10 things you should never buy on a cruise ship (or in port)
Stop! Put down your keycard, and step away from the inch-of-gold sale table.
Cruise ship shops can be useful, but they’re generally overpriced. They carry items you might have left at home and find that you need. Even the best packer occasionally has their suitcase lost by an airline.
Onboard boutiques sell dresses and fancy shirts for the people who show up and then realize that formal nights really do require, you know, formal attire. Also, they’re the place to purchase cruise line logo items if you wish to proclaim your love of your favorite line to the world.
If you need something, go ahead and buy it. However, cruise ship shops can be dangerous to your wallet — especially after a couple of gloomy, rainy days at sea when some shopaholics will buy just about anything to get a hit of that “only on vacation” feeling.
Ships also tempt travelers with other ways to part with their cash, from pricey spa treatments to fine art sales.
In port, there are other pitfalls to avoid — products that won’t make it past your local customs officer, those that are hard to transport home and inexpensive (read: poorly made) tchotchkes that are likely to break before you even put the key in your front door.
Here’s our advice on what to avoid when the shopping bug bites on your next cruise vacation. Pay attention if you have a hard time keeping your wallet in your pocket when you’re traveling. You know who you are.
What not to buy on board
Precious gems and “inch of gold” jewelry
If you’re not already an expert in evaluating gemstones, a cruise is not the best time to make a big-ticket jewelry purchase.
When dropping thousands of dollars, you want to ensure you’re getting the quality you expect. Your mind is elsewhere on a cruise — from the pool and the hot tub to the cocktail lounge or what’s on tonight’s menu.
After all, who wants to spend a sunny afternoon indoors researching gemstone cuts and carats?
Also, avoid the “inch of gold” sales, no matter how low the prices are. Trust us: None of it looks nice, and it’s not the real thing.
Related: 15 ways that cruising newbies waste money on their first cruise
Toiletries
Basic hygiene products are available in the ship’s gift shop for the desperate — and they’re often priced accordingly. If you’re heading into port in the morning and you can wait and buy the product at a regular drugstore, you’ll get a much better deal.
Also, curating a collection of toothpaste, shampoo, nail files and sunscreens from around the world will jazz up your medicine cabinet when you return home and serve as constant reminders of your international adventures.
Another option: Consider buying travel sizes that can be refilled and live in your suitcase’s toiletry bag permanently to prevent future mishaps.
Related: The 7 best cruise ship spas
'Medi-spa' and weight-loss treatments
Some cruise lines offer “medi-spa” treatments, such as Restylane injections, but do read the fine print to learn about the required training. You might be surprised to hear that the “medi” terminology is a bit misleading, and most ships are not sailing with doctors who perform these treatments. Also, sometimes you need multiple visits to experience the desired effects.
Further, you don’t want to sign up for any treatments that might leave you in pain or affect the food or alcohol you can consume or how much sun you can handle on your vacation. If you’re tempted, read all the fine print, and ask about post-treatment care.
Regardless of which ship you sail, also avoid spa treatments with claims that wouldn’t be medically sanctioned back home, such as Ionithermie, which says it helps you lose weight. (Spoiler alert: We tried it. It doesn’t work.)
Manicures and pedicures
These salon services are often surprisingly marked up. Also, it takes just one bump from a wave to result in an imperfect finish. Our opinion? Take the time to get your polish done at home, look for a well-reviewed spot in port or bring your own polish. Whatever you do, skip the onboard nail salon.
Related: 16 mistakes cruisers make on cruise ship sea days
For-fee room service
One of the perks that used to distinguish cruise ships from hotels was free room service, but those days are over.
With most cruise lines now charging fees for all but continental breakfast (and some even charge for that), room service doesn’t quite hold the allure it once did — particularly when food is so readily available just about everywhere throughout the ship.
Our advice: Unless it’s late at night and everything else is closed, you’re feeling ill or you’re traveling with kids who will have a meltdown if you force them to venture to one of the onboard eateries, skip the room service if it’s not free.
Art
Are you a world-renowned connoisseur of art from different time periods with an encyclopedic knowledge of minor artists and their lesser-known works? We didn’t think so.
Unless you want to spend hours frantically searching online for the value of a piece of artwork, stay away from those onboard art auctions — no matter how bad the weather gets, how crowded the pool deck becomes on sea days or how much you want that free Champagne.
What not to buy in port
Souvenirs from the port terminal
From cheap hammocks in Mexico to inexpensive fans in Spain, the souvenirs you’ll find in trinket-filled shops are designed for the quick grab-and-go.
You went on a shore excursion and didn’t leave time to shop for your nephew? Pick up something at the terminal. The problem is that the quality there is generally low.
If you can, wander into town for a little while to pick up something marketed to locals rather than tourists. Look for souvenirs made by local artisans or produced locally.
Liquor
The most well-known megaship cruise lines will confiscate port-side liquor purchases and return them to you at disembarkation. (Luxury lines will let you bring alcohol on board.)
Still, buying liquor to bring home comes with risks and annoyances unless you are cruising right into your homeport. (You weren’t planning on filling your checked luggage with Tahitian vanilla rum, were you?)
That said, if you’re on a river cruise in France that goes through your favorite wine region, we understand if you make an effort to secure your favorite bottles to enjoy back home.
Related: Can I bring alcohol on a cruise ship? A line-by-line guide
Cured meats and soft or raw cheese
Trying to sneak culinary specialties like jamon Iberico from Barcelona and raw-milk Comte from France through U.S. customs isn’t worth the stress — especially when being caught with it could put your Global Entry in jeopardy.
Our advice? Eat your fill at restaurants while on vacation — or as a picnic on your cabin’s balcony — and stick to noncontroversial edible souvenirs, such as chocolate.
Fresh fruit and plants
Customs also won’t allow you to bring fresh fruit into the country. In some disembarkation ports, you’ll find bins with signs that threaten fines if you don’t dump any fresh fruit you might have tucked away in your luggage.
Yes, the bananas, mangoes, pineapples and coconuts in the Caribbean might be ripe and sweet, but the fines are rich, too.
Look for frozen drinks made from fresh fruit, rather than powders or syrups, when you’re in port so you can get your fill of the real thing before returning home.
Unfortunately, live plants are also banned, which means you won’t even be able to bring them back on board your ship with you. In other words, just say no to those woven palm hats the locals keep trying to convince you to buy.
Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:
- The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
- A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
- 8 cabin locations on cruise ships you should definitely avoid
- The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
- Which cruise brand is best for you? A guide to the most popular lines
- 15 ways that cruising newbies waste money on their first cruise
- The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
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- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.