Going Once, Going Twice! Navigating Cruise Ship Art Auctions With Savvy and Style
Going Once, Going Twice! Navigating Cruise Ship Art Auctions With Savvy and Style - The Thrill of the Hunt
For many cruise enthusiasts, the thrill of an on-board art auction is part of the fun of sailing the high seas. While some may see it as a waste of money, others view it as a challenging game of strategy and a chance to acquire unique pieces for their collections. The adrenaline rush that comes with bidding against fellow passengers and the satisfaction of snagging a coveted painting or sculpture is all part of the auction experience.
According to art advisor Beatrice Goodwin, "Attending a cruise auction is not just about the art, it's about the sport." She explains, "Bidding gives passengers a break from lounging by the pool. It gets the blood pumping." The competitive environment leads many to get caught up in the moment. "They end up bidding higher than they planned just because they want to win," she says.
Of course, novice bidders looking for bargains need to restrain their enthusiasm. Travel blogger Dan Coleman recommends setting a firm budget ahead of time. "Decide the maximum you want to pay for a piece and stick to it, no matter how exciting the bidding war becomes," he advises. Auctioneer Jay Burton notes inflated prices are common when emotions take over. "We see people pay double or triple what a work is worth simply because they have to have it," he says.
Still, deals can be found with careful prep and strategy. Cruise regular Alicia Dunn does her homework beforehand researching artists and sale prices for similar pieces. "Knowing comparable values allows me to spot a good buy," she explains. She also watches early bidding carefully to identify serious competitors. According to Dunn, "I let the eager bidders battle it out on the high priced items. Then I look for a quality artwork the crowd has overlooked."
What else is in this post?
- Going Once, Going Twice! Navigating Cruise Ship Art Auctions With Savvy and Style - The Thrill of the Hunt
- Going Once, Going Twice! Navigating Cruise Ship Art Auctions With Savvy and Style - Know Your Budget Before Bidding
- Going Once, Going Twice! Navigating Cruise Ship Art Auctions With Savvy and Style - Research Artists and Prices Before Sailing
- Going Once, Going Twice! Navigating Cruise Ship Art Auctions With Savvy and Style - Study the Art Catalogue Onboard
- Going Once, Going Twice! Navigating Cruise Ship Art Auctions With Savvy and Style - Attend Preview Events to Inspect Pieces
- Going Once, Going Twice! Navigating Cruise Ship Art Auctions With Savvy and Style - Use Paddle Raises Strategically
- Going Once, Going Twice! Navigating Cruise Ship Art Auctions With Savvy and Style - Don't Get Swept Up in the Excitement
- Going Once, Going Twice! Navigating Cruise Ship Art Auctions With Savvy and Style - Purchase With Caution and Enjoy Your New Art
Going Once, Going Twice! Navigating Cruise Ship Art Auctions With Savvy and Style - Know Your Budget Before Bidding
Determining your budget beforehand is absolutely critical for navigating cruise art auctions successfully. Auction fever can quickly take hold, causing even the most prudent bidder to overpay drastically for a piece they fancy. By setting a firm limit on what you’re willing to spend and sticking to it steadfastly, you avoid getting caught up in the thrill and making an expensive mistake.
According to art advisor Sarah Boyd, "Amateurs routinely get sucked into bidding wars that result in them paying twice what a work is really worth." She stresses the importance of being clear-eyed about your budget constraints. "Remember that the point is acquiring quality art you'll enjoy, not winning at any cost. Don't let your pride or competitiveness prod you into a purchase you'll later regret."
Avid cruiser and art collector Mark Dunne always decides beforehand the maximum he'll pay for a painting or sculpture. "I determine the high end of my range based on prices from gallery exhibitions and auction houses," he explains. During bidding, he weights each raise against his fixed ceiling. "If the price starts approaching my limit, I'll typically bow out," Dunne says. "There are always other auctions and pieces to choose from."
Self-awareness and self-control are key, notes art advisor Beatrice Goodwin. "You have to be able to honestly assess what you can afford and not get caught up in beating other bidders," she says. Goodwin warns auction novices about getting emotionally invested. "Don't fall in love with a piece and lose perspective. Focus on the intrinsic value, not your personal attachment."
