Floating Flea Market

[rayj130]

Is it just me or has Royal Caribbean turned their ships in to floating flea markets. Large amounts of space, staff and time dedicated to trying to sell me gold by the inch and anything else they can trot out and put a price tag on. I'd rather pay a higher fare and be left alone to enjoy my vacation. Is anyone else bothered by the constant sales blocking the Royal Promenade or the exit to the Windjammer? Am I alone on this?

[want2cruiseagain]

It's not just RCL. NCL, Princess and Carnival cruises I have been on all do the same thing.

[rummenroman]

One simple phrase has always helped me.."I'm not interested" and walk away. People all over the world are going to try and make a buck of tourists. Part of the experience if you ask me.

[ottawapuppy]

Is it just me or has Royal Caribbean turned their ships in to floating flea markets. Large amounts of space, staff and time dedicated to trying to sell me gold by the inch and anything else they can trot out and put a price tag on. I'd rather pay a higher fare and be left alone to enjoy my vacation. Is anyone else bothered by the constant sales blocking the Royal Promenade or the exit to the Windjammer? Am I alone on this?

 

As long as people keep buying the crap, they will keep selling it. If they can keep the price of a cruise down by selling someone a crap watch for $5, they can go right ahead.

 

Mike

[skyking]

It's been going on as long as I have been cruising. I dont see a problem with it at all, you dont need to shop, or even stop and look if you dont want...I would NEVER let this put a damper on my cruise experience.

[DonnaK]

I don't think it's a big deal. It's not all over the place, as you've described, and the ships have not taken on a flea market feel to me. I view the promenade as a street fair or block party of sorts, so the few tables that are set up add to this charm. As other posters have noted, if you don't wish to buy, there's plenty of room to walk on by.

[Lake Superior]

It does seem to part of the experience. I have only sailed on RC ships and only 2X with cruise number 3 coming up in January. It this really bothers you though, would the high end lines be more suitable? I'm not trying to pick a fight, I know that occurred to me when I was feeling grumpy about the barrage of opportunities to part with money.

[skyking]

It does seem to part of the experience. I have only sailed on RC ships and only 2X with cruise number 3 coming up in January. It this really bothers you though, would the high end lines be more suitable? I'm not trying to pick a fight, I know that occurred to me when I was feeling grumpy about the barrage of opportunities to part with money.

 

This wont even help...We just got off the QM2 and they also did it every day, and it was pretty bad...Again it doesnt bother me at all, we actually looked at the stuff, like another said " it is just part of the cruise experience"

[Silvery Seas Cruiser]

The real problem is not the tables set up with "bargains" at RCI, but that the bargains have become so cheap and shoddy. I have noticed a distinct lowering of quality , but not price, of T-shirts "on sale" and other merchandise.

 

For instance, on Indy, near the end of the cruise, basket woven totes were on sale. They were flimsy and I have seen better totes at K-Mart. But, like a dummy, I looked anyway and noticed that the zippers were all broken. I called this to the attention of the saleswoman and tried to show her that the zippers didn't work. In so doing, I gouged my finger tip on the broken zipper. My finger proceded to fill up with blood. Two saleswomem looking on looked horrified but said nothing. I said, "I rest my case," and hurried to my room for a bandage.

 

Minutes before that incident, Another passenger and I had been looking at the ten dollar evening bags. She asked me if I didn't think the quality was far inferior to previous years. I certainly had to agree. This bunch was cheaply made and badly designed, except for the black ones, we both noted.

 

Hubby was disappointed that his favorite t-shirts had disappeared. Now T-shirts were sold three to a package, much lighter in quality and the design was barely visible. He used to like the ones that said "Rush Hour" and similar humorous designs.

 

So now what RCI offers on its Prominade and WJ tables does much more closely resemble the "flea market" described by the OP while gift shop items are higher priced than ever...at least the things I wanted and passed up this cruise.

 

We spent less on gift shop, logo shop and "sale" itmes on this cruise than we ever have on a cruise. But lots and lots of people were indeed buying the merchandise, so it must be profitable for RCI.

