Business in the Caribbean is Not Good......

[doublebzz]

Jewelry store after jewelry store shows sales people resting their heads on their bent elbows leaning on glass cases no one is buying from.

 

Seems not only are people not spending on the ships during their cruises but apparently they aren't spending ashore either

 

.

 

Perhaps its because a wise shopper can find jewelry costs much less in the U.S. The days of Carribbean bargins are over, if, in fact, there ever were any.

[TraelorMex]

Who has time for shopping at the ports when there is so much money to be spent on those marvelous 'art' auctions on board.:rolleyes:

[Sea42]

I have noticed that the younger cruisers are not interested in shopping.

 

Just looking at the shore excursions available at the various ports and you will see a lot more ziplining, river rafting, 4 x 4's, tons of sport excursions to attrack the younger cruisers.

 

So it is not that people can only afford the cruise -- their interests in the ports are entirely different than what cruisers wanted years ago.

 

Today's cruisers for the most part have ideas of what they want to spend their money on. And it is not jewelry, crystal, perfume, etc. They prefer to buy t-shirts for gifts for family and friends.

So true. While I'm not young, I much prefer to spend our travel budget on experiences not things. It's very seldom that we bring anything home from a trip other than happy memories and way too many photographs.

[Tampa Girl]

Having sailed on Princess several times the wife and I decided to give Holland a try. Leaving in March for another Panama Canal cruise. After reading between the lines from others on this thread, am wondering if we made a mistake. The veiled remarks about lower class and riff raff ruining the total Hal experience have me concerned. Will we be shunned on formal night when I show up in my Walmart tennies and Target Tux? :D:D

 

 

I don't know - what color are your "tennies?"

[Helles]

I will never buy something of value in a different country again. I purchased a diamond bangle while we were in Aruba last February for $3000. While we were on our Panama Canal cruise in October it broke at the hinge.

 

I contactted the company I bought it from at their head office in NY. They could have cared less. Told me the warranty was only for 60 days and I was out of luck.

 

When I pay that much I expect it to last much longer than that. I took it to my jeweller and they fixed it for $200. They told me it was worth what I paid for it but not particularly well made. Lesson learned.

[Tampa Girl]

Seabourn is actually cheaper than sailing in a HAL suite.

 

 

Which 7-day HAL cruise costs more then $11,000 in a suite?

[Sea42]

I don't know - what color are your "tennies?"

Well, if they're not black they are not formal!

[Tampa Girl]

I agree, that is super cheap and one that I have never seen. The cheapest caribbean cruise I ever took was about $1200. That was for the cheapest inside room and it was in 2003. If a person were free to go at any time I'm sure there are bargains to be found. As long as I'm employed I won't have the luxury to go at the drop of a hat. Even if I could, the airfare would besure to kill the deal. You folks must see a lot better deals then I see in my neck of the woods.

 

 

 

The prices that you must be getting in Canada seem excessively high. We have taken four Caribbean, 7-day cruises in a balcony cabin - three in high season, March, and one in December. The lowest was $899. The highest was $1,299. $1,200 for an inside cabin seems really high. How many days was the cruise?

[chopper65]

Perhaps its because a wise shopper can find jewelry costs much less in the U.S. The days of Carribbean bargins are over, if, in fact, there ever were any.

 

It will probably change from last jewelry store for 10 feet to last jewelry store for 20 feet

[chopper65]

Which 7-day HAL cruise costs more then $11,000 in a suite?

 

I am going on the Noordam on 2 Jan for 21 days.

Price comparison

Actual Canadian travel

Superior Veranda

Cruise 6695 online agent 8100 Holland America

Parking Bellingham 120 Yvr 247

Shuttle BLI to Seatac 110

Air Seatac to FLL 765.60 Yvr to FLL 1545.60

Hotel FLL 95 Hotel FLL 95

Transfers 30 Transfers 30

total US 7815.60

total Cdn7952 total Cdn 10017

Differance 2065

It is closer for me to drive to Bellingham than to YVR

[yvrnavigator]

The prices that you must be getting in Canada seem excessively high. We have taken four Caribbean, 7-day cruises in a balcony cabin - three in high season, March, and one in December. The lowest was $899. The highest was $1,299. $1,200 for an inside cabin seems really high. How many days was the cruise?

 

Prices here in Canada are actually very similar to the US, depending on the exchange rate, which is minimal these days.

I just booked a 14 day Caribbean Cruise in a Veranda stateroom which start at $ 1,600 per person (Veranda Categories).

7 day cruises for March of 2012 to the Caribbean start at $ 624 per person in an inside cabin. If you are a past passenger even lower. You do need to add some taxes to these fares and of course any expenses while traveling.

[yvrnavigator]

I am going on the Noordam on 2 Jan for 21 days.

