Purchasing watches on a Cruise Ship

[zaknzoey]

I bought a Fossil watch ( :rolleyes: ) on one cruise, and it is the real deal. But the battery had to be replaced within a few months, though.

[Iluvcruising2]

They are the real thing.

 

You can find good deals on board.

[Beth C]

I needed a new casual watch and had my eye on a Fossil I saw online for $135... On board it was $10 cheaper... I ran out of time on board and didn't get a chance to buy it :(

 

Disembark day at the Fossil Outlet Store in Sawgrass Mills Ft.Lauderdale - same watch $29.99! :)

 

 

Sent from my Speak & Spell using Tapatalk

Edited November 24, 2012 by Beth C

[gkrebs]

Any on board purchase that is greater then $800.00 is reported to customs and you WILL hear a different noise when you debark when you stick in your set sail pass. You will then be escorted by the customs offical to a very detailed inspection and questioning. I know someone who got caught not declaring a watch. They were asked twice if they bought anythign else and said no. BINGO $400.00 fine plus the duty. So if your going to try and beat the duty, then dont buy it on the ship.

[P&C4/16/67]

Any on board purchase that is greater then $800.00 is reported to customs and you WILL hear a different noise when you debark when you stick in your set sail pass. You will then be escorted by the customs offical to a very detailed inspection and questioning. I know someone who got caught not declaring a watch. They were asked twice if they bought anythign else and said no. BINGO $400.00 fine plus the duty. So if your going to try and beat the duty, then dont buy it on the ship.

 

RC notifies Customs?:confused:

[BND]

We've bought 3 watches onboard. All Citizen. One for DH and two for me all on separate cruises. The prices have been a little better or equal to what I've found online.

[north29]

I bought my wife a citizen watch, I check the price on the internet on the ship, and the watch onboard was cheaper, kinda hard to believe, but true. I always wanted a sub mariner from Rolex, but never liked the weight, but loved the look. Invicta had a their original Rolex mariner copy, on the ship and even the GMT master version, I think both were $139 best price on ship, Sams club has it for $109 and other online stores it varies in price from $79 to $90. Note, there are many versions of this Invicta watch, the ones with the Japanese movement are cheaper than the swiss ones by a $$$$$$. The swiss movement is basically the same as Rolex's movement. I asked one of the sales reps on board if it had the Swiss movement, and he said yes, came back on another day ask the same question to another sale rep, and he said the Japanese movement LOL

Edited November 24, 2012 by north29

[orville99]

Bought my first onboard watch (Seiko) on my first cruise back in 1981. It just died this year:) The one (Waltham) I bought onboard in 1986 still works:) I guess I'll have to buy another one when that one finally goes;)

Edited November 24, 2012 by orville99

[Rala]

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:

 

No laughing here...DH buys at least one of these $10 watches on almost every cruise we take. Not all, but many of them (he has about 7 or 8) are still up and running. He is NOT a shopper at all. I think he has an addiction and needs a support group !!:D;)

[sullyair]

I bought a TAG for my son on our last cruise. Fair price. He had moisture under the glass when we got home. It was probably his fault for not screwing the crown down tight. We took it to the local TAG dealer with warranty card and receipt. They sent it to TAG and it was fixed under warranty.

[bigeagle12]

I have bought a Citizen watch on almost every cruise. They sell them 40% off with full Citizen warranty. In the US, Citizen authorized dealers can only sell them at 25% off. You can find them online from non-authorized dealers for 40% but they do not come with full 5 year Citizen warranty. The online sellers may offer their own one or two year warranty.

[Docdan48]

I have bought a total of 4 Citizen's Brand Eco Drive watchs while on a cruise. Three on board the ship and one in St Martins. All were factory and had all the paper work. The only problem I had and I still don't know if it was just coincidental, was the year I bought it on St. Martin's. When I got home I was notified by VISA that my card had been compromised and that they caught it. My card was cancelled and a new one issued. Since that time I have been gunshy about using my card ashore, and decided to stick with the ships store, or use cash if I want to buy something big while in port. As far as concern for the quality of Citizen's they are a great value for the price and have a fantastic selection. I am always getting compliments on their looks whenever I wear them. Cruising again on the Jewell Dec 8th and might look for another one.

[Beth C]

No laughing here...DH buys at least one of these $10 watches on almost every cruise we take. Not all, but many of them (he has about 7 or 8) are still up and running. He is NOT a shopper at all. I think he has an addiction and needs a support group !!:D;)

 

I bought my dad a Seiko watch a few years ago for his birthday. What watch do I always see on his wrist?? A $10 Royal Caribbean special of course... supposedly it reminds him of being on vacation...

 

note to self: purchase multiple crappy $10 watches next cruise for upcoming gift occasions

[Docdan48]

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

 

Don't know much about the Tissot movement. I have 5 Citizen Eco Drive watchs, with 2 of them being the RF models linked to the atomic clock and they are work and look great . A lot depends on your wallet. Just look at both makes and get the one that appeals to you. I would say that you cannot go wrong with either make. Good Luck

[kingstonKouple72]

I know this is an old thread, so I am wondering if anything has changed in the last year?

