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The layout of the shops found on cruise ships is determined by a few key factors.
First, there is a chance that you forgot anything at home that you will end up needing, and even the most experienced packer runs the risk of having their suitcase misplaced by an airline at some point.
Second, some guests don't realise until they get there that formal nights do call for, you know, formal dress until they get there.
Third, after a few dismal and grey rainy days in a row at sea, some shopaholics will buy just about anything to get a hit of that "only on vacation" feeling. This is because they believe that they will never have that feeling again.
In ports, there are additional pitfalls to avoid, such as products that won't make it past your local customs officer, those that are difficult to transport home, and inexpensive (read: poorly made) trinkets that are likely to break before you even put the key in the front door of your house. These are some of the things you should steer clear of.
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When the shopping bug bites during your next cruise vacation, here is some advice on what to avoid doing (especially for those of you who have a hard time keeping your wallet in your pocket when you travel – and you know who you are). Here is some advice on what to avoid doing when the shopping bug bites during your next cruise vacation.
What to avoid purchasing while on board
Art
Are you an expert in art from a variety of periods who possesses an encyclopaedic knowledge of lesser-known artists and the works they created? If so, the world should know your name. We did not share that opinion.
Stay away from the onboard art auctions, no matter how bad the weather is or how crowded the pool deck gets on sea days unless you want to spend hours feverishly searching the internet for the worth of artwork. If you don't want to do this, just avoid the auctions.
Related: 15 ways first-time cruisers throw away money while on board the ship
Toiletries
For those who are truly in need, the ship's gift shop stocks the essentials in terms of personal hygiene, but the prices tend to reflect this. If you can wait and get the product from a normal old drugstore, you will get a far better deal on it. This is especially true if you are heading into port in the morning.
Additionally, putting together a collection of toiletries from different countries, such as toothpaste, shampoo, nail files, and sunscreen, can make your medicine cabinet look more interesting when you go back home and will act as a constant reminder of your travels abroad.
Consider purchasing items in travel quantities that can be stored in the toiletries bag of your suitcase indefinitely so that you may avoid any potential accidents in the future.
'Special' spa treatments
There's a good chance that spending the afternoon in the sauna and steam room may help you unwind, and some of the more expensive cruise lines provide superb facials and massages on board.
However, regardless of which ship you sail on, you should steer clear of spa treatments that make claims that would not be medically sanctioned in your native country. One such therapy is the Ionithermie, which asserts that it can assist you in losing weight.
Related: Here Are the Top 6 Spas on Cruise Ships
'Medi' spa treatments
While some cruise lines do provide medi-spa treatments, passengers should carefully peruse the accompanying tiny print to learn about the prerequisite education. You might be surprised to learn that the term "media" can be rather deceiving and that the vast majority of ships do not travel with doctors who can provide these treatments.
Any treatments offered in spas notorious for their pushy sales tactics.
A massage or facial that comes with a high-pressure sales pitch is another service that we advise staying away from.
How can you tell whether you are going to be subjected to a forceful lecture on the things that you just must buy before you are allowed to leave the store? If the spa is unable or unwilling to guarantee complete silence throughout your treatment, you may find that you are an easy target for a sales presentation.
Manicure and pedicures
These salon services have a shockingly high price tag attached to them. In addition, all it takes is one little ding from a wave to ruin an otherwise beautiful finish. What's our take? The onboard nail salon is not worth the hassle; instead, take the time to get your polish done at home or hunt for a place in port that has good reviews.
Related: 16 common errors passengers make when vacationing aboard cruise ships
Gems of utmost value
If you are not already an expert in analysing gemstones, going on a cruise is probably not the best time to make a significant investment in a piece of jewellery, especially one with a high price tag.
When spending thousands of dollars, you want to make sure you're getting the quality that you anticipate getting in return for your investment. When you're on a cruise, your thoughts are probably elsewhere, whether they're on the pool and the hot tub, the cocktail lounge, or the dinner menu for tonight.
After all, who wants to spend a beautiful afternoon inside researching the cuts and carat weights of gemstones?
What should not be purchased at the port?
Merchandise sold as mementoes at the port's terminal.
In Mexico, you can get affordable hammocks, and in Spain, you can find inexpensive fans; most of the trinkets and souvenirs sold in shops filled with trinkets are designed to be quickly grabbed and carried away.
You took your nephew on a shore excursion, but you didn't give yourself enough time to go shopping for him, did you? Obtain something from the airport terminal. The issue is that, in most cases, the quality is not very high there.
Wander into town for a short period if you have the opportunity so that you can purchase something that is geared more toward residents than it is toward tourists.
Liquor
Alcoholic beverages Several cruise lines, including Carnival Cruise Line, Costa Cruises, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Oceania Cruises, will take possession of port-side liquor purchases and return them to passengers when they exit the ship. You are welcome to bring your alcoholic beverages on board if you are sailing with a luxury cruise line like Regent Seven Seas Cruises or Silversea Cruises.
However, unless you are sailing directly into your home port, purchasing alcoholic beverages to take back with you comes with several potential hazards and annoyances. (You didn't have any plans to pack all of your belongings with Tahitian vanilla rum, did you?)
Having said that, if you're taking a river cruise in France and it passes through your preferred wine region, we won't judge you if you go out of your way to buy some of your favourite bottles to take back with you and drink at home.
Related: Is it possible to bring my alcoholic beverages onto a cruise ship? A handbook that goes line by line.
cured meats and cheeses that are either soft or uncooked.
It is not worth the hassle to attempt to slip culinary treasures such as Jamon Iberico from Barcelona or raw-milk Comte from France through customs in the United States. Both of these cheeses come from their respective countries' respective cities.
Our advice? Eat your fill-in restaurants while you're on vacation or have a picnic on the balcony of your cabin, and limit any edible mementoes you bring home to non-contentious options like chocolate.
Fresh fruits
The fruit has recently been picked Customs won't let you bring in any fruit that has recently been picked. At certain disembarkation ports, there are dumpsters with signs that warn passengers of potential fines if they fail to dispose of any fresh fruit that they may have stashed away in their luggage.
Indeed, tropical fruits like bananas, mangoes, pineapples, and coconuts in the Caribbean are perfectly ripe and delicious, but the region's fines are also quite abundant.
When you are in port, look for frozen drinks that are produced from fresh fruit rather than those that are manufactured from powders or syrups. This will allow you to have your fill of the actual thing before you head back home.
Making plans for a cruise? You can get started with these tales:
- These are the five-cabin positions on a cruise ship that passengers covet the most.
- The eight stateroom placements that are the most undesirable on any cruise ship.
- An overview of the most well-known cruise lines in the industry
- 21 helpful hints and suggestions that will make your trip more enjoyable.
- 15 reasons why cruisers are a money pit.
- 12 of the best cruises for those who don't want to get older ever.
- What to bring on your very first trip at sea