Purchasing watches on a Cruise Ship

[meapya]

Ok so i was on a RCL ship, this past Dec, the week before Christmas and on 1 of the excursions i wore my trusty casio watch snorkeling....but an unfortunate result was that the display went kaput and eventually 24 hrs after setting the watch on dresser in the room, the display didn't come back. :( :confused: :eek: :eek:

 

So I treated myself to a fancy/dressy watch made by Bulova as purchased on the ship. My questions are as follows:

 

 

• is RCL an authorised seller or just like a B&M store selling watches. There was also say Raymond Weil, M Koors (sp), Breitling, etc also no display for purchase
  
• Are the watches if they are sold on the ship the real deal or just kock offs (i hope not)
  
• Finally, are the watches they sell on the ship the same kind you'd find at the B&M store or ones that are made for int'l sale only (i.e. duty free and not easily available models)?
  

MODS - pls move to the right board if necessary.

 

 

 

TIA and hope to get some clarifications here.....

Meapya

[Shak]

I look at watches every time I cruise and I sure the watches are not knock offs. I have a Raymond Weil and the Liberty did not carry them last Nov but the salesman said they were looking into adding that line. I thought the prices were OK on the ship but I have seen prices cheaper in the States. I got my Raymond Weil at Sam's Club of all places. They were looking into getting rid of some inventory and I helped them when they offered a really nice price. In fact that salesman on the Liberty said he liked Raymond Weil and when he saw my watch he asked what I paid for it and he couldn't believe it when I told him. Like any purchase on a cruise ship or on shore know you products and prices before going.

 

Shak

[J&SLowery]

To my knowledge (and this is based solely on our experience), the name brand watches are the real thing. Scheila purchased a Citizen on board a couple years ago; we discovered a minor problem when we got home. We went to the nearest Citizen dealer (a local jeweler) who both authenicated the watch and repaired no charge since it was a warranty repair for Citizen.

 

I did not buy my Citizen on the ship, rather I bought 2 (one for me an one for my brother) in St. Marteen several years back. They sold the same watch on the ship (for more than I paid) and the same watch is available still today in stores (also for more than I paid). These both came with all the necessary Citizen p/w as well.

 

Now, they do have the populare "Watch Sale" that has many unknown names that are more or less costume jewelry...you're getting what your paying for.

 

But as far as the name brand products go, the products on the ship are no different that what you can buy in stores.

 

Jay

[graphicguy]

I've asked myself that before. I like Tissot and Tag watches. I bought a Tissot on the Liberty of the Seas. Prices are good, maybe not the lowest, but close.

 

Once you figure in "no tax" when you buy on the ship, they probably are the best deal.

 

Ships don't handle grey market or reproductions. They are the real thing, from the manufacturers with the manufacturer's warranty.

[AlanAllyn]

I bought my Seiko on board several years ago and it is still working fine (have replaced the battery).

[SEASONEDCRUZER]

I bought an Anne Klein watch on board seven years ago, now AK is not a true luxury brand, but I loved that watch soooo much I bought another one exactly the same a few years later. Both still work great except the oldest one is a little less shiny than the newer one so I use it as a casual "jeans day" watch and save the other one for work etc. Both times I purchased the watch the price was the same, USD 39.99, very reasonable!

 

Every time my son has looked at a Tag watch onboard we have found the prices to be very reasonable and we had no feeling the watches were fakes-RCI would be very foolish to carry counterfeit items onboard their ships as luxury retailers are stepping up their brand protection and the penalty for selling knock offs would be very embarrassing and damaging to RCI's public image.

 

IMHO the ship is the one place on a Caribbean vacation I would feel secure enough to purchase a luxury brand watch.

 

Low price + no tax + no fear of scam = good deal for me! :D:D:D

[ryanedoyle]

I have been looking forward to buying a watch on my next cruise. I know the watches are real but it’s always hard to know if you got the best price. On prices on the watches firm or will they negotiate a bit? Also do watches stay the same price through the whole week or get cheaper towards the end? Just a few things I have been wondering about.

[Raptor2010]

I have been looking forward to buying a watch on my next cruise. I know the watches are real but it’s always hard to know if you got the best price. On prices on the watches firm or will they negotiate a bit? Also do watches stay the same price through the whole week or get cheaper towards the end? Just a few things I have been wondering about.

