Buying cigarettes on the Elation

[Bubba]

Does the gift shop open the night we sail to sell cigarettes? How is the selection and price?

WILLIAM P. HOBBY 1997
ROSS S. STERLING 1998
GIBB GILCHRIST 1999
GREER 2000
J. C. DINGWALL 2001
R. E. STOTZER JR. 2002

[Cotton]

I don't remember what time the gift shop opens, but carton prices are really good!

However, if you don't smoke the more popular brands, you may be out of luck. I smoke Capri Menthol 120's - no Capri of any kind to be had either on the ship or in port. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif[/img]

Festivale 1987
Carnivale 1988
Mardi Gras 1989
Pacific Princess 1990
Norway 1994
Holiday 2001
Holiday 2002
Holiday 2003

[august1963]

About 2 years ago it seems that the price on a carton of Marlboros was about $18

Jubilee 1988
American Family 1994
Imagination 1997
Sensation 1998
Elation 6/2001
Inspiration 2/2002
Triumph 4/2004

[dien2cruize]

On Ecstasy two years ago I remembered the prices to be about $15-$17 per carton and I thought we bought them the day we boarded. As the above poster said, they do not carry all brands. Remember mostly Marlboro.

Happy Cruizin'
Linda

Paradise 11/29/05 Inlaws 50th wedding anniversary
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Pride 5/29/05 Daughter's Sweet 16
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[bld24]

From what I can remember, yes you can buy when you get onboard. I specifically remember Marlboro(regular & lights), Virginia Slim Menthol Lights(and Regulars), Newports, Dunhill & some others I can't remember. $15 is about right. They had an Eastern Special one time 5 cartons for $50 or $60.

Premiere Oceanic 06/96
Sun Princess 11/97
Enchantment Of The Seas 07/98
Sovereign Of The Seas 10/99
Carnival Fantasy 07/00
Sea Princess 10/00
Norway 04/01
Enchantment Of The Seas 10/01
Grand Princess 04/02
Carnival Victory 09/02
Carnival Pride 05/03
NCL Sun 10/03
Carnival Fantasy 05/04
Mariner of the Seas 09/04
Jewel of the Seas 11/04
Splendour of the Seas 02/05

[mokeist]

They usually open the gift shop when you get out in open water. They cannot open them while in port. The cigarettes are 2 for $31. Just sailed in Jan and that is the price I paid. They do have a special for 5 cartons, but can't remember the price. Just to be on the safe side in case of late departure, make sure you have enough with you so you don't start having withdrawls!!

[bridesmaidatsea]

You might as well call me a cruise virgin---i have only cruised once and it was over 10 years ago...i will be cruising in december and i am a smoker. i thought i would have to carry them on. so let me get this straight...i should buy them on the boat. didn't know they were cheaper.
clueless!!!
bridesmaidatsea

Carnival Sensation here I come!
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[Cotton]

b'maid ~ It's according to what your brand is. As I mentioned above, they don't carry all brands, and neither do the ports. I take my carton from home! [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img]

Festivale 1987
Carnivale 1988
Mardi Gras 1989
Pacific Princess 1990
Norway 1994
Holiday 2001
Holiday 2002
Holiday 2003

[jedgar]

They are cheaper on board because they are not taxed and are duty free which is why the ships stores do not open until you get beyond 3 miles from US territory. Also you are only allowed to bring 1 carton per person back into the US.

[serene56]

If you dont smoke a BIG name brand I would bring my own and get them on the ship too.

Going NOWHERE
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Miracle, February 13, 2005
Legend, October 22,2004
Voyager August 31,2003
Victory September 22,2002
Regal Empress,June 2001
Sensation,August 2000

[Cotton]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by jedgar:
... you are only allowed to bring 1 carton per person back into the US.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Jedgar, just curious as to why the ship sells two-for-$31 (or whatever) if you aren't allowed but one carton. I saw signs like that on my last cruise. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif[/img] Doesn't make sense, does it? [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

Festivale 1987
Carnivale 1988
Mardi Gras 1989
Pacific Princess 1990
Norway 1994
Holiday 2001
Holiday 2002
Holiday 2003

[pgmrdev]

I've found best prices in St. Thomas and St. Maarten. Also, the ship has some good multi carton package prices too.
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[jima53]

I remember a few weeks ago, that the stores opened at 7pm. that first day we left port.

