Celebrity shopping

[Jesse67]

First cruise with celebrity in January on the Equinox, previously Princess and Cunard. What's the shopping on board like my husband loves watches?

[JMG]

We ended our last cruise with OBC so DH decided to look at the watches. We were on the Summit and they had a shop full of watches. A large variety of brands and price points. The staff was very helpful explaining the differences between the watches. He is happy with the purchase and the watch is serving him well. Since he used an OBC, he did not research how the price compared here at home. Next cruise we will do the usual Casino route to utilize that leftover OBC.

 

I would say that the shopping is very similar to the other cruise lines we have sailed. Some nicer things and some mass purchased stuff out of tables. Souvenir stuff and kids stuff. They had clearance sale tables throughout the week.

Edited October 10, 2015 by JMG

[Lois R]

First cruise with celebrity in January on the Equinox, previously Princess and Cunard. What's the shopping on board like my husband loves watches?

 

 

Hi, they have all sorts of watches..styles in the "finer section" and styles

in the "fashion section".....just take a stroll and see what they offer.

They have both men's and women's....I can't think of all the brands....

TAG, FOSSIL, CITIZEN,......I know there are more than that but those

are 3 that come to mind.....

[toledo_cruiser]

I've yet to cruise on Celebrity, however I've cruised on other lines and I would suggest researching watch prices before you leave if you're looking for something particular. The shops usually discount X percent off the suggested retail price. Some of those prices are seriously inflated and are unrealistic. Invicta watches, for example, are typically sold for a fraction of their "list" prices on TV shopping channels, or via the internet. Not picking on Invicta, just stating what I have observed. I purchased a Tissot at what I thought was a killer ship sale only to find I could have bought it for $40 less at home. I still look at watches on every cruise, but I check the internet to see what they should be selling for.

 

Having said that, if you see a watch that catches your eye, scratch that itch, it's your money. I've made enough whim purchases over the years. DW now watches me like a hawk to make sure I don't add to my collection. :)

 

BTW, that same advice holds for onshore vendors as well. Don't know about the luxury brands as I can't afford those (cuts into my cruising dollars).

 

Jim

[Iamcruzin]

I've yet to cruise on Celebrity, however I've cruised on other lines and I would suggest researching watch prices before you leave if you're looking for something particular. The shops usually discount X percent off the suggested retail price. Some of those prices are seriously inflated and are unrealistic. Invicta watches, for example, are typically sold for a fraction of their "list" prices on TV shopping channels, or via the internet. Not picking on Invicta, just stating what I have observed. I purchased a Tissot at what I thought was a killer ship sale only to find I could have bought it for $40 less at home. I still look at watches on every cruise, but I check the internet to see what they should be selling for.

 

Having said that, if you see a watch that catches your eye, scratch that itch, it's your money. I've made enough whim purchases over the years. DW now watches me like a hawk to make sure I don't add to my collection. :)

 

BTW, that same advice holds for onshore vendors as well. Don't know about the luxury brands as I can't afford those (cuts into my cruising dollars).

 

Jim

 

I agree. I shopped for watches on board and noticed the inflated price tag at the bringing of the sailing. During the week they ran all kinds of sales but the prices with the sale where more like the regular prices at home. It's important to do research if you are looking to spend money on a particular item. Watches unlike gem stones are easy to research price since they are not priced for cut color or clarity. There was a watch that caught my eye on the ship but even at 50% off it was more than I wanted to spend for this type of watch. When I got home I searched the internet for the style and found the $150 watch which was Celebrity's sale price for $68.99 on the internet at Overstock dot com. If you have something in mind do a search before you leave and compare prices. The cruise line does not like educated consumers and it's harder to pull the wool over our eyes than it was 20 yrs ago thanks to on line shopping. They love those passengers with the mind set that they are getting the best deal with duty free shopping. With this said you also have to take into consideration any OBC you may have from a Tavel agent or Celebrity. I have a $300 OBC so any item I purchase on board the OBC would be considered a discount towards the price. I'm hoping to buy an iPad. Even thought the price is the same as at home the OBC which would cover most of the cost.

Edited October 10, 2015 by Iamcruzin

[Jesse67]

Thank you for all your helpful responses you can always recognise me standing outside shops waiting for my husband

[chemmo]

We look at cruise shopping as a bit of happy leisure time. If we see something we like and we are happy with the price (and if we still have OBC) great, enjoy!

 

We have always found stock to be variable, so never get on board with a fixed agenda.

 

Just enjoy your shop!

