Our observations have been that it isnt really an auction. The auctioner suggests a price and then sells the paintings at that price. I do understand you cant give stuff away, but most of the starting bids are way out of our price range. We would like to see more moderately priced items.

I do not think it is a good idea to sell memoribilia at an art auction.

Art on the ship should be purchased because you like it. I do not believe it is an investment in this case because I do doubt sometimes if the artwork is really original.

I enjoy looking at the art; my husband enjoys a nap while at the art auctions.

We have attended almost every art auction on every cruise. We appreciate the mini museums and lessons learned and have made many purchases. We have since been attending the land auctions put on by the same gallery, Park West. This procludes our purchases on the ship for at the land auctions we walk out the door with a framed piece of art. No shipping and no waiting. It’s a shame that some folks think that having the artwork framed by the gallery is expensive, when in fact it is quite reasonable compared to a local vendor. I do believe that memorabilia has never sold well at the auctions and probably never will. I don’t believe you can seperate the two. Each is a niche market. I would not attend a memorabilia auction but if they sell memorabilia during an art auction I am entertained. I do believe that Park West Gallery is the best. We have experienced others and their selection, prices, and service are tops.

If we could afford the art then we would be cruising on our own personal yacht or maybe the Radisson or the Seabourne.. Find another something to sell that is more affordable..

Thanks,
Donna D.

I checked out the art auction on Valor, but everything was a bit above my price range there.

John please reply:
I will be booking European cruise on DREAM (can you belive that???) soon. I’m so excited! My questions is: If I book the one on 10/3 and my graduation (target date 9/21) gets postponed for any reason, can I re-book the cruise to one on 10/15 without loosing any money?

And as for Sound of Music. Being a former actress, that show was my first on a semi-professional stage, so I have a particular fondness for it. I performed it three different times in different theaters. Many men were in the audience and seemed to really enjoy the performances. But actor kids and their stage parents – yuck. I was also a performer on quite a few other musicals (Carousel, Unsinkable Molly Brown, Can-Can, Brigadoon, Oliver, etc., etc.) as well as straight acting in comedies. I loved being in the shows, but those days are over, darn. I am so glad I had those experiences. I was also stage manager and usher at several different theaters so got to see most of the musicals – loved most and hated some (Wicked). Just my thing.

Saw Curious Case of Benjamin Button – loved it!! Also the movie with Angelina – fabulous. Can’t wait to see the Slumdog Millionaire.

Love your blog. Keep them coming.

Art to me is like wine.

I don’t understand it….but I know what I like…and so… I buy what I like.

I have never purchased art from Park West. The few pieces of art that we have are pieces we have owned for over 15 years by lessor known artists Paula Vaughn and Terry Redlin.

Both of these pieces were pictures that reminded me of my childhood and I love them.

Sorry to hear you must endure a musical. But you are sweet to treat Heidi to something she loves.

My oldest son Josh had pulled me kicking and screaming into the 21st Century. I now have a Facebook page. Not sure exactly what to do with it…but it should be fun.

Linda (Mom of your friend DJ)

Good luck to for tomorrow, will be thinking of you both.
All booked on the Dream 15 Oct, it was just an opportunity i could not miss, never know when we will get over to america again. Decided to take my son out of school for 7 days, although the school not happy about it as it will be his final year, i am sure missing a couple of english and maths lessons want be a problem, I have warned him there probably want be any other teenagers on board and he seems quite happy that he will have the waterslide etc all to himself! Thanks for your help and Stephanie’s, but there is a problem with uk booking site.
Enjoy your last few days here, have a safe journey and will be thinking of you both tomorrow.
Michellex

I went once to grab a free glass of champagne, looked around the “gallery”, and entered my twickets [sic] for some free drawing or another. However I cannot envision ever purchasing these works of art from the ship.

Art has form and beauty ….Art has a special duty
It expresses things that we might not otherwise know how to say,

Oh I do miss the souvenier art in the form of ship placemats that used to be given away. Perhaps making those available at the art gallery would get more people there

The Flying Dutchman