What Western Port is best Shopping and Why???

[jgalecpa]

My DW is a World Class Shopper.

She has convinced shopkeepers all over the world to open their doors, much to their pleasure and profit.

She has Haggled in Turkey, Connived in Mexico, Savored in St Thomas, etc. (Shannon Airport Duty Free is Dangerous to my Credit Rating).

What are your feelings of Best Shopping Places in the Western Ports and Why.

We are especially interested in your opinions about :
(1) General Souvenirs (T-Shirts, Knick Knacks, etc) as well as
(2) Fine Jewlery

I just saw a post That implied Grand Cayman was mostly restaurants with not much Shopping.

I want YOUR opinions.

 

[ZebraStripes]

I'm not really a jewelry buyer, but we found a large variety of souveniers in Cozumel. There were many many stores and even more people trying to get you to come in (hey sir, buy somethng for your pretty wife). And you get to haggle too. I was quite proud of myself as I had never done such a thing before. We didn't get to try any of the streets off the main drag, but a quick walk through showed lots of interesting things. My husband who detests shopping even had fun in Cozumel. In Grand Caymen we didn't get a chance to shop because we were late for our excursion (it took absolutely forever for our tender to leave the ship and dock) and then we got back late from the excursion and wanted to make it back before dinner started.

 

[MFan]

We just came back from the 5/10 Western. We been to GC and Coz several years before. Both have changed a lot (more glitters, more developed and more congested). Unfortunately, we're not in the same league, shopping-wise, as your DW. But, here is our opinion: Coz is much better (and cheaper) for #1. Unless you're looking for something specific, like GC t-shirts, your credit rating will be less tarnished by shopping for them at Coz.

You'll have to rely on someone else for #2 since we've never been in the mood to shop for fine jewelries in the Caribbean. There was always something more preferable to do there...like the beaches and the diving.

 

[jgalecpa]

Thanks.

My wife is great a finding bargains ($15 dress on the Via Venetto in Rome!).

Coz sound like it's good.

Anything else???

Key West?

 

[dizmomof2]

I'm not sure about fine jewlery but GC has some great deals! My mom always manages to buy the most unusual things at bargin basement prices there! She got me my china there a few years ago (Royal Dalton) at less then a quarter of the price. If I had of known it was so cheap I'd have sent her with money and a list!

I know that GC has a lot of upscale shops but I'm not sure if they are around the port or not. I'll ask DM where she shops.

BTW your DW sounds great! I think she , DM and myself would get along famously. DM and I take shopping vactions every year, but usually we're buying clothes (and mostly for my 2 DD's)

 

[Regina]

I like your wife's way of thinking.

They'll have shopping seminars on the ship. You'll get lots of tips, a map, and plenty of recommendations. Some of the shops offer incentives, (little freebies and the like.) It's worthwhile to attend.

Unfortunately, we didn't go to Grand Cayman due to the weather, but I really liked Cozumel. We bought a ton of stuff there and I was very pleased with the prices. We did some haggling, and we did some tequila sampling. For myself, I got a pretty emerald ring, and we got all sorts of silver jewelry for our DD's. By sticking to the shops that Disney endorses, we found the quality to be great. Nothing has tarnished.

I did get a few things at Key West. There were a few specialty items that I found out about on the ship.

One thing I learned, take a price sheet for the liquor on the ship. I would have ended up paying $10.00 more for a bottle of Grey Goose if I had purchased it in Nassau.

Happy shopping!!

 

[jgalecpa]

Thanks for the tip about liquor.

We have been known to buy some stuff in ports, bring it back on the ship and have impromptu parties with our new DIS friends in our rooms. Thanks Room service!


Anyone know if Sapphires or Amethysts can be found in any of the Western ports?

This board is the best.

Jim

 

[Buckaroo's Dad]

Anyone know if Sapphires or Amethysts can be found in any of the Western ports?

Won't your DW get jealous???...

 

[prymsu]

cozumel will be your best bet, as things tend to run high in price in Grand Cayman...

 

[rmbreset]

In GC you can purchase caymanite a gem stone exclusive to the caymans, another difference is I purchased serveral bottles Havana Club rum in GC (anejo 7yr) for 10.00 USD (shh don't tell customs), I did not even see it for sale in Cozumel.

