Port shopping presentations

[over50visits]

I've always been unhappy with the port presentations pretending "fair and balanced." Check out this article:

http://www.usatoday.com/story/cruise...tures/1898919/

Since most DCL cruises aren't in Alaska, it may be they won't be required to be honest on our ships. Too bad.

[MND]

I can't believe that the ships are paid to promote certain stores! Is nothing sacred?!?

[Bear3412]

These presentations are great. You go and get the list of where NOT to shop.

[Feisty Fairy]

I did not go to the presentations last time and plan on not going this time.

[over50visits]

Originally Posted by Bear3412

These presentations are great. You go and get the list of where NOT to shop.

Evidently you get the list of who paid to be on the list and who didn't pay. What use is that?

[lilpooh108]

Originally Posted by MND

I can't believe that the ships are paid to promote certain stores! Is nothing sacred?!?

They do, and I've even heard that some of the cruise lines own the stores so that at certain ports there are actually things for cruisers to do, like shop. I'll have to find that article again...

[tinkerone]

considering the number of times I heard 'diamonds international' i'm not surprised. oh, and, i'll meet you there, make sure they know I sent you!
dead give away.

[Nini05]

Sad but true, stores hav paid to be promoted. Always thought so......?

[OKW Lover]

I've always understood that these presentations are simply paid advertising for the stores. That doesn't stop me from visiting those stores nor does it stop me from visiting the ones that aren't.

We buy from shops that have the best deal. We also sometimes do stop into the "featured" merchants to take advantage of any free items they offer to get you into the shop.

[over50visits]

Originally Posted by Feisty Fairy

I did not go to the presentations last time and plan on not going this time.

We went once on our first cruise, and once again with some new cruisers. Both times, honestly, it felt low class. Like a used car salesman. Reminded me of the onboard art "auctions" that had such a poor reputation for dishonesty.

[Bear3412]

Originally Posted by over50visits

Evidently you get the list of who paid to be on the list and who didn't pay. What use is that?

Odds are stores that pay cruiselines for endorsements are more expensive and more crowded. IMHO

http://www.disboards.com/showthread....light=shopping

http://www.disboards.com/showthread....light=shopping

[OKW Lover]

Originally Posted by Bear3412

Odds are stores that pay cruiselines for endorsements are more expensive and more crowded. IMHO

I'd agree about more crowded. Not sure about more expensive though since the basic supply/demand rules of competition still apply.

I also suspect that some shops pick and chose which lines they will partner/advertise with. We were on the Fantasy for a 7-night Eastern cruise 1/26 and in St. Thomas I saw a lot of big shops that were familiar from visits going back to the 1980's but weren't mentioned on DCL's shopping presentation.

[wendyoconnor]

We went to the shopping presentation on our last Fantasy cruise, it was a rainy day and we didn't have anything else to do. It was interesting, we aren't big shoppers but I like getting coupons for free stuff in port.

It was during that presentation that I realized that the nametags that the employees wear give you a clue. If it has the DCL logo on it they are a DCL employee. If it is plain with just a red outline, they are a contract employee. After our last port day, I never saw the shopping guides again.