Eastern - taking food off ship??

[spoon2003]

I remember reading a thread about being illegal to take food off the ship in St.Maarten and St. Thomas, can someone verify that? I was hoping to take water, dry cereals and fruit for snacks, will they search my bag upon disembarkment for food?

Sue

 

[DrCavin]

They will not search your bag, never searched ours anyway, but if you have food out that they can see you will be stopped.

 

[lbgraves]

I believe that as long as the food is in a factory sealed container you can take it with you. You can't bring any opened food or drinks back onboard either.

 

[Mickeyhugger]

They will not search your bag, never searched ours anyway, but if you have food out that they can see you will be stopped.

Why is that? Is it something to do with health ordinances, or is it because they want you to buy food off their islands?

 

[jrabbit]

Why is that? Is it something to do with health ordinances, or is it because they want you to buy food off their islands?

I don't know about St.Maarten and St. Thomas but back at port canaveral you cannot take ANY food off of the ship. USDA doesn't want any pests to come ashore here.

 

[DrCavin]

I don't know about St.Maarten and St. Thomas but back at port canaveral you cannot take ANY food off of the ship. USDA doesn't want any pests to come ashore here.

They even stopped on guy who had a cup of coffee from getting off at PC. Saw a lady & her young son eating pizza where you exit the ship, would not allow them to take it off the ship.. What is really crazy is you could put it in a collapsable cooler & they would not even stop you. Technically they could search your bags, but they dont bother...

 

[banderson]

As is the case with most island ecosytems, governments need to control what comes in to avoid bringing in any foreign insects, plants, diseases, etc.

I had an apple confiscated in Hawaii because of the seeds.

What looks like a harmless snack to us can end up being a very bad thing for the island.

 

[DisneyPhD]

If you had a baby that ate baby food they would have to "let" you even if they did search your bag. At least I hope!

I guess keep it sealed and covered.