Art Auction Controversy. Anything New?

[Dolebludger]

Well, I do like Regent (at least from my experiences a few years back) -- and I also like Silversea. In some areas, Regent (or at least the one I used to know) beats Silversea, and in other areas Silversea is the winner. The decision used to be made for me by the fact that Regent was significantly less expensive than Silversea. Not so anymore. That's why any slippage by Regent, including that into crass commercialism, is of interest to me in my planning decisions. Regent used to be known for quickly correcting its mistakes. So it is also of interest to me how (and if) it corrects this mistake.

[Travelcat2]

Thanks KnitterCA -- helpful information. It sounds like they have backed off a bit -- good news. The "Emerald" contest sounds a little bit like a black pearl event on the PG in 2004. . . not too bad.

 

For those of you monitoring SS and Regent, they have taken some hard hits lately on CC. Service and food both being questioned (particularly issues of these cruise lines cutting back on their employees).

 

Back to Park West -- if they are under contract (which I am assuming), the only thing Regent can do is change the way they are doing business. From KnitterCA's comments, they have already made changes.

 

Wripro -- your posts are, indeed, funny. You like Regent, but............... There is certainly nothing wrong with preferring Seabourn -- much smaller ships, excellent service, etc. If you read Regent threads, you'll find that we look at Regent realistically and are just as open about our criticism as our praise. It's just easier to take criticism from those who actually prefer the cruise line. JMO

[wripro]

Travelcat2,

 

I guess I don't understand why it's easier to take a criticism from someone who prefers a certain cruise line than from someone who doesn't. A valid criticism should be entertained no matter from whom it comes. And that's it from me on this topic.

[canadagal]

The emerald contest does not bother me at all. It's just one of many pieces of paper that is received at your door while on a cruise. You can choose to read and/or discard and it's not in your face, so to speak. I'm still not convinced yet that things have changed from the "in your face experiences" on the Alaska cruises, especially after reading your prior post, TravelCat about how they blocked hallways. I never knew it was that bad. I need to hear more positive reports that this has not become like the mainstream lines and is now their new "norm" since Apollo and Parkwest have been envolved. Again, I don't mind it in the mainstream lines as I expect it there and I've paid a considerable less per diem for my cruise. I really would start to resent it and question it, if it occurs on my lux line cruise, (any lux cruiseline) at lux line prices where I, " do not" expect it to be. There is nothing lux or high end in my opinion about art auctions or any auctions of any kind........unless they support a cheritable cause. I don't go on vacation to be subjected to tacky sales tactics. If this is where Regent is headed, which is where she seems to have been this spring and summer, then I am really disappointed. I truly, truly, hope that future reviews come in that say this tacky practice of "in your face" art auctions has been curtailed and brought back to it's tasteful, low key presentation of days gone by. Regent is too class an act to sink to the mainsteam levels so I want so desperately to believe that they will remedy this problem........and yes, as a potential future pax, just like Dolebludger, I consider it a worry and something to consider when booking my next cruise. I'm glad he asked the question as obviously it's just not something he solely is wondering about.

Pat

[Dolebludger]

Pat:

 

I agree with you totally, especially since the cost of an RSSC cruise has gone from being a "little joy ride" to an investment! I recall when we first began cruising RSSC (then Radisson) there were no "little pieces of paper in the door" advertising "upsell" commercial activities. Art auction notices were limited to the Compass. Of course, Silversea did not have even that, but then, Silversea cost over twice that of a comparable RSSC cruise. Now, Regent's fares have risen to Silversea levels, and I think that has made us all more demanding as to the level of Regent's total experience. It has made us "zero tolerance" as to commercialization and anything that smells of "nickel and diming". I too am not convinced that I can rely on commercialization being down to an acceptable level on Regent so I can book a cruise without concern. It's a little thing, but it does bother some of us!

 

To be fair, Silversea should not get a "free pass" on criticisms of quality here. Silversea's excursions just aren't that good, variety is lacking, and too many excursions are offered only at 8:00 AM. If I wanted to have to arrive somewhere at 8:00 AM, I'd stay home and try to make some money -- instead of spending it!

 

Thanks to all who commented here. I conclude that not all Regent cruises are as "in your face" as to art auctions as the one discussed in the post a month ago -- but still too much so for me to book with confidence.

