satbeachbill

I'd wait til St Maarten. We've shopped the two ports for years, and feel St Maarten, over all, has better values. As others have said, do your homework and know what you are buying, and try to compare prices of similar items to back home.

Everyone will have their favorite shops and we are no different. We've shopped at Dazzlings Gems on Front St for many years and have always been more than satisfied with the quality of their merchandise as well as very fair prices.

Danny is the owner who used to work for Diamonds International until he discovered how poorly they were treating their customers. So he quit and opened his own store. His store is very close to the Guavaberry Emporium at #10 Front st. I know this sounds like an advertisement, but we can't say enough good things about the store. Once you become his customer, I'd bet you'll become a repeat customer. Tell him Bill & Linda sent you.:D:D

I'd be willing to bet that they all would take your old jewelry in on trade. What they would give you may be a different story. Gold would be at "melt down" value and small stones would not be worth anything. Kinda like trading in an old car. They'll make it "seem" like it's a deal. If you go in expecting some fantacy retail trade-in for your old things, don't get your hopes up. Now if you have a nice quality diamond with a recent GIA/AGS certificate to trade, that maybe different.

Once you become their customer, then most have some kind of a trade-up policy. Some giving you what you paid for it on a tradeup. (Or they make it seem that way). It's all in the numbers.......and LOTS OF FUN. :D

Everyone that will respond will have a favorite or two, so I'll throw in mine also.

We've had great experiences at Ballerina's, near the downtown dropoff dock. Lots of selection , great people, good prices.

The same can be said for Dazzling Gems, 10 Front St., up near the Guavaberry Emporium. Danny is the owner and will bend over backwards to help you find what you want at a good price. Buy from him and you will be a repeat customer on your next trip. Have fun with your search! :D

Our best deal was $67 pp for a 4 day, inside, right after 9/11 out of Miami

I have a Diamond's International Gift Certificate that I need to use.

Does anyone have any idea which location is bigger/has the best selection?

My first reaction to that statement is "Oh No".

The best selection will be at the store downtown.

Please be VERY careful about what you are purchasing from them. Know your jewelry before you go in there. They are very slick salespeople and will be highly recommended by the cruise lines, with "warranties" to back everything up. Good luck if there ever is a problem.

Too bad you just can't cash it in and go somewhere else. :(

Sometimes in the winter months, the Western Caribbean can be quite windy. More than once, the ports at Roatan and Belize have been skipped.

Nice videos! It's like we were right there with you.

why don't you just type the web address:

 

http://www.jewelrygoldfinger.com

 

CC does not block most sites, only a very few.

Because that's the way I choose to do it. CC slapped my hand once, so this works for me.

Yes they do. 79 Front Street.

Here you go: jewelrygoldfinger dot com

Karysa,

Is this the same Nature Foundation that put large boulders in the road blocking the entrance to Le Galion Beach this week?

Goldfinger is the official Rolex dealer on St. Maarten. Their store in Phillipsburg is at 79 Front St. They also have a store on the French side.

We love Phil Lafayette. He has tours that will take you to both places. If you want, he'll find you a good place for lunch too.....jamaicaphil dot com

You won't go wrong with Phil LaFayette tours. He goes WAY out of his way to make sure you enjoy your visit. It's a tour you won't forget. We have a blast every time.

jamaicaphil dot com.

Scotchies :D

Last 4 cruises, formal nights were the first and last sea days.

 

Have an awesome trip:)

Is that right? The last sea day would be the last day of the cruise, ie: last nite of the cruise. That doesn't sound right.

There are some good ones out there.

I love my margeritta on the rocks with salt....however, the last cruise the margerittas just didn't taste right. No matter what bar I went to just had a ick/dishwater taste... Any recommendations... any special margerittas to ask for.. we typically hang out at the Aft bar on the lido deck..

Thanks for any suggestion......

I agree. They can't seem to get it right....even with top shelf Tequila. There is something about the mix. I had a bartender try a couple different times. YUCK. Get off the boat in Cozumel, walk to the end of the dock, and get a GOOD DRINK.

Of those 3 ports, I like the shopping in Aruba best.

I was told this one was not through Chukka, am I incorrect?

In Carnivals' description it says something about "Chukka Cove Farm." Hey, you decide. It was great for us, and we'd do it again in a heartbeat....and no tubing. You asked for "no tubing". It's no tubing. You asked for "Chukka" and it says Chukka Cove Farm.

Go to the Carnival website, clk on shore excursions, Ocho Rios. It's called "canopy adventure". It's zip line only - no tubing. $99.99. It's a blast.:D

Maybe double check that. We went through the same thing with Chukka at Ocho Rios. We had to go through Carnival. They DID have an excursion to Chukka that was zipline only. It was a great time.

Seems to me there was more than one location for ziplining in Ocho Rios, so double check again. :) This excursion went several miles West of town to the Chukka site. There were maybe 8 or 9 runs, lots of fun.

We have always used Phil LaFayette tours. He and his daughter will make your tour very memorable. Find his tours at Jamaicaphil dot com. :D

Catch a cab to downtown. There are wall to wall jewelry stores.

"Good Deals" on jewelry in St Thomas are a thing of the past. The vast selection is what's so impressive. Do your homework first about what you want and what it's worth before you go and get caught up "in the moment". What you will save is sales tax.

Everyone has their favorite stores.

Actually I think there are overall better "deals" in St Maarten.

It's about 1 1/2 miles to walk. Open air taxi is $4 one way.

We just got off the Splendor out of Miami on Nov 23rd, and when we got home, there was a free cruise offer. It was for a free 2 day cruise out of Los Angeles......we live in Florida. Fat chance that would work. :rolleyes:...but I keep checking.