Travel blogger Alicia Dayton suggests setting a bidding budget that's well below what you could theoretically spend. "If I have $2000 to devote to art, I'll set my cap at $1600," she explains. "This builds in a buffer so I don't go overboard in the heat of the moment." Dayton also recommends pacing yourself. "Don't blow your budget right away on the first artwork you fancy. Wait for a piece that really sings to you."
Going Once, Going Twice! Navigating Cruise Ship Art Auctions With Savvy and Style - Research Artists and Prices Before Sailing
Doing your homework before boarding by researching featured artists and recent sale prices is one of the smartest strategies for scoring deals and avoiding overpayment. According to art advisor Sarah Boyd, "Understanding what a particular artist's work has sold for previously better equips you to determine if a cruise auction price is inflated."
Avid cruiser Alicia Dunn always spends time before sailing researching the artists whose work will be up for auction. "I look at what their pieces have recently sold for at galleries and auction houses to get a sense of current fair market values," she explains. Dunn reviews auction catalogs from major houses like Sotheby's and Christie's to find comparative sale prices. She also scours gallery websites and exhibit pricing. "Establishing a reasonable valuation range allows me to recognize true bargains when I see them," she says.
Dunn warns fellow bidders not to rely solely on the cruise art catalogue for background. "Those bios are promotional materials aimed at generating excitement, not an objective source. I always corroborate any claims against independent research," she stresses. Dunn says investigating an artist's credentials and exhibition history helps determine if the asking price accurately reflects their reputation and skill level. "I once avoided wasting a chunk of money on a piece by an unknown painter overhyped in the cruise catalog as an up-and-coming star," she recalls.
Travel blogger Dan Coleman always does a deep dive into the cruise art offerings before departure. "I look up each artist online to learn their story and view examples of their work to get a true sense of their style, technique and abilities," he explains. According to Coleman, "This gives me a solid basis for evaluating what specific paintings may be worth. I don't rely on the cruise catalog for that." He also searches current auction listings and gallery sales to compare pricing on comparable pieces. "Advance legwork pays off during bidding," Coleman says.
Art advisor Beatrice Goodwin praises bidders who take the initiative to independently research. "Informed bidders have a big advantage over novices who fail to do their homework," she says. Goodwin notes that scouting artist bios, reviews and sample works provides helpful context. "You gain a fuller perspective on their place in the art world and peer group. This allows you to assess whether prices align with an artist's reputation and skill level," she explains.
Going Once, Going Twice! Navigating Cruise Ship Art Auctions With Savvy and Style - Study the Art Catalogue Onboard
Scrutinizing the ship's art catalog once onboard allows savvy bidders to hone in on pieces where prices diverge from market realities. According to avid cruiser Mark Dunne, "The catalog listings provide clues about where deals can be found if you read between the promotional lines." He explains that researching artist bios and sample works in advance establishes a solid benchmark for accurately evaluating listings.
Dunne stresses not taking catalog descriptions at face value. "You have to parse the hype and cross-reference details against your existing knowledge," he says. Watch for subtle red flags that suggest embellishment or exaggeration around an artist's prominence or accomplishments. Also beware flowery praise that seems over the top or unsupported by their credentials. "This is usually a sign that works are overpriced relative to the creator's significance and skill level," he warns.
Carefully assessing catalog photos of actual auction pieces is also important. Dunne looks closely for issues with technique, composition, anatomy, perspective, colors, and other elements that might not be obvious from promotional images on an artist's website. "Minor problems discernible in the catalog photos help me recalibrate the likely value versus the asking price," he explains.
Travel blogger Alicia Dayton pays particular attention to size listings, medium, date, and other objective details that can impact pricing. "I'll jot down dimensions and materials for top contenders I'm interested in bidding on," she says. According to Dayton, "These concrete specifics keep me anchored when bidding emotions run high." She also confirms any background on the artwork's provenance or exhibition history that influences its cachet.
Dayton finds the onboard catalog especially useful for comparing different pieces by the same artist. "Seeing multiple examples side-by-side helps me evaluate relative quality, effort and skill level," she explains. This allows her to determine which works warrant higher bids based on superior craftsmanship and creativity.
