The Only Duty-Free Cruise Buys That Are Worth It

Duty-free shopping is one of the many perks of cruising because it gives you the chance to snag some good tax-free bargains while on vacation.

As you probably already know, cruise ships have many shops, from brand boutiques to liquor stores, and sell everything without adding local taxes (the price on the tag is exactly what you pay).

For travelers (especially those from the U.S.), this can mean significant savings on some items, but it’s not always easy to get good deals.

For this reason, I’ve decided to make a friendly guide with the best duty-free items to buy on your next cruise and tips to find the genuine bargains on board.

Alcohol & Spirits

For many cruisers, the duty-free liquor shop is the first stop, and for good reason.

Alcoholic beverages like whiskey, rum, vodka, and cognac are usually much cheaper on a cruise ship than back home.

In fact, prices can be significantly lower, even up to 40% less compared to prices on land.

The savings often come from the absence of taxes and duties that normally inflate liquor prices on land.

Cruise lines also often run beverage promotions: for example, you might find that a single bottle is already a deal, but buying two bottles together is even better value than buying them separately at home.

Another thing to watch is bottle size: many duty-free spirits are sold in 1-liter bottles instead of the standard 750 ml, effectively giving you more for your money.

The only downside? Most cruise lines will hold your liquor purchases until the end of the cruise, since you can’t consume personal liquor on board.

Also, be mindful of customs allowances when bringing alcohol back home. U.S. travelers, for instance, typically can bring back 1 liter of alcohol duty-free (and more with only a small duty fee), with an $800 total duty-free exemption per person for all purchases.

Even if you go over the limit, the duty (often a flat 3%) is usually much lower than U.S. sales tax. But again, check the rules in advance because they can change.

Tobacco (Cigarettes & Cigars)

If you’re a smoker or have friends who are, the duty-free tobacco deals on a cruise can be tempting as well.

Cigarettes and cigars are heavily taxed on land, so buying them tax-free at sea can save you quite a bit.

It’s common to find cartons of popular cigarette brands or specialty cigars at much lower prices than you’d pay at home. In fact, the savings are so well-known that there can even be lines on the first day.

However, I don’t recommend buying them immediately. Cruise ship shops often advertise multi-carton specials or limited-time offers, so keep your eyes open for these offers, but at the same time, don’t wait until the end of the cruise because your favorites may sell out.

As with alcohol, beware of the limits. While I’m writing this article, the limit for the United States is 200 cigarettes (one carton), 100 cigars, or a proportional mix per adult (21+).

Purchases beyond that are subject to duty, though you can bring more if you’re willing to pay.

If you have any doubts, I also recommend that you ask the shop staff, they certainly have experience on the subject and will usually inform you of the rules and your cruise line’s policies.

Perfumes & Colognes

Other good things to buy are perfumes or colognes. High-end fragrances like Chanel, Dior, Hugo Boss, Armani, and more are available on board without the added sales tax, which in some U.S. states can easily be near 10%.

This means that even if the sticker price is similar to back home, you’re saving that chunk of tax, which is a nice bonus.

In many cases, though, the base prices themselves are discounted: duty-free retailers sometimes claim up to 20-40% off versus regular retail in some countries.

In addition, I’ve noticed that cruise ship fragrance shops often have some special edition perfume bottles or a set of mini fragrances that you can’t get at a local store. And sometimes they also add travel-exclusive sets and gift packs.

Another big advantage is (that many people often underestimate) guaranteed authenticity. When you buy onboard, you can be confident you’re getting the real, quality product straight from the brand.

This isn’t always the case in unknown port shops, where there’s a risk of diluted or counterfeit perfumes, especially if you go to the most dangerous cruise ports in the world.

Cosmetics & Skincare

You’ll also like cruise ship boutiques if you’re a makeup or skincare lover.

On basically all the cruise ships I’ve seen, luxury makeup brands (Estée Lauder, Lancôme, MAC, YSL) and high-end skincare lines (like La Mer, Clinique, Clarins) at duty-free prices.

So a cruise can be the perfect time to treat yourself to a premium brand moisturizer or an elegant new eyeshadow palette.

There are a couple of extra perks, too. Cruise shops often stock travel-sized and bundle sets that are perfect for trying out a regimen or for gift-giving.

Moreover, the beauty staff on ships are usually happy to help you test products or even give you a free mini-makeover so you can see the results before buying.

PRO TIP: If you already have a particular item in mind, note the price at home and compare it with the one you see on the ship.

Designer Fashion & Accessories

In addition to traditional duty-free, the larger and newer ships also have several clothing stores.

On some ships, you can even find boutiques exclusively dedicated to brands like Kate Spade, Michael Kors, or Longines.

The items you can find there (handbags, wallets, sunglasses, and even clothing) are often cheaper than back home due to the duty-free pricing.

So even if luxury brands typically control their prices tightly, the absence of local tax (and occasional onboard sales) means you do save some money.

Sunglasses are often my favorite cruise purchase because brand shades like Ray-Ban and Oakley are generally less expensive on the ship than in a normal store, and, I have to tell the truth, a couple of times I forgot to bring them, so I bought them on board.

Don’t be like me, and remember to have a look at the list of the 20 cruise essentials you should always bring on a cruise.

Don’t overlook cruise line branded items and apparel, too. Every ship has a logo shop selling things like T-shirts, caps, and hoodies with the ship or cruise line name.

While these souvenirs might not be huge bargains, they do often go on sale near the end of the cruise (for example, “2 for $40” T-shirt deals or percentage-off sales).

I like to buy something every time, I think it makes good memories of the trip.

PRO CRUISER: Remember to check your daily program or cruise app. There’s usually a handbag or watch raffle during the cruise!

What Not to Buy Onboard

While cruise duty-free shops offer plenty of great deals, there are a couple of categories that are best avoided or approached with caution.

Toiletries and medicine are usually more expensive on board. Expect to pay like double what you’d pay on land for basic toiletries or over-the-counter meds.

They’re overpriced due to convenience, so it’s wise to pack all the essentials you’ll need so you’re not stuck paying $10 for a $4 tube of toothpaste.

Have a look at the things you should always pack in your cruise carry-on.

Another thing I would definitely avoid is electronics.

It’s generally not the best idea because warranties might be valid only in certain countries, returns or exchanges are difficult once you’re home, and you won’t have the usual customer support.

Unless it’s a small item you forgot (like a memory card or headphones), you’re usually better off purchasing electronics from a reputable dealer back home, where you can easily service or return them if needed.

I would also avoid jewelry, I explained why in the article on the 7 Things You Should Never Buy on a Cruise