Well, it wouldn't surprise me at all, if Carnival gets some type of percentage on the sales made to "cruisers".  That is just my opinion.

just another thing people should know... the shopping specialist on board all the ships..... is NOT a Carnival employee.

It'd be fairly difficult to determine sales by cruiseline.  You don't need to show your S&S [though some places ask if you're from a ship, and which one], and that'd be the only sure-fire way to tell.

The way it most likely works is a store opens up in, say, Coxen Hole Roatan, and wants to have a ready customer base of 5,000 people a week [i.e., two cruise ships' worth of passengers]; his marketing agency or bank thinks that for every 1,000 people through his store he'll sell $2,000 of stuff at a profit margin of 25% -- which is to say $500 profit/thousand customers; $2,500/week.  Without the recommendation from the cruise lines, he'll get 500 people coming through each week, $1000 in sales, and $250 profit/week.

So he can easily spend $1,000/month paying Carnival to "recommend" his store; he'll still net $9,000/month.  He just has to spring for one free seashell necklace to a lucky winner from each boat. 

I agree with joan. Buyer beware re the chains by the inch onboard. The prices are good, but it's not real good. You'll enjoy them for awhile, then they start to taint.

Research is the keyword in most comments. I agree. Do your homework and compare. Always check the Carnival Capers for sales days and times. I've found that for ship souvenirs and trinkets, the best day to shop is the last full day at sea (even still watch for some cleverly disguised markups). Most items are on sale.

You know what i don't buy gold off the boat or jewellery stores i buy sliver or white gold and my mom's people are from india so i get most of my gold from india cause it can be 22 to 24 karat gold and you ever heard of dubai gold is cheap

I also agree with joan. Buyer beware on the chains by the inch onboard. The prices are good, but it's not real gold. You'll enjoy them for awhile, then they start to taint. I bought some. The price was good. I was happy. Then the color started to fade. I took it to a jewelry store, yesterday, to be cleaned. I was told that it was either plated or not real gold. I was disappointed. I am still disapointed with Carnival for selling such poor quality products. It won't stop me from sailing on Carnival after the cruise I am going on in 5 days. But it does have an effect on my over all feelings about them.

I asked when I was on my last cruise, and was told the gold by the inch was plated, so I didn't buy and I didn't even ask if the silver by the inch was plated; but if you ask before you buy, I'm sure they will tell you.  I did buy a really nice Anne Klein watch.  When I got home, I checked the store and I saved $30.00 plus saved on the tax; so I thought that was pretty good.  Another time I bought a gold dophin pendant and saved by waiting until the last day at a half price sale.  They also have good sales on Carnival logo clothing at end of the cruise. 

who would really think you could get real gold for 1.00 an inch. even on my cruise i know it was not real even before i bought it knowing it would be short lived. so for junk jewelry it is rightly priced. the real jewelry is very well priced.

Onboard shopping will have some special promotions, and you can get some small souvineir items. but beware of their shopping experts telling you you will save so much in non duty and taxes in the selected Port stores. This is an area you can really get cheated in. I know.Stands to reason they send you to these stores to buy because they get kick backs from the vendors, so please beware.

Near the Beach:

I also agree with joan. Buyer beware on the chains by the inch onboard. The prices are good, but it's not real gold.

They do not advertise it to be real gold.  Almost everyone knows that

You'll enjoy them for awhile, then they start to taint. I bought some. The price was good. I was happy. Then the color started to fade. I took it to a jewelry store, yesterday, to be cleaned. I was told that it was either plated or not real gold. I was disappointed.

Don't know why, do you actually believe you could buy real gold for $1.00 per inch?  It is lifetime guaranteed so just take it back and they will give you a new one without additional cost.  She who must be obeyed has done it lots of times.

I am still disapointed with Carnival for selling such poor quality products.

Why disappointed with Carnival?  Not Carnival's fault the just rent space to the shops on board.

It won't stop me from sailing on Carnival after the cruise I am going on in 5 days.

 

But it does have an effect on my over all feelings about them.

Debra P.:

Onboard shopping will have some special promotions, and you can get some small souvineir items. but beware of their shopping experts telling you you will save so much in non duty and taxes in the selected Port stores.

That is true you will save on duty within your duty free limit and the taxes.

This is an area you can really get cheated in.

It has always been buyer beware in any big ticket purchase such as Jewelry in the states or in a foreign country.  At least the recommended stores stand behind their products and have facilities in the states to take care of it.  If you do not know what you are buying then you shouldn't.  Look through a loop at the stones check the setting before you buy just like here..

I know.Stands to reason they send you to these stores to buy because they get kick backs from the vendors,

and nobody denies it.  Carnival even prints that on there shopping guides.  

so please beware. CB

always buyer beware everywhere and with anything.