Lessons learned cruising
 

Seehorse Video plucked Senior Frog's Magic Twanger and said On 3/2/2010
5:27 PM:
Hi All,

Seems like there have been several inquiries recently from first time
cruisers seeking information. It brought to mind some lessons I learned too
late. When we went to the South Pacific, we came upon black pearls, a
pricey bauble about which I had no knowledge. The shops said their prices
were good, but I didn't know what prices should be. I wish I had studied
ahead of time and been ready to buy.

On another cruise, we went to some jewelry shops in Columbia to look for
emeralds. This time, I had an idea of price, but I had no idea how willing
to haggle the clerks were. One literally chased us out to our taxi trying
to get down to a price we would pay.

These are things I wouldn't have known to ask about ahead of time, but an
experienced cruiser could have clued me in. What about the rest of you, are
there lessons you can share to help the newbies better prepare? A little
knowledge can be a wonderful thing, unless it's learned too late.

Harry Cooper



Harry, on the Holland America Lines cruises I've been on each time
before going ashore they offered some quick tips about what to see, and
how to shop. They even gave us these little booklets advising how to
get the best price. These mini seminars are usually offered in the
morning, so if you are a late riser you may miss them.

--
________
To email me, Edit "blog" from my email address.
Brian M. Kochera
"The poor dog is the firmest of friends, the first to welcome the foremost to defend" - Lord Byron

View My Web Pages: http://home.earthlink.net/~brian1951
My Shutterfly Page http://photosbybrianmk.shutterfly.com/

Lessons learned cruising
 

In article , Brian K
wrote:

Harry, on the Holland America Lines cruises I've been on each time
before going ashore they offered some quick tips about what to see, and
how to shop. They even gave us these little booklets advising how to
get the best price. These mini seminars are usually offered in the
morning, so if you are a late riser you may miss them.

The tips by the shopping lecturers are to steer you to shops where they
have a deal with the merchants. Best to do your own research ahead of
time.

--
Charles

Lessons learned cruising
 

"Charles" wrote in message
d...
In article , Brian K
wrote:

Harry, on the Holland America Lines cruises I've been on each time
before going ashore they offered some quick tips about what to see, and
how to shop. They even gave us these little booklets advising how to
get the best price. These mini seminars are usually offered in the
morning, so if you are a late riser you may miss them.

The tips by the shopping lecturers are to steer you to shops where they
have a deal with the merchants. Best to do your own research ahead of
time.

--
Charles

I agree, Charles, and the information, though biased, can be useful.
However, I was thinking more on the order of information you could gain
before cruising. Part of the fun is the planning which could include
knowing about emeralds in Columbia, black pearls in Bora Bora, opals in
Australia, etc. I didn't know that I needed to know about those things.
It's more fun to be in control.

Harry Cooper

Lessons learned cruising
 

Seehorse Video plucked Senior Frog's Magic Twanger and said On 3/6/2010
9:13 AM:
wrote in message
d...

In articlelrudnbvGO6ICSgzWnZ2dnUVZ_gWdnZ2d@earthlink .com, Brian K
wrote:


Harry, on the Holland America Lines cruises I've been on each time
before going ashore they offered some quick tips about what to see, and
how to shop. They even gave us these little booklets advising how to
get the best price. These mini seminars are usually offered in the
morning, so if you are a late riser you may miss them.

The tips by the shopping lecturers are to steer you to shops where they
have a deal with the merchants. Best to do your own research ahead of
time.

--
Charles

I agree, Charles, and the information, though biased, can be useful.
However, I was thinking more on the order of information you could gain
before cruising. Part of the fun is the planning which could include
knowing about emeralds in Columbia, black pearls in Bora Bora, opals in
Australia, etc. I didn't know that I needed to know about those things.
It's more fun to be in control.

Harry Cooper



As for precious gems, there are several good books on buying gems at
Amazon.com
http://2su.de/pFZ

--
________
To email me, Edit "blog" from my email address.
Brian M. Kochera
"The poor dog is the firmest of friends, the first to welcome the foremost to defend" - Lord Byron

View My Web Pages: http://home.earthlink.net/~brian1951
My Shutterfly Page http://photosbybrianmk.shutterfly.com/

Lessons learned cruising
 

On Sat, 6 Mar 2010 09:13:07 -0500, "Seehorse Video"
wrote:


I agree, Charles, and the information, though biased, can be useful.
However, I was thinking more on the order of information you could gain
before cruising. Part of the fun is the planning which could include
knowing about emeralds in Columbia, black pearls in Bora Bora, opals in
Australia, etc. I didn't know that I needed to know about those things.
It's more fun to be in control.

Harry Cooper


I wouldn't buy anything expensive on a cruise, or anywhere, without
knowing something objective about the subject.

Sometimes you just don't know. I remember seeing a beautiful glass
vase at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Victoria. I think it was about
$3000 and couldn't bring myself to buy it. My wife was hesitant also.