Harassed by salespeople?

[lauli]

We are thinking about booking an Eastern Caribbean cruise which includes St. Thomas, Tortola, and Nassau. Are there a lot of pushy salespeople trying to get you to buy things as you get off the ship? What about in the shops? Any advice? Thanks.

[MandyGirl]

Of our experiences...

The only place I have ever felt was so pushy was in Ocho Rios. If we return there on a cruise, we would be very tempted to just remain on board - it really left a sour taste in our mouth (just walking from Dunn's Falls back to our tour bus had people literally standing in our way and moving to the side when we moved to the side to go around them).

We have never had a problem in the US Virgin Islands with the vendors (on cruises or land vacations), and it was rainy the one time we went to Nassau and visited the straw market (not uncomfortable there). We quite enjoy our visits to St Thomas because we can look around without being really pushed to purchase. (I'm the one doing the pushing to get hubby to make purchases!!)

We have not been to Tortola yet, but will be there in November on a cruise (same ports as you). However, on Jost Van Dyke (BVI) we didn't have a problem at all, so hopefully Tortola is the same way.

[kjkohler]

I agree on Ocho Rios being the worst. St. Maarten is equally as bad and have even found that it's ridiculous on the cruise lines 'private islands' as well. St. Thomas is not as bad but you really are going to experience it everywhere. Most of it will be as you get further away from the port. As you get off the ship you just experience all the lineups for shore excursions and what not. Shops close to the port aren't bad in my experience at all. Advice - keep smiling and keep walking ;o) Have fun!

[Krazy Kruizers]

:)

 

Montego Bay and Ocho Rios - are the pits. We have been there a few times. The people are very, very pushy.

 

St Thomas - as you get off the cruise there will be lots of open taxis, vans, etc - all trying to get you to go to a beach, tour the island, or go into town. We usually go to town first (Charlette Amalie) to avoid the crowds. Once the tours are done, it get very crowded especially if there are several cruise ships in port. You will find some people trying to get you into their shops to look around. We just walk past them and shop where we want to. After we have gotten everything we want, we either eat lunch in town or go back to the ship. In the afternoon we will spend a couple of hours going through the shops in Havensight.

 

:)

[lauli]

Thanks for all of your replies. The vendor situation seems similar to what we found in Mexico, especially Cabo San Lucas..