Jim

Carnival Miracle 3/04
Zandaam 10/23
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[serene56]

Cotton: It never made any sense to me either. I like the 2 fer deal. 2 cartons for 31 bucks. I guess that was for smoking one during the week while cruising and carrying off the other.

Going NOWHERE
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Miracle, February 13, 2005
Legend, October 22,2004
Voyager August 31,2003
Victory September 22,2002
Regal Empress,June 2001
Sensation,August 2000

[bld24]

According to the customs website. 200 cigarettes(2 cartons can be duty free). If in Virgin Islands its 5 cartons.(4 cartons must have been purchased in the Virgin Islands).

13 cruises I won't bore you with them all

Pending: Fantasy(5/4),Mariner(9/04),Splendour(2/05

[jedgar]

bld24

It has been many years since I smoked or bought cigs but as I recall there are 10 packs to a carton with each pack containing 20 cigs, therefore 200 cigs would equal 1 carton, if I am not recalling right then I guess im wrong.

cotton
your'e right it doesen't make sense, but that's the way it is. If you were a couple and only one smoked each could carry 1 carton off or say you were in a gruop of 10 with only 1 smoker each could carry off 1 carton and later give them to the smoker then you would have 10 cartons.

[CanTex]

We just got back from the Elation last Sunday and yes the duty free shops were open soon after departing Galveston.

We're not smokers, but one of the smokers traveling in our group found her rather obscure brand (Capris?) at the duty free shop on the Peurto Maya pier that we docked at in Cozumel (similar prices to on board).

[scottp]

So, If I try to get off the ship with 10 cartons, what will the custom officials do to me?? (not the death penalty, I hope!!)

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[jedgar]

Scott
They will take back on the ship, to the opposite side of the pier, bind your hand behind your back tie a mill stone around your neck and make you walk the plank.

[Cotton]

Jedgar ~ I so admire your logic. Of course, there are 200 cigs in a carton! Thus, one carton per passenger. Not fair! [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img]

CanTex ~ The duty free mall at Puerta Maya didn't have my brand (Capri) in September; said they never carry them. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif[/img]

Scott ~ Actually, if you are caught by Customs agents, you not only have to pay the duty (tax) on each carton, BUT also will have a stiff fine imposed. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif[/img]

Festivale 1987
Carnivale 1988
Mardi Gras 1989
Pacific Princess 1990
Norway 1994
Holiday 2001
Holiday 2002
Holiday 2003

[bld24]

Yes you are correct. I messed up. Just had blond highlights put in my hair today, so you guys have to excuse me!

13 cruises I won't bore you with them all

Pending: Fantasy(5/4),Mariner(9/04),Splendour(2/05

[scottp]

Quote: Scott ~ Actually, if you are caught by Customs agents, you not only have to pay the duty (tax) on each carton, BUT also will have a stiff fine imposed.

OK, how do you define: stiff???

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[kujobie]

THere is no fine if you declare your items to customs and pay the duty willfully. The allowance is not the maximum allowed, just the amount that is duty free. For example, if you go to the west carib, your allowance for liquor is one bottle. You can bring back 10 bottles but will have to pay tax on 9 of them. Still not a bad deal since the tax is only about $2 per liter. Same goes with smokes. If you do exceed your allowance, you have to see customs before you leave the ship to pay your duty. Bring your checkbook or cash. This can be a long line, too. Before the other long line to get off the ship. The only thing to consider is that if you try to bring back 40 cases of liquor and a few hundred cartons of cigs, the customs officials might deduce that you are participating in some sort of enterprise. Then you might have some problems.

Jubilee..May 2002
Sensation...May 2003
Glory...April 2004
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[Cotton]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by scottp:
OK, how do you define: stiff???[QUOTE]
__________

Hey, I don't know. I was saying what I saw on a page on the U.S. Customs site. It said if you don't declare all cigarettes purchased, you must pay duty and could be subject to a stiff penalty. Don't shoot the messenger. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif[/img]
Kujobie has good info.

Festivale 1987
Carnivale 1988
Mardi Gras 1989
Pacific Princess 1990
Norway 1994
Holiday 2001
Holiday 2002
Holiday 2003

[drew0tonna]

My understanding was you could pay duty on excess liquor, but only one carton of cigs was allowed per person, period...