Autism, excursions and a VERY picky eater

[Jenn G]

Hi,

We’re about to take our first vacation (DS-18 severe regressive autism and me).
We’re doing the Mexican Riviera Disney Wonder Cruise.

I’d like to book a couple of excursions, but my son will only eat pizza, chicken tenders and bagels- HUGE sensory issues with food. If there any way that I can bring food? Example: Las Caletas told me it’s fine to bring stuff for him, but I don’t know if they’ll let me take it off the ship even with medical notes from his Drs.
The food issue has been a huge reason why I have been scared to travel.

Thank you

 

[Lilsia]

Most places have rules about bringing food that is not pre-packaged off of the ship. They don't want any issues with contagions. It would be up to whoever is at the dock at the time and how they interpret the rules. I can't imagine a wrapped bagel would be much of an issue, but again, you just don't know what they will do.

 

[lanejudy]

It's agricultural importation laws that dictate foods coming into a foreign port. Even if the DCL CMs don't say anything (they usually catch food going out), there are often officers and sometimes dogs patrolling piers and the general port area. No doctor's note. There is nothing DCL can do to waive the laws.

Pre-packaged, factory-sealed, non-perishables is the general rule. Will he eat any snack type food? Bags of Chex mix, or little boxes of cereal? The little cereal boxes are available at Cabanas in the morning, and you can grab a few extra to toss into your excursion bag.

How long is the excursion? Could you make sure he eats a really good breakfast and then be back for a late lunch? Since this is his first cruise and (I'm assuming) first time in a foreign country, I would go with short excursions rather than full-day. If he ends up having trouble coping, you would be stuck waiting for transportation to get you back to the ship.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[Maggie'sMom]

It's agricultural importation laws that dictate foods coming into a foreign port. Even if the DCL CMs don't say anything (they usually catch food going out), there are often officers and sometimes dogs patrolling piers and the general port area. No doctor's note. There is nothing DCL can do to waive the laws.

Pre-packaged, factory-sealed, non-perishables is the general rule. Will he eat any snack type food? Bags of Chex mix, or little boxes of cereal? The little cereal boxes are available at Cabanas in the morning, and you can grab a few extra to toss into your excursion bag.

How long is the excursion? Could you make sure he eats a really good breakfast and then be back for a late lunch? Since this is his first cruise and (I'm assuming) first time in a foreign country, I would go with short excursions rather than full-day. If he ends up having trouble coping, you would be stuck waiting for transportation to get you back to the ship.

Enjoy your cruise!

I agree with everything @lanejudy posted. Anything you bring off the ship will have to be pre-packaged, factory-sealed, and non-perishable. You won't be able to take off any pizza or chicken tenders. Will he eat something like the peanut butter crackers? Or trail mix? Look for packaged snack foods you could take with you.

And I agree that with this being your first cruise, you would be better off selecting short excursions. I would even recommend planning things to do on your own in port over a sponsored excursion so you could have flexibility in case things start to go south. On our first cruise, we booked a private tour guide on our own in one port and it was a good thing because my DD started having a rough time after a few hours and we ended up abandoning our plans and having the tour guide take us back to the ship. In another port on that trip, we just got a cab when we got off the ship and then were able to catch a cab back to the ship at our own leisure. I realize not everyone feels comfortable doing their own thing in port and may prefer a ship-sponsored excursion, but it's something to consider. You could tailor your day so that you could be back on the ship to eat a late lunch.

 

[Mrsjvb]

If it is not factory sealed, it cannot be taken off the ship. You’d be better off not planning any excursions at all and just walk around the immediate port area or staying on board

 

[redberyl]

I dont know if they would be allowed, but lunchables pizza comes prepackaged if he would eat those

 

[Betty Rohrer]

I dont know if they would be allowed, but lunchables pizza comes prepackaged if he would eat those

problem would be keeping cold until needed. no mini frig like resort room

 

[redberyl]

problem would be keeping cold until needed. no mini frig like resort room[/QUOTE

I"ve never been on a cruise, didn't think of that. I wonder how people who travel with refrigerated meds keep their meds cold on a cruise?

 

[Maggie'sMom]

problem would be keeping cold until needed. no mini frig like resort room

The staterooms have mini fridges just like the resort rooms. Unfortunately, like the resort rooms, they don't always keep a consistent temperature so I don't feel comfortable keeping anything in there for an extended period of time other than sodas and water.

But the rules also prohibit any perishable foods being brought on/off the ship. So even though the Lunchables are factory sealed, the fact that they contain meat and cheese would eliminate them as a possibility.

 

[JennyDrake]

You may want to look to book excursions OTHER than via the cruise line. MUCH less expensive and can be better tailored to your specific needs.

 

[elaine amj]

So Disney prohibits non-packaged food to come off the ship? Is it a Disney rule or a port rule? I have heard some ports are stricter and only allow packaged food. I was just in St Maarten and San Juan with a Royal Caribbean cruise and worried about that. But had absolutely no issues bringing snacks off the ship - no one checked, no dogs sniffed, etc etc so those ports at least were not problems. Back in 2014 I cruised to Falmouth, Jamaica and had no issues with snacks either.

If it's not against Disney rules, then try bringing some bagels/cold pizza off the ship for him and be prepared for them to get confiscated if u visit a strict port. I add a bag of ice to chill things better in a mini fridge. If Disney rules prohibit it, I would think pizza and nuggets should be fairly easily available in most ports.

 

[kaytieeldr]

So Disney prohibits non-packaged food to come off the ship?

No, the individual ports and countries do.

 

[Mrsjvb]

So Disney prohibits non-packaged food to come off the ship? Is it a Disney rule or a port rule? a port rule..for all non US ports as well as a few US ones such as Alaska and Hawai'i which are just as anal about not introducing foreign organisms( oh yeah and California) I have heard some ALL ports are stricter and only allow packaged food. I was just in St Maarten and San Juan with a Royal Caribbean cruise and worried about that. But had absolutely no issues bringing snacks off the ship - no one checked, no dogs sniffed, etc etc so those ports at least were not problems. just because you didn't get caught does not mean you didn't break the law..Back in 2014 I cruised to Falmouth, Jamaica and had no issues with snacks either.

If it's not against Disney rules, then try bringing some bagels/cold pizza off the ship for him NOT ALLOWD and be prepared for them to get confiscated if u visit a strict port. I add a bag of ice to chill things better in a mini fridge. If Disney COUNTRY laws take precedence here rules prohibit it, I would think pizza and nuggets should be fairly easily available in most ports.

you'd be wrong on that last bit too. not all ports are rife with fast food chains and American food. furthermore as the OPs son is Severely autistic there is a strong possibility that any old pizza or nuggets would NOT work. in fact, he may not even eat the options on board.. lets just say in many cases the pizza on board is...lacking...( no experience with kid's meal chicken )

while on board she could see the head chef/Maitre d' and make arrangements for stuff he can/will eat be available at all meal times( do not foresee any huge difficulty having a toasted bagel for lunch for instance) off the ship shells probably have zero accommodations made by anybody.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

So Disney prohibits non-packaged food to come off the ship? Is it a Disney rule or a port rule? I have heard some ports are stricter and only allow packaged food. I was just in St Maarten and San Juan with a Royal Caribbean cruise and worried about that. But had absolutely no issues bringing snacks off the ship - no one checked, no dogs sniffed, etc etc so those ports at least were not problems. Back in 2014 I cruised to Falmouth, Jamaica and had no issues with snacks either.

If it's not against Disney rules, then try bringing some bagels/cold pizza off the ship for him and be prepared for them to get confiscated if u visit a strict port. I add a bag of ice to chill things better in a mini fridge. If Disney rules prohibit it, I would think pizza and nuggets should be fairly easily available in most ports.

As mentioned, this is not just a DCL rule. It involves importation laws of individual countries. And if caught, you might be lucky to get away with just confiscation. Otherwise, you could be subject to hefty fines. These fines can be thousands of dollars. Countries don't play around when it comes to certain products entering their borders, which is what you are doing when you disembark a ship in port. Foods and other agricultural products can harbor non-native, invasive pests which is why the laws are strict and fines are large.

Most ports will allow factory sealed, pre-packaged, non-perishable foods. There are ports that won't even allow those, but in my experience, the Caribbean ports are okay with them. Trying to take something like pizza or a bagel off the ship is asking for trouble. You say you had no issues taking snacks off the ship, but were those packaged snacks? If they weren't, then consider yourself lucky. I wouldn't recommend trying it again unless you are prepared to make your cruise vastly more expensive.

 

[Happyinwonerland]

Have you researched food options at your ports or near your excursions? I would imagine that tourist destinations have a lot of places with kid friendly options like pizza and chicken nuggets/tenders. I doubt you'll be able to use a doctor's note to violate international laws about food smuggling, it certainly isn't a risk I'd take.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I googled pizza restaurants in Mazatlan and Cabo, and McDonald's in Cabo. The OP should absolutely be able to find something in each port for her son to eat. We advised above, probably best to avoid ship excursions unless no food is needed, or she ascertained that there will be good her son will eat. Probably requires contacting the cruise line.

 

[DLgal]

OP, are you tracking the crime/violence situation in the ports you are visiting? You are traveling as the sole adult in charge of a vulnerable 18 year old disabled male. I'd recommend not stepping foot off that ship in any port in Mexico. The food situation should be the least of your concerns.

 

[Lilsia]

OP, are you tracking the crime/violence situation in the ports you are visiting? You are traveling as the sole adult in charge of a vulnerable 18 year old disabled male. I'd recommend not stepping foot off that ship in any port in Mexico. The food situation should be the least of your concerns.

I agree. There is no way we step foot in Mexico. The government repeatedly warns us that it is not safe. And especially now in this volatile political times. Too many tourists are being robbed and killed.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Caution is fine, but telling someone to not get off a cruise ship in any port? https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2618156-excursions-safety-in-ports/
Cruise Critic would probably be a really good place for the OP to search, and ask questions. Remember, these changes offs aren't exclusive to Disney.

 

[DLgal]

Caution is fine, but telling someone to not get off a cruise ship in any port? https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2618156-excursions-safety-in-ports/

In MEXICO...yes. I stand by that. My husband is a military officer and he isn't ALLOWED to go to any of those Mexican Riviera or Yucatan ports. Literally, he would not get Command clearance to take that vacation and get off the ship. Plus, he works in Intelligence and let's just say he knows *a little* more than the average cruise critic article writer or poster. He wouldn't go to Mexico even if he could. And he is Puerto Rican and speaks fluent Spanish, so theoretically, he would blend right in.

I have 2 autistic teens myself (neither what I would call "severe"). I wouldn't take them anywhere near a country with so much violence and police corruption. You won't get the benefit of the doubt over there, for anything. This woman is a target as she is traveling with someone vulnerable. She can easily be exploited or taken advantage of, or worse. Just being real.