 

I purchased a Tissot T-Touch watch in Grand Cayman last year and it was about $100 cheaper than it was on the ship. They will barter a little bit on the ship but not as much as the stores in port.

[J&SLowery]

I have been looking forward to buying a watch on my next cruise. I know the watches are real but it’s always hard to know if you got the best price. On prices on the watches firm or will they negotiate a bit? Also do watches stay the same price through the whole week or get cheaper towards the end? Just a few things I have been wondering about.

 

With the exception of an individual item going on sale, their prices are fairly firm. They may negotiate a little. Their prices are also usually lower than retail in the U.S.

 

This is also why you can often secure a better price in port- because in port, you can barter/negotiate. St Marteen and St Thomas have some of the best watch/jewelry shopping in the Caribbean.

 

That said, you often will find that the final price you pay in port is just below what the ship prices are. Sometimes, it's much better. You really have to do your homework sometimes.

 

Keep in mind, this is big business for the cruise companies. They're not stupid or naive. They send reps to the islands to confirm pricing as well. Duty Free shops on board are priced to be competetive with in-port pricing. Example-- unless something has changed, I beleive they'll match liquor price if you can prove a listed/posted price in port. (Note I stated listed/posted-- they will not match a negotiated price such as on jewelry/watches).

 

Jay

Edited March 16, 2012 by J&SLowery

[Redrobo]

To my knowledge (and this is based solely on our experience), the name brand watches are the real thing. Scheila purchased a Citizen on board a couple years ago; we discovered a minor problem when we got home. We went to the nearest Citizen dealer (a local jeweler) who both authenicated the watch and repaired no charge since it was a warranty repair for Citizen.

 

I did not buy my Citizen on the ship, rather I bought 2 (one for me an one for my brother) in St. Marteen several years back. They sold the same watch on the ship (for more than I paid) and the same watch is available still today in stores (also for more than I paid). These both came with all the necessary Citizen p/w as well.

 

Now, they do have the populare "Watch Sale" that has many unknown names that are more or less costume jewelry...you're getting what your paying for.

 

But as far as the name brand products go, the products on the ship are no different that what you can buy in stores.

 

Jay

 

 

Is St Martin a good place to buy watches? I like to pick up one on each cruise.

[J&SLowery]

Is St Martin a good place to buy watches? I like to pick up one on each cruise.

 

It was for me:D

[PLEIKU68]

Now please don't laugh but I bought a $10 watch on board several years ago and would you believe the thing still works and I've actually had people say that's a nice watch and how much was it. Of course at that point it becomes very valuable and i detail my negotiating skill. ha ha ah:eek:

[goouchjac]

I bought a AnneKlein last Jan. on the FOS,, pretty white one ,,think it was $60.that is the first time I ever did that,,,usually get a watch on St.Thomas..:)

[Familygoboston]

I have been looking forward to buying a watch on my next cruise. I know the watches are real but it’s always hard to know if you got the best price. On prices on the watches firm or will they negotiate a bit? Also do watches stay the same price through the whole week or get cheaper towards the end? Just a few things I have been wondering about.

 

We don't buy a lot of watches in the Caribbean, but when we do need one, that's where we shop for the best prices.

 

The luxury watches sold in the fine jewelry store are the real deal, and at least for those we've priced; are hundreds of dollars less than their counterparts in the US ( due to huge sales volume RCL does) and as others have mentioned if you have state sales tax, you will save that too. Be aware, that you are still expected to pay duty on shipboard purchases above the limit, and once RCL prevented us from leaving the ship to personally escort us to the customs agents to pay ( in our case a v small duty). ( even though our form was already filled out and we intended to pay the small duty)

 

The rep in the fine jewelry store onboard told us we could shop in port and he would match their price if we had it in writing , but here is the catch. On the very high end watches, they price control what their vendors are allowed to sell them for ( sometimes on the web you can find cheaper ones, but they are unauthorized, therefore not under warranty and no assurance they are real or not reconditioned.)If the high end watch manufacturers find out that a shop is undercutting their recommended prices ( and higher volume dealers are allowed to offer lower prices) the watch maker can cut them off, and will!

 

Therefore, even if you can get a retailer in port to agree to a price they are unlikely to write it for you to bring back to their competitior ( RCI) who will then report them to the manufacturers rep next time he's in the area! So if you get a better price on the islands take it, you are unlikely to get them to commit to it in writing.