[Lois R]

I have purchased 3 or 4 watches over the years....they are all Anne Klein

which are under the "Fashion" category. I know I have gotten a good

price because they pretty much run the same everywhere here at home

but I don't have to pay tax on the ship:D........I have 3 with leather

straps and 1 is Ceramic and that one didn't cost me anything because

I had a nice OBC:)..........so, if you are happy with the price and you

are happy with the product? I would say that is what counts the most;)

[ghstudio]

You appear to be from the UK so the financial dynamics are different. Being from the US, I find it very easy to buy watches (and most anything) for less with the same warranty from Amazon or some watch companies like Jomashop who sell all the name brand watches but without the US warranty...the infamous grey market.

 

Best bet is to know prices before you board the ship...and then you'll be an educated consumer.

[DYKWIA]

Wide variety of Citizen watches on board including their top of the range Signature Collection. These were marked up at full price but later reduced to a sale price slightly below what you will pay on the UK High Street BUT NOT what you could pay through an independent retailer (I bought mine through a local jeweler for 30% below UK High Street Prices).

 

They also had Omega on board, as well as some brands I hadn't heard of.

[DrivesLikeMario]

I think the more you cruise, the more you realize you can get just about anything cheaper on Amazon than you can buy on the ship.

[4774Papa]

DW found an Apple laptop she liked onboard one cruise and we purchased at a good price.

[Lois R]

I think the more you cruise, the more you realize you can get just about anything cheaper on Amazon than you can buy on the ship.

 

Maybe so, but sometimes it is just fun on the ship....and it is not less

on Amazon if you have credit to spend:D

[packermom]

We did buy a watch on our last cruise. My husband has very big wrists and it is extremely difficult to find one that will fit. He was able to find several to choose from. Maybe we could have matched the price elsewhere but we were happy to find one that fits.

[yorkyred]

Never seen a watch bargain on a single cruise, bargains to be had in a few of the Caribbean ports though especially if you are a Brit.

[ozark74]

First cruise with celebrity in January on the Equinox, previously Princess and Cunard. What's the shopping on board like my husband loves watches?

 

I have purchased 2 watches on different cruises. Both were Tag. Saved about $300 on each over US prices. The Summit had a Tag shop just Tag. Don't know if it is still there. Just know your prices before you go.

[GUT2407]

I've only cruised Celebrity once, and that was Century just before she left the fleet, so I really wasn't expecting much.

 

I collect watches, have quiet a few and have a good idea on pricing (at least here in Aus). I was impressed by their range and prices.

[Iamcruzin]

I think the more you cruise, the more you realize you can get just about anything cheaper on Amazon than you can buy on the ship.

 

 

True but many use a cruise to justify a purchase that they wouldn't make at home. Also the newbies get roped in to the hype at the port shopping lectures. They then head to Diamonds international an make an expensive impulse purchase because they think it's a once in a life time opportunity. Little do they know that Diamonds international head quarters is located in Manhattan New York.

Edited October 10, 2015 by Iamcruzin

[Mr. Click]

I bought one watch on a Carnival trip years ago and found the same watch for a few $$$ cheaper at home..on our recent Baltic cruise on the Silhouette they were having a "sale" on watches and I needed one because my dress watch was dead...I found a Citizen Eco Drive that I liked, fit well and seemed to be reasonable so I decided it was like an art purchase.. it was worth the price to me so I got it.. $160 on the ship, never priced it here.Now if it was a Rolex or a Tag or something like that, yes, I would have done more homework.

[msidescooter]

Sort of on and off topic. Does the Apple retailer have Apple Watches?

 

Thanks!

[GUT2407]

It's all about knowing your prices.

[neverbeenhere]

I encourage everyone to purchase as many things as you can or can't afford on Celebrity ships. Don't be concerned with prices... You are helping out all your fellow cruisers.:rolleyes:

 

I haven't seen Apple watches for sale on the ships, but may have missed the boat. (as they say)

[Iamcruzin]

Sort of on and off topic. Does the Apple retailer have Apple Watches?

 

Thanks!

 

No. Last I checked they don't even have the Apple watches in the Apple store on land. They have displays to try but they have to be ordered. One of my co-workers waited a month for the $1000 model.

[msidescooter]

No. Last I checked they don't even have the Apple watches in the Apple store on land. They have displays to try but they have to be ordered. One of my co-workers waited a month for the $1000 model.

 

Thanks for the info. If have any OBC left over, that would the watch I'd prefer ;).

[Lonedaddy]

I think the more you cruise, the more you realize you can get just about anything cheaper on Amazon than you can buy on the ship.

 

Look at stuff on amazon then search for it somewhere else and usually pay no sales tax. Watches, camera's are good examples.