art auctions have become more intrusive on Regent than in past years. We took numerous Regent cruises from '02 to '05 on all its current ships, plus the Diamond. Then, the art auctions were sort of "out of the way" options. Now, the reports above make them sound like those on NCL!:(

 

With Regent's current fare structure, it needs to compete head-to-head with Silversea. Silversea abolished art auctions (and ships' photographers) some time ago due to comments from regular cruisers negative to such things. IMO, at Regent's current fare levels, it doesn't need to make extra revenues from tacky things like what art auctions appear to have become.

[wripro]

Let's just hope gold by the inch isn't next!!!!!!

[Host Dan]

Let's just hope gold by the inch isn't next!!!!!!

I've always known that those pesky Park West art actions were a rip off... I can't believe in this day and age, Regent still has them.. tacky...

 

Whats wrong with gold by the inch??? :D

 

Host Dan

[wripro]

Same thing that's wrong with sofa size paintings. Gold, like any fine jewelry should be purchased for the quality of the workmanship, the beauty of the design, the weight and karat amount of its content, not by how long the chain is.

[bennett2005]

I have been on three Regent ships in the last 9 months. Only exception is the PG. A total of over 60 days. I did not find the art auctions intrusive. Yes, it is not my kind of art but it does decorate the walls nicely. I would guess it does yield some marginal revenue to Regent. A good thing. Way too much is being made of these auctions , in my view.

[Travelcat2]

I've always known that those pesky Park West art actions were a rip off... I can't believe in this day and age, Regent still has them.. tacky...

 

Whats wrong with gold by the inch??? :D

 

Host Dan

 

I read a year or so ago that Regent was changing several of their contractors. Do you know if Park West is the same company they used in early 2007?

 

P.S. The image of Regent selling gold by the inch was quite funny!

[Winner]

How can any cruise line advertise itself as luxury if it has "art" auctions?

[Gail C]

Bennett2005,

>>Way too much is being made of these auctions , in my view.<<

 

I do so agree with you. Our Regent cruise had a knowledgeable Park West person who was very low key. He did a mini lecture on a few of the artists with enjoyable vignettes. I buy art that I just like and would never do as the La Jolla guy did. It's just entertainment for me and I often purchase something I just know I'll enjoy. Would rather be there than in the casino. The Crystal and SilverSeas (then) also provided a fun hour or so for us. Different strokes....

[Dolebludger]

I'll agree with Winner on this one. A true luxury line should have extra cost items and sales confined to the ship's store, casino, and shore excursions. Peroid.

[Travelcat2]

For those of who who did not experience art blocking entrances to the bar and restaurants. . . what ships were you on and when. At least one other poster on this thread had the same experience as I did in May (on the Mariner -- different sailing).

 

Perhaps those that have not witnessed it don't think this is a big deal. I don't really care if they are selling art that is displayed on the ship. . . and, photographers (mentioned by other posters) are no big deal. In fact, one of my favorite pictures was taken disenbarking from the Voyager in St. Petersburg. I've never felt forced to have a photograph taken.

 

I have repeatedly used the term "in your face" -- this is the only way I can describe the art on our recent trip. Regent can sell whatever they want to -- just keep it so low key that most passengers have to go looking for it rather than having to stumble over it.

[wripro]

If you have to go looking for it it isn't going to attract as much attention, is it? And if it doesn't attract as much attention it isn't going it generate as much revenue, is it? And if it doesn't generate as much revenue it won't make the bottom liners at Regent happy, will it? And if the bottom liners at Regent aren't happy they'll have to do something to cheer themselves up, won't they? And what is that? Put the art where you can't avoid it unless you stay in your suite. Then it'll attract attention and generate revenue. Just like on Carnival and Royal Caribbean!!!!!

[Travelcat2]

If you have to go looking for it it isn't going to attract as much attention, is it? And if it doesn't attract as much attention it isn't going it generate as much revenue, is it? And if it doesn't generate as much revenue it won't make the bottom liners at Regent happy, will it? And if the bottom liners at Regent aren't happy they'll have to do something to cheer themselves up, won't they? And what is that? Put the art where you can't avoid it unless you stay in your suite. Then it'll attract attention and generate revenue. Just like on Carnival and Royal Caribbean!!!!!

 

Hopefully, Regent will never be in the mainstream cruise line category (such as Carnival and Caribbean). As mentioned previously, the art all over the place is new to Regent. Most of us hope that it will correct what many of us perceive to be -- a small mis-step.

 

Wripro, I am aware that you prefer another cruise line. . . hopefully, you will allow those who prefer Regent to voice their opinions. Thank you.

[cruiseyguy]

Park West would have to sell some pretty expensive art on a small ship like Regent to provide any significant revenue stream to the cruise line. Perhaps Regent does it simply to avoid buying art for their ships.

[Hambagahle]

Art ??? How about Jewellery salesmen??? "Last Feb,We were on the Mariner Buenes Aires to Manaus and our first greeter before boarding was a STERN jewellery salesman. There were TWO of them aboard for the whole trip in the promenade near the Bistro i believe. If you wanted a free shuttle service in port ...There they were...our men from Stern."

 

They were on board the earlier segment of the cruise from Lima to BA as well. One in particularly was rather "oily"... We managed to avoid any interaction with him quite easily by telling him that we were not going on to Rio!!

 

I, too, think Regent should not have these "commercial" reps on board. Nor the so-called "Art" auctions. We don't go - we have more than enough paintings at home, thank you - but I agree that 90% of the "art" that decorates the RSSC ships is tasteless and doesn't suit the Regent profile. Add that to the allegations re pricing etc. from the NYT article and I think RSSC should dump them toute de suite!! After all, when you are crusing on a luxury line, the last thing you need are touts pestering you as you go to dinner!!

[wripro]

Travelcat2,

 

When have I ever not allowed anyone to voice his or her opinion? I am just voicing mine. I happen to like Regent very much. What i don't like is art auctions! They are tacky and do not belong on a luxury line. Of course, that is jmo.

[Wendy The Wanderer]

It would be very interesting to find out what the financial arrangement is. Does Park West pay Regent a set fee for selling on the ships? If so, how much? Or does Regent get a cut of the take? Either way, I can't imagine much revenue from this enterprise. In return I presume that have to house the art guy in a stateroom--that stateroom could be used for an entertainer, or even a customer!!

 

I seem to remember fairly non-descript but pleasant wall art in the stateroom halls previously on Voyager, now it's Park West junk. The PG is the only place you can see some nice artifacts, mostly in a little gallery, but most of the art throughout the ship is Polynesian.

 

I don't really care if they have great art on the walls, something decorate would be fine. Perhaps we should lobby to get the art dealers off of Regent, period. How could we do that?