Shopping in Cayman

[JohnSinik]

My dear Ms. Carolina:

Speaking of "crap...."

I bought my Movado in St. Maarten. In the U.S. it retails for approximately $950.00. I have seen it on sale for $825.00-$850.00, never lower. I paid $530.00. In Grand Cayman, at the "duty-free" shop, it was 'tagged' $749.00 and the lowest price I could get them to, at two shops, was $650.00.

In St. Maarten, it was 'tagged' $650.00 and the lowest price was $575.00.

Similarly, I purchased my Nikon, with some accesories, in St. Maarten for approx. $1,100.00. In St. Thomas is was only slightly more, $1,200.00 +/-. In Grand Cayman it would have cost me $1,450.00.

As far as your friend, who was stuck with a phony watch, I guess that's what you get when you buy a watch, on the street, from a guy who gives you the old, "Hey, Senor, buy a watch and I'll throw in my seester...."

[glojo]

Hi John, I loved your post! Its true, Grand Cayman or for that matter most British Colony islands, are the most expensive.

You said:

"We occasionally hear of a crime against a cruise passenger, in a port, where that person is held up. Such incidents of robbery are rare, but do occur. After all, 'crime' is pretty universal and there are some islands where the average annual income is extremely low.

However, the Cayman Islands are unique! When it comes to shopping, there, the merchants all get away with robbery, and nobody seems to complain!!! Many cruise passengers return to the ship, happy that they saved so much in the duty-free shops. That is, until, they get to the next port and see the same item(s) for considerably less. it's only then that they yell, "Hey, I've been robbed!!!" ".

Its true Grand Cayman is expensive. But we have stayed there a few times for a week at a time, and to me the issue is if you want something unique its the place to shop. If I'm buying a camera, then I want the best deal possible. Its a cookie cutter item. And yeah watches are kinda like that too. But if I want a beautiful and unique piece of gold jewelry, you can deal them down. My husband and I bought him a beautiful necklace, and honestly I am a jewelry fan, and we have never seen this cut of chain anywhere. And I have looked for years now. I also have bought gold earrings and a bracelet there too, never have seen them repeated on another island.

Thats why I was never a silver jewelry fan, most of it is so common. But even there I have changed...I have found some unique pieces.

Its..."beauty is in the eye of the beholder"

Grand Cayman most beautiful treasure is the water, not the island.

[KarenUK]

I wouldn't bother arguing anymore with the "newcomers" on this subject as everyone genuinly here for useful info & tips wouldnt believe the spam postings - I never even went into a shop in Grand Cayman (except to buy the postcards & stamps in Hell) after reading the good advice from the experienced cruisers. In fact apart from hand made local crafts the Carnival Miracle had some of the best prices for drink & jewellery (within a dollar or so) and browsing on board at your leisure at least you know you have the option to leave the shop without being hounded by some con artist - The sales staff onboard were more than happy to spend 30 mins with you without you even spending a dime!!! - I wish that was all we did spend though - haha :grin: