Cruise Ship Port Shopping Lectures

By:  Shellie Wylie, OwnerFrom my first cruise I’ve had an uneasy feeling when I would attend or stop by the Shore Shopping Desk on board a cruise ship.  Something just didn’t ring true.I wanted to think that the cruise lines really were looking out for us shoppers.  They wanted to make sure we knew where to go, where the best prices and most quality merchandise was located.  Gee Whiz they even provide little maps!  How thoughtful!The truth is the stores purchase their spot on the maps and their mentions during the shopping presentation to cruisers on board.  Often times the cruise line, or their contracted promotional companies, presenting the “shopping lectures” receive a commission or kick-back based upon the volume of business generated by the on board lectures.Why is this an issue?  Because you might not be getting all available good information.  The lecturers are most certainly motivated to steer you to the stores who have paid for this access.  This access is a gold mine for port stores!Can you imagine having a captive audience of 2,000 plus all being told to buy your diamonds at your store?  That is a very lucrative marketing ploy.  And be assured it is a marketing ploy.  I am not saying their merchandise isn’t high quality or well-priced.  I am saying that that particular store is NOT the only game in town.  They are the only game in town that paid to be the only game in town during the ship’s lecture.The State of Alaska’s Attorney General, Cynthia Drinkwater, recently reached an agreement with these types of promotional companies that addresses this exact issue.  Some of the new guidelines to protect cruisers and retailers include:

• The presenters must make it clear that they are being paid to promote a particular store.
• The presenter must make it clear if they receive a commission from said stores
• The presenter cannot state that the stores they mention have been vetted or approved by them or the cruise line
• The presenter cannot denigrate store that are not paying to be part of the presentation

I applaud Alaska for taking a stand!  I only wish other port cities would do the same.  Short of that, I will do my part to educate our cruising clients.The shopping lectures on board cruise lines are not there to fulfill your needs for good shopping information.  They are provided for the retailers and promotional companies to make money.  Your needs may be an afterthought for some cruise lines, but I have not seen any real evidence this is the case.  My advice; skip the lectures, grab a map on your way off the ship and have fun exploring!  Don’t go to areas you are unfamiliar with and feel uneasy.  Use common sense when shopping for your safety and to get the most bang for your buck!Email the author, Shellie Wylie