How is the SHOPPING in Alaska???

[sabrecmc]

We bought alcholo in San Francisco and had no trouble bringing it onboard (we were also not the only ones...it was sort of funny at the amount of alcohol going through the security line that day thanks to a convenient liquor store...the guy in front of us had 2 cases of beer!).

You can't buy the duty free alcohol onboard and drink it on the cruise (you get it at the end), but you can buy it in port and bring it on.

 

[Candy Apple]

Sayhello

Thanks! Might need to go against my anti-shopaholic ways and find one of these.

Hmm didn't notice any trouble.
But DO make sure that the ulu knives/etc. are all in checked luggage.
I was mighty sad to realize that DH "helped" by stuffing the Alaska pocket knife (still in box) in an outside pocket of CARRYON luggage- and didn't find out till they confiscated it as we went thru security.
*sigh*
the only way we could keep it is if we went back thru the huge lines, paid another $25 (only because we hadn't checked a piece of luggage per person yet- if it had been a second piece of checked luggage for a person it would have cost even more) and checked that carryon. What chaps my hide is that after paying to check luggage- then they ask if anyone wants to check luggage at the gate because the flight was full to allow more room for carryon luggage in overhead bins *facepalm*

Anywho- point is that ulu knives would be the same I'm sure. If the ship isn't allowing them onboard, pretty sure the airline wouldn't allow it on the plane either. So my point is checked luggage- not a problem that I've heard about with customs and things bought- even the knives.
People were getting off the ship, picking up knives at a table along the way, going thru customs with the knives with them obviously, then getting their luggage. At the airport it was check luggage, weird thing was then lines of people checking boarding passes like every few feet (yes it was odd, people along every few feet of a line asking to see boarding passes), then security, then customs, then some other customs where the guy just looked (brief glance, if you'd even call it that) at a seat where a sign said welcome to the US. Then once you find your terminal- you're stuck there... FYI... they won't let you back out for any reason. (this is probably only important to those that don't realize as they go thru the process that there is no going back out to smoke a cig and then back in thru security again- like we're used to being able to do at all the airports we've ever been at. Basically you're considered in the "US" once you've gone thru all that and the airline representative said that customs won't let you back thru -so you're stuck in there until you fly out)

How unfortunate for you! Where did you buy yours?

 

[kwm]

Thanks for the information on the shopping there!

 

[clarefb]

HAHAHAHA
I highly doubt my smile dazzled them- I'm usually not smiling at that point. I'm all get your cards out, no get them out, no they have to be OUT of your lanyard. No you can't just show it- it has to be scanned, take it out of the lanyards- all of you.... all three of you.. yes you too Jeff.... and you need your id... no Ruby you don't need your id because you're not 18, okay you have to put your iphones thru security, I don't care if you're texting- it can wait put it in the bin, now.... didn't I tell you to get your KTTW card out of your lanyard? ahhhhhhhhhhh for crying out loud
LOL

love it - sounds like my family!

 

[socakitty]

FYI if you are going to be doing souvenir shopping in the ports make sure you look for the person handing out coupon books at Canada place.. we did the repo and 1st Alaskan and as we walked back through the port to check in there was someone handing these out for the Alaskan ports.. They had coupons for ulus, the salad hands, cheap t-shirts etc. We shipped stuff back from the Ketchikan tongass stores.. they had a great deal buy stuff at any or all of the 3 stores and ship it all back for 14.99.. We got 2 fleece jackets, tshirts, hats etc and a great waterproof jacket for me (for only 24.99 it's gonna be great for camping!) Plus, it was so nice not to have to worry about fitting everything in our suitcases..

We just our box Sat and I am wishing we had gotten more fleece jackets, they are super comfy!

 

[Inkmahm]

Ulu knives are great! We bought our first one on our Alaska trip in 2005. Tht one wore out and we bought another one in 2008. That one is still in pretty good shape. We just used it tonight to slice tomatoes for our BLT's. DH uses it quite often.

Make sure you get one that is made in Alaska. There are lots of cheap ones from China.

 

[Inkmahm]

Any difficulties taking the Alaska stuff through customs at Vancouver and then back into the US?

Be careful buying ivory. We have purchased fossilized ivory art items and made sure to get certificates for them.

Also, a shopping tip to help buy from local stores is that they are all marked as being locally owned. I don't remember what the sign was, exactly, but each port city had the sign in their shops.

 

[mmmears]

Anyone try to have the shops ship stuff home?

We're traveling with carry-ons only, so it will be very hard for us to bring back lots of souvenirs (and we could never get one of those knives on board the plane in our carry-ons ).

 

[wild.zinnia]

Anyone try to have the shops ship stuff home?

We're traveling with carry-ons only, so it will be very hard for us to bring back lots of souvenirs (and we could never get one of those knives on board the plane in our carry-ons ).

I am also curious about mailing purchases home as well.

 

[Cerberus9]

Most of the "Alaskan" souvenirs we found were made in China or India.

 

[mmmears]

Most of the "Alaskan" souvenirs we found were made in China or India.

That's sad. I read somewhere that there is a "Bear" symbol on the store windows where they sell things made in Alaska. Did you happen to notice if this is true? I would rather buy one "real" Alaskan souvenir than a whole bunch of stuff from China.

 

[Chirple]

The guide books I purchased state that there are 2 symbols: the silver hand appears on authentic native handcrafts from Alaska, and the polar bear represents items made by Alaskans.

I am very interested in buying something authentic while we're in port, and I will most likely buy a magnet in port as well.

Those Ulu knives are nice! Would make a great gift for my friend who likes to cook and whose husband loves to fish.

I'm also wondering about shipping purchases home.

 

[CaliGrrl]

The Tongass stores in Ketchikan ship everything you buy from them for a flat $14.99.

You can also ship from the US Post Office in Skagway. The other port days are Sat and Sun so the PO's are closed. So, even though it is the first stop, if you think you are going to need to ship stuff home do it from Skagway.

Other stores have shipping/mail order options as well... just ask!