Allergies on Port Excursions

[Princess Sleepy]

My nieces have severe allergies to dairy, eggs, and several kinds of nuts. We will be cruising on the Fantasy in December and wanted to do a couple of beach days on St. Maarten and St. Thomas. My SIL was hoping to bring box lunches from the ship for her girls, but we are worried about customs on the islands. Is there any way to bring food from the ship onto the island, or will they have to come back to the ship to eat?

TIA

 

[peemagg]

I believe that as long as they are sealed packages you can bring them ashore with you. Things like cheese and crackers or such. I have heard of people bringing sandwiches or fruit from the boat.

The only time that we had anything to do with customs was upon entering the ship the first day of the cruise and then the last day as we disembarked. I don't remember any other time as far as shore excursions go.

 

[disney david]

As a poster pointed out their no customs for us citizens

 

[SteveMouse]

St. Thomas is US. No customs/immigration for US citizens.

 

[lanejudy]

While you won't necessarily go though Customs and Immigration, there may be restrictions on bringing food into another country. Generally speaking, DCL will only allow you to take sealed pre-packaged non-perishable items off the ship. Boxes of cereal, granola bars, snack pack of crackers, etc. No fresh fruit, no sandwiches (except uncrustables which can be ordered from room service), no buffet food, etc. It's not really a Customs and Immigration issue as much as it's a bugs and pests issue bringing perishable foods into or out of a foreign country. The ship will not provide a box lunch unless it's noted in the excursion.

If your sister plans to pack allergy-friendly foods for your niece, just make sure they are factory-sealed and unopened.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[lanejudy]

I also wanted to add that you (or your sister) should have the allergies noted on your DCL reservation. DCL does well with allergies if they are given advanced notice. Depending on how complicated it is, they may have her order her meals at dinner the night and have you eat at the MDRs for breakfast and lunch. But Cabanas may be able to offer choices to prepare in the kitchen as well.

 

[Princess Sleepy]

Thanks for the help. We have sailed DCL before with them, but were not off the ship for lunches. As long as we can bring pre-packaged food off the ship, I'm sure we can make it work.

 

[lanejudy]

Thanks for the help. We have sailed DCL before with them, but were not off the ship for lunches. As long as we can bring pre-packaged food off the ship, I'm sure we can make it work.

I apologize, I need to correct my statement in a previous post...

Pre-packaged foods may be brought ONTO the ship at the home port and consumed while onboard. You MAY be allowed to take pre-packaged foods off the ship, but it varies by port and local rules. Apparently some countries are very strict and will not allow any foreign food items to be brought off the ship, pre-packaged or sealed or anything.

I recommend you speak with the Special Needs department at DCL and see if they can tell you anything about specific ports where you plan to leave the ship during lunch. And if they have suggestions. They may know of restaurants in those areas.

Good luck and enjoy your cruise!