Shopping on the Oosterdam?

[sargemrs]

I've seen some of the shops on the Oosterdam, in their brochure pictures, but wondered how the shopping is? Of course in the ports, there will be shopping but wondered about onboard shopping.:)

[Gunther1]

Stay away.

[USN59-79]

I've seen some of the shops on the Oosterdam, in their brochure pictures, but wondered how the shopping is? Of course in the ports, there will be shopping but wondered about onboard shopping.:)

First, keep in mind that the shops are a source of profit for HAL. However, if you want a souvenir of the Oosterdam, that is the only place you will find them. As they finish their Alaska cruise season Alaska souvenirs will be on sale. Their jewelry is probably as good as and as well priced as that you could find ashore. The liquor can be bought on board, but only picked up or delivered to your stateroom the day before the cruise ends. All the ships have a line of inexpensive (I was going to say cheap) $10. items that are kind of interesting. I bought one of their watches and it was working fine a year later. If you need something like cold medicine or Tylenol, they have it, but it will cost you about 3 to 5 times as much as you can buy in a local drugstore in Texas. Hope this helps.

[sargemrs]

Well, guess I won't be doing too much shopping onboard!! I was hoping for nice boutiques, etc. but guess I was just dreaming....oh well, I'll try the ports! Thanks for the heads up.

[mauiedin87]

I was amused by some of the responses because they are so true! Yes, you might find some very nice and very expensive jewelry and then there are the $10 pashminas, watches and such. I always look out for the big end-of-cruise sales, which all cruise lines seem to have. You can find some interesting things during those, they're often in the dining rooms. Clothes are very high priced IF you can find your size. Often ship's boutiques only carry smaller sizes, even though many passengers are not necessarily "smaller sizes". I've had terrific problems trying to find a longsleeved sweater because ships can be so cold, even going to Hawaii, no such luck at Size 12. Don't count on finding too much!

[sargemrs]

I'm disappointed but I'll live. I'm shopping now for my Aug. 28th cruise to

Alaska, but always on the lookout for something else nice. I'll be watching for the "sales" at the end of the cruise, who knows, I might find something. Thanks for the response! I know now why there has been no raves about the shopping onboard. :)