Can you take food off the cruise ship for excursions?

[snowsue1]

I am planning on visiting Nassau/Atlantis during our cruise.

Are we allowed to take sandwiches/snacks with us off the cruise ship?

 

[redheadtove]

It depends on the port. Some countries allow foods to be taken off, others not at all.

 

[kathi]

We are traveling with someone who must eat gluten free. We were planning on taking a pre-made lunch from the ship when we go into port to avoid her accidentially getting posioned.

Anyone know of a list of what ports will let you take food and what ones will not? (We will be on the Western Carribean)

 

[kcashner]

Um....while I understand the gluten free issue, that is not a "poison" issue. It is a matter of accidentally eating something that will cause a negative reaction.

Back to original question--in any US port, you cannot bring off fruit or any UNPROCESSED plant or animal item. No one inspects your bags, but this is the law and the fines are stiff if you are in violation. DCL says that you cannot take food off the ship and if you tell them that you are getting food to take off, they will decline to bring you the food (room service) for safety reasons. THey don't want you to get sick from food that was not properly refrigerated or handled once it left their control.

 

[Nesser480]

I read somewhere that this is against the rules.

 

[kathi]

Um....while I understand the gluten free issue, that is not a "poison" issue. It is a matter of accidentally eating something that will cause a negative reaction.

That was extremely rude and clearly you have no idea what being Celiac is all about. i will go elsewhere to ask my question.

 

[Disney Dreams]

That was extremely rude and clearly you have no idea what being Celiac is all about. i will go elsewhere to ask my question.

Hoping you have stuck around for some more replies.

There are very strict laws about taking non-seal, pre-packaged food off the ship into various countries. It has to do with health laws and disease control in effort to prevent an international epidemic.

You should contact DCL directly with your question since there are dietary issues that you are trying to manage.

FWIW, I don't think the above poster was trying to be rude. I think sometimes it is not easy to understand the challenges in balancing strict dietary restrictions.

HTH,
Dreams

 

[DisDaydreamer]

Um....while I understand the gluten free issue, that is not a "poison" issue. It is a matter of accidentally eating something that will cause a negative reaction.

In the context of biology, poisons are substances that can cause disturbances to organisms, usually by chemical reaction or other activity on the molecular scale, when a sufficient quantity is absorbed by an organism.

It is a poison to the person who's body will have a chemical reaction.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

That was extremely rude and clearly you have no idea what being Celiac is all about. i will go elsewhere to ask my question.

Easy... it wasn't extremely rude, just ignorant.

 

[redheadtove]

We are traveling with someone who must eat gluten free. We were planning on taking a pre-made lunch from the ship when we go into port to avoid her accidentially getting posioned.

Anyone know of a list of what ports will let you take food and what ones will not? (We will be on the Western Carribean)

Um....while I understand the gluten free issue, that is not a "poison" issue. It is a matter of accidentally eating something that will cause a negative reaction.

Back to original question--in any US port, you cannot bring off fruit or any UNPROCESSED plant or animal item. No one inspects your bags, but this is the law and the fines are stiff if you are in violation. DCL says that you cannot take food off the ship and if you tell them that you are getting food to take off, they will decline to bring you the food (room service) for safety reasons. THey don't want you to get sick from food that was not properly refrigerated or handled once it left their control.

That was extremely rude and clearly you have no idea what being Celiac is all about. i will go elsewhere to ask my question.

Easy... it wasn't extremely rude, just ignorant.[/QUOTE

I don't believe Kcashner was being rude or even ignorant. In this day and age we have lots of people who choose to live a gluten free lifestyle. Most people do it because of being Celiac , others do it because they believe it is healthier for them. Please do not be mad at him. He was just trying to help.

 

[snowsue1]

Can I take prepackaged foods such as peanuts, chips, candy bars for kids to snack on?
I definetly do not want to break any laws?

 

[DisDaydreamer]

Easy... it wasn't extremely rude, just ignorant.[/QUOTE

I don't believe Kcashner was being rude or even ignorant. In this day and age we have lots of people who choose to live a gluten free lifestyle. Most people do it because of being Celiac , others do it because they believe it is healthier for them. Please do not be mad at him. He was just trying to help.

I certainly wasn't mad. Ignorant is not a bad word... it just means lacking knowledge on a specific subject(s). A gluten free lifestyle is not easy and requires much consideration on how to compensate for the loss of benefits of the foods that have it. I have a hard time imagining someone choosing to be gluten free for the benefits. Not that it doesn't happen. I am probably ignorant on that subject.

 

[lmhall2000]

Can I take prepackaged foods such as peanuts, chips, candy bars for kids to snack on?
I definetly do not want to break any laws?

We always take a few granola bars/peanuts we bring from home, they are sealed and unopened...I would suggest that if it is that great a concern you bring pre-packaged items from home...we also bring unopened water bottles with us on excursions...those we bought on the ship.

 

[kathi]

I appreciate your responses. My friend is very dear to me and was not going to go on the cruise because it is so hard for her to travel. She becomes extremely ill and sometimes requires hospitalization if she accidentally ingests gluten.

She travels to Disney with us frequently because she knows she is safe there. I just want her to have a wonderful vacation and not have to worry. Her lifestyle is definitely not a choice and it is very difficult.

It hurts me to perceive that her disability is not considered relevant by others.

 

[ddd100]

Ahh don't let other people's ignorance upset you Kathi.

I have a severe reaction to Alcohol. It's called anaphylactic shock.
However, it's usually a big joke to everyone else. They act like you life is over if you can't drink Alcohol. While I can take a good joke, I do get tired of having to explain it.

I have ended up in more hospitals then I care to remember, usually because a cook or Chef believes that the alcohol is burnt off in their cooking, so they don't answer correctly when we ask if there's no alcohol in the food!

The Disney parks have been the best in the world for listening correctly and I have never had a reaction, while eating in the resorts and there restaurants.

So I was really interested in the OP's question, as I hoped to take some food off of our MR cruise. I don't want to risk a reaction while in Mexico and end up in hospital. So thanks for asking the question.

 

[ColoradoDisneyFreaks]

I appreciate your responses. My friend is very dear to me and was not going to go on the cruise because it is so hard for her to travel. She becomes extremely ill and sometimes requires hospitalization if she accidentally ingests gluten.

She travels to Disney with us frequently because she knows she is safe there. I just want her to have a wonderful vacation and not have to worry. Her lifestyle is definitely not a choice and it is very difficult.

It hurts me to perceive that her disability is not considered relevant by others.

Seriously? You post the insinuation that a port will "poison" someone, with the connotation that it's intentional and you're suprised when you get called on it?

It is DCL's policy that food not be allowed off the ship, you may be able to take fruit off the ship from the buffet on your own, but if you're truly concerned, I'd research restaurants in the ports that can accomodate gluten free dining or consider staying on the ship. Counting on being able to order a meal and take it with you probably won't happen as it's not up to Disney, but the port and it's government, and you won't get Disney to break that law.

 

[Jennifer in MI]

I don't know about taking food off, but we found out the hard way that, at least in Mexico, they don't understand allergic reactions!!!! We were in PV at a resort enjoying the beach and all. They had a buffet and we asked, through an interpreter, if there were nuts in any of their items. They said everything was safe. Ummmmm . . . nope. Not when were were walnuts in TWO salads and on desserts as well.

My ds ended up just waiting until we got back on board to eat. I don't know if we could have taken food off. I'd call Disney and ask before we cruised again.

Also, we were at another resort in Cabo (a whole other story - we had to disembark due to ds' appendicitis attack). We had no choice but to eat at the resort. I asked again (I do speak spanish, but chose to ask someone to help me translate due to the health issues) about nuts. Again. All was fine. Ds ate. And had a reaction. He was rushed to the same hospital my other ds was already at! Ugh. Nothing like running in to dh with ANOTHER medical issue at the hospital where he was with my other ds!!!! Yes. It was a CRAZY trip!!!

So, yes. I get it. Please contact Disney and ask. Maybe you could time your visit so you don't have to eat off the ship? I am sad knowing that my ds probably will never be able to travel internationally safely.

 

[Jennifer in MI]

Seriously? You post the insinuation that a port will "poison" someone, with the connotation that it's intentional and you're suprised when you get called on it?

It is DCL's policy that food not be allowed off the ship, you may be able to take fruit off the ship from the buffet on your own, but if you're truly concerned, I'd research restaurants in the ports that can accomodate gluten free dining or consider staying on the ship. Counting on being able to order a meal and take it with you probably won't happen as it's not up to Disney, but the port and it's government, and you won't get Disney to break that law.

I think she said "accidentally poisoned." Honestly, as the parent of a food-allergic child, I get it. Certain foods act as poisons in his body and can kill him. This is a life and death situation for many of us. We choose to travel with Disney because they can accommodate us.

I would never ask Disney to break the law. But, I do understand the wording here!!!

ETA: If it is Disney policy, I would not take food off. Definitely try to plan meals around your excursions.

 

[NancyIL]

I don't believe Kcashner was being rude or even ignorant. In this day and age we have lots of people who choose to live a gluten free lifestyle. Most people do it because of being Celiac , others do it because they believe it is healthier for them. Please do not be mad at him. He was just trying to help.

That was extremely rude and clearly you have no idea what being Celiac is all about. i will go elsewhere to ask my question.

kcashner is a "she...and a doctor. I am reasonably sure she knows what Celiac is all about.

 

[kathi]

I appreciate the kind posts from people who are interested in being helpful. I sometimes have trouble understanding the hostility on this board and it upsets me. My issue and clearly not the problem of anyone else.

As for your regular poster being a doctor (or a woman) - how would i know that? I don't live on this board, I come here to plan travel, like many others. It might do everyone a good turn to remember there are many guests just passing through. Showing a little kindness goes a long way to make a person feel welcome.

I will email shoreside concierge and I'm sure I'll get the help I need.