 

We have found the shops in St Martin to be good for high end watches. But again, know what you want and what price to expect, and stick with the authorized dealers; other shops could be knock offs or reconditioned or no warranty, you have no way to know. DH got a Tag for a good price in St Martin and had it serviced under warranty with no problems here in the states.

 

Good luck shopping! I recommend you know and have priced what you want at home so that you can buy with confidence either on board or in port.

 

And beware of the costume jewelry watches sold in the Centrums and promenades; they are usually far cheaper on Amazon or at your local Walmart. My mom buys them because if she sees one she likes, she wants it, but really, you can get that stuff anywhere more cheaply and you aren't getting any significant tax savings on a low end watch like that anyway.

 

Oh, also, don't fall for the gimmick in the fine jewelry shop, where they cover the watches for a 1/2 a day and then have a "sale", the prices are the same both before and after the sale. They don't move much in those stores, and they give you the "shop in port and we will match it" line, but you'd better get it in writing.

Edited March 17, 2012 by Familygoboston

[labadooze]

They are definitely real. I purchased a Tissot onboard and they did negotiate.

[ryanedoyle]

They are definitely real. I purchased a Tissot onboard and they did negotiate.

 

How much did they come down from the posted price?

 

Keep the info coming!! I'm loving it!

[Microcruiser]

I got a deal on my Tag on Oasis. They did give me some money off and it was the same price that I saw at a store on St. Maarten. So I was happy with the price. Just don't forget to claim it on your customs slip....I got 'chosen' to go through customs and had to pay. It was only ~$30, but still a bit nerve racking:D

[drewmo]

It depends on the brand. You should be able to haggle 12-20%.

[mslaabs]

Now please don't laugh but I bought a $10 watch on board several years ago and would you believe the thing still works and I've actually had people say that's a nice watch and how much was it. Of course at that point it becomes very valuable and i detail my negotiating skill. ha ha ah:eek:

 

My dad also bought one of those $10 watches, after he wore his non-waterproof one snorkeling :rolleyes: . He still wears it and hasn't had any problems with it. It has sort of become a family joke anytime anyone has a watch issue, he tells them how he has had no problems with his $10 ship watch and the best place to by a watch that lasts is at a cruise ship watch sale.

[read52]

I had a $10 watch that I wore for four years but I scratch the face. My husband bought a fossil watch 3 years ago and just had the battery replaced at a fossil store. I bought a fossil watch last April and love it. I don't like watches but really like this one. We got them at a great price on board.

[lacey jane]

i also bought 3 $10 watches, the last night of the cruise there were hundreds on offer

[OKC Cruisers]

I have purchased 2 watches on board ships. The first was a Movado which I purchased on a Carnival ship. I got a great price...but less than a year later, I found the exact watch at Sam's Club for $150 less. On Voyager last year, I bought a Citizen Eco-Drive. I have scoured the stores stateside and the internet, and have yet to find it priced lower than what I paid on board. Like others have said, do your homework, know what you want and what the retail prices are...knowledge is power.

 

Pete

[rickdent]

Purchased 2 Citizen Eco Drive Mens watches about 5 years ago-they both still work(although one is a bit temperamental). I did price research afterwards and could find no better price, so I'm happy.

This past Feb. 2012 on Liberty, we purchased a Ladies Tag Heuer, a new model. Researched at ports after purchase to see if we needed to get a price match, it was 15% higher at port stores, so again we are happy.

There was another Tag Heuer Monaco men's watch on Liberty that was interesting-blue face and blue croc band--but it was $4500, out of range for this trip. I have since done extensive internet pricing for this limited edition watch, and seen prices 4900-5600. None better than ship.

[ryanedoyle]

Cool stuff to know thanks! I am torn between the Citizen quarts movement and the Tissot Manual movement. Choices choices!

[meapya]

closing in on a year since i got the watch and it still works like a chime.

 

i've noticed tho it must not be a model that is available here in northern va or at my local mall.

 

i did since then however, purchased a fancy timex watch that is more to match a jeans/casual day at work or when i got out w/friends.

 

before this trip tho i might want to get a casio g-shock...but the question is which one to get....:confused::confused::confused: