It’s be one thing to bid a couple of hundred dollars for a lithograph or watercolor you like (I won’t even do that on a cruise.) but to spend thousands, in part because you believe it has real investment value is something else again.

I just don’t understand how so many people who would never buy such art at home, think nothing of buying it at sea. I didn’t realize the champagne was that strong.

http://www.cruiseshipstories.com

It’s one thing in a boat’s casino. Players know they’re more likely to lose than win. But you go in with your eyes open.

I’ve seen people buy jewelry in some off-beat places but always with the caveat that they could have it appraised by a reputable dealer and if the item didn’t come nearly to the price paid that they’d be able to have a rebate.

I’m horrified people are allowed to buy faux art with the idea it’s the real thing. It’s not only immoral but should be illegal. Talk about a captive audience being had ….and sometimes for the price of a few cheap drinks.

My attitude to these “art” auctions is the same, if you see something you like and think will look good in your home, by all means buy it. Just don’t assume you’re buying anything with intrinsic value. In fact unlike a gold and diamond ring or bracelet, you won’t even get the value of the metal and stones. I am always suspicious of sales people who have to lubricate you with champagne before you buy something (we did get a cocktail from the jeweller – after the sales were transacted).

I wonder if there are any shills in the audience? Would not surprise me!

I do know that the automatic card dealers in the casinos can be programmed in various ways…if the dealer sees too many winning hands, they can do an internal reshuffle, They can also shuffle parts of the decks so if there are a lot of face cards returned in the last few minutes, the shuffle can not include those.

Unfortunately the legally operating gaming places are not the only customers of the manufacturers.

Not saying the casinos at sea are doing this but it can be done. And they are not regulated by anyone other than their own casino department.

When people ask me about buying anything onboard the ships, whether it be jewelery or art, I tell them buy it because you like it and will enjoy it, not because you think you are getting a deal, because you most likely aren’t.

I know all about opinion and appraisals, but $6100 was just too much for me. I contacted Princess and they requested the ring to appraise. Their appraiser in California came back with a $2800 appraisal (and I could live with that–you say tomato) and they refunded me the difference with an apology and a promise to make sure their buying staff was aware.

The jewelry is also subcontracted. I imagine when there is that much of a difference, the cruiser has a great case to get some if not all of the money back. The cruise line could hold back payment on one sailing on one ship to the art dealer. They are in the catbird seat and they ought to do something about it!