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A Royal Caribbean cruise guest is warning others to be cautious when bidding at onboard auctions after claiming the memorabilia he won wasn’t the exact item he received.
The situation has sparked renewed questions about how cruise ship art auctions operate and whether buyers always get what they expect.
Passenger Wins Rare Muhammad Ali Glove at Auction
Art and memorabilia auctions are a popular activity on many cruise ships, featuring everything from paintings and sculptures to sports and celebrity collectibles.
During one sailing, a couple from Brisbane attended an auction hosted onboard and spotted a rare item that caught their attention — a signed boxing glove from legendary champion Muhammad Ali.
The couple had seen a similar item years earlier on another cruise but didn’t bid at the time, something they later regretted.
So when they unexpectedly saw the Ali glove appear during this auction, they took it as a sign and decided to go for it.
After competing with other bidders, they successfully won the job with a final bid of $5,000 AUD (about $3,500 USD).
They intended to give it to their son, a huge Muhammad Ali fan, making the purchase even more meaningful.
Item Was Not Given Immediately — Standard Cruise Auction Practice
Although the glove was displayed onboard, the couple was told they could not take it with them when the cruise ended. This is standard practice for cruise ship auctions.
Instead, they were informed that the glove would be professionally prepared and shipped to their home after the cruise.
These auctions are typically run by Park West Gallery, a major art auction company that operates onboard more than 90 cruise ships across multiple cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Norwegian, Princess, Holland America, and Celebrity Cruises.
Park West promotes its auctions as offering carefully selected items and exclusive memorabilia, which often attracts enthusiastic collectors and cruise guests.
Delivered Item Appeared Different From What They Won
About 10 weeks after the cruise ended, the glove finally arrived at the family’s home. While initially excited, the family quickly noticed something didn’t seem right.
After comparing the delivered glove with photos taken onboard, they discovered several differences, including:
- A different serial number.
- Small variations in the signature.
- Additional ink marks are not present on the original glove.
These differences convinced the family they had not received the exact same glove they bid on during the auction.
Fortunately, they had taken photos during the cruise, which helped them identify the discrepancies clearly.
Gallery Says Display Items May Be Substituted
Park West Gallery later explained that the item displayed onboard is often a sample or display piece.
According to the company, the purchase agreement allows them to provide a similar item rather than the exact same one shown during the auction if necessary.
While this policy is included in the contract, many buyers are unaware of it. For collectors, receiving a different item — even a similar one — can feel misleading, especially when purchasing rare memorabilia.
The guest described the experience as disappointing, questioning whether people would bid if they knew substitutions were possible.
Gallery Offers to Resolve the Situation
After the issue was raised, Park West Gallery reportedly offered to correct the situation by providing the exact glove that had originally been displayed onboard.
However, the incident has left the family uneasy and has raised broader concerns about transparency in cruise ship auctions.
Cruise Ship Auctions Have Faced Questions Before
This isn’t the first time cruise ship auctions have come under scrutiny. In another case, passengers believed they had won an item for $650, only to later learn the final cost was actually $2,700 due to auction terms and misunderstandings.
While cruise lines host these auctions, they are run by independent companies like Park West Gallery, meaning the cruise line itself does not directly manage the sales.
Important Advice for Cruise Guests Considering Auctions
Cruise ship auctions can be exciting, but experts recommend taking precautions:
- Always read the purchase agreement carefully.
- Take photos of auction items before bidding.
- Ask whether the exact displayed item will be delivered.
- Verify authenticity certificates and serial numbers.
- Understand shipping timelines and substitution policies.
For collectors, especially, knowing these details can prevent disappointment later.
