Prescription Medication

[Peaseblossom36]

Is there a place I can find any rules for carrying prescription medication? I've looked on the website but must be missing it.

Also wondering if there are additional rules for the Bahamas with those medications? Or is that not something to worry about unless you are going to carry them off the ship?

ETA: Yes, we will leave them in original containers and know to check local laws for controlled substances, was hoping someone knew WHERE to find that information because the Bahamas website is not helpful. No, I don't know all the medications, we are going on an extended family trip so I'm trying to find information for my mother who isn't the best with technology.

 

[dwg]

From DCL website under packing List which is under already booked.:

Packing List for Bahamian and Caribbean Cruises​

Dress comfortably for vacation—plus bring the appropriate attire for such activities as dinners and Port Adventures.

Embarkation Day Basics​

Pack these items in a day bag to keep with you, as your luggage may not arrive at your stateroom until a few hours after the ship leaves port:

• Medication (in their original containers)
• Passport and/or required citizenship documentation
• Camera and accessories (batteries, memory card, etc.)
• Extra prescription glasses or contact lenses
• Sunscreen or hat
• Swimsuit and cover-up

Here is previous thread regarding medications. https://www.disboards.com/threads/medication-in-their-original-containers.3913046/

 

[NAB]

I have never had problems carrying on my prescriptions. Mine are pretty basic though. I carry my vitamins in a smaller container since I buy the big Costco bottles with no problem yet either.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Or is that not something to worry about unless you are going to carry them off the ship?

Just a bit of FYI - when you are docked you are considered "in" the country. So it doesn't matter if you actually get off the ship or not regarding any entry requirements for other countries.

 

[Dug720]

Just a bit of FYI - when you are docked you are considered "in" the country. So it doesn't matter if you actually get off the ship or not regarding any entry requirements for other countries.

100% this.

And that means if your prescription is for something that is banned in other countries (as in "medical marijuana"), you cannot bring it with you even if you "don't get off the ship". See the thread about the Carnival passenger who just had CBD gummies and is now banned for life.

 

[Peaseblossom36]

I was aware of the original container rules but wasn’t sure if there were any stricter rules for stronger prescriptions (ex. pain medication)

The thread about the CBD gummies are what made me think about it.

 

[lanejudy]

I was aware of the original container rules but wasn’t sure if there were any stricter rules for stronger prescriptions (ex. pain medication)

If you have anything that is a controlled substance, ALWAYS keep it in the properly labeled container. Do not transfer it to a daily pill minder type of case.

As for regular prescriptions, technically they should also be in properly labeled bottles, but many people do use daily/weekly pill cases.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I was aware of the original container rules but wasn’t sure if there were any stricter rules for stronger prescriptions (ex. pain medication)

The thread about the CBD gummies are what made me think about it.

It's suggested that you contact the country's embassy directly to find out if your meds will be OK for entry. I doubt you can get a definitive answer here.
I found this online:
9. Can I travel to The Bahamas with prescription drugs used as medication for an existing illness?
It is suggested that a letter from the doctor stating that the medication is needed for your health be obtained and presented to Bahamas Customs if questioned.

https://www.bahamasembdc.org/contact/faq/

 

[Mango7100]

DH is on several medications (nothing controlled) and has always put them in daily pill cases for packing. Never had an issue.

 

[Rogue1677x]

I was curious myself and couldn't find an answer easily. I understand why you're asking and you'd be surprised at the rules regarding prescription medications and international travel. When I travel, I always have to verify that my migraine and seizure meds are not on a list. I know one of them is for Japan.

 

[Flcruising]

I was aware of the original container rules but wasn’t sure if there were any stricter rules for stronger prescriptions (ex. pain medication)

If , as you suggest , you are taking prescription pain meds then most likely that is a controlled substance.
I encourage you to contact authorities. It makes for an interesting discussion here and makes people think. But something this serious needs authoritative answers. It's not much of a defense standing in front of a judge saying "But these strangers on Disboards said I could"
I feel like others that most likely you won't have a problem. But I really don't know.
Some customs departments have a frequently asked questions section on their web site. You might start there and next send an email. I'd then take a copy of the answer with you.

