"Essentials" prices onboard

[Londontraveller67]

Hi

 

On the off chance anyone is reading this on an RC cruise right now, can you give me specific examples of how much some "essentials" are in the on-board store, like shampoo, toothpaste, Advil etc.

 

I know they are going to be obviously higher than on land but just wanted an example of by how much.

 

Thanks

[bearchele2]

I bought a chapstick a fer years back and it was around $2.00. It is quite higher and there are not much in choices. 

[smplybcause]

There's a shampoo in your cabin. 

[Londontraveller67]

17 minutes ago, smplybcause said:

There's a shampoo in your cabin. 

Good point, thanks, but I meant something branded like Head & Shoulders, which I believe they sell on board.

[spookwife]

Figure 5x more expensive than on land

[Joseph2017China]

Just curious?  Why?  The ship sells some very limited emergency supplies just in case someone forgets so most people don't worry about the price.  It's not a retail mart, just some random, supplies. 

 

[loveheart]

41 minutes ago, Londontraveller67 said:

Good point, thanks, but I meant something branded like Head & Shoulders, which I believe they sell on board.

I would take things like that with you or even buy at a pharmacy in a port. The shops on board are expensive for essentials IMO.

[swoopy2110]

Think we had to buy some toothpaste where there was about 3 seadays in a row and it was about $7 😄

 

We'll never forget it again

[Dajbman22]

Not exactly toiletries, but my wife has an iPhone 7 and forgot to pack her apple headphones with the lighting end and her dongle, and didn't notice until we were already checked in at the cruise port. After the shops opened the first night, we checked the main gift shop and they actually sold a pair of bluetooth earbuds for only $12. They had really short battery life and were cheaply made, but honestly, you'd see the same model for probably around $7-10 on land, and just as expensive as on the ship in a touristy area or small convenience store (if not more expensive). It was overpriced, but surprisingly not as bad as one would expect. 

[rusty nut]

Bought a can of shaving cream, once. Barbasol. It was very expensive, from what I remember. Want to know what else I remember? It lasted about four times longer than my regular shaving cream, Gilette Foamy!!

Edited June 11, 2019 by rusty nut

[Bailey & Sophie]

I forgot aspirin once. Paid $24 for 12 tablets. That alone gave me a headache.

[Starry Eyes]

Over our many cruises we have had the very rare occasion to require sundry purchases aboard.  I cannot recall exact prices, but I’d guess about triple our hometown drugstore.  Just as problematic is the scant selection.  Just because one ship has Head and Shoulders this week does not mean your ship will have it in stock when you sail, either sold out or changed brands.  We try to anticipate and pack all possible toiletry needs.  Each cruise we bring a selection of OTC meds, which fortunately generally are unneeded, save the occasional Advil or cold tablet.

[bballmomma]

$18 for Nyquil on FOS recently. Was glad to have it. Shocked at the price!

[bouhunter]

5 hours ago, Londontraveller67 said:

 can you give me specific examples of how much some "essentials" are in the on-board store, like shampoo, toothpaste, Advil etc.

 

 

 

 

More than you want to pay.  Take what you'll need.

[katiel53]

I see that you are from London and if you are sailing from the US, most ports have places nearby to purchase "travel size" item for lower prices than on the ships.  I don't know where you port of embarkation is, but I'm sure that if you are taking a cab/Uber to the port from your airport, you could ask for a pit stop on the way.

 

If you are coming in a day before the cruise, you will be able to go to a local grocery store and get what you need as those items are sold in most stores.  I wouldn't spend $7 for a tube of toothpaste or the huge markup for Advil etc.

[Merion_Mom]

Ok, here goes. Let’s start with the Head & shoulders. There was no price tag, so I asked the worker. $15.75

 

 

[Merion_Mom]

[Merion_Mom]

[Ourusualbeach]

And the staff are wondering who the heck is this person taking pictures😁

[brillohead]

I can totally understand not wanting to use limited airline weight capacity to fly overseas!

I highly recommend coming in at least one day in advance (honestly, for overseas, I'd do two days in advance as a minimum... never know when weather or mechanical issues will cause a flight delay!).  

Then you can, as recommended above, go to a local grocery store or drugstore (there's a Walgreens or CVS on every single corner in this country, I swear!) and purchase everything you need at normal retail prices, which are going to be WAY less than the prices posted above.  

One time I thought I had forgotten to pack my antiperspirant... definitely NOT something I can go without on a tropical cruise!  My Uber driver stopped at a grocery store that was on the way to the port (and earned himself a $5 cash tip) and I was able to purchase my favorite brand (later, I found mine when unpacking... it was tucked somewhere I hadn't looked!  LOL).  

For things like the shampoo, if the weight is going to be an issue on your return flight, just buy a small bottle and ask your room steward to pass along what is left to someone in the crew who could use it.  

[biomedbob]

Thanks for posting these pictures.  Don't know how you were able to get them.  I've tried in the past, but folks wouldn't allow it.

[Merion_Mom]

1 hour ago, biomedbob said:

Thanks for posting these pictures.  Don't know how you were able to get them.  I've tried in the past, but folks wouldn't allow it.

 

 

Nooooo one cared. 😄

 

Here are are some more:

 

 

[brillohead]

Wow, they give away meclizine packets for FREE at Guest Services and the medical center, but they charge for it (Bonine) in the store!

And that itch cream is the exact same brand you get at Dollar Tree for a buck.  (I recognize the box.)  They're charging $3.99 for it, so there's your proof that things are four times the normal retail when purchased on board.

 

[Sancho_proudfoot]

Lol@ Pringles being included as an "essential"😂😂

[ReneeFLL]

16 hours ago, Londontraveller67 said:

Hi

 

On the off chance anyone is reading this on an RC cruise right now, can you give me specific examples of how much some "essentials" are in the on-board store, like shampoo, toothpaste, Advil etc.

 

I know they are going to be obviously higher than on land but just wanted an example of by how much.

 

Thanks

 

What port are you leaving from? If we know this we can tell you of a nearby place to buy the stuff.