Nice Boat Posted April 17, 2004 #1 Share Posted April 17, 2004 I'm taking the Caribbean Princess's 8/28/04 Eastern Caribbean cruise. I looked at posts on these two ports under the Ports of Call section on CruiseCritic as well as searching the internet in general and books at the bookstore. I've read that both are duty-free. Now, I would like input from past Princess passengers who have visited these ports. Which of the two should I do most of my shopping? Which has the better pricing on items or are they about the same or does that depend on the type(s) of merchandise one is looking for? I plan on getting gifts for family, friends and their children such as spices, rum, crafts, jams, etc. Of course, I want to shop for my husband and myself - possibly a watch (Movado), handbag(s), clothing, t-shirts, shirts, lighter household items, etc. I'm not looking to buy jewelry but I intend to still window shop unless a petite set of platinum or 18k white gold earrings catches my eye. Any feedback and suggestions would be most appreciated. Thank you in advance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salty Dawg Posted April 17, 2004 #2 Share Posted April 17, 2004 Nice Boat, Having been to the islands several times, we found that St. Martin has the best prices. Especially on liquor, cigarettes, t-shirts, & souvenirs. Ken & Nancy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impulzz Posted April 17, 2004 #3 Share Posted April 17, 2004 I totally agree! St Thomas has good prices for everything you're looking for, but St Maarten has GREAT prices!! I felt like a kid in a candy store when I went jewelrey shopping there! I don't buy any jewelry now at home. I just save my pennies for my next visit, and then it's SHOP SHOP SHOP!! LOL!! Have fun!!! Lizz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sprinkles Posted April 17, 2004 #4 Share Posted April 17, 2004 Another vote for St. Maarten. It's hands down our favorite port to shop in. Have fun. Tammy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minnjudy Posted April 17, 2004 #5 Share Posted April 17, 2004 and they take credit cards at all the stores? and it is safe to use them, right? May sound like a dumb question....but just wondering... RC Nordic Empress 1/92 Bahamas RC Enchantment W Carib 1/01 Legend to Hawaii 3/03 Next: Carib Princess E Carib 6/04 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisingfreak Posted April 17, 2004 #6 Share Posted April 17, 2004 I also vote for St Maarten. The best prices on jewelry.I've bought a few expensive pieces & the price was great. It's safe to use credit cards. Minette Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinatark Posted April 17, 2004 #7 Share Posted April 17, 2004 I agree, St. Maarten has better prices. BUT... the shops seemed a little nicer in St. Thomas, thanks tp those higher prices, I guess! St. Maarten felt more like a market-type atmosphere, to me. The problem we had was, we stopped, shopped at St Thomas.... then saw better prices at St. Maarten! Tina Big Red Boat 6/86 Golden Princess 3/02 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KruzPrincess Posted April 17, 2004 #8 Share Posted April 17, 2004 St. Maarten. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salty Dawg Posted April 17, 2004 #9 Share Posted April 17, 2004 Never had a problem using our credit cards for purchases - Master Card, Visa, or Discover. (Be aware that not all the shops accept AmEx.) However, we had much better success "bargaining" with the vendors when we used cash! Ken & Nancy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sue d. miller Posted April 17, 2004 #10 Share Posted April 17, 2004 St. Martin and I always take cash. Much better deals. Sue 7 days on Star Princess 10/24 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zebra Posted April 17, 2004 #11 Share Posted April 17, 2004 Nice Boat, You must go to the Guavaberry Store on St. Maarten (on the main street) - they sell rum, liquers, spices, hot sauce and jam. This is totally our favorite store there!!! Until Alaska 5/8/2004 Diamond Princess Until Millenium 9/6/2004 to Europe! <center> <a href="http://www.escati.com/counter98/free_time_codes.htm"> </center> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cactus Posted April 17, 2004 #12 Share Posted April 17, 2004 Hands down St. Maarten! Rum - as stated go to Guavaberry Emporium on Front Street. It will probably be crowded so I have attached a link so you have an idea what is available. BTW samples are readily handed out - which "inspired" me to purchase additional bottles! Jewelry - Carribean Gems on Front Street - ask for "Barry" excellent, professional, high quality and extremely fair pricing. www.guavberry.com Booked: Island Princess 06/26/04 Alaska Grand Princess 03/19/05 Western Caribbean Completed: Golden Princess 03/20/04 Eastern Caribbean Star Princess 10/11/03 Mexican Riviera Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cactus Posted April 17, 2004 #13 Share Posted April 17, 2004 Sorry had a GUAVABERRY Colada and spelled the link wrong - Try www.guavaberry.com Booked: Island Princess 06/26/04 Alaska Grand Princess 03/19/05 Western Caribbean Completed: Golden Princess 03/20/04 Eastern Caribbean Star Princess 10/11/03 Mexican Riviera Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lcsiki Posted April 18, 2004 #14 Share Posted April 18, 2004 I have to put my two cents in on this one. I have been on 16 cruises and I would vote