Can you take food off the cruise ship for excursions?

[NancyIL]

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.

I wouldn't expect the casual poster to know that kcashner is a doctor. On the other hand, the "hostility" was in your post, and not hers.

 

[Disney Dreams]

FWIW, there was no way from your first post to know that you were asking for medical reasons.

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)

Many people just eaten gluten free by choice. However, when you said:

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

THEN it let people know you were asking because of a medical condition.

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

I don't think that anyone is considering her situation not "relevant," but again, did not realize it was a medical issue from your initial post. I that were mentioned initially, I think you would have gotten replies that were sensitive to her situation, since people would be aware there IS a situation.

Unfortunately, that does not change the rules about food being taken off the ship. Fruit in particular is a HUGE no-no. Imagine ONE fruit fly unknowingly being brought into a country where no fruit flies were previously. It could be simply horrific in results for an entire country.

Call DCL and talk to them directly - especially since it's a medical-related question. DIS members are very helpful and know a LOT, but there are certain things I believe should still be asked directly from Disney. In my opinion, this is one of them.

Hope this helps,
Dreams

 

[redheadtove]

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

Opps... My bad... Sorry.

 

[Mickeys Carol]

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.

Since we are on the subject of things people are allergic to, my husband is very allergic to aspartane. The small amount in a piece of chewing gum can send him to the hospital with projectile vomiting, and diarrhea. He was once in the hospital for a week while the doctors tried to figure out what the problem was. Aspartane turns to formaldehyde in his stomach. I never question someone when they say they have a "special "diet of any kind. You never know when tht diet could mean the difference between life and death.

 

[trente33trois]

It's interesting to me that the posters who clearly are "regulars" jumped to the defense of the person who made the comment to the person asking about gluten-free foods and using the term poison. I don't know that the person's comment was rude, and I certainly doubt it was intentional, but it seemed a bit condescending.

Perhaps Kathi's reaction felt a bit strong, but I can understand a bit. No, she didn't specify it was a medical condition, it was just assumed by others that it wasn't...which is kind of rude. Why is the onus on her to tell people it was a medical condition? She asked which port she could take food into, not for a medical lesson.

Then she gets accused of insinuating intentional poisoning (which she never said). Sorry, but maybe the high post folks need to take a step back for a second. These are wonderful boards and the knowledge shared is priceless, but really, recognize your own role in the drama. Just sayin'.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

FWIW, there was no way from your first post to know that you were asking for medical reasons.

Actually, when she said "someone who must eat gluten free" and "avoid her accidentially getting posioned" that was kind of the clue. What else could it have meant? Seriously.

 

[Christy323]

(Seriously though, definitely DON'T take fruit/vegetables/perishables off of the ship, for your own personal safety as well as for the sake of following the law. Bring packaged snacks in your luggage and take those with you while in port. That's what I did! )

 

[DisDaydreamer]

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?

"connotation that it's intentional" Could you please quote that part?

Like... she is saying the people living in the ports intentionally try to poison people using Gluten?

 

[mmouse37]

Ok people.....enough already! The he said/she said has to stop.
The question was answered and good advice was given...contact DCL and find out from the horse's mouth.

Please....keep future posts about the actual question that was asked or the thread will be closed.

MJ

 

[Sinderelly]

I brought a small package of trail mix and a bottle of water off the ship while in Cozumel with no problems. Both were sealed. We received the trail mix in the gift basket we ordered from Shirley

 

[TDC Nala]

Per regulations, you are not supposed to bring opened, unpackaged food items off the ship in the Bahamas. If you or someone in your party is worried about being "poisoned" in port, pack some prepackaged items that you know will be safe.

Some countries will fine you if they catch you trying to bring in fruits or vegetables - even one fruit or vegetable. I don't know if the Bahamas is one of those.

Bottled water is fine in every port I've been to (haven't been to Bahamas in many years though) and so is my nalgene bottle if I fill it with Diet Coke.

 

[PrincessTrisha]

The question was answered and good advice was given...contact DCL and find out from the horse's mouth.

MJ

With all due respect MJ - DCL has nothing to do with this.

It's the country that you taking the food into that has the say in whether or not they allow you to bring food from the cruise ship into the country.

For the Bahamas, you can not import (i.e. bring in) fruits, vegetables or dairy products and all meats must be either canned or frozen (unless you complete a form for the importing of household goods).

Many countries limit the fresh foods they allow into the country - especially islands. You never know who's hitching a ride on your banana or apple.

If you have a special diet - due to allergies or otherwise, bring with you from the USA (or whatever country you originate from - well, except for Iraq - all goods from Iraq are restricted goods in the Bahamas), prepackaged and sealed "safe" foods to eat.

You should not be taking food off the ship as it is generally Illegal to import into the foreign country. (the one exception would be the US Virgin Islands - but then, make sure you're not taking the Ferry over to the British Virgin Islands where that same cruise ship food is persona non grata).

 

[nunzia]

Since we are on the subject of things people are allergic to, my husband is very allergic to aspartane. The small amount in a piece of chewing gum can send him to the hospital with projectile vomiting, and diarrhea. He was once in the hospital for a week while the doctors tried to figure out what the problem was. Aspartane turns to formaldehyde in his stomach. I never question someone when they say they have a "special "diet of any kind. You never know when tht diet could mean the difference between life and death.

True..my son reacts to Ibuprofen..after an accident he was as a teen a nurse was sending him home with some pain meds..he asked if there was ibu in it..nah..then we check with someone else and sure is! He has hallucinations with Ibu (we discovered this when he was in 4th grade)..if you carefully read the tiny print side effects this is listed. Son's doctor had to consult with a neuroligist(which I'm sure I spelled wrong) to get to the bottom of this and a good friend, who is a pediatrician will not have his younger patients take Ibu because of this. Anyway! I think people really need to be their own advocates..I would never trust a buffet worker in Mexico, or really anywhere else, to know what is in the food..they are there to please and will just smile and nod and say all good. I'd guess Disney would have some sort of arrangement to deal with this, or I'd just be sure to eat fresh items or simply prepared foods while off the ship to be sure.