Price comparison

Actual Canadian travel

Superior Veranda

Cruise 6695 online agent 8100 Holland America

Parking Bellingham 120 Yvr 247

Shuttle BLI to Seatac 110

Air Seatac to FLL 765.60 Yvr to FLL 1545.60

Hotel FLL 95 Hotel FLL 95

Transfers 30 Transfers 30

total US 7815.60

total Cdn7952 total Cdn 10017

Differance 2065

It is closer for me to drive to Bellingham than to YVR

 

I usually do the same. Either drive to Seattle all the way and fly out or take the car to Bellingham.

Do you park your car at the airport? Parking fees there are always very reasonable.

Lowest airfare out of YVR to FLL was just under $ 800 with long connections. Out of Seattle Virgin America had a fare for $ 350 round trip per person.

[chopper65]

I usually do the same. Either drive to Seattle all the way and fly out or take the car to Bellingham.

Do you park your car at the airport? Parking fees there are always very reasonable.

Lowest airfare out of YVR to FLL was just under $ 800 with long connections. Out of Seattle Virgin America had a fare for $ 350 round trip per person.

 

There is a new park and ride in Bellingham 4 minutes from the terminal. They charge 5 dollars a day plus 5 dollars for airport shuttle each way. I just googled bellingham long term parking and it is the first selection that comes up . Their rates are 5 dollars vs 9 dollars per day at the terminal

[iancal]

We live in Canada. We typically get a quote from our preferred on line US TA. We also get two quotes from a Canadian TA-one in CAD and the other in USD (sometimes the difference is larger than the current exchange rate). Usually the US on line TA rate is the best but once in a while-especially if the exchange rates have varied more than usual-the Canadian TA pricing is better.

[eroller]

Perhaps stores in the Caribbean are closing because the entire region has been over exploited by the cruise industry with the same stores selling the same crap, and because it's not such a great bargain anymore. I can get most of the same merchandise at home at the same price or lower, and I have the advantage of a local retailer that has to answer directly to me should the merchandise be defective.

 

In addition, years ago before the cruise industry had hundreds of ships sailing the Caribbean with 2000+ pax each, taking a cruise was much more of a novelty. Perhaps people went on a Caribbean cruise once in their life. Now taking a Caribbean cruise is as common as driving to the Jersey Shore. It's available to the masses and people find themselves cruising several times a year because it's so cheap. This leaves less money on other discretionary spending like shopping in port. Also as I mentioned earlier there is less incentive to buy anything because the merchandise is all the same and there are few bargains to be had.

 

I am a person that takes a lot of cruises a year, and I've been cruising since the 70's so I've seen a lot of changes. I have never shopped at Gucci, Fendi, Valentino, etc while on a cruise because frankly I don't shop at these overpriced labels at home. They just hold no interest for me. My partner on the other hand loves Gucci and other labels, but he still doesn't shop these brands in the Caribbean. Here in Miami and Italy yes, but not the Caribbean.

 

I might also mention that mainstream cruises have never been cheaper. I recently had a look at my tickets from the SS NORWAY back in July 1980. My Grandmother took myself and my brother in an inside triple cabin on Atlantic Deck. The price was over $800 per person for the 1st and 2nd passenger, cruise only. That was over 30 years ago! I don't even pay that today on a 7-day cruise in a balcony cabin! I think I paid something like $699 on the brand new NIEUW AMSTERDAM last November in an aft facing balcony cabin. I just got off the CELEBRITY MILLENNIUM two days ago and paid something like $259 for a balcony cabin for five days. The prices are insane, especially if you're willing to cruise off season when kids are in school, which I am and try to do.

 

Ernie

[Seavoyage]

I recall while in Mexico (Costa Maya) last year most of the items for sale in various store were made in China!!! NO THANKS!!!

 

Further the vendors were so aggressive - just a complete turn off - could not wait to get back to the ship!

 

Some of the sales people need a few lessons in manners - perhaps that could ignite sales.....

[vbmom87]

Personally, I cruise to visit places, not to shop. I don't particularly enjoy shopping at home, and I really don't enjoy bucking the crowds at a cruise port when I could be elsewhere doing something I couldn't do at home?

 

Am I that unusual?

 

Maybe we are unusual, but I agree with you. I do not go on vacation to shop. I go on vacation to see things and experience things I can't back home. I am very thrifty and try, for the most part, to buy what I need, not what I want. I know if everyone was like me, the retail industry would take a big hit. I can't help that. I was raised to be very careful with money as you never know what tomorrow will bring. I have never had a lot of money, but I am comfortable by my standards. From what I can gather on this board, many would not be comfortable in my lifestyle, but that is okay. I don't buy jewelry or expensive souveniers. Occasionally I will pick up a t-shirt. I always get some books for the grandkids and maybe an outfit for them. Other than that, we really don't shop for anything else. I stress as it is when I have to spend time shopping for the few items I do pick up because that means I have less time to see what I went to see.

[airlink diva]

First of all, Hi "Sail7seas" (Judy) last year this time we were on our fave ship the Maasdam :D:D

I noticed a difference in fellow cruisers spending habits on that cruise compared to my 2008 Maasdam sailing.