St. Thomas hands down the best port to shop for Jewelry and Perfume over St. Maarten. I can especially vouch for Ballerina Jewelers! They will beat any price on any island. I will say however that St. Maarten has the best price for cigarettes. Hope this helps! Lisa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nice Boat Posted April 18, 2004 Author #15 Share Posted April 18, 2004 To all - Thank you for the great feedback and suggestions so far! I look forward in viewing more postings on this topic. The feedback is adding to my anticipation and excitement for my upcoming cruise. I definitely will note on a pad of paper all the specific stores mentioned in this thread and give each a visit while at the ports. I'm sure all the information that will be in this thread will be handy to others traveling a similar itinerary. Sincerely, Teri Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salty Dawg Posted April 18, 2004 #16 Share Posted April 18, 2004 Nice Boat, Be sure to visit the great little beach bar called "Everyt'ing Cool" on Front Street in St. Maarten. ( http://www.philipsburg-info.com/everytingcool/ ) It is right in town amongst all the stores. Great place to park the hubby while you power shop! Ken & Nancy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twodudes Posted April 18, 2004 #17 Share Posted April 18, 2004 Hi All, Niceboat and twodudes are on the same cruise so we also are eager to hear your advice. Can anyone compare to maybe Georgetown in Grand Cayman? Rgds Ash 4/03 RCI Splendour of the Seas 10/99 Carnival Destiny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dickmac Posted April 18, 2004 #18 Share Posted April 18, 2004 Both ports are great for shopping - you may want to consider the extra duty-free allowance for purchases made in St Thomas. For jewelry, my wife likes DK Gems(especially Deepti), Ballerina II(Tony), and Kay's(Sam) in St Maarten, and Cardow in St Thomas. Have a great trip! dickmac in lockport ny(near Toronto) Dawn Princess 3/04 Maasdam 12/03 Adventure of the Seas 3/02 Galaxy 4/01Dawn Princess Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodofpine Posted April 18, 2004 #19 Share Posted April 18, 2004 St. Maarten gets the price nod. The wife really likes the main linen store on Front St. As others said, Phillipsburg is neat because you've got the nice harbor beach (and beach bars) sharing the same street block as much of the Front St. shopping - plus its little smaller, less overpowering, and more charming than St. Thomas. Also the market in Marigot-St. Martin offers some nice crafts and spices if you really want to shop 'till 'ya drop! St. Thomas (Megans and St. John) offer better beaches than St. Martin... which isn't to say Mt. Martins aren't very good. I think the Harbor Beach is underrated vis-a-vis Orient. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zebra Posted April 19, 2004 #20 Share Posted April 19, 2004 Twodudes, There's no comparison (in my opinion) between St. Thomas/St. Maarten and Georgetown, Grand Cayman. Grand Cayman is way more expensive - have been to all the above numerous times. You're gonna have a ball!!! Until Alaska 5/8/2004 Diamond Princess Until Millenium 9/6/2004 to Europe! <center> <a href="http://www.escati.com/counter98/free_time_codes.htm"> </center> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbrady Posted April 19, 2004 #21 Share Posted April 19, 2004 going on the caribbean princess may 15 and want to ship back my liquer purchases. which island can i do this on? or who has the best prices to do this with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lhbsurf Posted April 19, 2004 #22 Share Posted April 19, 2004 Just to re-emphasize what dickmac already mentioned, there are big duty free advantages for shopping in the US Virgin Islands - I'm sorry, I cannot remember specifics, but especially on Alcohol, you could only buy a bottle or two duty free in other islands, but you can bring back (or ship back) more if it's purchased in St. Thomas. It's definitely worth checking out if you're buying liquor or expensive jewelry!! <applet code="countdown.class" CODEBASE="http://*************/java-sys" width="203" height="25"> <param name="font" value="lcdb0"> <param name="year" value=2004> <param name="month" value=11> <param name="day" value=14> <param name="hour" value=17> </applet> until Star Princess 11/04 Constellation 11/03 Enchantment of the Seas 11/99 Fantasy 03/93 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmyinGA Posted April 19, 2004 #23 Share Posted April 19, 2004 We did better in St Martin. We did know that if we bought something in St Thomas we could exchange or upgrade it in St Martin the next day at the same store. The people working in the shops also knew that this was our last port and tried to make deals with us. Most of the deals were great. I spent time in St Thomas getting some quotes on jewelry and then I had a good reference point for St Martin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nice Boat Posted April 21, 2004 Author #24 Share Posted April 21, 2004 dbrady, To add to lhbsurf's post, based on my research (websites and travel books on the Caribbean), if you purchase the alcohol on St. Thomas, you can bring back up to 4 liters of alcohol per person or up to 5 liters if one bottle was produced in the Virgin islands. I assume a liter is a bottle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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