 

[onlysons]

A warning...we just came back from the cruise...You cannot bring back any alcohol from Grand Cayman. It was cheap there but if you were on the Disney ship you could not bring it aboard FOR THIS PORT ONLY.... My husband bought some in Cozumel..just as cheap and no problems...Check with a disney crew member. Has to do with some rule between Disney and Grand Cayman. However you can bring back RUM CAKES that are delicious.

 

[rmbreset]

There does seem to be some rule to that effect, my mother in-law tried to purchase a bottle at the rum cake factory that the island race, err I mean tour stops at and they would not sell it to her because she was on DCL, however I had no problem at the establishment (which you'll have to PM me to find out) I purchased at. Also no one said anything to me when my bag was x-rayed when I reboarded. I'd love to know the offical word on this, i do not see how they can legaly stop you, maybe it is just an agreement with excursion stops ?

 

[RellingTwin]

I seem to remember something about the liquor stores would only deliver to ships (no carry out) and since DCL will not accept deliveries of any kind, buying liquor was not possible. However we did not get to GC last year due to hurricaine Lily so I do NOT have first hand info on this. Also GC MIGHT have changed it's policies since the aftermath of 9/11, I think deliveries to many ships have been eliminated.

 

[jgalecpa]

Buckaroos Dad:

LOL!

Can't A guy have some fun?

Mbreset:

Never heard of Caymanite. Sounds cool. Like to get something from every port, especially if it is Unique.

Have to remember the Liquor rule.

Anyone buy cuban cigars on GC or anywhere else?

I am going fishing in CC and that might be nice. I have one cigar about every 5 years and they must be cuban, or why bother.

Jim

 

[rmbreset]

Yes, I picked up a box of Cubans in Grand Cayman, (0f course I smoked them all on the ship ) Wallace and Valerio of the La Casa Del Habano there are top notch. I would not buy anywhere else on the Western. You will only get duty free prices on boxes, and you can ONLY be assured of getting the real thing at a La Casa Del Habano, conuterfiets are the order of the day in the carib, its as high as 90%, there is one in Cozumel but these 2 people in GC are reknowned in the cigar world. Where I bought my rum they walked it down to the pier with me.

 

[jgalecpa]

RMBRESET,

Thanks for the Cuban 4-11, especially on the Casa Del Habano.

I actually had found a 10% off coupon for them, knot knowing who they are.

Now I KNOW I'll use it.

(See, I can shop too).

Nothing like a fine cuban as your sailing back to land after a good day fishing.

 

[rmbreset]

No problem may I suggest a Trinidad Fundadore, this is the cigar that Fidel presents to visting heads of state, also a Partagas 4D or 3d limited edition are very nice.

 

[BearFan]

We were on the western last December and found much better shopping in Cozumel. Things were way too expensive at GC. We got all of our souvenir type merchandise, t-shirts, vanilla, windchimes etc. at Cinco Soles. What a terrific place! Good prices and interesting stuff, too. We bought matching settings and stones(Amethyst) at a jewelry shop on the same strip. I'll find out the name and post it for you. It was on the Disney shopping list, too. They had a sale on gemstones and a Christmas promotion going on at the same time. We pulled an ornament from their tree and got another 40% off the settings. Both rings with 2-3 carat amethysts each, fitted, cost us app $400 USD. I was THIS CLOSE to buying a ring of Alexandrite at another shop from the list, but decided against it. This December, I'm heading there straightaway for the ring. Sorry, I can't remember the names of the jewelers right now, but I'll do a bit of research and post again soon.

Lisa Marie Smith

 

[BearFan]

Boy, that was easier than I thought. We got our rings at Rachat and Romero and the Alexandrite was at Goodmark Jewelers. They were very willing to deal at Goodmark. THe price came down fast than you could say Boo!

One thing I wanted to mention. We had been on the 4 day Wonder cruise 2 days prior to our 7 day western. Weird I know, we were supposed to do 2 seven day back to back but then the Norwalk virus cancelled the 1st cruise. Anyway, I bought a $59 tanzanite ring from one of the preferred shops in Nassau and realized afterwards that it actually had a chip in the stone. I went to Kerri, your shopping in paradise guide, on the Magic and told her. She took the ring and a copy of the receipt. I got a replacement ring app 12 days later. They even called to follow up that my claim had been taken care of satisfactorily. I was really impressed and would recommend them to everyone.

Happy shopping!
Lisa Marie Smith

 

[carole88]

Where can I get the coupon for Casa del Habano?