[canadagal]

I have to agree with you Richard about Silversea not getting a free pass either. Our shore excursions for our SS October cruise finally opened up.....late too I must say. Anyhow, they are sadly lacking in variety and choice and I felt they were marketing to the 85+ years set or those that have limited mobility. I guess hubbie and I will have to search out some private tours for French Polynesia that don't stress in the description, "limited walking". We were spoiled by the dozens of choices in shore excursions on the PG and I thank-you for convincing me all those years ago to try her and Radisson at that time. It was because of you we changed our cruise from the TP to the PG and we had such a wonderful time and we were sold on Radisson. Sigh! If only we could have the old Radisson back. I've noted as well, from past experience that the choices are just as lacking in the Caribbean with Silversea. I do however like how Silversea sends escorts on their shore exursions and it's a practice that Regent should adopt as well.

Pat

[Dolebludger]

pat:

 

The last sentence of your last post above raises a different but related question. RSSC used to send excursion crew on excursions. Do they not do this any more? I hope they still do, as this was most helpful i the past whe (for example) part of the transportation was a no-show!

[colleenmf]

Was on Voyager Aug 9 -16. There was ART in the hallways, deck 5 I think. probably more but can't say as I noticed it much.

 

I vaguely remember a notice about an auction. A paper notice not an announcement.

 

There was an Art desk on Deck 5 between the boutique and the Horizon bar/lounge. I actually met the Park West rep at the captain's party. She was nice, not at all pushy, we chatted for some time before she said what she did, and she NEVER even asked us if we were interested in the Art.

 

There was some contest about Amber, maybe like the one about emeralds but we didn't get involved with that either. Again, just a paper notice on the door.

 

I'd say the art stuff on the Voyager on that cruise was perfectly acceptable. Nothing pushy. Now, the art work on display didn't do a thing for me so I might prefer that Regent invest in a few good pieces to use as decoration. What I saw was in a hall that I walked thru, not somewhere I went and stayed for a while. It was no big deal, it wasn't even a little deal.

[RachelG]

Dolebludger, Regent still sends crew members on SOME of the ship excursions, but not all. We only did one ship excursion on our Aug 2 Baltic cruise. It was in Tallinn, and there was not a crew member with us. Last June, we again did only one ship excursion the whole trip, in Honfleur, and no one from the crew accompanied us.

But on the Aug 2 trip, in St. Petersburg, we saw crew members with the ship excursions in a couple of places. We had our own private guide, but we recognized crew members from the ship and talked to them. They had their Regent name tags on and confirmed that they were accompanying ship tours. One was at Catherine's Palace, the other at the Hermitage.

So I guess it is a bit hit and miss. One of our favorite waitresses told us she likes to accompany the ship excursions, but that she rarely has time to.

[freddie]

Not to go totally off-topic (although half the fun of these threads is when they diverge into other subjects), but this notion of Silversea having "escorts" on the tours is a bit misleading. On our recent Dubai-to-Athens cruise on Silver Whisper, there were SS crewmembers on all of our tours, to the best of my feeble recollection; but they generally had no clout whatever and could not have corrected any problem. The only escorts who can make a real difference in a tour are members of the tour staff and, even then, only when they have the confidence to assert themselves with the tour company or tour guide. Just having a SS nametag (or a Regent nametag) does not mean that the "escort" will address problems. Lordie, a member of the dance troupe or hotel staff doesn't likely know any more about tour problems and how to deal with them in Petra, Jordan or Luxor, Egypt than most of the passengers. One of our SS escorts (who was even a member of the tour desk staff) started crying when several passengers (not including me) asked her to talk to the guide and driver to get the tour back on some sort of reasonable similarity to the original schedule. I would humbly suggest that having ship staff escort tours is material only if the escorts have the experience, status, and cojones to represent the passengers effectively. Otherwise, they're just taking up another seat on the bus!!

[Wendy The Wanderer]

Fred, that's very funny. I've sometimes assumed they had a way of communicating with the ship if we have problems, don't know if that's actually the case. Once we had a Spanish speaker with us (Belize), and that was very helpful. Another time I wish fervently we'd had someone from the ship (Cozumel), since the excursion was such a crock.

