Cruise Talk: St. Maarten?? Best shops for jewelry and beach ??

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»	Cruise Talk » Ports of Call and Destinations » St. Maarten?? Best shops for jewelry and beach ??

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Topic: St. Maarten?? Best shops for jewelry and beach ??

Snowboarder
First Class Passenger
Member # 1104

posted 03-30-2000 12:42 PM

It's me again! I've been reading lot's of posts about different Virgin Islands, and it seems that St. Maarten/Martin is the place for jewelry. Can anyone tell me which shops have the best selections and prices? We'll be buying gold necklaces, bracelets, etc.. We've been to St. Maarten once before,(in '98), so we're kinda familiar with it. We went to Orient Beach, and it was great; however, we'd like to try a different type of beach this time. Can anyone suggest a real "party" type beach and, on the opposite end of the spectrum, an out-of-the way kinda quiet type beach. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!!!

Posts: 22 | From: Glen Burnie MD USA | Registered: Feb 2000 | IP: Logged

DebRon
Just Boarded
Member # 1074

posted 04-05-2000 12:23 PM

Hi Snowboarder: We've just returned from a March Break cruise which stopped in St. Maarten. We boought earrings and a gold bracelet in "Joe's Jewelry Shop" for very reasonable prices, but we paid the ticket price as stated. When we returned to the ship I discovered that bargaining is definitely allowed which ticked me off a little because I could have saved quite a bit. Oh well, We did get a Heineken after the purchase was completed. We'll know better next time! P.S. there are many "Joe's Jewelry" shops, and I believe there all the same company.

Posts: 8 | From: Waterloo, Ontario | Registered: Feb 2000 | IP: Logged

Willy Paul
First Class Passenger
Member # 473

posted 04-05-2000 02:30 PM

try Grand Casse beach on the french side. Great strip of restaurants - we had the best meal ever at the Fish Pot - on the porch over the water. Swordfish with a peanut teryaki sauce, if it wasn't rude I would have licked the plate. My wife had a cold lobster salad with a tarragon mayo sauce - god I'm hungry already. The beach is wonderful - long and calm. I sat in the surf and read a book.

Posts: 151 | From: Auburn, Ma. | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

denisej
First Class Passenger
Member # 1251

posted 04-19-2000 03:50 PM

What itinerary are you cruising? St. Thomas has fabulous prices too. I read one review where a gal bought a ring for $160.00 and was paranoid about it's value so she had it appraised when she got home. The jeweler told her it was worth between $800-$1200 dollars. She said her mouth dropped. Then the jeweler asked her how much she paid, then her mouth dropped. Couldn't tell you which island has better prices. We bought at Imperial Jewelers on St. Thomas. The couple we sailed with has a daughter that works at a hair salon. The owner apparently knows the owner of Imperial and they are very reputable. The jewelers themselves said they have repeat customers request jewelery via email and fax, that's how much they trust them.

Posts: 32 | From: Rockford, MI USA | Registered: Apr 2000 | IP: Logged

Snowboarder
First Class Passenger
Member # 1104

posted 04-21-2000 12:15 PM

Hi DeniseJ!! Thanks for the info. We are sailing the Southern Caribbean, on Grandeur-of-the-Seas on March 3, 20001. We've done the Eastern Caribbean on CCL, and we've been to St.Thomas, St.Maarten. We bought some gold necklaces from Universal Jewelers on St.Thomas and we were quite happy. I keep asking questions about St. Maarten because I've read several posts that say that St. Maarten has better prices, and, they're willing to haggle. BTW, Universal Jewellers let me talk 'em down a little bit too. Happy Sailin'!!!!

Posts: 22 | From: Glen Burnie MD USA | Registered: Feb 2000 | IP: Logged

JudyL
Just Boarded
Member # 1274

posted 05-03-2000 12:22 PM

Hope I am not too late with this info. Joe's Jewelry is the place for bargains. And make sure that you haggle with them. I bought a really nice pair of sapphire stud earrings for almost half the price originally quoted. They have a second floor bargain shop that you should check out. It is on the left side of the street that runs from the dock into town. Right on the corner of Front Street. There is a larger shop opposite it on the ground floor. Happy sailing and shopping.

Posts: 1 | From: Timonium MD, USA | Registered: May 2000 | IP: Logged

Snowboarder
First Class Passenger
Member # 1104

posted 05-03-2000 12:30 PM

Thanks again everybody!! This board is full of great folks!!!!

Posts: 22 | From: Glen Burnie MD USA | Registered: Feb 2000 | IP: Logged

d_jimbo
Just Boarded
Member # 1014

posted 05-11-2000 01:24 AM

St Thomas has more shops, go to the ones the ship suggest. We liked Gems Direct on St Croix, very nice and helpful people. We bought a tanzanite stone there for $120-150 and I had it set in a pendant for my wife when we got home. The jeweler appraised it at $1300, good deal.
We did buy jewelry at Omni jewelry store in St Thomas and thought that they were very pushy, but others on our ship like it there. Overall shopping is unbelievealbe and there is so much of it
Jim

Posts: 7 | From: Fort Dodge, Iowa, USA | Registered: Jan 2000 | IP: Logged

sylvia
First Class Passenger
Member # 916

posted 05-14-2000 07:22 AM

We have taken several cruises that have stopped in St. Thomas. The quantity of shopping is overwhelming. But I think the best prices we have seen were in Grand Caymans. I love to shop and price something that is the same brand (ie/ rolex or ebel watches). The prices there were the best. If you find good shops in St. Maarten please write back since we are on a cruise that stops there this Christmas.

Posts: 36 | From: Atlanta, GA, USA | Registered: Nov 1999 | IP: Logged

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