* What Do I Need To Get Started?
Pretty much nothing. You don't need to buy the coupon book or anything else from the shopping expert for this program. (That coupon book is a whole separate animal that we'll probably cover at a later date!) You might want to visit the shopping desk and grab a free coupon that reads something along the lines of "Free DI Charm Bracelet" though. Then all you need is to let the captain park his ship gracefully (hopefully) at the port, and march your happy little feet down to the gangway... oh wait, you forgot your coupon in the cabin? No worries, they're probably handing them out like candy along with shopping maps as you approach the gangway... and out into the sunshine (hopefully) you go.
* I'm Standing In The Port, Now What?
Well, hopefully you're in a port that HAS a Diamonds International location... there are a few popular destinations that don't, such as Freeport or any of the private islands. The semi-complete alphabetical list of ports WITH stores as of this posting is: Antigua, Aruba, Barbados, Belize, Cabo, Costa Maya, Cozumel, Curaçao, Falmouth, Grand Cayman, Grand Turk, Juneau, Ketchikan, Key West, Nassau, Ocho Rios, Orlando, Playa Del Carmen, Puerto Plata, Puerto Vallarta, Roatan, San Juan, Skagway, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Maarten, St. Thomas, Tortola. Just look for the Diamonds International store, which will be a prominent building usually bearing the words "Diamonds International" on the façade. Every port will have a different charm for you to collect, and some ports even have more than one location with different charms!
* Your First Time Visiting A Store
You waltz through the door (or foxtrot if it's more your speed), wave your coupon triumphantly in the air, avoid eye contact with all the sparkly things in the cases, and announce to the first employee you see that you're here for your free gift! They probably aren't too impressed, but they'll point you toward somewhere typically near the back corner of the store. If you're lucky, you'll pass a dispenser with some free alcoholic beverages on the way back there. Present the coupon, and you'll get your free bracelet with a "DI" starter charm.
* Where's My Cool Port-Specific Charm?!
Every port has a different charm that usually pertains to that specific area, but you don't see one on your bracelet. That's the one and only time the program becomes less than "free"... you're expected to reach into your pocket and produce a crisp United States $5 note to receive that first port charm; however, we've started many a bracelet and most times have never been asked to pay a penny! I believe only one location (Cozumel) ever collected the $5 startup fee from us. Some locations just don't care to charge you, and you'll get the whole shebang for free. Once you get that initial port charm, you won't be required to pay anything further.
* Visiting More Store Locations
The process at any other Diamonds International location is about the same, minus the coupon and the $5 bill. All you have to do is samba through the door, produce your bracelet bearing at least one port charm already, and the process continues... unimpressed pointing, back corner, sketchy alcoholic beverage, free charm. Lather, rinse, repeat. No charge. Lather, rinse, repeat. No charge.
* Is This High-Quality Jewelry?
No. Plain and simple. It's not. Some forums we've read describe it as "gold spray-painted plastic"... though we've never checked to see what the material really is. The bracelet feels like metal, but the charms are extremely cheap. If you wear them for an extended period of time, they'll most definitely tarnish. I'd avoid getting it wet at all costs. But it's a fun, cheap hobby that we enjoy, and you can collect cute little reminders of where you've been.
* Random Other Advice & Tips
Put the charm on your bracelet before you leave the vicinity of the store. Why? A lot of times, the clasps are defective and won't open, or they simply break when you try to open them. If this happens, just stroll back in, let them know, and they'll give you another charm. You'd hate to be back on the ship, pulling away from the pier, and find out that your charm has turned into trash.
That's about it for the Diamonds International charm bracelet program! Hopefully you enjoyed all the words and things, as I've certainly had fun typing them. If you haven't already, make sure you're subscribed to our YouTube channel, and become a ParoManiac today... socialize all our media: Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter... and until next time... rock on!!
~Jay
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