Cooler Question, AGAIN!

[beaniema323]

OK. On these boards, I have read all about taking coolers on board. Even the big wheeled ones. We finally got our cruise documents and according to them, no personal coolers are allowed unless for medicine, baby food, or special dietary requirements. So what's the deal? I am usually a great one for following the rules, but this one really confuses me. I will need a cooler for my medicine, but I was considering getting a larger one to take on board. HELP!

 

[Ethelina]

I think the rule applies for the hard-harded coolers. From what I have gathered on the Dis boards, folks have been allowed to carry-on soft-sided coolers with no problems. I did read that your cooler needs to be ice-free before boarding.

Hope this helps some!!
Enjoy your Cruise!!
E

 

[LAMPSKIES]

We've been on 2 DCL cruises and I have NEVER saw a "hard sided cooler" on the ship. There are small 'fridges in the staterooms that will keep your "meds" cool. Some other threads have talked of fold up coolers on board but I haven't seen any of those either. Good luck!!!!

 

[HLFDZN]

I bought 2 soft collapsible coolers made by rubbermaid to bring with on our cruise ( one for each stateroom). I am positive they will not take up much room in the suitcases. My plan was to bring pop for the kids and keep it in my stateroom as others have suggested. These coolers open up to hold at least 15 cans of soda each. I was hoping to be able to get them filled with ice daily by the stateroom attendent. Is this do-able? I have 6 kids and was thinking $120.00 to buy them each a soda card is not even worth it, if I can carry on a few cases of cans. Can someone who has done anything like this please answer? Thanks in advance. Melissa

 

["Ginger"]

We always pack our own drinks I even pack a cheap plastic blender that works very well for frozen drinks. We do use discretion by packing everything in our suitcases and using a collapsible (24 cans) cooler to keep DH's beer iced down. DH keeps it out of site in the closet, he does place a large plastic trash bag on the floor of the closet and a folded pools towel under the cooler. He does ask the stateroom host to leave 2 extra bages of ice in the bathroom sink. He tells them about his cooler, so far we have had no problems with his request. Some of them have even been so kind to empty the water out and place the ice in it for him.

 

[HLFDZN]

Thank you thank you!!!!. I wanted to bring my favorite beer along. Tequiza is not usually available manmy places and I like to have one while relaxing. It will be nice to know there won't be a problem keeping our beer and the kids sodas cold. Thanks again..Melissa

 

[RellingTwin]

Also remember that the rule applies to cooler, NOT beverages! I had a small luggage cart, with (2 ) 12 pack of soda, a 12 pack of beer, and a box of Capri Sun juise drinks.I "wheeled" them right on board! We had a small soft sided cooler packed in our luggage but the frig we had worked very well. I loaded it with beverages when we unpacked and everything was cold the next day. We just replaced cold with warm as needed. We did use the cooler when going on an excursion to St John. I packed cold soda and beer as well as some sandwiches from room service,asked for an got a bag of ice from our room steward, and we had a picnic on the beach!

 

[Julma]

We just got back for a seven day. My DH packed a rolling soft sided cooler as a carry on. It fit fine in the overheads on the plane. I am not sure of the exact size. It was about $25. at WalMart. We filled it with camera equipment and snorkle gear. When we got to the port we added bottled water and a bottle of wine. It passed through the machine fine. We used it during our cruise to bring food and water onto the island. On St. Marteen and St. Thomas we packed sandwiches and cookies (from room service) and bottled water inside to bring to the beach. We filled large zip locks with ice and put the sandwiches and cookies in smaller ones, then into the cooler. They stayed very cold. On the top of the cooler we strapped everything else in a mesh bag (snorkle gear, water shoes, towels, etc.). It worked great. The rolling makes it very easy on your back. I would consider it one of the best things we brought.

 

[Tony M]

We just cruised Wonder, June 8-12, and had TWO soft sided coolers. One with wheels, one without. I did not hide the fact that they were coolers or that I was "smuggling" our own beverages. We did not bring any glass bottles so I can't verify that that is O.K. But we did bring cans(beer and soda) and plastic bottles of water(preference to Dasani and Aquafina). The security guards at the terminal door/x-ray machine were the only curious to my package only due to that the x-ray showed our criss-crossed packing of plastic bottles and cans showed something that looked peculiar. Upon second opinion, they asked what it was and I told them truthfully what it was and even offered to open it for them. They said no problem and passed me along. They actually gave us more problems over our other carry-ons(camera bag especially) than the coolers. I made no effort to hide the fact that they were coolers and lugged them around all over the ship until our room was ready. No one said anything. AND...our room Host was helpful keeping us stocked with ice. Just ask and they will give you ice service whenever you desire.
P.S. The Ziplock Ice Trick sounds great. I did not know this one and had to keep dumping out melted ice water prior to eack restocking of ice. Dumping Ziplocks of Melted Ice Water sounds easier than Coolers with beverages.

 

[HLFDZN]

I was served bottles of beer on the last cruise I was on..which was the Norwegian line. Does anyone know if it is a problem to bring glass bottles? The beer I like only comes in bottles, not cans. It is nice to know this is do-able, it will save me a lot of money. Going on a cruise with the whole family is a stretch for us since we have 6 children, but we really wanted to give them a taste of the "good life" even if it is only for 4 days.Thanks again for all the replies! Melissa

 

[RellingTwin]

Melissa, I brought a 6 pack of DH favorite beer in bottles (Labatts). No problem

 

[Griggle]

I ran out of hands going through the security check (DH was parking the car) and just handed the long necks (not even packaged) to the security guard to put through the x-ray. He didn't even bat an eye.

 

[HLFDZN]

It is a good thing I DO have 6 kids......... Lots of hands to carry stuff. Thanks again for the replies....it eases my mind to know I am not breaking any rules. Melissa

 

[LAMPSKIES]

O.k.......here's what I do. I have DD's 13 and 11 and of course my DW who think a vacation is shopping for clothes on the islands. Which is o.k.......I have realized I was put here on this earth to make them happy. So, we always end up buying more luggage to take all the extras back home?!?!?! I bring 2 extra carry-on size pieces with our day one clothes....(as reccomended by DCL in the case of luggage being lost). Pack your fold on coolers and beverages in them. Tip your room steward the first day a little extra. Leave your coolers in plain view when going out. The water will be gone and fresh ice will be in the cooler.....believe me. It even work with the garbage can if you dont bring a cooler. The room fridges tend to be a little warm...our steward showed me that if you put a ziplock with ice in it in the fridge it stayed colder. He was more tan happy to take care of that for us also.