Is the second Tortola back?

[DVC Mary]

FYI to future Tortola Shoppers:

We were told no bargaining. We went to Columbian Emeralds International & could not find emerald earrings I wanted, but found wonderful tanzanite. We found a dainty ring that was $395 & some gorgeous tanzanite & diamond earrings that were almost $1,000. We looked & looked for something cheaper but kept coming back to the more expensive ones. We finally said, we'll just take the ring b/c we'll be in St. Thomas tomorrow & we were really looking for emeralds. All of a sudden the price dropped from almost $1,000 to $495. Wow! We took them. I wouldn't push hard to bargain, but it doesn't hurt to say, "No or is that the best you can do?" and be willing to walk away. Martin our shopping guide was really surprised, but said that w/ the economy they do have a lot on sale.

There were 2 rooms there--one had the pricey items & the one in the back had more sale items. Be sure to check it out. It was the ONLY place worth shopping at & it was a quick walk back & forth. They sized my ring & had it ready at their closing time 5pm--which they actually kept the store open until closer to 5:30 since so many people needed to come back to pick up items. We had to be onboard at 6 or 6:30--can't remember.

 

[TiggersPal]

FYI to future Tortola Shoppers:

We were told no bargaining. We went to Columbian Emeralds International & could not find emerald earrings I wanted, but found wonderful tanzanite. We found a dainty ring that was $395 & some gorgeous tanzanite & diamond earrings that were almost $1,000. We looked & looked for something cheaper but kept coming back to the more expensive ones. We finally said, we'll just take the ring b/c we'll be in St. Thomas tomorrow & we were really looking for emeralds. All of a sudden the price dropped from almost $1,000 to $495. Wow! We took them. I wouldn't push hard to bargain, but it doesn't hurt to say, "No or is that the best you can do?" and be willing to walk away. Martin our shopping guide was really surprised, but said that w/ the economy they do have a lot on sale.

There were 2 rooms there--one had the pricey items & the one in the back had more sale items. Be sure to check it out. It was the ONLY place worth shopping at & it was a quick walk back & forth. They sized my ring & had it ready at their closing time 5pm--which they actually kept the store open until closer to 5:30 since so many people needed to come back to pick up items. We had to be onboard at 6 or 6:30--can't remember.

One thing I've learned recently is that asking isn't the same thing as bargaining... I've never been able to do that in my trips to Mexico, etc... but I've even gotten deals here in the states for on-line stuff because of the economy... I'm just not willing to spend the money on something when I know that in some cases the mark-ups are ridiculous jewelry is the WORST for marking up... but I'll say this when you said tanzanite my ears picked up - I LOVE it... purple is my favorite color... and I only have one small dinky ring - and would LOVE to get some pretty earrings. Thanks for your info Mary.

 

[justmestace]

One thing I've learned recently is that asking isn't the same thing as bargaining... I've never been able to do that in my trips to Mexico, etc... but I've even gotten deals here in the states for on-line stuff because of the economy... I'm just not willing to spend the money on something when I know that in some cases the mark-ups are ridiculous jewelry is the WORST for marking up... but I'll say this when you said tanzanite my ears picked up - I LOVE it... purple is my favorite color... and I only have one small dinky ring - and would LOVE to get some pretty earrings. Thanks for your info Mary.

Another idea is to go online and get a Colombian Emeralds credit card before you go. You can get interest-free payment plans with them. I think the website is www.dutyfree.com

 

[froderfive]

Simply, Tortola is new to the whole tourism-destination on a cruise-scale thing - and it shows in many ways. Random thoughts, to be followed with a separate thread of MANY pictures (in process of uploading) at a later date:



8. The Town - we walked through town after our return. We are not shoppers, but we wanted to see what it was like. They have basically set up a "tent city" to sell stuff to tourists. I suspect it will be more like St Thomas over time - permanent stores, nicer walk to it, etc.

Do you know the name of the town/port where DCL docks on Tortola? Thanks for this awesome information! We are taking Fantasy to Tortola in January 2017.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Do you know the name of the town/port where DCL docks on Tortola? Thanks for this awesome information! We are taking Fantasy to Tortola in January 2017.

It's Road Town.