Normal
I was in Martinique last October. Several other passengers, without me asking, said how much the island exceeded their expectations and that they had heard bad things.The Galleria....I am unaware of that but had made seeing St Pierre's volcano ruins the focus of my time there.On the pier where we docked was a liquor/souvenir shop with interesting rums from the French Caribbean that I have not been able to locate anywhere in the USA.Near the main square in Fort de France, facing the sea, was a row of decent t-shirt and souvenir shops. "Fine" shopping was right off my radar!Buying things with euros was always more smooth. This IS a department of France after all.I do not know if this is true, but another passenger explained to me that France's trade policies are choking local businesses. As such, they have realized it is in their best interests to be welcoming to American cruise passengers. A smile and a "bon jour" served me very well (despite knowing virtually no French).
I was in Martinique last October. Several other passengers, without me asking, said how much the island exceeded their expectations and that they had heard bad things.
The Galleria....I am unaware of that but had made seeing St Pierre's volcano ruins the focus of my time there.
On the pier where we docked was a liquor/souvenir shop with interesting rums from the French Caribbean that I have not been able to locate anywhere in the USA.
Near the main square in Fort de France, facing the sea, was a row of decent t-shirt and souvenir shops. "Fine" shopping was right off my radar!
Buying things with euros was always more smooth. This IS a department of France after all.
I do not know if this is true, but another passenger explained to me that France's trade policies are choking local businesses. As such, they have realized it is in their best interests to be welcoming to American cruise passengers. A smile and a "bon jour" served me very well (despite knowing virtually no French).
