Topic: Royal Resurrection: Art Auctions are back

Royal Caribbean has announced they are re-launching the line's art programme - this time it's called "Art on Royal".



The new programme, developed in partnership with Art Actually, promises art-inspired events, tours, seminars and auctions. It was piloted aboard Oasis of the Seas and is currently running aboard both Adventure/Navigator of the Seas. Royal Caribbean have said it will be rolled out across the fleet by the end of 2011.

“Royal Caribbean International has compiled one of the world’s largest private art collections, valued at $120 million, on display onboard our fleet of ships for our guests’ enjoyment,” said Lisa Bauer, senior vice president of Hotel Operations, Royal Caribbean International, “Guests have always marvelled at our art and many have inquired into how to purchase them. Art on Royal will offer guests the opportunity to take home a lasting work of art as a memory of their cruise, as well as provide a broad menu of art-inspired programmes.”

Unique to Royal Caribbean International are Royal Caribbean Signature Artists, who include pop-culture icons such as Romero Britto and Thomas Kinkade. The BRITTO Gallery onboard Allure of the Seas and Freedom of the Seas – and soon to be added to Splendour of the Seas – offers the artist’s contemporary masterpieces. The Thomas Kinkade Gallery onboard Mariner of the Seas features pieces by one of the most collected living artists in history.

Passengers will have the chance to view and purchase a one-of-a-kind piece, as well as enjoy events on select sailings throughout the year. In addition, Art on Royal offers a range of gifts, souvenirs and high-valued originals, including limited-edition signed photography, one-off unique pieces, wall pieces, miniatures, and artist commissions.

How do you feel about on board Art galleries/auctions? Have you experienced Royal Caribbean's new 'Art on Royal'?

Click here to vote in our Art Auction Poll

It’s curious, that I have never met anybody that claims to like art auctions or partake in them. In fact many passengers seem to regard them as a nuisance occupying unnecessary space. However I’m told that they are very lucrative (for the cruise line) so are unlikely to go away.

I have always wondered, if you are interested in buying art, why would you wait until you are on a cruise ship to do it? I can’t imagine that the pieces are good value?

Quite honestly its beyond me why anybody would want to go to an art auction and buy pictures whilst on holiday. We cruise normally twice a year and have never been to an art auction. I have better things to fill my day. But of course that’s just me .

The vast majority of "Art" sold on the ships are prints wit little intrinsic value. The retail estimates given during the auction are determined by the auction staff. Buy at your peril