Most large cruise ships have tons of places for you to shop till you drop (or just shop a bit, if your budget is already dedicated to on-land adventures). There are plenty of upscale and designer stores for you to peruse, and there are some amazing tax-free and duty-free shops to explore.
Want to get an idea of the incredible finds you’ll likely see on your next cruise? View our guide to the best things to buy on a cruise ship, and then start putting your money aside for some amazing purchases.
Liquor
Booze is a top-selling item on cruise ships because you can usually find it cheaper than on land. For instance, a 1-liter bottle of Crown Royal sells for just $21.99 on Carnival Cruise Lines ships, and it’s about $36.99 in the U.S. Grey Goose costs just around $30 bucks on Carnival ships. Retail price ashore for the same thing is nearly $42.99. Many ships have duty-free stores that are dedicated to booze you can’t find on solid ground, like Johnny Walker, The Gold Route ($94.99). Remember, if you’re picking up liquor, pack it in your checked luggage for a flight home, not in your carry-on.
Apple Products
Only Celebrity Cruises gives you the opportunity to buy authentic Apple products at sea. Visit their Authorized Apple Reseller at Sea shop and pick up that new goodie you’ve had your eye on. The Authorized Apple Reseller at Sea shop is the first of its kind and it offers popular items like MacBook Pros, iPhones, iPads, and iPods. You probably won’t find a large and varied selection. But, hey, how amazing is it to be able to purchase Apples items on the ocean to begin with? You don’t have to pay sales tax, either.
Fine Jewelry
Carnival Cruise Line shoppers can get bargains on silver, gold, and diamonds (with wedding and engagement rings sometimes up to 40% off). Often, manufacturers’ representatives are on the ships to throw trunk shows and to offer extra savings. The thrill of it all can cause some people to spend more than they normally would on jewelry, however. So, make sure that you’ve done your research and feel confident you’re getting the deal you want.
Designer Watches
Have you been looking for a perfect timepiece? Do a bit of searching for styles and prices at home, or online, and then compare what you find with the deals you might see on your ship. Again, Carnival offers some amazing discounts on watches. You’ll likely encounter bargain-priced Citizen, Bulova, Invicta, and other designs as well as some cheap off-brands.
Costume Jewelry
The costume jewelry for sale on most cruise ships is incredible looking and cheaply priced. We suggest you take a peek at the cocktail rings, necklaces, and other trinkets in these stores. Sometimes, you’ll see gold-by-the-inch sales and sidewalk sales on your ship.
Makeup
If you’ve forgotten your makeup, want something colorful for a night out, or feel like bringing a new shade of shadow home with you, step into one of the beauty shops on your cruise ship. You’ll find top makeup lines at specialty stores and at duty-free shops.
Sunglasses
Many cruises sail to sunny ports, which means you should definitely head to the sunglasses section of cruise ship shops to find stunning shades to wear ashore. We’ve spotted deals on Ray-Ban, Oakley, and other sunglasses brands. Sometimes, the savings are 10% and often they’re more. Again, you won’t pay any sales tax on your items.
These are just a few of the fun things to buy on cruise ships. You’ll also possibly find discounted perfume and logo gear (especially on Disney ships). Take a bit of time to explore the shops on your next cruise and scout out other fantastic finds that can be had.
