Cruise Questions for October

[DebbieandJerry]

I have a question: You know how the cruise ship "endorses" stores at the ports. Then there are the freebee give-aways for going to those stores. Okay, fess up: How many of you partake in the freebees?

Any stories to go along with these truly exciting gifts that you have to have?

[sailingrose]

I have a question: You know how the cruise ship "endorses" stores at the ports. Then there are the freebee give-aways for going to those stores. Okay, fess up: How many of you partake in the freebees?

Any stories to go along with these truly exciting gifts that you have to have?

We used to get the freebees like the earrings for my DD. She thought it was great! Of course she was little then, now she wants bigger and better. LOL

[Joanandjoe]

If there have been freebies for going to cruise line recommended stores, I've never noticed them. Maybe the lines we've sailed on don't have them. In any event, we try to do our homework, and visit local stores recommended by guide books, not ship recommended stores.

In many ports, the local tourist authorties often give out books that have coupons for low cost (but not free) T-shirts or trinkets. We do sometimes use those coupons.

[rogue]

we've gotten the freebee's in the past, but only if we noticed the store. We will not go and search out a store for the freebee's

[Gregswife]

Do you watch Movies on a cruise? In the theater or in your cabin?

I don't think that Carnival has movie theaters, if they do, they have escaped my attention, but we do watch them in the cabin. Only on sea days. Usually every afternoon, after much activity, we retire to the cabin to relax, curl up on the bed and watch a movie. Greg usually goes to sleep and has to catch the end of the movie next time it airs, but I normally do not take naps, so I make it all the way thru.

[Gregswife]

I have a question: You know how the cruise ship "endorses" stores at the ports. Then there are the freebee give-aways for going to those stores. Okay, fess up: How many of you partake in the freebees?

Any stories to go along with these truly exciting gifts that you have to have?

I think we hit a few of them on our first cruise, got things like key chains and sea shell necklaces but we never bother with them anymore. There is not enough time in port for us as it is, so we do not chase the freebies. When making major jewelry purchases, we always shop at ship recommended stores, as they will guarantee the piece. I always have our jeweler give it a once over when we get home, before Carnival's warranty expires, but have never had any problem...

[TheSkipper]

Many years ago we did the Cruise Ship Recommended thing, but not any more. In most ports we have stores we like and have done business with in the past where we make any "serious" purchases.

Got Christmas cards from three St. Thomas jewelers last year, so I guess we are one the "A List."

[Joanandjoe]

We might consider using ship recommended stores for a "serious purchase" if we ever contemplated making one; but the most expensive think we've ever bought on a cruise was a semiprecious stone necklace. Certainly we've never bought an individual item costing as much as $150.

Joan does internet research for things we might buy on the trip before we leave home, so we have a good idea of values. Sometimes she buys our "souvenirs" months in advance of the trip. For example, a majority of our purchases for our Alaska trip this May and June were made last winter, when prices were low and merchants were anxious to get rid of stock. We've just received some Turkish soup, but we won't leave for Turkey until late next October.

As for familiar stores, the only port we've been to more than twice is Boston (and that was three times): not exactly exotic and prone to special bargains. So for us there's no such thing as stores "we like and have done business with in the past". Our next cruise will be 100% to new ports.

[cruisetarp]

Many years ago we did the Cruise Ship Recommended thing, but not any more. In most ports we have stores we like and have done business with in the past where we make any "serious" purchases.

Got Christmas cards from three St. Thomas jewelers last year, so I guess we are one the "A List."

Sounds like you are in big trouble Ed. Those jewelers have your number and sure want you to remember them when you return. lol

[boba]

DW has to run around and get all the free little " gem stones " offered by the shops for little gifts for friends and relatives. I'm proud of her though, she doesn't get sucked into buying anything else.