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| Don’t Expect To Save Money “In Town”. |
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| One of the charming aspects of cruising is the ritual of visiting the local markets and shops. This is truly a fun experience and you can find all manner of unique and special items, but you probably won’t find any real bargains. There are bargains to be found, but you really need to know what you’re looking for and what it’s worth in the US. Now, don’t go and get all cynical about it. That’s just part of the experience. Somehow, buying a wooden giraffe in Grand Turk is better than buying the same wooden giraffe at Pier 1 Imports, even if you pay a little more. Go figure. |
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| You can find a wide range of jewelry, perfume, art, leatherwork and clothing in the market district when you go ashore. Sometimes you will find yourself in a modern shopping environment that reminds you more of a typical mall in your town than a Caribbean shopping district. For example, when you first disembark from the ship at Punta Langosta Pier in Cozumel, you will enter a spacious, two-story, outdoor shopping mall that was built specifically for the cruise port. It is colorful and clean, and looks like a Disney version of how the Caribbean is supposed to look. You’ll find a variety of vendors selling sundries, novelties, t-shirts, jewelry, perfume, sportswear, and low-end souvenirs, but the prices aren’t any better than you find elsewhere. You may even be greeted with a steel drum band. The whole environment is designed to get you into the experience of being in the Caribbean, and if this is your first trip, you’ll get there. But hold off on letting go of your money just yet. As cute as it is, it will still be there when you return. If you have any cash left and are in the mood, why not? |
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| A favorite ploy used by the local merchants is to advertise “50% Below MSR!” or something similar. Don’t count on it. That’s not to say that the prices rip you off, they don’t (usually). If you know what you’re looking for, you can find some good deals. Just understand that the appeal of shopping in the Caribbean is the island culture and variety, not the savings. |
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| Keep in mind that you are required to declare your foreign purchases to U.S. customs upon your return to the states. “Duty free” in Nassau doesn’t mean it’s duty free when you come back to the US. You are eligible for personal exemptions up to $800 for personal items. If you spend more than that, you may have to pay import fees which could effectively wipe out part or all of your savings. So, if you’re planning on doing some serious shopping, take the time to study the customs guidelines before you lay out the cash. |
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| Don’t be a miser. Spend freely. Do some Christmas shopping. Spread your money around the local economy and have fun doing it. Just remember, these guys are in the business of selling stuff to foreign tourists. They know where the money is coming from and they know how to keep as much of it as they can. |
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| Avoid Street Vendors |
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| Where ever you go on your cruise, once you step ashore you will be approached (accosted?) by local folks trying to sell you something. In the worst cases, street kids will try to get you to “marry” their sister for an hour. But even in the more civilized ports of call, you can expect to be offered some kind of great deal along with a heart-tugging story (“These beautiful bracelets are made by school children to help feed their families”). We recommend that you steer clear. We’re not talking about the shops and makeshift kiosks you may find right outside the port, we’re talking about the guys selling Cuban cigars out of their trunks, or pirated CDs out of a cardboard box. |
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Your best bet, unless you’ve been there and really know the score, is to just say NO. Most of the products are very low quality and you
have no way to check it out before you buy. Anything you purchase from a street vendor may be counterfeit, illegal or unsafe. We know
of people who bought CD cases with no CDs inside, watches that didn’t work, Cuban cigars purchased in the local drugstore, “handmade”
jewelry that came out of bubble gum machines, the list is endless. And this applies 10-FOLD if some local guy tries to sell you some pot. |
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In most ports of call frequented by American-based vessels, this street traffic is actually illegal. You probably won’t get into trouble, but
why risk it? Save your money for the honest locals and their little shops that are going to sell you watches that do work, they just fall
apart in a few weeks. |
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Articles we've written about
Cruising In The Caribbean |
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Ten Mistakes When Taking A Cruise - It’s a shame to lay out
$250 - $2,500 on a dreamy
cruise vacation only to encounter unnecessary mishaps and
inconveniences. So, in an effort
to minimize the likelihood of a
bump in the road to your perfect
vacation, here are some common
potholes that can tarnish your
experience.
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Eleven Expert Cruising Tips - Some useful,relevant tips and
ideas, and other neat stuff you
can use to make their cruising
experience better.
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Hooked On Cruising (And I Like It!) - It's official! I have a
condition, a disorder by some
people's assessment. It's called
"Caribbean Obsession Disorder",
and there really is such a thing.
Imagine that!
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