[cruiserbryce]

so far we've seen that on each ship we've been on...and not just recently. as prices continue to drop on cruise fares I would expect to see this continue or get more prominent...just getting people on the ship isnt enough to remain profitable...sales like this and the sale of booze are the money makers for cruise lines...not sure it has ever affected my trip though

[Langley Cruisers]

What I notice is the rise in passengers/customers in the stores on sea days. Let's face it... some people get bored, and spending money is a way to pass the time. I'm guilty of it, so I really have to watch myself. What I don't want to do is spend money on stuff I'll never use... stuff that looks so sparkling and inviting under the spotlights aimed at the items, but sits in my drawer when we get home.

 

What you've described is part of the cruise experience and no, it doesn't bother me. No one is "pushing" me to buy their wares and I certainly can walk on by. No biggie. :)

[want2cruiseagain]

What I notice is the rise in passengers/customers in the stores on sea days. Let's face it... some people get bored, and spending money is a way to pass the time. I'm guilty of it, so I really have to watch myself. What I don't want to do is spend money on stuff I'll never use... stuff that looks so sparkling and inviting under the spotlights aimed at the items, but sits in my drawer when we get home.

 

What you've described is part of the cruise experience and no, it doesn't bother me. No one is "pushing" me to buy their wares and I certainly can walk on by. No biggie. :)

 

I have to agree on the shopping on sea days. On our Princess cruise, the weather was cold and windy and, let's face it, Princess Dawn does not have much in the way of entertainment during sea days, so they had all kinds of merchandise out to sell. They even had a sale going on merchandise from other Princess ships.

[golfer1966]

I have never been asked to buy something by these people. Its there and i can see it as I walk by if I chose, but they were never pushy with us. I consider this stuff more costume jewelry. I actually kinda like the ones they have in the Promenade area on the Voyager class....We get some good deals on sweatshirts and tee's. We have sailed enough to know to wait until the last day when the reduce the prices. Even by having the items for sale I look at it like they are trying to have something for everyone. At least they dont push like they do in Jamaica.....;)

[SwimnwFishes]

On the AOS in September, some of the very BEST entertainment we had was sitting leisurely sipping a cup of coffee, snacking on some cakes watching the HOARDS of people who just could NOT survive without purchasing one of the watches offered at the "fantastic sale".

 

Now, I like a good sale as much as the next person, but this was pretty bad....albeit entertaining. I got a good laugh anyway.

[Aquahound]

On the AOS in September, some of the very BEST entertainment we had was sitting leisurely sipping a cup of coffee, snacking on some cakes watching the HOARDS of people who just could NOT survive without purchasing one of the watches offered at the "fantastic sale".

 

Now, this is funny! Watching those people around the $10 watch table is like watching a chef toss a salad. What's even sadder is the fact that the same watches sell at K-mart for $5.99.

 

What's worse, is when they put out the $25 silk shirts! It looks like the door openings on Black Friday!

 

Good stuff. I just wish the table was closer to the pub so I could have a beer and a show! :D

[danp]

I dont mind the selling but I do mind being trapped in an area.On our last trip on the Explorer in November trying to get out of the windjammer on the first day was crazy.On one side they were selling coke cards the other side was gold by the inch and right in front of you was spa treatments.So when you came out you could just about move.

[jjgoo]

upsells, everyone is doing it.

[petesweet]

It's been going on as long as I have been cruising. I dont see a problem with it at all, you dont need to shop, or even stop and look if you dont want...I would NEVER let this put a damper on my cruise experience.

 

I think most of us are going to agree that it's called "keep on walking."

 

By the way, I LOVE your "name." Sky King was one of my very favorite old radio programs when I was a young girl (a few years ago!:D). I fantacized about being "Penny."

[Silvery Seas Cruiser]

Perhaps the best way to look at the floating flea market is to consider it like the casino, a profit center where folks contribute money so that all of us can have cheaper fares.

