Where are the best places to shop when on a cruise?

Answer 1

As a rule the ship is the worse place, with the only exceptions being ship souvenirs, loose stone sale and watch sale.

Most any port will have some good shopping, the ship will give a mini speech the day before, to let you know what is to be had and any dangers you may need to know about.

General rule of any port, don't buy at the shops next to the ship, they will be the most expensive. Look, note the price and keep walking. Knowing how much they charge will give you a good idea of price to work from, and if you don't see the same item anywhere else (very rare) you can buy it on the way back to the ship.

Handcrafts will almost always be your best deals. Wood, leather and stone are very common buys. St. Thomas is your best bet for smokes & rum (limit of 5 units each, as long as 4 of the 5 were bought in St. Thomas)

If you let me know what ports you are looking at, I can most likely tell you what and where.

Answer 2

Cruise ships will always have shopping talks and pass out maps of the city and tell you their recommended shops. They probably get a cut when you shop at the preferred shops. Listen to what they present on ship and them do your own looking by visiting a bunch of different places, including ones they may not mention or recommend. Usually there are special things you get at certain ports. For example, on our last cruise to the Baltic we went to places where they sell amber jewelry. That's something I have never seen in abundance in other places. Some ports feature gold and silver, some feature watches and perfume. So you need to decide what you may want to get and find out which ports will have what you want. One of the best ports for jewelry is St Thomas in the Caribbean. Some other Caribbean ports you may want to buy rum or other liquors.

If you want to buy handicrafts and Tee shirts and stuff, the local market will probably have a better price than stores.

Answer 3

Are you referring to shopping on the ship? That really just depends on the ship you will be going on. All the shops are good and each will offer different things.

If you are referring to shopping at your destination, it really just depends on where you will be going. Most destinations have great places to shop. If the ship you will be going on offers information about shopping at the port, I highly recommend reading/attending the information/show for shopping. They will let you know different places to shop, that they have used and are reliable and in some cases places to avoid. It is a good idea to stick wtih the stores that the ship recommends to avoid getting fake items or bad prices.

Enjoy the cruise!

Answer 4

We have been on several cruises and when off the ship at any destination, the best places to shop are the ones where individuals sell their goods. But NEVER give the asking price. Because they will always go lower. They want to sell their goods because that is how most of them make thier living. I myself have bought some beautiful jewelry, blankets and other trinkets. If your looking to buy real gold and diamonds, you will have to go into stores. But again...never give the asking price. Unlike the U.S., most stores in the Caribbean, where we have been will go lower. And it always pays to shop around. Have fun!

Answer 5

I took a cruise last year, and Cruise.com seemed to have the best prices, however, some places will match or beat that quoated price sometimes.

Answer 6

I think the choice may be a little bit limited looooooooooooool ;^)

You could try the corner shop on the third deck, or the local shop near the captain's quarters ...

Just hope they take travellers' cheques :^)

Answer 7

I would say Cozumel, Grand Cayman Islands, Key West, and St.Thomas. That is if you want very nice jewelry and nice souvenirs for the folks back home.

Answer 8

The flea markets

Answer 9

everywhere actuallly..whereever the cruise takes u....theres always that lil sovenir to absolutely have

Answer 10

depends on what port of call