Money-Saving Cruise Shopping Ideas During Your Travel On Board

Cruise Shopping : On the cruise, you’ll have the chance to shop in places you likely have never come across before. Location specific items like Hawaiian coffee or Mexican maracas will constitute the largest draw for you. Taking home things like these for friends and family are sure to make you popular. Just remember to spend wisely.Aboard, they are sure to have swanky boutiques with beautiful wares all for the low, low price of, well, you know. The prices aren’t always all that low! It's very easy to get Captivated in spending a lot of time and money in the ship's on board shops. You are able to buy everything from munchies to watches to diamond jewelry. But you really have to ask yourself if these shops, without any competition around, are really the best place to make upscale purchases. Forgetting the expensive watches and jewelry, it's almost as easy to add digits to your on board expenses by Charging up on cruise line signature wear, t-shirts, "designer watch sales," and "gold by the inch". Cruise Shopping : Those passengers "in the know" tell everyone to wait for the last day, when the cruise line needs to get rid of its merchandise because the cruise is almost over. At least, this is how many justify a final binge. But if you're among life's unfortunates who were born with that "must shop" gene, you should indeed wait until the last day or two of the cruise, because the shops on board do, indeed, discount many items.

Exercise a little preparation about shopping before you leave and resist the lure of "getting an irresistible bargain." You can get "clipped" quickly when you succumb to all those beautiful rings, broaches, and necklaces in the hundreds of shops in St. Thomas and elsewhere.

Cruise Shopping : Each ship will recommend certain shops (naturally, they get a "kickback" for doing so), and will tell you that they "guarantee" your purchase. There's absolutely nothing unethical about this, it's just a means for the cruise line to enhance its revenue. Each cruise line's policies vary, but this frequently involves a hassle (what you prefer to avoid on a cruise, naturally!) to get your money back. So the phrase for shopping is "caveat emptor." So what is meant by “caveat emptor”? It literally translates the buyer beware. Remember merchants know that placing up a duty free sign often means bargain to many. There are some great buys to be had, but make sure your purchases are good values. Adhere to brand names you know and make certain those trade names are spelled right on the product. In additional , make sure it’s not a fake. Also, duty free may just mean it is duty free where you are buying it. U.S. Customs have their own guidelines for taxation when you return.

In the US you check the price tag and pay the price. Not so in the Islands. Ask the price; offer something lower, the merchant will counter with another offer. This process will not offend the locals and how they do things. You'll both come to a price that makes up for both of you and all will be well. This carries on in the straw markets all the way up to the fine jewelry stores; a person who is not shy and bargains well can save lots of money .

Cruise Shopping : So realize that in many countries of the world, negotiation on the price of an item is appropriate and often expected. Satisfaction guaranteed is much more widely practiced in the United States. Make a point you are familiar with their return and exchange policies. Many countries do not enforce copyright laws; the logo you see may have nothing to do with the company it represents to you. Check to see if the item is a fake.

Cruise Shopping : Some items available may need a special license for export. This is especially true for antiques, works of art or other items of cultural significance. Taxes can constitute an even larger percentage of the purchase price than you will find in the United States. Duty free may only mean the items are free from duty where they are sold. U.S. Customs have their own guidelines for taxation when you return. Almost all cruise lines offer aboard art auctions. These are huge moneymakers for the lines and it’s easy to get involved in a bidding war. For the cruiser on a budget, I’d say, as a whole, to stay away from these auctions, but they’re great fun to watch. And if you just HAVE to have that Van Gogh reprint, just have a set price in mind that you’re willing to pay and so don’t go over that price – no matter what! Another tip is to go to the auction on the day they offer free champagne. This is definitely another good way to save on alcoholic beverages.

Cruise Shopping : Remember when you’re shopping that you’ll be bringing your purchases home. There may be restrictions on what you are able to and can’t bring back. It might be a good idea to check out The U.S. Treasury Department Customs Information before You Go. This site contains information on U.S. Custom’s declarations, duty free exemptions, prohibited and restricted articles and the procedures for shipping items back to the U.S. Not only will you have access to some great shopping, you’re going to see some wonderful places!

Cruise Shopping- Return To Homepage