Best Item Purchased?

[Krazy Kruizers]

What is the best or most precious item you have purchased either on a cruise ship or in a port?

[spcl4cs_gal]

That would have to be either the diamond earrings I bought in Cozumel at Diamonds International or the diamond and sapphire earrings and bracelet I bought in Grand Cayman. :D

[sail7seas]

The most precious for me would be a gift we purchased for a very special gentleman. He is a dear friend about whom we care alot and we thought and thought what we could get him he would enjoy but would probably never get for himself. Because he (and some of his friends) read this board I will not name the gift but it meant a great deal to me to find that article for him.

(If he happens to read this....I'll add that I am HUGELY happy he (and we) would no longer have a use for it!!!!)

[RDMOREU]

Well, I haven't done it yet; but, the most precious purchase onboard would be ANOTHER CRUISE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Krazy Kruizers]

Years and years ago when we were in Venice we went out to the Murano glass factory. We bought several red Venitian pieces.

Then about 6 years ago we returned to Venice via cruise ship and went back out to the same factory. We couldn't believe that they still had the same pattern that we had purchased about 20 years before.

Naturally we added to our collection.

[letsgonow]

On one of my favorite cruises, a 24 day transatlantic on the Rotterdam, we shopped in every port. We started in Athens, went east to Istanbul, and then continued through the Mediterranean. By the time we disembarked in Ft. Lauderdale, we had Turkish rugs, Lladro porcelain, Lalique & Daum crystal, Herend fishnet figurines, as well as many handmade items from Greece and Egypt. Luckily, all we had to do was rent a car and drive across Alligator Alley. Usually we ship large items, but a transatlantic allowed us to carry it home.

[ANSalberg]

Two of the beautiful inlayed Opal rings [ NOT Tanzanite, however- diamond & blue topaz] WE had a Prinsendam cruise canceled out from under us in Europe -B2Bs - as she went to Alaska that year in June[suddenly] We were told "If you rebook THIS week- we will give you $1200 shipboard credit" -I bought the rings for my [adult] daughters for Christmas! THEY were thrilled -and so were we- we didn't WASTE our credit on the Crows Nest [ we wasted OUR money in the Crows Nest :-) ] we spent it WISELY! The rings were "free"
Anne

[Roadwork]

The best items are anything I purchase for my wife that makes her smile and shows me a sparkle in her eyes. It can be anything from a magnet or key chain to a piece of jewelry or an addition to her llado collection.

[RuthC]

The most precious is some earrings that I didn't purchase.

My husband and I had looked forward to the final voyage of the Rotterdam for well over a year, but at the last minute he was scheduled for radiation. He told me to go without him, and for the first time in our marriage I didn't argue with him.
He made arrangements to meet the ship in Acapulco. Ship didn't GO to Acapulco due to hurricanes.
He made new arrangements to meet the ship in Costa Rica. When I got off the tour bus in San Jose he was there waiting with a dozen roses, the jewelry, and a big smile.
I still have the jewelry.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

When we were on the Zuirderdam in April 2003 on the day of the last formal night they were having a "Watch Sale" I purchased a Citizen Eco-Drive watch with Swarovski crytals on the bezel. I absolutely love it. The best part is that the price I paid was cheaper than any place I have ever seen including eBay. I paid right at 50% of Suggested Retail. Plus no tax or shipping cost;)

[ekerr19]

I think my favorite thing is a purchase we made on our Baltic cruise.

We purchased a Matryoshka doll set, which is hand-painted with scenes of St. Petersburg by Novikova.

There were several to choose from, but the one we chose had such beautiful scenes of St. Petersburg. The painted scenes look like beautiful oil paintings.

It is such a lovely reminder of our trip to St. Petersburg.

[Krazy Kruizers]

RuthC - I do believe that you had the most precious gift while on a cruise.

ekerr19 - ah yes, those beautiful Matryoshka doll sets from Russia. We bought a set for our neightbors and ourselves when we were in St Petersberg - actually we bought them when St Petersberg was Lenningrad.

[jhannah]

We, too, purchased the Russian doll sets for ourselves and our grandchildren. My DW got some in St. Petersburg and I purchased some in Moscow. Sort of a "we may never pass this way again" thing. Treasured mementos of a wonderful trip.

[bombero]

In St Maartin we found and purchased an identical tennis bracelet to the one that was stolen by the crew on the Celebrity Millenium. :mad: . My wife was estatic that she was able to replace it. :) :) .. Bombero

[lipoppop]

The most precious is some earrings that I didn't purchase.

My husband and I had looked forward to the final voyage of the Rotterdam for well over a year, but at the last minute he was scheduled for radiation. He told me to go without him, and for the first time in our marriage I didn't argue with him.
He made arrangements to meet the ship in Acapulco. Ship didn't GO to Acapulco due to hurricanes.
He made new arrangements to meet the ship in Costa Rica. When I got off the tour bus in San Jose he was there waiting with a dozen roses, the jewelry, and a big smile.
I still have the jewelry.

RuthC,
I can't tell you how much your story touched me. I had just finished ready the news on google before I came to this board- Iraq deaths, bus bombings in Isreal, flood deaths, on and on. The love and devotion as you told it made today a better day.
Thank you,
Jay aka lipoppop

[sail7seas]

RuthC.....that indeed is the most precious!! What a dear memory to hold close to your heart.

[ekerr19]

I hadn't seen Ruth's post - what a treasured memory. :)

[DJDQ]

I know the roses are gone but you still have them with you -you said that you still have the jewelry and you can bet with a husband like yours you still see the smile!;)

[MeAbFab]

I know this will sound terribly out of place with all the diamonds and other nicer things, but the Tortuga Rum Cakes are absolutely the best thing I've ever purchased on a cruise. I'll always have my memories of being bored out of my mind and starving in Grand Cayman, stumbling into one of the shops, and stuffing myself with handfulls of free samples from the half-sheet pans. Very yummy stuff.

[RuthC]

I know the roses are gone but you still have them with you -you said that you still have the jewelry and you can bet with a husband like yours you still see the smile!;)
The smile is constant in my memory, thank you.

I have a portrait taken on one of our earlier cruises---we're in our best formal wear and have the biggest smiles. Looking at it instantly brings back so many happy cruising memories.

[gliles]

Ruth -

That story was so sweet, gave me chills.

My late grandmother was named Ruth and as a matter of fact, her last name started with a C which I got as a middle name. HATED IT as a child but gave it to my daughter since I love it now, she hates it! My cousin is also named Ruth after her as was my fathers cousin. I wanted to name one of my daughters Ruth but my husband didn't like the name. We are divorced now :rolleyes: Daughters are 20 & 18, I wonder if it's too late to change their names?

Ok, I am rambling but wanted to let you know that I love your name and am quite curious as to what your last name is. Would you email me?

gliles@comcast.net