Micky1 Posted August 17, 2015 #1 Share Posted August 17, 2015 As it says in the title I'm looking for some advice, were planning on doing a beach day and a shopping day, can anyone suggest which is the best for shopping please. Thanks in advance :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bouhunter Posted August 17, 2015 #2 Share Posted August 17, 2015 Have been to both many times. We would always choose St. Martin for the shopping and St. Thomas for the beach. But both are great for both:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adjjb12 Posted August 17, 2015 #3 Share Posted August 17, 2015 St.Martin especially if jewelry shopping. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wendychloecruiser Posted August 17, 2015 #4 Share Posted August 17, 2015 St. Maarten will be about 7% cheaper than St. Thomas. The reason being is that apparently St. Thomas does actually have a built in duty as it is a U.S. "possession." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George C Posted August 17, 2015 #5 Share Posted August 17, 2015 I think St Thomas is the #1 port for shopping and I would put St Marten 2, my wife loves the Jewelry stores in St Thomas, both are great ports but I rather hit beach in St martin and shop in St Thomas ( I would prefer going to beach in St John, but wife will vote for shopping) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordo Posted August 17, 2015 #6 Share Posted August 17, 2015 We think both ports are great for shopping, but have purchased more jewelry in St. Maarten versus St. Thomas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCruisers Posted August 17, 2015 #7 Share Posted August 17, 2015 (edited) Not big shoppers BUT we do prefer to shop in St. Maarten. ;) Edited August 17, 2015 by OCruisers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruizeblues Posted August 17, 2015 #8 Share Posted August 17, 2015 (edited) St Maarten is our favorite port for shopping. Huge variety of shops close to the ship, most reasonable prices of all the ports we have visited. We always pick up a new piece of jewelry or watch from our favorite shop, Kay's Fine Jewelry, they have a nice selection of colored diamonds and serve my husband a beer while I shop :) Always stick to the recommended vendors for major purchases. We have always had enough time to go to the beach, come back to the ship to get changed and go back out for some shopping. Edited August 17, 2015 by cruizeblues Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruising Lions Posted August 18, 2015 #9 Share Posted August 18, 2015 Booze is cheaper in st martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mek Posted August 18, 2015 #10 Share Posted August 18, 2015 (edited) St Maarten for sure - jewelry is almost always a better price there and a couple of years ago I bought a pair of Maui Jim sunglasses for $100 less than St Thomas - the same glasses - just cheaper. Edited August 18, 2015 by mek Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Priusprof Posted August 18, 2015 #11 Share Posted August 18, 2015 Both are great places to shop but advantage to St. Thomas in duty free limits. You can bring back 1 gallon if bought in St Thomas vs 1 bottle from other ports. Cigarettes are the same type of thing. I believe 5 ctns vs 1. Lastly your duty free exclusion is double the $ if purchased in St Thomas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susie51 Posted August 18, 2015 #12 Share Posted August 18, 2015 In January. we'll be going to St. Maarten for the first time. Thank you for the info about shopping. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jules815 Posted August 18, 2015 #13 Share Posted August 18, 2015 Thank you for this info. We'll be traveling to both ports next month. My husband was just talking today about buying a watch on our trip, so this was helpful. Not to hijack, but any good deals to be found on watches on board? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squadron Posted August 18, 2015 #14 Share Posted August 18, 2015 St Maarten for sure - jewelry is almost always a better price there and a couple of years ago I bought a pair of Maui Jim sunglasses for $100 less than St Thomas - the same glasses - just cheaper. If not into jewellery shopping what are other unique things or just good buys on things? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jes Scott Posted August 18, 2015 #15 Share Posted August 18, 2015 In St Martens may favorite shopping is the Guavaberry Emporium! Best Guavaberry piña colada ever. Note: the liquor is NOT part of the 2 lt maximum to bring home. It is considered a "craft liquor" So we enjoy it between cruises.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coralc Posted August 18, 2015 #16 Share Posted August 18, 2015 (edited) If not into jewellery shopping what are other unique things or just good buys on things? We have lots of fun shopping at Rimas Beach World: http://www.rimasxm.com/ Great prices. We're not into jewelry either. :D:):D Edited August 18, 2015 by Coralc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wendychloecruiser Posted August 18, 2015 #17 Share Posted August 18, 2015 Any "INTERNATIONAL" shop should be avoided at all cost. Literally. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mek Posted August 18, 2015 #18 Share Posted August 18, 2015 If not into jewellery shopping what are other unique things or just good buys on things? Sorry, but that is my primary interest - I don't always have to buy, but is so much fun to just look. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
satbeachbill Posted August 20, 2015 #19 Share Posted August 20, 2015 (edited) Thank you for this info. We'll be traveling to both ports next month. My husband was just talking today about buying a watch on our trip, so this was helpful. Not to hijack, but any good deals to be found on watches on board? Your can price match watches on board. But there is so much more selection on the islands. If you know what you are looking for, you can get a pretty good deal in port. You are supposed to declare items like this when you return. Some people just wear the items off the ship. Of course this isn't legal. If you buy your watch from the onboard shops, don't try it. The shops provide an itemized list of your "expensive" shipstore purchases to customs. We've seen the list and watched the officers check passport names against the puirchases. They WILL bewaiting for you. Edited August 20, 2015 by satbeachbill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adjjb12 Posted August 20, 2015 #20 Share Posted August 20, 2015 There's so much more deals and options at the ports. You'll for sure be able to get a watch on St. Martin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Micky1 Posted August 20, 2015 Author #21 Share Posted August 20, 2015 Thanks so much for all the replies and everyone that jumped on your most welcome, the advice is all noted, We decided it will beSt Maarten for shopping then a couple of hours at Maho beach to catch the aircraft landing. Then on St Thomas it will be a beach day at Magens beach, :):):) We can't wait been on FOS before and Indy and love them both, being Scottish the nice weather will a welcome change. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
St Marten BEST Posted March 4, 2016 #22 Share Posted March 4, 2016 Well, I can tell you thath when you are shopping in St Maarten you have a large choice of jewelry stores on front street. And for me the BEST on is DK Gems located at 69 A front street in Philipsburg. They have been VOTED BEST st maarten jewelry store by the DAILY HERALD for many reasons, I can tell you !1 so do not hesitate to visit them, they are great guys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eddjbishop Posted April 20, 2016 #23 Share Posted April 20, 2016 I've never seen a watch on board the ship that I couldn't find a better price on ebay.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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