 

[Flossbolna]

Also just because someone else had no problem, it doesn’t mean that you won’t be the one who runs into issues. I once had a border guard in Namibia questioning my unpackaged Aspirin. Since then I’ve become far more diligent about how to pack meds.

As others said: the place to get info would be at the authorities of the country you are visiting. Often it’s recommended to have a doctor’s note with you.

 

[soniam]

Also just because someone else had no problem, it doesn’t mean that you won’t be the one who runs into issues. I once had a border guard in Namibia questioning my unpackaged Aspirin. Since then I’ve become far more diligent about how to pack meds.

As others said: the place to get info would be at the authorities of the country you are visiting. Often it’s recommended to have a doctor’s note with you.

Yep! I had a Disneyland security guard give me grief over a blister pak of Gasex gel caps. I didn't want to bring the whole cardboard box. The medicine name was on the blister pak. He asked why I needed them. I told him because the food at Disneyland gives me gas. Same thing happened at Austin City Limits Music Festival last month. However, no one had a problem with the loose tylenol, ibuprofen, tums, and vitamins in my pill bottle All of these were all in my purse/bag at the time.

 

[Cheburashka]

Is there a place I can find any rules for carrying prescription medication? I've looked on the website but must be missing it.

Also wondering if there are additional rules for the Bahamas with those medications? Or is that not something to worry about unless you are going to carry them off the ship?

I'm on my 11th cruise in 10 years right now. I typically take a pill organizer filled with several pills per day of the organizer, some prescribed, others vitamins. I never bother carrying on the bottles for those daily pills and I've never had any issue. Same goes for traveling to Canada and Europe. Non-issue.

 

[starry_solo]

Look up the rules of the country/countries that DCL will be docked at on your cruise for specific information regarding medication.

I know, for one of my family member's medications, it's a controlled substance and many European countries won't let it in, even in the original prescription.

 

[Peaseblossom36]

I feel like I should say that I wasn’t asking so I could say “some person on disboards said blank”. I was asking where to find the information, thinking that there are likely people on the board who would have needed the same information.

Our cruise is in a little over a year and we are traveling with my parents who don’t really travel, and didn’t have medical problems when we last did. To be honest, my mom also isn’t the best with the internet so I’m thinking about it now to save us all stress later.

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction.

 

[auntlynne]

I feel like I should say that I wasn’t asking so I could say “some person on disboards said blank”. I was asking where to find the information, thinking that there are likely people on the board who would have needed the same information.

Our cruise is in a little over a year and we are traveling with my parents who don’t really travel, and didn’t have medical problems when we last did. To be honest, my mom also isn’t the best with the internet so I’m thinking about it now to save us all stress later.

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction.

I tried finding the information, but found nothing beyond no cocaine, heroin, ecstasy, LSD… Even the Bahamas Govt page was not an easy site.

All I learned was that Adderall for ADHD was not okay in certain countries, as it is an amphetamine.

Basically, bring your Rx bottles.

 

[starry_solo]

I'm still doing research, I found an article, but am looking for specific government websites.

https://www.rd.com/list/common-medications-banned-in-other-countries/

I guess the question is, what type of prescription medication are you planning to bring?

 

[SeattleSuz]

My husband takes a barrage of medications and the only time he has ever had issues while traveling was when he went to Japan earlier this year (big application process). He has NEVER had an issue on a cruise.

 

[chuff88]

I tried finding the information, but found nothing beyond no cocaine, heroin, ecstasy, LSD… Even the Bahamas Govt page was not an easy site.

All I learned was that Adderall for ADHD was not okay in certain countries, as it is an amphetamine.

Basically, bring your Rx bottles.

This is the one I've dealt with because I take Adderall for ADHD. I've taken it to Norway, Germany, and the Bahamas in its original container and never had an issue. The main country I know it can be a major issue in is Japan.