In March 2015 the entire research team at the Emmett Lee Dickinson Museum (above the coin-op laundromat on Dickinson Boulevard in historic Washerst) cruised the Caribbean on the Norwegian Cruise Lines’ Epic. However, this cruise was not for rest, relaxation, recreation and/or mental rehabilitation. No. This cruise was for research and scholarly investigation.
Above: Our research vessel, the Norwegian Epic
We have, in the past, posted articles, artifacts, and exhibits on Emmett Lee Dickinson’s vast influence on literature (HERE), music (HERE), sports and athletics (HERE), and much more; however, we have never before published information on Dickinson’s titanic effects on the cruise industry.
 | Ajax Olofsdotter (pictured at the left), the Senior Global Implementation and Applications Engineer for Norwegian Cruise Lines acknowledged that “Uten Emmett Lee Dickinson , ville det ikke være noen moderne cruiseindustrien” (“Without Emmett Lee Dickinson, there would be no modern cruise industry”). |
How, exactly, did Dickinson inspire, influence and impact the cruise industry? We sailed the Caribbean to find out.
We set sail in Miami, and we cruised to Jamaica, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel. It was exhaustive work to say the least. It was also very filling work as our research included in-depth investigations of the ship’s 24-hour buffets and food service availability as we looked into how Dickinson shaped the food and beverage industry as it relates to cruising.
Our extensive and comprehensive work aboard the Epic has identified the Top Five ways Dickinson influenced the cruising industry, and in this and the next few posts, we will discuss the Top Five.
5. Emmett Lee Dickinson was the first to advance the concept of “Ship Art” and art auctions aboard cruise ships.
What’s the number one reason why people cruise? To sample the extensive menu available of frozen daiquiris and margaritas. What’s the next top reason why people cruise? To purchase art. More specifically, to purchase inauthentic and mediocre artworks at inflated prices. Dickinson advocated for the inclusion of enrichment lectures and cocktail/viewing parties led by certified art auction staff on cruise ships. If it were not for his efforts in advancing such work, cruise industry insiders estimate that the number of passengers on cruise ships world-wide would decrease by as much as 67 to 88 per cent.
We set sail in Miami, and we cruised to Jamaica, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel. It was exhaustive work to say the least. It was also very filling work as our research included in-depth investigations of the ship’s 24-hour buffets and food service availability as we looked into how Dickinson shaped the food and beverage industry as it relates to cruising.
Our extensive and comprehensive work aboard the Epic has identified the Top Five ways Dickinson influenced the cruising industry, and in this and the next few posts, we will discuss the Top Five.
5. Emmett Lee Dickinson was the first to advance the concept of “Ship Art” and art auctions aboard cruise ships.
What’s the number one reason why people cruise? To sample the extensive menu available of frozen daiquiris and margaritas. What’s the next top reason why people cruise? To purchase art. More specifically, to purchase inauthentic and mediocre artworks at inflated prices. Dickinson advocated for the inclusion of enrichment lectures and cocktail/viewing parties led by certified art auction staff on cruise ships. If it were not for his efforts in advancing such work, cruise industry insiders estimate that the number of passengers on cruise ships world-wide would decrease by as much as 67 to 88 per cent.
Below: Examples of valuable artworks available on cruise ships. Click the images to enlarge.
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Check back soon for the rest of the TOP FIVE list on how Emmett Lee Dickinson influenced the cruise industry.
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