Rolex watches are sold on select luxury cruise ships, most notably with the first official, dedicated Rolex boutique located on Explora Journeys' EXPLORA I and EXPLORA III ships. These boutiques offer a range of new models, while other cruise lines may only feature pre-owned or third-party retailer options.
As they journey through the world's most coveted destinations, our guests have the exclusive opportunity to discover and purchase iconic Rolex timepieces at a boutique dedicated entirely to the legendary brand.
One of the biggest draws of shopping for Rolex in Turks and Caicos is the duty-free pricing. Unlike in the U.S. or Europe, where import duties and sales taxes drive up costs, Turks and Caicos offers: Tax-Free Pricing – Save on luxury purchases compared to states with high sales taxes.
Time isn't really a big deal on vacation, so it may seem surprising that one of the best times to save on watches is during your cruise. But it's true! From the simple to the sporty, the intricate to the luxurious, our onboard Fun Shops™ have a selection to fit your style, your wrist… and even your budget.
Another benefit of buying a watch on a cruise ship is that it's likely to be duty-free or tax-free. Depending on the watch price, this can save you hundreds or thousands of dollars.
IS LUXURY WATCH SHOPPING ON CRUISE SHIPS WORTH IT?
What sort of person wears a Rolex?
A Great Eye for Detail – There is a reason many of the world's most detail-oriented men and women sport Rolex. One has to look no further than the fact that Rolex is officially worn by the likes of Yo-Yo Ma, Placido Domingo, Tiger Woods, US Presidents, and others who have made amazing contributions to the world.
Yes, buying a 20-year-old Rolex is generally okay and can be a great choice, as they're known for durability, timeless design, and potential value appreciation, but it's crucial to buy from a reputable seller, get authenticity verified, and be aware of potential service needs and upgrades in newer models. You're investing in history, quality, and potentially a good financial asset, but thorough due diligence is essential.
Rolex wait times vary drastically by model, with highly sought-after stainless steel sports watches like the Daytona (1.5-5 years), GMT-Master II (Pepsi/Batman) (1-3+ years), and certain Submariners (6 months-3 years) having the longest waits, while simpler models like some Datejusts, Lady-Datejusts, and Yacht-Masters can sometimes be found immediately or within months. Wait times are estimates, influenced by dealer allocation, customer history, regional demand, and model popularity, with some "impossible" models requiring significant purchase history.
Rolex watches should always be stated when crossing borders. While customs are important to each country/state, paying additional fees are never appreciated. The $40,000 fine was broken done as follows: $9,600 for failing to declare the watch and $30,000 to regain possession of the watch from the CBSA.
And for good reason: buying a Rolex in Switzerland boasts not only prestige but also a fair price for those who take great pride in buying from the source. Take the Rolex Submariner reference 126610LN, for example.
The cheapest countries to buy a Rolex often come down to Japan, due to favorable pricing and exchange rates, and Switzerland, as the home country with no import duties, with Hong Kong also a strong contender for tax-free luxury shopping, though availability of popular models is tough everywhere. Always compare specific model prices, factoring in currency exchange and potential tax refunds (like VAT/GST refunds in Europe/Asia).
What does a pineapple on the door of a cruise ship mean?
On a cruise, an upside-down pineapple (often as a sticker, magnet, or on clothing) is a discreet symbol used by couples or individuals to signal they are part of the swinging or partner-swapping community and are open to meeting others for "adult fun". While a regular pineapple signifies hospitality, the inverted version transforms it into an insider code for those in the swinging lifestyle, allowing them to identify each other subtly on any ship, though it's more prevalent on adult-themed cruises.
Cruise ships use secret codes like Code Alpha (medical), Code Bravo (fire), Code Oscar (man overboard), and Code Charlie (security threat) to alert crew to emergencies discreetly, preventing passenger panic while allowing for swift response, with codes like Operation Brightstar (medical), Operation Rising Star (death), PVI (public vomiting), and 3030 (cleanup needed) varying by line but serving similar functions to manage incidents. Passengers should stay calm and out of the way if they hear these, as crew handle the situation.
Passengers can purchase items from duty free on board and many cruise lines offer a wide range of products to choose from. Along with duty free items available on board, guests can also choose to purchase items in port. These purchases fall within the same allowance guidelines as purchases made on board.
The answer: A properly cared-for Rolex can last not just decades, but generations. In fact, many vintage Rolex watches from the 1950s and 60s remain in excellent working condition today, a testament to the brand's legendary quality and engineering.
Apparently it is 3 watches a year with one watch allowed per metal type. In other words, if you buy a stainless steel datejust and planning on buying a submariner, you will only be eligible to buy a two-tone, or the full precious metal version that same year.
Originally released in 1983, the Ref. 16760 was the first Rolex GMT-Master II, and it introduced a number of notable novelties – the red and black “Coke” bezel, an independent hour hand adjustment, and a thicker case which led to the “fat lady” nickname.
In Europe, the biggest hotspots are London, Paris, and Rome, especially in tourist-heavy areas and nightlife districts. In London, the Metropolitan Police report at least four stolen watches per day, though they acknowledge that the real number is likely higher due to low reporting rates (Yahoo Finance).
$2000 should get you the cruise and lots of onboard drinks or however you choose to spend it. Excursions can be pricey so if you pay for one from the cruise line for every stop you'll run out of money fast. $2000 is definitely fine if you're not using it to factor in transportation.
While you can't haggle over your cruise fare during booking, you might still lower your bill if the cruise line offers a price match guarantee. Many major cruise lines do — though the hoops you have to jump through vary.