Both Dunne and Dayton advise paying close attention to pre-cruise price estimates which are often inflated. "The catalog typically pitches a high figure anchored around hype and excitement rather than fair market value," Dunne explains. He scrutinizes photos for any issues that justify knocking the price down. Dayton also checks the listed estimate against prices for comparable pieces at reputable auctions. "This gives me an accurate sense of the top price warranted based on the artist's credentials and skills," she says.
Going Once, Going Twice! Navigating Cruise Ship Art Auctions With Savvy and Style - Attend Preview Events to Inspect Pieces
Attending the preview exhibition held before the cruise art auction allows bidders to closely inspect pieces of interest and weed out any that prove disappointing upon closer examination. Scrutinizing works in person often reveals flaws, deficiencies, or signs of inauthenticity not apparent in catalog photos. According to avid cruiser Alicia Dunn, "There are always a few pieces that look amazing in print but betray serious issues when viewed up close." She stresses attending the opening reception where works are displayed and experts are on hand. "It's an opportunity to identify gems as well as weed out pieces with problems before getting pulled into a bidding war," Dunn explains.
During previews, Dunn pays attention to aspects like brush stroke quality, canvas texture, compositional balance, and other nuances difficult to assess remotely. "I'll pass my hand across the paint to feel for appropriate thickness and texture based on the description and medium," she describes. Dunn also watches for issues like cracking, inconsistent depths, and other irregularities that may signal shortcuts in technique or inexperience. According to Dunn, "I once noticed clear masking tape lines revealing a seascape was painted over another composition, despite being billed as an original work."
Travel blogger Dan Coleman budgets extra time to review each artwork thoroughly before bidding opens. "I'll move around a painting and examine it from multiple angles to see if the illusion of depth and perspective holds up," he explains. Coleman also confirms that frames match the age and style of the underlying composition. He once spotted a Matisse print in a clearly modern frame being misrepresented as an antique original.
According to Coleman, "Seeing pieces in person often reveals the catalog hyped certain elements while downplaying flaws." He advises paying close attention to textures and surfaces. "Make sure brush strokes match the described technique and materials look appropriately weathered or worn," he stresses. Coleman also watches for unevenness that suggests multiple artists may have worked on a piece. "Up close, the difference in skills often shows," he warns.
Going Once, Going Twice! Navigating Cruise Ship Art Auctions With Savvy and Style - Use Paddle Raises Strategically
Employing strategic bidding tactics is essential for emerging victorious yet avoiding overpayment in a cruise art auction. Novices often make the mistake of reacting emotionally in the heat of the moment rather than bidding deliberately. Mastering paddle raises takes finesse and practice.
According to avid art collector Mark Dunne, "I see many first-timers get caught up in the competitiveness of it all and make frantic spur-of-the-moment bids which often lead to buyer’s remorse later." He recommends that neophytes start out as engaged observers, studying how more experienced bidders patiently wait for opportune moments to make their move. "You can learn a lot just by watching and developing your poker face," Dunne advises.
Dunne paces his bidding judiciously, waiting for pauses that indicate interest is flagging before making a precisely-timed strike. "I'll allow momentum to plateau so my raise has maximum impact reviving interest in a piece," he describes. Dunne also watches body language for clues on competitors' enthusiasm and price tolerance. According to Dunne, "You can often spot when a bidder is nearing their limit by subtle facial expressions and gestures."
Travel blogger Alicia Dayton emphasizes maintaining a disciplined, dispassionate approach. "Don't lift your paddle in haste or let emotions dictate your bidding strategy," she cautions. Dayton typically lets early frenzied volleys play out without jumping in. "I wait patiently for the right moment when the price point aligns with my preset limit," she explains. She also recommends not fixating on a single work, no matter how appealing. "There are always other Cruises and art auctions," Dayton says, advising bidders stay flexible.
According to art advisor Sarah Boyd, incremental bidding is typically most effective. "I counsel novice bidders to use small controlled raises to gradually escalate tension," she says. Boyd suggests pre-planning your increments and setting a ceiling for each piece. "This eliminates emotional, split-second reactions that lead to inflated spending" she explains.
