Port Shopping Talks - Poll

[OKW Lover]

Fun poll - do you attend the port shopping talks on board ship? Do you find them helpful? Just a paid advertisement for specific stores/products?

 

[pepe3penelope]

I posted my response. I only watched it on the TV being replayed by i've never seen it in person.

 

[Mickeyhugger]

I try to go to every one (if I remember.) I've won some of the prizes 'tossed' to the audience. Still fun to watch.

 

[CrawfordMomof2]

This will be an interesting thread to watch since I'm planning my first cruise, and have wondered the answer to this question.

 

[MunFam]

I am not a fan of anyone convincing me that the "best shopping" is here...when really that is where the biggest commissions and kick backs are for the presenter. When we were on a tour in Columbia, the guide gave us a "sticker" so we would not get lost during our free time and it was only for this one shopping district. I knew right away what she was doing...she was giving us the stickers to identify us as her people so she would get a kickback. As soon as we walked away, I put the sticker in my pocket and kept it there til we rejoined the tour...ugh...so deceiving. If she had been honest, I would have been like "cool, no problem" but because of the smoke and mirrors, I did not buy in to it.

 

[jdb in AZ]

DD and her DH attended the talks and visited some shops. They were interested in getting a one carat diamond for her engagement ring. When they got home they had the diamond appraised and they did get a decent deal and it's a fun souvenir but it wasn't quite the outstanding deal they were lead to believe.

 

[over50visits]

Well known paid advertisements. I rank them right up there (down there) with the art "auctions."

 

[3Down1Up]

My vote was "I never go", but DH went once and would rate it as "paid advertisements". He said it was about specific stores, versus broader shopping tips. I can't imagine the "hosts" aren't getting any kind of kickback for pushing these stores.

 

[over50visits]

My vote was "I never go", but DH went once and would rate it as "paid advertisements". He said it was about specific stores, versus broader shopping tips. I can't imagine the "hosts" aren't getting any kind of kickback for pushing these stores.

When we went once (mostly for entertainment) the speakers weren't DCL employees. Hmmm...I wonder how they get paid? I wonder why DCL gives them space for their talks? Inquiring minds want to know.

 

[FloridaBabe]

It's just paid advertising, I would not waste one valuable minute of my cruise at any of these "get togethers".

 

[ladyofthetramp]

Have always wondered, never have done. My cruise time is too precious. I think I would go if i was interested in purchasing something specific, like jewelry etc.

 

[kaseyC]

I never go. I don't cruise to shop. Not saying I don't sometimes shop on a cruise, though. I usually do most of my shopping on land trips where I can buy items that are unique to that area of the world or at least something I can't find at home.

 

[Dug720]

While "waste of time" was on there and one of my votes, I had to vote "don't go any more" because the truth wasn't on there - I've NEVER gone. And never will!

 

[squirk]

I'm with Dug. You need a poll option for people who were not interested and consequently never attended one.

Nothing against those shopping experts, to be sure. Like kaseyC, I just don't cruise to shop, and if I did, I am not sure I would rely on those folks as my most unbiased source of information.

 

[starvenger]

Nothing against those shopping experts, to be sure. Like kaseyC, I just don't cruise to shop, and if I did, I am not sure I would rely on those folks as my most unbiased source of information.

You absolutely should not rely on them for unbiased information.

But if you're hoping for free stuff, or maybe some extra discounts at their "preferred vendors", it may be worth going just the once, or talking with them in person later on. But realistically it's not anything you don't already know or can read online.

 

[squirk]

But realistically it's not anything you don't already know or can read online.

Exactly. Maybe I am missing something, but I do not see why I would want to buy a $4,000 Omega watch at Little Switzerland (or wherever), and declare it at customs, when for roughly the equivalent price, I can buy it off Amazon.

 

[OKW Lover]

Exactly. Maybe I am missing something, but I do not see why I would want to buy a $4,000 Omega watch at Little Switzerland (or wherever), and declare it at customs, when for roughly the equivalent price, I can buy it off Amazon.

A really good point for anybody looking for a particular item in the caribbean. Know the price at home before you sail!

 

[Simba One]

When we went once (mostly for entertainment) the speakers weren't DCL employees. Hmmm...I wonder how they get paid? I wonder why DCL gives them space for their talks? Inquiring minds want to know.

The hosts are employees of the stores being promoted. They make commission of all the suckers who buy.

 

[tinkerone]

and really, how many diamonds international stores do they need!
dcl should really clarify that the speakers at these are not dcl employees and the opinions are not that of the cruise line.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

I have never been to one & never felt like I missed anything. I dunno, a rep onboard that I don't believe works for the cruise line whose job it is is to get me to spend my money in specific shops seemed pretty obvious to me. Like the jewelry reps for whatever designer is onboard, I don't think so. I'll go home and buy that stuff online for a lot less $$.