Liquor Question

[lablover61]

Wondering if prices for liquor are cheaper at the duty free shop on board or in stores in port ( specifically Grand Cayman and Cozumel ). Interested in whiskey and rum. Thanks !

[LemurCat]

They're usually pretty much the same. So unless you're looking for something that's not in the ship's stock, there's no real point in comparison shopping.

[redlef]

Originally Posted by lablover61

Wondering if prices for liquor are cheaper at the duty free shop on board or in stores in port ( specifically Grand Cayman and Cozumel ). Interested in whiskey and rum. Thanks !

Many of the "port stores" are run by the Cruise lines, or under contract with the cruise lines. If you go a little off the beaten track, you can do better. You can't bargain with the duty free ship on board, but you may be able to in the independently owned shops. I know I did in Aruba.

[serene56]

Grand Cayman is not cheap. It will probably cost just the same as on the cruise and youdont get to carry it out of the store- they deliver it to the ship for you- you get it the last night.

Wait til cozumel== and get as far from the ship as possible to do your shopping.

[LemurCat]

Originally Posted by redlef

Many of the "port stores" are run by the Cruise lines, or under contract with the cruise lines.

I wouldn't say they are run by the cruiselines (I'm pretty sure Carnival doesn't, but often they do own the buildings housing them), but companies like Dufry and DFS do run duty-free shops all over the world.

If you go a little off the beaten track, you can do better. You can't bargain with the duty free ship on board, but you may be able to in the independently owned shops. I know I did in Aruba.

Totally agree. And you never know what interesting local products you will find off the beaten path either.

[yst347]

Prices in ports change frequently. We used to buy 2 one liter bottles of Kahlua for $15 in Cozumel but now the best price I have found was $10 per liter. In Grand Cayman you can buy Tortuga Rum. It isn't available on the ship. As Serene mentioned, you cannot buy it duty free and carry it with you from the store. It will be delivered to your cabin on the last full day of the cruise.

It has been my experience that ship prices are competitive with port prices everywhere but St. Thomas and St. Martin. You may save a buck or two on shore or on the ship on any given item. Since you won't be calling on either of these ports, if the ship stocks what you want it may be worth buying on board and not worry about it.

[LBumb]

cozumel is the place. if you are in a taxi, have him take you away from the port and buy away.

[BIG_Steve]

In Nassau, we went into a somewhat run down liquor store. The Kahlua we bought, we saw in the ships duty free store later for $1.00 more. Wouldn't have lugged them around if I knew that. Check the ship store before you go into town.

In Tijuana once, I noticed the price of Kahlua got lower as the sun did. You saw the shop owners changing the signs frequently as it got later. Didn't hang around Nassau late enough to see if it works the same there.