Shopping In Caribbean?!

[SuperExcited25]

Helloooo! Going on Caribbean cruise Dec 1 to St Marten,St Thomas, Puerto Rico and Grand Turks. Im wondering, is the shopping amazing? Is it usually super expensive because its a tourist town or is cheaper? Do they have the same stuff as over here or is it all exotic and exciting?!?

Thanks!:p

[6rugrats]

No, it's not exotic or exciting and on average, things are not cheaper. Most things have to be imported to islands, so it's more expensive. These are very touristy places. Turn some items over and you will see the "made in China" stickers.

[cruiseapril]

Hi- We have found a few bargains in the Caribbean, but it's important to check online prices to compare- beforehand.

 

For instance, if someone is interested in watches- check out the watch prices online before the cruise. In Nassau there was a "two for one sale" on good watches one day and our traveling companion knew the US values. It WAS a good deal.

[cruiseaholic777]

Some things are priced very low (flowed shirts,handbags and some jewerly). You will know a deal when you see one. ;)

[sail7seas]

Shopping in the Caribbean used to be great fun but those days are long gone.

There are very few bargains, if any.

 

I used to love shopping for gold in St. Maarten and St. Thomas as the selection was tremendous. So many designs and sizes and shapes I rarely saw at home and I live in a very metropolitan area.

 

No more..... with the economy and the price of gold what it is, there is only a small smattering of what they used to show. The jewelery used to look fabulous but so many of those stores are now converted to a tiny jewelry counter and now souvenir and tourist 'stuff'. T shirts, beach bags, beach towels etc

 

A number of stores have closed entirely.