Many of us recently made purchases with our FUN credits and I heard a lot of comments regarding the fact that the costs were no bargain. I have researched some of our purchases and believe Regent's business goals are to be competitive with ports or US pricing minus taxes, which make purchases decent deals. A bracelet I purchased for $63 retails for $98, watches were about 25% less than retail. If you consider tax in the equation, they were about 33% less. Just thought I'd share.

Andi, thanks for the research. We were not disappointed with the prices of our purchases this trip or in the past.

Neither were we, I was pretty impressed with the prices for my pearls and new top which I can't wait to wear on CLEO, and someday maybe Joanna and I will sail together and wear our tops together. LOL.

Thanks Andi.

I was happy. My watch was $315. I checked Citizen's website and the price was $295. Don't know about Alice's necklace, but it was 25% off, so probably was a decent price.

We spent almost $500 on a massage for Tony and facial for me they were so-so would not do it again - love my fossil watch $76 same one I bought 9 yrs ago for $115 - bought two cocktail tops/jackets I love (JoAnn and and I loved same one) and few other clothing items I like very much - it was FUN shopping :) :)

I would agree that some items were a deal, my 2 pairs of Maui Jim sunglasses were just about the same as Sunglass Hut. Carlas fossil watch was about 50 percent less at Target than the boutique price, but I guess that what credits are for. The Spa is a complete rip off in my opinion, to the point where I would rather buy more sunglasses than pay $300 for a 80 minute massage..

Andi, I agree with you that most things were not priced higher than is a high end land boutique. I also bought hair products in the salon at the same retail price I'd pay anywhere.

Joanna-gave my Mom that same Fossil watch. She loves it! And I agree w/Frank, we paid almost $300 each for massages. That is ridiculous! Never again.

We all had such a large OBC, hard to know how to spend it when all is included. Don't need a watch, nor do my adult children. I bought 2 Fossil purses and hope my daughters want them, some pearls, too. I spent a good bit of mine in the spa, for two very overpriced (in my mind) massages, and the rest for a warm jacket there (for CANADA) that was lightweight, and the rest on Deck 6 on expensive cosmetic cremes. I did not leave a cent behind!

YES we were in frenzy to spend - YEAH glad your Mom loved the watch - wished I'd had the $500 facial/massage $$$ back as saw two more jackets I loved - my spa experience 80 minutes $230 - got off of table and noticed it took 65 minutes??? asked gal why 65 minutes? wait till you hear this line "I did as much as your skin needed" - I called spa manager and complained told me to come back for 15 min eye treatment - never ever again!!!!

WINE, enough said. Actually forgot my sunglasses at home so did buy a pair of Maui Jim's. Like my Ray Ban's better.

I had one nail repaired with acrylic on DINGO and it cost me $38. It also took me 4 days to get an appointment. That's why I rushed out in Fort Lauderdale to have my nail fixed before boarding. I had UV gel (which I prefer) applied to all 10 nails with UV gel color nail polish for only $30!! With tip and taxi it was a steal compared to the ship. With a 7 day trip, it's questionable whether it would have ever been fixed!

WINE, love it Ralph, as I was recipient of your generosity :hug: :hug:

FUNNY Andi! When I saw Doug at Sheraton pool bar asked where you were? He said "nail repair" :) :) :lct:

Joanna, Now you know why I HAD to DO IT. I would have preferred to have spent time with you at the pool. :hug:

It's harder to compare customized jewelry, but Tonya researched her ring and it looks like the boutique was a fair price. Even though Regent "declared" the value to customs and escorted us to the customs agent, the agent did not charge us any duty. I showed them the Regent statement that indicated the $800 RSSC credit along with the Amex credit and I guess they took that into account. They said something about "pre pay" and I didn't argue with them. ;)

I always thought that the boutique was overpriced (as did/do many). But I was judging them by the little things that I sorta knew the prices of: toothpaste, wrist bands, etc.
Yesterday I priced the watch I got at a local jewelry store. 24% discount before any tax effect.
Another LCTer bought a watch from the same brand as I. I saw it in an ad in Sunday's NYT. He got a 22% discount from list.
I'm guessing that items with duty come out better than plain stuff.
All in all, it seems that the spa was the rip-off and not so much for the boutique.

John: glad you made out ok with being escorted off the ship. Customs is always a crap shoot.

Doug

John, not to get in your business - but what happened? Regent told customs how much you spent?

Did anyone find the boutique items being in short supply - now that we are all (and I assume others) actually do shop their because of the OBC.

just the jackets I loved - not in my size could easily have bought 4 vs 2 :mecry: :mecry:

Apparently Regent (and probably all cruise lines) need to report all transactions on board over a certain amount to US Customs when disembarking in a US Port. We received a notice to meet the purser before disembarking and he escorted us to customs. When we got to the customs agent he already had a list from Regent of the transactions so no one could "fudge" their customs declaration forms. Not sure if this is new since we have never purchased anything of substance on board before.

Someone leaving the ship with us was complaining they've never had to do this before so maybe it's something new. Worked out ok for us though.

Peter:

Yes! I noticed that they ran out of a fair number of things by cruise end.

Doug

Thanks John. Good to know for the future!