pl3341

Husband, Jerry, served 20 years and retired 11/1/86 from USAF. Served in Vietnam.

The shopping consultant who gives the port talks on board is actually an employee of the company that runs the ship's port marketing program. This operation's sole purpose is to sell advertising to port merchants. Those that pay the appropriate fee get included in the port shopping guides, listed as "recommend" by the cruise line, included in the port talks on board and also get referrals by the personal shopping consultant who will go so far as to take customers to the ship and help the staff there to close the sale. I don't know if these shopping consultants get actual commissions but I believe the program itself does.

 

Likewise, the only way to get on the "recommend" store list or port maps is to pay the fees. The recommendation has nothing to do with quality or customer service. It is simply paid advertising.

 

Personally, I think this practice is deceptive and it, together with the equally deceptive auctions on board, are a black mark against the cruise industry. I think it is horrible that they allow this deceptive marking on board in order to sell advertising. I have no problems with them selling advertising but I do have an issue with them presenting the merchants as "recommended stores" and not as advertisers.

My #463. I have such bad taste in my mouth for even saying the words Diamonds International. I have to spend the store credit in order to recoup my money - otherwise I would not go near the place. I will also not be going near the person on board that promotes these stores. You are right - the "talks" are about jewelry, almost singularly from Diamonds International, and tanzanite. When I thought about my trip after I got home I spent my shore time in the store! Won't be happening this time. As I said previously - READ THE FINE PRINT AND RESIST THE SALES GIMMICKS!

I can't imagine that the cruise lines don't get a cut of overall sales or at least a reduction in port fees for pushing the overpriced products on customers.

 

Does each ship have a different DInternational representative/chief hawker on the ship? Independence of the Seas is Paige and I'll admit - she's really good at her job.

Each ship has their own. As for RC being a help - I was told I must register my purchase in case there was a problem. I did and when I had my problem with DI all RC said was they couldn't help me unless there was a flaw. Well duh .... that was the battle I was having with DI.

I n the future I will shop with the little guys and at least have some fun rather than having these jewels dangled in front of me, even put on my neck, and pressuring me. Live and learn

I was looking at some Diversa/Day-To-Night earrings on the ship and in port. For those unaware, its a center stone surrounded by a smaller square of individual diamonds that drops down to go from gorgeous studs to chandelier earrings. On the ship the 'deal' they wanted to give me was $1,700. Two days after I got home I went to my local jeweler's, Jared's, and purchased an exquisite set for $1,100. Suffice to say I think DInternational is overpriced and an easy way to get cruisers to spend money on what maybe quality material but certainly not affordable pricing. Also if anything goes wrong with your jewelry, you want it cleaned, you want it reset - who do you go to?

My recent experience wasn't pretty nice at all. I haven't had a chance to get an appraisal but when they can drop a price from $18,000 to $12,000 it makes you wonder. PLEASE check out the small print on the back of the paper you are signing! When you walk out that door it's yours and you can't return it and get your money back under any circumstances! They will fix any problems but won't take it back! Talked with an attorney and DI still stood their ground. After 2 1/2 months. Normally if you take something back to a store when it is broken you can get your money back - NOT DI!

Once you walk out that door those sweet sales people turn into something else. I now have a large store credit to spend at a store where I don'want to go into. I Refuse to buy from them on line. On our next cruise I will be going into the first DI I find, picking out my jewelry and not showing them my credit until I am ready to pay. I will then walk out and never do business with them again.

When I get home I will be taking it to my local jeweler for appraisal. In addition I will go to my jeweler for any problems. I would rather pay for any problems myself than to deal with DI! Just BE CAREFUL about your deal before you walk out of the store.!!!!!

OK so I love tanzanite. It's beautiful. Anyone know if the so-called "deals" at Tanzanite International (or the Diamonds Intl.) are any good, and is it a rip-off, or can I honestly get something nice?

I'd like to if it's worth it. I've been in those stores on the islands dozens of times, talked to them, listened to the sales pitches. But I'm not stupid, I just wondered if anyone had any real experience. You know, with actually purchasing something and getting an appraisal at their trusted jeweler back home, etc.

Sailing on Equinox again on 3/11 and just might do some shopping.....

I purchased tanzanite in Alaska and brought it home to my local jeweler. She appraised it considerably higher than I paid so I was quite satisfied. If you like it and can afford it look into it. As with any purchase, check ito ut before you buy it.

That's Rccl

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We purchased a buy one get one half off tickets and get NO military discount. 20 year AF retired

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Ok so I can expect that I will have a cooler/mini fridge/ cold plate something or other to cool drinks in my cabin? We are in a large oceanview.

Do all the cabins have refrigerators? We are in G3 3126.

We were put on MTD and I went on line and scheduled our reservations already.

What's the difference between panoramic view and large ocean view?

What's the difference between panoramic view and large ocean view? That's what we have. on deck 3.

If I don't buy a beverage package now can I buy it later if I change my mind ?