Shopping on board value

[lindya]

I have never really spent money shopping on the ships, but we have a cruise in a couple weeks with a lot of OBC...is there anything they sell that is actually a worthwhile purchase?  Jewelry, liquor, etc?

[Joe817]

2 minutes ago, lindya said:

I have never really spent money shopping on the ships, but we have a cruise in a couple weeks with a lot of OBC...is there anything they sell that is actually a worthwhile purchase?  Jewelry, liquor, etc?

I bought a quart of Johnny Walker Black on our Vista Cruise last August. IIRC, it was something like$37.00. Definitely a better price than they had at the local liquor store(Spec's). The wife partook of the 3 Carnival t-shirts for $15.00. Never bought any jewelry. I feel better deals can be found here at home, but as always, YMMV. 

[ultrafighter]

The only liquor we've ever purchased on the ship, or in port for that matter, is stuff that isn't sold in the US (Hennessy White & Bailey's Chocolate Luxe mainly).  I may price a couple of jewelry items I wouldn't mind having before we sail next week and compare with the prices on board, but it would have to be quite a savings for me to consider it.

[DramaQueen22]

I've purchased liquor onboard.  Although, some duty free airport shops will carry the same brand and sizes for less than what you pay onboard.

 

Last cruise, we got a FANTASTIC deal on a diamond anniversary band.  

[mondello]

Liquor and cigarettes are often cheaper than home in heavily taxed states. They have tables with $10 sales on t-shirts and accessories. Bought son an Invicta watch with OBC, 75% off sale night one. Found out it was most likely cheaper on Amazon; although I didn't see it online.

Definitely consider specialty dining, Steakhouse is better than MDR, usually.

[lasekeye]

A few years ago, I had a mental wish list of diamond hoops earrings….I’d been kinda shopping for over a year, so I really knew the prices for size of hoop, total carats, quality & prices.

I ended up purchasing at Costco, during a Christmas/Boxing Day sale, that was waiting for…but I did have a cruise in Sep.  I remember the aboard price was quite a bit more, (even though the sales staff deeply discounted the price), for less diamonds, less total carats & lower quality diamonds.

 

A year later, another cruise, I found a ring on a cruise ship that I REALLY, REALLY coveted, but I just wouldn’t allow myself to jump at the price…even though the sales staff discounted the ring.  When I added the difference of my Canadian dollar to the US dollar spent on the ship I just couldn’t do it.

For a couple years, I looked online & in stores for the same ring (didn’t find it exactly, but many very similar, at much less $$).

Since then, I always look at the “pretty baubles”, but I will not purchase quality jewelry from a cruise ship.

[ninjacat123]

My DH bought a Tag Hauer watch for $1,390 and no duty or tax on our last cruise.  Just looked it up online, $1,600.  

Edited February 4, 2022 by ninjacat123

[iamsteph]

I'll also point out that if you're sitting on a ton of nonrefundable OBC that you need to spend, it's better to spend $300 of that OBC even if it's $250 back home because on the ship, you're spending 'free' money and back home, you're spending your own money 😛 

[HillBilly Bob]

Buy your jewelry from a local trusted jeweler.   You will have local recourse if you have any issues.  Are you saving any money....probably not.  

[sw33twif3]

We used OBC for fun stuff like specialty dining and alcohol. 

But we did get stuff from the shops like shirts.

I always buy the DutyFree alcohol--cheaper than at home.

[ledges1]

18 hours ago, lindya said:

I have never really spent money shopping on the ships, but we have a cruise in a couple weeks with a lot of OBC...is there anything they sell that is actually a worthwhile purchase?  Jewelry, liquor, etc?

The selection of liquor on the ship is not very good and the prices are not as a good as pre Covid. They have lots of scotch, cognac,  beefeater gin, Smirnoff vodka, JD rye.  There was no Crown Royal, not even in the ports. The t-shirt special was 2 for 20. We had more credit than the cost of the cruise last week. My wife played the "quarters" game constantly in the casino, all on Carnival. Gratuities can be paid by the credits and of course your bar tab and specialty dining.

[ontheweb]

DW once had her camera which was on a hook in a restaurant bathroom drop. The camera no longer worked as it needed a new lens. Once back on the ship, she bought a new lens as they were luckily carrying the brand of camera she had. She got a lot of help from the photography department. And when we checked at home, the price was competitive. This was on Princess.

 

BTW, she actually got to watch the Scottish Military Tattoo after the unfortunate incident with her camera instead of just constantly setting up shots for her pictures.

[Duanerice1]

There are usually no good deals available.  And yea, sometimes you can find a decent deal on a watch or something but that's only because of duty and taxes.  Same prices can always be found onshore. 

 

We've had as much as $850 OBC and didn't buy any jewelry.  Our 'rule' is if it's under $1,000 and it's really unique, haven't seen it anywhere else... go for it (port or ship).   Any real jewelry will always be bought at our local jeweler.  Now to be fair, most of that OBC was put through the machines in the casino, lol. 

 

We did buy some Johnny Walker Blue because that price was just a little bit less than we can get it at home but since we had OBC.......

 

Bottom line, don't go expecting great deals.  If you see something you like, get it and don't look back (and don't comparison shop after)

[Gennystravel]

I miss the good ole days.  I remember when they sold loose gems on board for $10/carat.  I bought myself a 15 carat electric blue topaz for $150.00.  I took it home, had jeweler create ring, now appraised at $3,500.

[lindya]

Thanks for the replies..I had forgotten about using OBC in the casino..problem solved..lol. now I'll come home without even an over-priced bauble to show.

[nlktx49]

Buy some shirts on the 2 for $20 sale - get some fun stuff at the $10 sale, they used to have a $10 store, loved it, got a cute watch I wore for years - bought an Anne Klein watch once at the jewelry store, good sale, not an expensive watch. But don't buy the pricey jewelry no matter what story they tell you, like the very rare tanzanite, not much left in the world, get it while you can - yeah, been hearing that for 20 years now, funny you can buy it everywhere. And for heaven's sake don't buy any of the "art" - it is not a good investment, it's not an investment at all, it's not even art! Spend your money at home. Carnival does not own or run the shops, the art auction, or the spa, so you have no recourse if you have a problem with something you buy there. That being said, if it floats your boat, makes you happy, go for it!

[bobbyandali]

It seems like the liquor selection - and value - on board has really declined in recent years, along with Carnival branded merch. Those are the two things I look for. In their place are more emphasis on jewelry, accessories, and perfume. 

It wasn't that long ago when you could get 4L of the flavored Bacardi rums for $34. Now it's rare to find more than one flavor online and it's roughly 3 for 38... which is the same price as in most of the ports... and they have better choices. 

[billslowsky]

If there's a kind of booze you are looking out for, check prices at stores like Total Wine first (and bring the prices with you).  And bear in min if you really want the quantities that come with "bargain" prices.  Watches...  if it's 75% off, it's likely a price no one would have paid in the first place, get sample prices off of amazon.