Shopping!

[Neiner]

I've never been a big shopper but this next cruise on the Miracle, my daughter will be with me and she's into all the designer labels. What type of things will she be able to get onboard?

Is there any good shopping in Panama, Costa Rica or Belize?

She's specifically looking for a new Betsy Johnson purse.

She also wants some perfume which I know she can get onboard. Miss dior cheri? Never heard of if, but that's what she says... lol.

We don't know if she should shop the christmas sales here at home or wait for the cruise. Any thoughts fellow cruisers?

Thanks in advance.

[firefly333]

Im not sure all the brands of purses they have on board, some start over $100 each. I bought a medium shoulder bag, Lacoste brand, says it retails for $110, priced at $43.49. They had a bunch, even a man's bag (Diesel brand), 3 brands on the one display, and then there was another section with the one expensive brand on another wall that were more expensive. A bit too gaudy for my taste.

I like the one I bought.

[firefly333]

starboardcruise site runs the tax free shops on Carnival, RCL and many other lines. I dont know if you could contact them to get a idea what they might have on any particular ship in stock.

http://www.starboardcruise.com/

Several of the purses I liked sold out during my cruise, no more in stock onboard either. They had a particularly good inventory my cruise I thought, but it varys.

They can also tell you if that particular perfume is carried on the ship.

[firefly333]

PS you can just pick up the phone and call them during business hours. I did over a ring I bought, and they answered, so they are pretty easy to call. They dont carry all perfumes, so Id check for that particular kind before you go if she is that picky.

[FunDayAtSea]

The ships have a lot of Guess purses. So many so, I don't remember seeing any other brands.

I do know that she can go to the websites and look for store in your ports.


In my experience, shopping for brands is better on an Eastern cruise. On a western you can find some brands in Grand Cayman, but I don't remember seeing any in Belize and definitely not in Costa Rica. I remember some shopping in Panama at the port, but don't remember any brand stores.

[Neiner]

thanks! anyone else?

[cb at sea]

In Panama, the "shopping" area is full of tourist junk...you won't find anything of any value there....lots of t-shirts, handmade souvenier stuff, beads, etc.....
I don't remember seeing any "high-end" shops in Costa Rica, either.

The problem with looking for something for someone else is returning something unwanted or wrong....can't do it!

[debberannne]

I always buy a "designer" perfume at a decent cost on each cruise I take. Then when I wear it during the next few months, it always reminds me of my cruise.
I dont remember specific Dior perfumes....

[Neiner]

Originally Posted by cb at sea

The problem with looking for something for someone else is returning something unwanted or wrong....can't do it!

Oh, she'll be there too, we just didn't know if she should bypass some of the christmas sales in hopes of finding good stuff on the cruise.

[elsplace2]

Just got back from a cruise to Costa Rica and Panama. Shopping by the piers are not great! Costa Rica had a Flea Market type building with what appeared to be over 100 vendors. But they were little stands, side by side.. Lots of souveniour type things....I don't remember seeing designer purses, but there may have been a booth or 2 with them. Panama by the pier, only had about 4 shops.....as "cb at sea," said it was full of tourist junk.

They don't recommend you go inland on your own in these 2 countries, even though Panama looked liked they had a lot of shops just past the pier....but then when you see armed gaurds standing around, is it really worth venturing out there for a designer purse???