Ok, so you’re on a big cruise, and you hear about a “Gold by the Inch Special” and you just have to check it out. While most cruise ship jewelry shops and other retailers are honest, it is possible to get something far less than gold by the inch as sold on cruise ships. You just might end up with a green neck or green wrist by the inch caused by an allergic reaction from all of the fake gold. Again, duping passengers is not common, but this has happened to some naive passengers that regularly post in the many cruise forums available online.
So what’s the deal with Gold by the Inch as Sold on Cruise Ships? Well, if you’ve ever been on a mega cruise ship, you probably noticed plenty of signs that read “Gold by the Inch Special.” Chances are, you won’t see this on a luxury liner, so think Disney Cruises and Carnival Cruises. What most people don’t realize is that just because the sign says gold, that doesn’t necessarily mean you’re getting real gold. The best thing to do is to ask the manager if the “gold” is truly 100% real gold. Again, it probably isn’t real as it is common for the “gold” to be of the faux variety — you know, for fun.
Shopping on cruise lines can be an enjoyable experience, but just like any other shopping experience on land, it’s always a good idea to ask questions and go with your gut. For the most part, shopping on cruise ships offers a number of benefits such as duty free shopping, one-of-a-kind items, discounts on brand name clothes, cosmetics and accessories, and a chance to purchase souvenirs (no matter how silly they are) that you just can’t find anywhere else.
Also, you needn’t worry about finding knowledgeable and helpful retail staff on cruise ships. The gift shop department is a well-oiled machine consisting of professional gift shop managers, assistant gift shop managers, shop assistants, and gift shop sales associates. The retail personnel are responsible for running the boutiques and cosmetic and fragrance counters, as well as souvenir and gift shops. So, with this in mind, as stated earlier, do not hesitate to ask questions about gold by the inch specials or any other questions about the merchandise you plan to spend your money on. The staff will be more than happy to assist you.