Elaine C.

This review is for the Art Auctions/Gallery held on-board the Norwegian Gem Cruise Ship. BUYERS BEWARE!

Firstly I suggest that ANYONE who plans on dealing with this company google "Ever Bought Art on a Cruise? Prepare to Be Seasick - Bloomberg".

My experience: I came on-board and was immediately greeted with an art raffle, you guess the value of the piece of art on display (mine was a Statue of Liberty by Peter Max) and attend the auction to see if you won. Plenty of auctions were held during my 7 day trip with complimentary champagne. I'll cut to the chase, a majority of these "paintings" are replicas, a photo of the original with a few paint strokes on top to make it "original", some of the paintings are legit but retailed for $10,000+. All paintings were self appraised with inflated values, including the painting I accidentally won for $35, valued at over $400, some eagle thing that was hideous lol. One of their sales people came over to make "small talk" while the bidding started at $1. I held up my sign and all of a sudden the price shot up to $35! At least 26 of us fell for this tactic. I found out later that there was an additional $35 fee for shipping because they needed to ship it from their warehouse - where the other bazillion copies were held. I would like to also point out that I noticed that they liked to target middle aged white Americans, any time they sat by the isles they would give them "special prices" and pumped them full of booze. I felt bad for these people, I saw one couple in the gallery picking up their eagle painting and the husband looked so frustrated with his wife, the wife had been the one to win the painting and she looked like she was having buyers remorse too. The auctioneer and sales people made it seem like you were locked into paying for the pieces you won but this wasn't the case for me.

In the end I refused to pay for it and stopped attending the auctions - thankfully they didn't harass me for the rest of the trip. From my understanding the cruise line rents the space to the gallery but it doesn't share information on their customers or communicate - they are completely separate!

If you end up buying make sure to use the full balance IMMEDIATELY or you may be out of luck.

I purchase a giftcard from CardCash, com on December 29th 2016 for $395.00 for a value of $500.00. I attempted to use the giftcard a few days later on January 10th, 2017 and it had a ZERO balance. I have never used this card so imagine my surprise and anger - I felt conned. I attempted to contact customer service who provided me contradicting information.

1. I had a full balance on the card and that I could use it
2. All of my balance was used on a shopping trip on 1/8/17 in NY but no proof was given.
3. No refunds would be issued.

"We have received your claim and have located your order. We have checked with the merchant and have verified that the full balance is still on the card and available for your use.

I spoke with TJ Maxx customer service and this card was used in full on 1/8/2017 in the NY, NY location. Please check with he members of your household.

There will be no refund for this gift card.

We look forward to your business again."

I will now file a complaint with my credit card company, BBB and New York State Department of Financial Services.

[Update] My credit card company opened a dispute against the charge on my behalf and refunded my money. Cardcash had the nerve to request that I update my review because they claim they refunded me, I laughed so hard, see attached screen shot.

Thanks for everyone's honest review! I was just about to spend $250+ on potential garbage and headache from ordering from this company. I'm going to be sure to tell my friends and family to avoid them.