Going Once, Going Twice! Navigating Cruise Ship Art Auctions With Savvy and Style - Don't Get Swept Up in the Excitement
The adrenaline-fueled environment of a cruise art auction can quickly overwhelm the judgment of even seasoned collectors. Novices are especially susceptible to abandoning reason and getting caught up in the enthusiasm of bidding battles, often paying exorbitant sums that far exceed a work's objective value. Maintaining clear-headed discipline is crucial but easier said than done according to art advisor Sarah Boyd. "Very few bidders have the innate ability to remain detached and rational amidst the clamor and exhilaration of auction events. Veterans and amateurs alike frequently overspend wildly because they allow emotions to override their predetermined limits in the heat of the moment," she explains.
Boyd points to one spectacular example involving an acclaimed 19th century landscape that sparked intense bidding. "Two avid collectors became utterly transfixed on securing this coveted painting. They were so obsessed with outdueling each other that they ignored all rational limits and kept raising the stakes higher and higher until the final hammer staggering price was more than triple recent market valuations," she recalls. Such cautionary tales underscore the need for bidders to have predefined spending caps and the courage to exercise restraint when prices eclipse those reasonable thresholds.
Auctioneer Jay Burton stresses pledging beforehand to stay disciplined regardless of any irresistible temptation in the room. "Far too many see money as no object when enthralled with the prospect of acquiring a certain piece. Big egos crave winning above all else," he says. Burton advises bidders adopt a cautious mindset and exercise emotional discipline. "Tell yourself going in that you will follow the preplanned limits established through careful research no matter how formidable the competition or enticing the artwork. Your good judgment should always supersede any fleeting exuberance of the moment," he counsels.
For travel blogger Dan Coleman, the key is avoiding attachment to any singular work. "Go in with an open mindset, not becoming fixated on one specific piece that clouds your perspective. Be ready to pivot to another option," he suggests. Coleman forces himself to tune out the surrounding commotion and distractions when bidding. "I just focus internally on my preset top price grounded in research. When the bids reach that ceiling, I'm disciplined about not getting sucked into the euphoria of the auction setting and crossing a rational boundary," he describes.
Going Once, Going Twice! Navigating Cruise Ship Art Auctions With Savvy and Style - Purchase With Caution and Enjoy Your New Art
The thrill of outbidding fellow passengers and securing an alluring artwork can quickly turn to regret if you fail to exercise judicious caution. While it may be tempting to throw limits to the wind when seized by auction fever, reigning in your enthusiasm is key to avoiding costly collector’s remorse. As skilled bidder Alicia Dunn advises, “Carefully vet choices beforehand so you end up with pieces you’ll truly treasure over time that didn’t break the bank.”
Impulse buying driven by the exhilaration of the auction environment often leads bidders to overlook issues with condition, quality and pricing. “In the heat of the moment, people covet certain works without properly inspecting them just because they get hooked on the bidding excitement,” notes avid cruiser Dan Coleman. He cautions bidders to carefully validate representations about age, provenance and artist significance against independent research. “No matter how alluring the cruise catalog description sounds, you need to corroborate those claims before pulling the trigger,” he stresses.
According to travel blogger Alicia Dayton, bidders shouldn’t hesitate to enlist the ship’s art experts during previews. “Taking the time to thoroughly examine pieces with their guidance helps avoid mistakes and discovering problems after it’s too late. They can point out technical deficiencies the untrained eye may miss when just looking superficially at a work.” She adds, “Don’t be shy about asking direct questions about authenticity and genuineness. It’s better to clarify any concerns beforehand rather than regret it later.”
Art advisor Beatrice Goodwin praises prudent bidders who pause after the hammer falls to calmly evaluate their purchases. "Smart collectors take a time out to have a cup of coffee and review the pieces they've acquired with a clear head before the exuberance wears off," she says. This helps ensure they feel fully comfortable with their acquisitions after the adrenaline rush of bidding concludes. According to Goodwin, “Carefully reassessing your purchases once the auction ends allows you to identify any lingering concerns that justify walking away.”
Auctioneer Jay Burton notes that most auction houses allow clients a short window to return pieces. “While you don’t want to fall prey to buyer’s doubts and overanalyze, it is wise to sleep on your purchases for a night or two then reexamine them in the clear light of day when you're thinking rationally again,” he advises. This provides an opportunity to spot flaws or issues not apparent amidst the distractions and excitement of bidding events.