Cruise Talk: St.Thomas or St. Martin?

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»	Cruise Talk » Ports of Call and Destinations » St.Thomas or St. Martin?

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Author

Topic: St.Thomas or St. Martin?

Tracy
First Class Passenger
Member # 901

posted 12-16-1999 04:27 PM

Can anyone tell me which port St. Thomas or St. Martin has the better deals on jewelry? I am looking for quality and price? Do you know of what type of jewelry they offer more of a "Discount" on than here in the states?
Thanks

Posts: 13 | Registered: Nov 1999 | IP: Logged

10X
First Class Passenger
Member # 2

posted 12-17-1999 08:40 AM

A cruise director on one of my cruises said that the merchants on St. Martin were more inclined to dicker on the price, knowing that if they didn't make the sale, you would probably make your purchase on St. Thomas, which is usually the next stop. I was in the market for a new watch and didn't heed this advice. The watch was the same price on both islands and I bought it in St. Thomas. They wouldn't dicker in St. Thomas so I wished I had paid better attention to the cruise director.

Posts: 51 | From: Lansing, MI USA | Registered: Mar 99 | IP: Logged

mifox79
First Class Passenger
Member # 703

posted 12-17-1999 09:13 AM

congratulations, Tracy!! You're now a "First Class Passenger"!

Posts: 24 | From: Boston, MA, US | Registered: Aug 99 | IP: Logged

Tracy
First Class Passenger
Member # 901

posted 12-17-1999 07:07 PM

Thanks Mifox79,

I knew it wouldn't take long!!

Posts: 13 | Registered: Nov 1999 | IP: Logged

Tasha
First Class Passenger
Member # 948

posted 12-26-1999 12:28 PM

I use a wonderful Jeweller when I am in St. Maartin, Touch of Gold, there prices are excellent, so is their quality. I have had the things appraised when I got home and they have been valued for much more than I paid for them. St. Thomas is good but they get so many more ships in there they can wait for the next buyer. By the way don't necessarily go to the stores the Cruise Ships recommend, the stores pay them a hefty amount to be recommended.

Posts: 18 | From: Whitby, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Dec 1999 | IP: Logged

gizmo
First Class Passenger
Member # 972

posted 12-30-1999 07:04 PM

I agree with Tasha about the stores the cruise lines recommend. I have shopped on both islands and got good deals on both. Know what you would pay here in the states. Be prepared to spend time bargaining. On St. Thomas I had one store serve me beer since I could not make up mind and told them I was hot and thirsty and would think about it over a cold beer. Good luck with your shopping.

Posts: 686 | From: Kennesaw Ga. (origianlly from Philly) | Registered: Dec 1999 | IP: Logged

WJCdiver
First Class Passenger
Member # 946

posted 12-30-1999 10:57 PM

One thing you might consider is the issue of duty. I forget the exact numbers but you have about twice the duty free allowance in the USVI compared with anywhere else. I think it is $400 anywhere and $1000 in the USVI. You can combine the allowance among all of the family members traveling together.

So depending upon how much you spend you may save more on the duty than you do on the discount. Jewelry is dutiable - although I don't know the amount.

Another option is to buy unmounted stones and have a Jeweler in the US mount them in a setting that you like. I bought some loose opals in Australia last year and had to pay no duty on them because they were loose stones.

Bill

Posts: 159 | From: New York, NY | Registered: Dec 1999 | IP: Logged

desirod7
First Class Passenger
Member # 1626

posted 02-06-2013 01:10 PM

The Jewelers in St. Thomas close up shop in the summer, and have stores in Alaska for the tourist season. Winter time they snowbird back to St. Thomas.

Same stuff, different place.

Posts: 5727 | From: Philadelphia, Pa [home of the SS United States] | Registered: Oct 2000 | IP: Logged

Frosty 4
First Class Passenger
Member # 5826

posted 02-06-2013 04:46 PM

Most of the big "chain" store have similar pricing. They will take out their calculators and figure out a price. Bargain if you think you can get it cheaper.
Yes, stores pay the cruise lines to advertise their store. The cruise line wants you to get a good deal and these stores are visited each week by the cruise line. Cruise lines will help if you have a problem with a purchase.At a recommended store.
St. Thomas has lots of stores. You probably won't have this protection if you shop at a ???? store.
Also if you see a piece you really like, buy it because you will NOT find the same thing on another island. In most cases.
We got a few good deals from Effy.
Frosty 4

Posts: 2531 | From: Illinois | Registered: Jul 2005 | IP: Logged

desirod7
First Class Passenger
Member # 1626

posted 03-18-2013 09:30 PM

Everything you want to know about St Thomas and more.

http://travel.nytimes.com/travel/guides/caribbean-and-bermuda/virgin-islands/st-thomas/overview.html

Posts: 5727 | From: Philadelphia, Pa [home of the SS United States] | Registered: Oct 2000 | IP: Logged

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