Buying things on the Mariner

[Fitnessmaniac]

We are going to be on the Mariner next week for the Pacific North/West cruise.

I was wondering...Do we still get duty free/tax free things when we purchase on the Mariner?

Are the prices of things pretty good? (like Caribbean cruises are?) Thanks. :)

[emspilot]

Yes, they will have duty-free. The requirement is to be in "international" waters. Either by distance (I'm thinking that it is 12 miles off of LA....that's the reason Wrigley was able to put a casino on Catalina Island at 22 miles) or by a foriegn country. Either way, you will be in Candian waters at some point.

[emilygrace]

Just FYI...the Casino on Catalina was never a gambling venue. It has always been a ballroom (upstairs) and theater (downstairs). The original meaning of casino was "gathering place", according to our tour guide, and that's why it is called this.

[ByeBye1]

The stores will be duty free, they usually open a half hour after sailing away from a port. The prices aren't so good on most things I have found. An RCL polo shirt is always 1/2 off so it's really the price at $24.50 marked $49 as an example. It's been that way for many years since I've been known to buy one here and there. Items like cigarettes or booze may be a bargain, I don't buy then so i have no knowledge.

[39august]

I didn't see any good prices for the shops on the May 10 sailing. Usually their 50% off is still too high for the quality of merchandise. The only really good deals are on lliquor in the General Store. I did once get a deal on cute keychains on a Caribbean cruise...3 for $1! The key chains on Mariner all said either Mexico or California and were 3 for $5! Oh, wait, I did get a nice evening purse on a cruise for $10. I think they now sell these for $15.

[rubrrick]

It's tough to say......but even their liquor prices are not such a hot deal anymore.

 

We just don't find that there are "good" deals on RCCL ships.......as there used to be.:(

 

Rick

[nukester]

rememeber RCCL contracts to starboard cruises for all items sold...well if you have a problem you deal with them exclusively. RCCL does not help/

 

They broke a bottle of rum in my suitcase which was bubbled wrapped by starboard cruises. Well my insurance paid for the items but starboard didnt answer my request for a new bottle until i called 6 months later to fine out what was happening.. then they said sorry it wasmy fault.... No refund......well they wrappred it incorrectly the pier operator said to us....

 

SO BEWARE OF STARBOARD.