 

I am looking for a ladies watch, Seiko or Citizen (or better), sapphire crystal (virtually impossible to scratch). We are going on FOS in January and will be stopping in St Thomas. From what I read that is a good place to buy watches. not exactly sure why.

 

Last few cruises we went on the watches seemed to be good prices but when we went home and checked around they seemed to be comparable to what was available online.

 

We don't have to worry about US Customs... we are Canadian, so we have to declare it to Customs when we fly home.

[m*u*g*]

Watches in the ship shops are real. (not talking about the $10 crap they sell that people swarm over)

 

Generally the same stock as found in stores.

 

Prices should be cheaper since no tax and they discount some depending on brand.

[Trainman-2]

Every 3 or 4 years I go to Walmart and buy another Timex.

 

Under $40 and I am very pleased with them.

 

No I don't wear any jewelry and I don't have any piercings or tattoos either!

 

 

Live is good! :D

[SidneyOfEaston]

Every 3 or 4 years I go to Walmart and buy another Timex.

 

Under $40 and I am very pleased with them.

 

No I don't wear any jewelry and I don't have any piercings or tattoos either!

 

 

Live is good! :D

 

Thanks for sharing that little tidbit of information. But how was that relevant to the thread topic? I don't see whether or not you have any piercings or tattoos has anything to do with buying a timepiece on board a cruise ship :D

[bigeagle12]

Don't know much about the Tissot movement. I have 5 Citizen Eco Drive watchs, with 2 of them being the RF models linked to the atomic clock and they are work and look great . A lot depends on your wallet. Just look at both makes and get the one that appeals to you. I would say that you cannot go wrong with either make. Good Luck

 

I too have purchased 5 Citizen watches on board RCI, Princess, and HAL. They offer them at 40% off retail, no tax, and full U.S. Citizen warranty.

 

In the U.S. authorized Citizen retailers cannot discount them more than either 25 or 30%. Yes you can find them online for 40% off without the manufacturer warranty.

[The Big Booper]

Adding to this 2012 thread-

 

In the last 5 years we bought three Skagen watches in St. Martin for $150 and $160. Last year we were wandering through Sawgrass Mills and went into the Skagen outlet store. I bought a similar watch in a different color for $105.

[cruzeluver]

Add me to the list of those that have purchased Citizen Eco-Drives on board (three, to be exact). We have been very, very pleased with them. The prices on board have been below what we could have purchased them for at home and the warranty has been included. I think they are terrific watches for the money. Have also purchased a Skagen and an Invicta on board and have been happy with those was well.

[mm1251]

I know this is an old thread, so I am wondering if anything has changed in the last year?

 

I am looking for a ladies watch, Seiko or Citizen (or better), sapphire crystal (virtually impossible to scratch). We are going on FOS in January and will be stopping in St Thomas. From what I read that is a good place to buy watches. not exactly sure why.

 

Last few cruises we went on the watches seemed to be good prices but when we went home and checked around they seemed to be comparable to what was available online.

 

We don't have to worry about US Customs... we are Canadian, so we have to declare it to Customs when we fly home.

 

The watch selection on Freedom is good. And St. Thomas is a great place to shop. The prices may not be any cheaper than finding them at a discount store at home (do they have Sams or Costco in Canada?), but the selection is much better and . . . most importantly . . . a watch purchased on a cruise is MORE SPECIAL. Don't know why, it just is!

 

Always hit them with a price of 75% of what they are asking and then let the fun begin. Even on the ship. You can usually save (as mentioned earlier in the thread) at least 10%.

 

Random note: my favorite cruise watch is a Tag.

[kingstonKouple72]

The watch selection on Freedom is good. And St. Thomas is a great place to shop. The prices may not be any cheaper than finding them at a discount store at home (do they have Sams or Costco in Canada?), but the selection is much better and . . . most importantly . . . a watch purchased on a cruise is MORE SPECIAL. Don't know why, it just is!

 

Always hit them with a price of 75% of what they are asking and then let the fun begin. Even on the ship. You can usually save (as mentioned earlier in the thread) at least 10%.

 

Random note: my favorite cruise watch is a Tag.

 

We do have Costco. It isn't open all the time because the frigid cold keeps people home in their igloos and we can't shop very often.

 

 

:D:D:D

[wmp.dll]

So I've seen a lot of mention of St. Thomas and St. Maarten but what about the western itin! Does Cozumel have reputable jewlerry/watch shops, or should I just stick to the shop on Allure? I might pick my self up a Citizen Eco-Drive on my next cruise :D

[Baded]

As far as I know and can tell they are real deal. I got a citizen Eco drive and a Philip Stein they are real but one thing I noticed they are last years models, but I got a good deal, so no worries. I'm just waiting for them to carry Rolex! :D