[canadagal]

Freddie, you're right! If they don't have the cojones then they shouldn't even be escorting the tour but I wouldn't be quick to paint them all as useless and ineffective if a problem came up. I guess I've been lucky with our staff escorts or what ever you want to call them. They've all had the bristle and experience to effectively deal with any problems. I even remember on one SS excursion where the male staff member told the bus driver to turn off the video on the bus as it wasn't suitable for his pax and then on another excursion the escort had the courage to tell the people flogging tacky souvenirs to stop pestering the pax and back off. This was especially appreciated by the solo women pax that had no male friend or husband along to fend off the heavy handed selling tactics or the amorous offers of "let me show you around pretty lady". Wendy, I also thought they carried ship to shore walkie talkies or telephones with them if there are any problems too and I'd rather have someone representing the cruiseline on the excursion then having no one. If anything they are the ship's representative and can witness firsthand and verify how lousey or good the excursion was.

Pat

[Wendy The Wanderer]

If anything they are the ship's representative and can witness firsthand and verify how lousey or good the excursion was.

Pat

 

Exactly! I always find that the excursion people know they are being scrutinized if there's a rep along.

[mda]

i went on cruise to alaska for 25 wedding anniversary and park west almost ruined it for me.i bought some "art" totaling 20000 dollars.i was told it was a great investment as well as one of akind and so forth.when i got home i did some research and found out the same "art" could be had for 4000 dollars.after threatening to go on INSIDE EDITION,and doing a whole expose on FINEARTSREGISTRY.COM,park west undid my purchase.i refused to sign a non-disclosure agreement,because i felt it waqs important to warn people.go on e-bay and search park west merchandise,and youll see a total of 2 bids TOTAL.thats for 200 items.its so sad.

PLEASE,I BEG YOU,IF YOU SEE PARK WEST LISTED,STAY FAR,FAR,FAR, AWAY

I WILL NOT GO ON ANY CRUISE LINE THAT USES THEM.IF U WANT MORE INFO,PLZ LET ME KNOW,OR GO TO FINEARTSREGISTRY.COM.

[goblue57]

Good for you! You did the right thing. And to the folks who claim that " the art is not in my face and therefore its ok," I say that not being "in your face or space" is NOT good enough. If the art is a scam, they don't need to hook many fish to make it pay. These salespeople are professionals. They don't use a hard push. But show some interest and they will reel you in. If a single person is injured as a result of the art sale, postings or auction -it is one too many. We pay high dollars to have a pleasant and enjoyable vacation and not to be placed in a situation where we can be unwittingly scammed.

[colleenmf]

pat:

 

The last sentence of your last post above raises a different but related question. RSSC used to send excursion crew on excursions. Do they not do this any more? I hope they still do, as this was most helpful i the past whe (for example) part of the transportation was a no-show!

 

Aug 9 -16

 

We only took one ship excursion, to Moscow from St. Petersburg. There were 48 paying passengers and 2 ship members. One ship emplyee was a dancer who spoke Russian and the other was a guy from the Ft. Lauderdale office on a mission. They had gotten complaints about too much food served on this trip. (We got 5 meals OFF the ship, plus an early breakfast and a late dinner on the ship. It was overkill.) In addition to the ship employees we picked up 2 tour guides in St. Petersburg and 2 more in Moscow. The Moscow tour guides did the commentary while the St. Petersburg guides and the ship employees helped count heads, keep us together, steer us toward restrooms. Also, the St. Petersburg guides helped us with Russian airport procedures, boarding passes, that kind of stuff.

 

The only thing I have ever seen employee escorts do is really just count heads. One excursion in Cabo San Lucas had 3 ways to return to the ship - an early shuttle, a late shuttle, or a leisurely walk. He sort of kept track of how many should be on the last shuttle so no one was left behind.

[Donaldm]

My wife and I have recently cruised on both Silversea and Regent. We think both are excellent. Regarding art auctions, a Silversea employee told me that passenger comments led them to stop both the auctions and photographers. I enjoy cruising without those minor annoyances, but other factors play a much larger role in my choice of cruises to take.

I was also stung by one of the Regent/Radisson auctions and will not again buy from a cruise auction. Regardless, we love both lines and are looking forward to our cruise on the Mariner from Sydney to LA this November-December.