Where to buy bargain booze in these ports?

[wassup4565]

As Canadians, we can bring back two 40 ounce bottles of hard liquor duty-free through Canadian Customs after our cruise. We are traveling to: Aruba, Bonaire, Grenada, Barbados (on Sunday), and Antigua.

 

I just want to know, in any of these ports, where can we easily find, near the dock, a place to buy bargain bottles of hard liquor. This represents a big saving to us, as these bottles would cost us a lot more in the liquor stores back home - might as well bring back what we're allowed to bring duty-free, right?

 

Will really appreciate your advice and suggestions on this.

[sail7seas]

There is a liquor store in the terminal in Barbados. It likely will be open while the ship is docked.

 

[mom says]

If you like rum, you might want to check out the Mount Gay rum in Barbados. We brought back a couple of bottles the last time we were there, and are planning to do the same when we are there next week.

[RickT]

A lot depends on what booze you wan to buy. I'm a single malt Scotch guy and haven't found anything decent in any of the ports you mention.

[dorisis]

Check the prices while onboard. They are usually as good and sometimes even better than the ports you will be in. The Mount Gay rum from Barbados is my favorite.

[Bonnie J.]

I write the ship's prices of alcohol we want. I know Carnival will match any price I find ashore. I just buy one bottle then show the receipt and the ship will sell me the same alcohol at the price I paid ashore. There are other ships that do this so ask if they do when you board.

How much tax do you have to pay if you bring more than the two bottles home? Would it still save you money if you bought 4 or even 6 bottles home and paid the tax? Once we were stopped as we had too many bottles but they let us go as the tax was under $10 and they said it wasn't worth the time to write us up! In the US suitcases aren't opened when we get back so we have put more just in the suitcase and I have seen people go through customs with boxes that hold more of the allowed and never questioned.

[mferranti]

Of the ports you name, I've found Antigua to be the best for price and selection.

Edited January 21, 2014 by mferranti

[LrgPizza]

It's always been our experience that if you can find a local grocery store away from the tourist areas, prices will be much better. I've never visited those particular ports though, so I'm speaking in general.

[Karysa]

As Canadians, we can bring back two 40 ounce bottles of hard liquor duty-free through Canadian Customs after our cruise. We are traveling to: Aruba, Bonaire, Grenada, Barbados (on Sunday), and Antigua.

 

I just want to know, in any of these ports, where can we easily find, near the dock, a place to buy bargain bottles of hard liquor. This represents a big saving to us, as these bottles would cost us a lot more in the liquor stores back home - might as well bring back what we're allowed to bring duty-free, right?

 

Will really appreciate your advice and suggestions on this.

 

Sorry cant answer your question except I would ask a local this question.

 

I love your itinerary and would like to ask you what line and ship are you sailing on?:)

[sail7seas]

Sorry cant answer your question except I would ask a local this question.

 

I love your itinerary and would like to ask you what line and ship are you sailing on?:)

 

 

:) I agree...... it's a really nice itinerary.

 

It must be at least a 10-11 day cruise to have time to reach those ports if sailing from Florida. Maybe sailing from San Juan?

 

[OVgirl]

I write the ship's prices of alcohol we want. I know Carnival will match any price I find ashore. I just buy one bottle then show the receipt and the ship will sell me the same alcohol at the price I paid ashore. There are other ships that do this so ask if they do when you board.

How much tax do you have to pay if you bring more than the two bottles home? Would it still save you money if you bought 4 or even 6 bottles home and paid the tax? Once we were stopped as we had too many bottles but they let us go as the tax was under $10 and they said it wasn't worth the time to write us up! In the US suitcases aren't opened when we get back so we have put more just in the suitcase and I have seen people go through customs with boxes that hold more of the allowed and never questioned.

 

I asked at a Canadian DF shop as we were crossing the border and was told that Canadian duty would be about $2/ounce. If that is true, it makes no sense bringing back more than your allowance.

 

However, I don't know if this is true or if the clerk was just trying to scare me.

 

Have any Canadians ever brought extra alcohol back and been charged extra duty?

[PORT ROYAL]

A lot depends on what booze you wan to buy. I'm a single malt Scotch guy and haven't found anything decent in any of the ports you mention.

 

In Antigua there is now a small shop in the mall just off the pier which sells SPRINGBANK and a selection of other high quality single malts.

[PORT ROYAL]

As Canadians, we can bring back two 40 ounce bottles of hard liquor duty-free through Canadian Customs after our cruise. We are traveling to: Aruba, Bonaire, Grenada, Barbados (on Sunday), and Antigua.

 

I just want to know, in any of these ports, where can we easily find, near the dock, a place to buy bargain bottles of hard liquor. This represents a big saving to us, as these bottles would cost us a lot more in the liquor stores back home - might as well bring back what we're allowed to bring duty-free, right?

 

Will really appreciate your advice and suggestions on this.

 

My advice would to buy in Antigua because of the greater selection of top end bottles. Failing that buy at the departure airport to save any weight restrictions in your luggage.

Edited January 21, 2014 by PORT ROYAL

[wassup4565]

Thank you all - what great suggestions! I was a little concerned about Barbados on Sunday because I read on the ports boards that not much is open Sundays there.

 

Yes, it's a wonderful itinerary - many new ports for us, so excited. We are leaving FL on Feb 3 Legend of the Seas (RCL) and the cruise is 11 nights. While I do love sailing from San Juan, it's so expensive for us Canadians to fly there, and hugely expensive to stay there in a hotel. Wonderful city, but we can't do it every time! This cruise met our need to depart from Lauderdale and still get to some of these distant ports.

 

No, I won't bring back more than 2 bottles. I'd probably pay more in extra weight baggage charges than the savings. I also don't play dice with Customs, so I will declare everything I buy. What with overweight baggage and extra duties, it will be 2 bottles only. But I'd like to reward the person looking after our dog with a 40-ouncer of Crowne Royal - her fave. And a big bottle of Bombay Sapphire gin would be so handy for making g & T's next summer at the cottage! With your advice, I think I'm gonna get what I need. Thanks.

 

Oh BTW, funny story. A friend went to Italy on business last year and bought 5 nice bottles of $15 - $20 dollar Italian wines. Once he paid the overweight baggage and the customs duties, he figured the cost had gone up to about $50 a bottle.