Ships onboard stores

[flair3366]

Hey All, I am a first time cruiser, was wondering what is sold in the onboard stores???? Can you buy 2 liter s of soda, cigarettes, etc.... and help would be greatly appreciated.......

[beachbum53]

Originally Posted by flair3366

Hey All, I am a first time cruiser, was wondering what is sold in the onboard stores???? Can you buy 2 liter s of soda, cigarettes, etc.... and help would be greatly appreciated.......

No, you can't buy sodas (2 liter or otherwise), but you can buy cigarettes, cigars, batteries, disposable cameras, candy, aspirin, key rings, a variety of ship's souvenirs (such as hats, t-shirts, pens, post cards, coffee cups), as well as jewelry, and perfume. You can also buy bottles of liquor, which will be held until the end of your cruise. Keep in mind that although there are certain OTC meds. available, you'll pay a much higher price than you would at your local pharmacy. This is true of many of the things that are sold in the ship's stores, including cameras, batteries, sunblock, and anything else you might have forgotten to bring. There are a number of threads on here about what to pack and what not to forget, so do your research and make a list of what you'll need. You'll save yourself a lot of money if you buy all of those little necessities ahead of time.

[sail7seas]

It varies greatly by cruise line and by ship and by good luck.
If you need double AA batteries, you could get lucky and find them or someone may have bought their last package an hour ago. They don't stock a lot of any of that sort of thing and shop workers are inconsistent about how quickly sold out items are back on the shelves from their storeroom.

I forgot my listerine one cruise and they sold the small travel bottle for $4.99 or some ridiculous amount. If you want it and they have it, you choose how much it is worth to you.

If you want a can of soda, it can be bought at any of the bars. Tell them to not open it if you don't wish to drink it then.

[Keith1010]

Best to note which ship and to post this on the cruise line board for that ship.

Keith

[paul929207]

Most itmes are priced under the assumption that you are somewhat desparate for the item and have no where else to shop

[spookwife]

Originally Posted by flair3366

Hey All, I am a first time cruiser, was wondering what is sold in the onboard stores???? Can you buy 2 liter s of soda, cigarettes, etc.... and help would be greatly appreciated.......

soda is only available in the Bars. some sundries will be sold.. at a huge mark up so bring your own spare batteries, pain reliever, etc.

Cigarettes are available, but not all brands.

[love2relax]

If you are a smoker, they sell name brand cigarettes by the carton for WAY cheaper than the states.

Every cruise I take, I have to buy some for my brother. You are only allowed to take one carton per person through customs after the cruise, but we usually buy three. He smokes one carton during the cruise, and then each of us take a carton through customs after the cruise as well. That is the true deal in the ship's stores.

[Langley Cruisers]

Originally Posted by paul929207

Most items are priced under the assumption that you are somewhat desparate for the item and have no where else to shop

That is it exactly.

OP, I suggest you take one of everything onboard with you. Ha! Seriously, take things that you think you may need or even think you may need because the shops will charge you an arm and a leg. We always take medicines, bandaids, those seasick wrist bands, feminine hygiene items, a small flashlight, clothes pins, and all of our own toiletries. Thinking you can just "pick it up onboard" will be a very expensive lesson for you, trust me I know.
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[Krazy Kruizers]

The cruise lines really take advantage of you for toiletries -- I always make certain that I take enough with me.

Even things like cough medicine will cost a fortune on a ship.

[CoquinaKeyNereid]

In addition to the normal gift shop type items, the stores also stock popular items that are often forgotten...they are mostly in small travel sizes. For example, a few items that I remember seeing were: OTC pain meds, toothpaste, deodorant etc..... plus some snacks such as Pringles at a wopping $4.95 per can. It seems they take the landside price and then at least triple it. Lifesavers $2.59 per roll, travel sized toothpaste $3.49. So, you can see that if you forget an item or want a snack for your cabin, you will pay up the ying-yang.

[Jimnbigd]

I've found that liquor is usually a good buy and priced less than land based stores. Plus it is duty free, which is good. The last thing I want is to open a bottle of liquor and find a bunch of duty floating in it.

Some ships such as Carnival will let you take soft drinks and even wine with you when you board. That can save you lots of money. And if you smoke and want a particular brand, you'd best stock up and take those with you.

[Langley Cruisers]

^ Yes, liquor and perfume are good deals onboard the ship. Toiletries, personal items are outrageous, as mentioned.

[paul929207]

To defend the cruise lines a little, the various things they sell in the shops like snacks, toiletries, medications, books etc, are not volume items for them. Space is at a premium on the ship.

[Cruising started]

There is a small store for sundries. But plenty of duty free shopping. Every night they have sales of different items so pass through there and you might find some real deals.

[Cruisin' Chick]

Another reason to pad in at least a day pre-cruise. You don't have to pack everything in your medicine cabinet for checked baggage (on a flight). Instead, plan on a small shopping trip in your embarkation port city. We've done that for ports that we can't drive to.

[Jimnbigd]

I think on some ships you can get toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, razor) for free from your cabin attendant. Anyone know for sure?

[sparky-elpaso]

Originally Posted by Jimnbigd

I think on some ships you can get toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, razor) for free from your cabin attendant. Anyone know for sure?

Probably not if you're in a regular cabin. Depending on the cruise line you might have something other than the usual soap, body wash, etc. if you're in a suite. Best thing is to plan on bringing whatever you need with you.

[serene56]

Poster is sailing the Carnival Liberty.

I remember our first cruise and my SIL was quite upset when she was expecting stores like the mall has-- there are different stores--

a pack of cigerettes is like 7 bucks but a carton is 35.00
a candy bar-- wow 2 bucks. Chips 2 bucks (you can get that through room service by getting a sandwich and ask for chips on the side.


another store sells jewlery and stuff like watches. there is a formalities place where you can order a cake, flowers, rent formal wear. and candy by the pound.

here is a picture of a store on Pride

[sjcruiser]

The last three cruises I have been on the perfume/fragrances have been the same price as in the U.S. The display says that its a certain percentage off, but its the same price as department stores.

[serene56]

do you pay tax on perfume? on the ship you do not