 

One cruise director used to encourage everyone at theater shows to please go to the casino and "make donations." The cheap-o watches and flimsy t-shirt buyers are making donations too.

 

Any ways that passengers can spend money on board so that all of us can benefit with cheaper cruises, I am for it and I appreciate their assistance.

[rayj130]

Good points by all! I was just curious if it irked anyone else. I managed to hang on to my cash long enough to make it to the next bar. I just got off of the 16 day TA on Voyager so I guess I had more time than usual to pay attention to such things, and they certainly weren't pushy about it like in some of the ports. I had such an overwhelming urge to tell people that their wrist was going to turn green if they bought a $10 gold watch but I refrained. I was enticed by the giant 3 liter bottles of booze, but couldnt figure out how to get them home. Would have cost $100 bucks in baggage fees LOL :)

[SwimnwFishes]

Good points by all! I was just curious if it irked anyone else. I managed to hang on to my cash long enough to make it to the next bar. I just got off of the 16 day TA on Voyager so I guess I had more time than usual to pay attention to such things, and they certainly weren't pushy about it like in some of the ports. I had such an overwhelming urge to tell people that their wrist was going to turn green if they bought a $10 gold watch but I refrained. I was enticed by the giant 3 liter bottles of booze, but couldnt figure out how to get them home. Would have cost $100 bucks in baggage fees LOL :)

 

Oh it absolutely bothers me! Particularly the over loud, over enthusiastic hawking of the "event". Oh and don't forget the "countdown" to the whole thing, minute by minute by AWFUL minute. You couldn't hear yourself think, much less hold a conversation. Add to that the CROWD...and their noise. YIKES!:eek:

[Eileen2]

I also just disembarked from the Nov 29th Transatlantic on the Voyager. My impression on the quality of gift store items was was low, just highly priced junk.

The frenzy at the $10 watch tables and tee shirt sell offs did not bother me though, it is part and parcel of the cruising experience.

In the past I have managed to buy nice crystal and pottery items at fair prices but this sailing the fare was very limited I bought nothing.

That being said I overhead some passengers complaining that the on board shops were closed on our Miami port stop!

[want2cruiseagain]

Good points by all! I was just curious if it irked anyone else. I managed to hang on to my cash long enough to make it to the next bar. I just got off of the 16 day TA on Voyager so I guess I had more time than usual to pay attention to such things, and they certainly weren't pushy about it like in some of the ports. I had such an overwhelming urge to tell people that their wrist was going to turn green if they bought a $10 gold watch but I refrained. I was enticed by the giant 3 liter bottles of booze, but couldnt figure out how to get them home. Would have cost $100 bucks in baggage fees LOL :)

 

 

I guess if I was on the ship for that long, it would get old watching that go on, I have to admit. Something to think about if we plan to do the TA on VOS next November.

[Morecruisesplz]

Is it just me or has Royal Caribbean turned their ships in to floating flea markets. Large amounts of space, staff and time dedicated to trying to sell me gold by the inch and anything else they can trot out and put a price tag on. I'd rather pay a higher fare and be left alone to enjoy my vacation. Is anyone else bothered by the constant sales blocking the Royal Promenade or the exit to the Windjammer? Am I alone on this?

 

Have you also noticed the buyers lined up?

[LAKaye]

Is it just me or has Royal Caribbean turned their ships in to floating flea markets. Large amounts of space, staff and time dedicated to trying to sell me gold by the inch and anything else they can trot out and put a price tag on. I'd rather pay a higher fare and be left alone to enjoy my vacation. Is anyone else bothered by the constant sales blocking the Royal Promenade or the exit to the Windjammer? Am I alone on this?

 

I live in Manhattan. Just as I do at home, while on a cruise, I do what I can to avoid the junk and the street vendors. I can't afford the upscale cruise lines, so I sail as much as I can on Radiance and Vision class (I dislike indoor shopping malls) and scoot by the sale tables when necessary.

 

I shudder to consider this part of the cruise experience; I prefer to think of it as a compulsion that my fellow cruisers cannot let go of while at sea.

 

Leslie