Prices in port – beware .

I am back from my week in Rhodes and although I enjoyed the break, weather and company it was not a cruise. I am well and truly a cruise addict and love the whole experience.

I have been told many times that the local shops increase prices when Cruise Ships are in port, they even do this depending which line it is. In Santorini once we were told that especially the Jewellers had electronic price increase buttons in all stores. I must admit I did take that with a pinch of salt.

So on a trip into Rhodes Town on the 2nd day of our holidays we were stunned by the hundreds of little shops selling genuine fake designer everything, pretty little boutigue’s, linens and pottery along with the normal holiday tack. We spotted a couple of things and priced them up. I had my eye on a gorgeous cashmere shawl and a umbrella, hand made in Rhodes to withstand the strong winds the island is famous for. Me being a shopper and knowing we would be back later in the week I thought I would buy on my next visit.

On this visit I was very excited to see the beautiful Queen Victoria docked within walking distance of the city walls. My friends took the mickey and said “here you go your cruise fix for the holiday”.

We made our way through the little streets back to buy my shawl and brolly, same assist that quoted a few days earlier came to deal with us when asked the price I was told it was 15 euros more. When I said the figure we were originally quoted and that she offered that at a discounted rate she said I must have misunderstood? I offered to give her the original price but she would not budge. This same thing happened at the brolly shop too. This time I mentioned that has it got anything to do with the big ship docked in port? with that she smiled and accepted our original price. Well I really wanted the shawl and would have paid the extra but luckily i saw the exact same one in another shop. I did pay a bit more than originally quoted but not 15 euros.

So maybe there is some truth prices are hyped up but we all know our budgets and pay what we feel is fair.