New cruise itinerary... St. Barth's shopping

[Balto Bag Lady]

We switched a November 2009 Queen Mary cruise to a Regent cruise at the same time, visiting much better ports (specifically St. Martin and St. Barth's.) I know there are some great shopping opportunities in these two destinations. I know there are H boutiques on both islands, but I fear that St. Martin will be closed since we arrive on Sunday. I haven't seen too much about these boutiques in my searching (not recent, anyway). An H boutique can only mean that I can get into serious trouble! Hopefully, they won't have too much. But, I read in a travel book that the St. B's boutique has pretty good prices. Could that be true? I have shopped on St. B before, prior to my H habit (I bought my first LV there) and there are certainly no bargains, but a duty-free, lower price H? Could that possibly be true?
Thanks in advance
Judy

 

[piperlu]

I would call both boutiques prior to going. On my last cruise, I went to St. Martin, but our ship was only there for a total of 8 hours, unfortunately, we docked on the Dutch side. So, we took a bus to the French side (where Hermes is located). I managed to get right to it and it was time to go. I had no time at all to shop. I was so disappointed. So, I can speak about their prices or stock.

As for St. Barths, our time was so limited we didn't have time to take the boat over to St. Barths. Also, we left our passports on the ship. If you dock in St. Martin and you're planning on going to St. Barths, you MUST take your passport with. We were informed that they must SEE a passport. We never had that problem anywhere else that we had ever gone into port. Of course, we were never told that on the ship. So, if we ever get back there again, I'll keep my passport on me.

St. Martin is beautiful. I hope you have a great time!

 

[n2chanel]

Hi Balto Bag Lady, I just spent 10 days in St. Barths and St. Martin. I visited both stores and of course, shopped both. St. Barths is closed on Sundays and St. Martin is a tiny, tiny store. I think that I can post pictures of St. Barths store for you. I have a few. BTW, are you from Balto?

 

[pursemember]

love the st barth store and they do have nice inventory and a special designed things especially for st barth. bags can be found sometimes on the shelf but as with a lot of other countries they keep the best stuff for residents. but it is definately worth a visit (moreso than st. martin)

 

[Balto Bag Lady]

Debbie, Thanks for the info. We have been to St. Martin several times and St. Barts once (an excursion from the ship) We had time enough to do some serious damage shopping on both islands!!
The ship will actually stop at St Barth's and stay until late at night.
n2chanel posted some gorgeous shots of the boutique in St.Barth's. I only hope we are there when the boutique is open. I understand they are only open six months per year.
--Judy