There were not as many shops in some of the ports open. In alot of the jewelery stores there were more employees than shoppers. It was the same for quite a few of the smaller shops. In St. Kitts, St. Lucia, and St. Martin, the shop owners stated that cruisers were spending less money or often just looking.

My primary reason for sailing in the Caribbean is to escape my normal day to day and relax. I've never been a big shopper and frankly rarely buy the knickknacks because they are often not made on the island,but in China. If I do buy, it's local items.

As for jewelery, I don't buy that often and not on cruises. I know friends who use to spend thousands on jewelery on cruises. But now due less discretionary money, just enjoy the ship more.

I find that the pricing for cruises really varies on when you want to sail and demand. I sail solo most of the time and know in order for me to enjoy cruise there are certain times I won't sail.

You will always have those who can afford to enjoy cruises and no difference in their spending. But for the majority, you have those who can afford to cruise and limit any excessive spending or those who use to afford to cruise, no longer. Things are also hard in the homeports.

[bcd2010]

Personally, I cruise to visit places, not to shop. I don't particularly enjoy shopping at home, and I really don't enjoy bucking the crowds at a cruise port when I could be elsewhere doing something I couldn't do at home?

 

Am I that unusual?

 

I'm with you, although, yes, I think we are unusual. I never understood why people were so anxious to get off the ship and shop - to me, that is a chore I do at home. I don't buy high end things ever, which is a contributing factor to my being able to afford an occasional cruise. But those people are just as bewildered as to why I (we) aren't going shopping instead of site-seeing - I mean, we can see beaches, forts, specialty factories and cultural events at home. It's just personal preference as is what we spend our money on.

 

And I "underspend" onboard, too. By choice - that is, I buy everything I want, I just don't want that much.

[aliaschief]

We are just not shoppers. We are more interested in getting rid of stuff we have accumulated over the years versus buying more. Can we afford it? Yes. How much more do we need?

 

Life has been kind to us and we are blessed to be able to continue our passion of cruising which does not include shopping and I will add that we also have never spent a dime in a ships casino.

 

Different things for different folks. Two years ago we gave up giving Christmas gifts to each other and though we still spend the same amount of money it now goes to charities of our choice. Takes away all the holiday stress of what to get and in return gives blessings to those not as fortunate as us.

[yvrnavigator]

Personally, I cruise to visit places, not to shop. I don't particularly enjoy shopping at home, and I really don't enjoy bucking the crowds at a cruise port when I could be elsewhere doing something I couldn't do at home?

 

Am I that unusual?

 

If you are that unusual, then I am too. :-)

I cruise do any kind of travel I do, for the purpose of going to new places and experience different cultures - never to shop. If I do see something I might like I might buy it but that is quite rare.

I don't even think that the downturn in business in the Caribbean has necessary to do with the economy in North America. Over the last few years I have seen a general change of consumer behavior towards products, which has started years before the downturn in the economy.

Including myself, I find the most people don't shop those small gifts items, trinkets etc. anymore. For me it is much more about the experience in each port than going shopping. I never spend time just in the 'shopping area' but rather go out enjoy the country I am in.

I do think that where one door closes another one opens. People do like to do more excursions and those businesses are probably booming.

[cruz chic]

The prices that you must be getting in Canada seem excessively high. We have taken four Caribbean, 7-day cruises in a balcony cabin - three in high season, March, and one in December. The lowest was $899. The highest was $1,299. $1,200 for an inside cabin seems really high. How many days was the cruise?

It was 7 days. Too bad I don't have the paperwork so I could prove it:rolleyes:. I may be able to get a better price if I went thru some cheapo internet site where I could end up losing my money because they are not above boards. Because I also book my cruises far ahead of when I take them I am not going to gamble with the USD exchange. I find it odd that people are so interested in doubting what I say. While some people may choose to lie for no reason anyone that knows me I'm a pretty straight shooter. The price I have stated are single supp and include taxes. To quote a price w/o tax is useless since the tax needs to be paid.

[dockrocker]

Sail, I think you can order Alviero Martini stuff directly from the company's website.

 

Of course you can. A 15-second Google confirms that.

[dockrocker]

Was not really looking for anything special, but decided to spend on the ship instead of the island's.

 

The fellow passenger's were not the typical HAL passenger's. I'll leave it to that.

 

Wait, don't tell us! Did they understand and practice basic punctuation? Those boors!

[rkacruiser]

I really think that one major reason business may be off in the Caribbean is that so many stores all have the same basic stuff. This is particularly true in St. Thomas. If one is shopping for watches or jewelry, it would be hard to decide from whom to buy. In 1970, on my first cruise (Rotterdam V), I bought a cashmere cardigan sweater in St. Thomas at a price that was a true bargain. That sweater has worn like iron, but now after all these years, shows its age. When I was last in St. Thomas, I went shopping for a replacement. Found none! When I spoke with the owner of a small shop, I expressed my disappointment in not finding what I was shopping for. He laughed and said no body shops there for that kind of item. All jewelry, watches, or booze.

 

It is just like with stores around where I live. Everybody has the same stuff! Somehow, quantity of stuff has replaced variety and quality of stuff.