soft sided coolers

[cgdmom]

I just bought a 51 can soft sider cooler at sam's to use in port. I was wondering if I could also use it to carry on drinks when we board-- I t does not exactly match the required dimentions listed in our documents because it is more of a square than a rectangle type of carry on. Has anyone been able to take a similar cooler on as a carry on? IT is 14in accross--15 in tall and 12 in deep. Im just worried about them saying it won't fit through their scanner and then what would we do? THanks so much!

 

[Tony M]

I had a similar Cooler that fit fine through the scanner. Mine even had wheels and extandable handle. You can tell that the guys working the machine had experience with coolers going through as the one questioned the other about my package "Does that look like bottles to you?". The other agreed and I even volunteered to open it up to show them that it was only water bottles turned on their side to fit on top of the 40 cans of you know what beneath. They said no problem and wisked me through.

 

[aprilgail2]

I have the same one and the porter took it and checked it in with the bags so I wouldnt have to carry it on

 

[cgdmom]

was your checked cooler filled with drinks?

 

[webray]

We are going in September on the Magic...so, from what I can tell...it is ok to bring bottled water on the chip with you, is that correct?

Is there ice available on the ship to keep it cold. We like to drink a lot of water, especially after a day on the beach/pool. It would be nice to have it handy in the room.

 

[CoolMom02]

We had drinks packed in our cooler and checked them with no problem. The attendant watched us put them in as we bought the drinks on the way to port, and said just don't say anything to me about them. The cooling box in our room also got the drinks cold for us by the second day. It takes a while but it will cool them down. I just had to have Dr. Pepper since they don't sell it on board.

 

[aprilgail2]

mine was filled with soda, water and juice boxes, I was going to carry it on but the porter said that as long as it was not filled with ice then he could take it for me.

 

[CarolJean]

cgdmom: You ask the most helpful questions! Great to know that the cooler can be taken by porter instead of by hubby!

 

[eye R.N.]

We checked it last cruise with no problems, in fact I just got it down out of the attic and it still has it's cruise tag. Since we are driving down I plan to freeze several bottles of water to help keep the others cold till we can get them on the ship.

 

[Tony M]

When you arrive, there is a card on one of the dressers that asks whether or not you will be requesting ice service and when. You have 3 choices: morning, turn down(night), and I think noon(ish?). We checked off two times, morning and turn down. Our host was great and delivered two bags of ice at each time. We helped him by emptying out the melted ice water into the tub prior to leaving our room so he could do his magic. I have read many post as to not bringing ice on board. Also, do not rely on that thing they call a "Refridgerator" as it was unreliable. Your host WILL take care of you and your ice needs.
And I too will check my cooler next time and not drag it around.
Thanks CoolMom02 and aprilgail2

 

[MrsPete]

Who's going to lug this 51- can cooler around on shore? Sounds like a waste of energy to me!

And all those drinks? Why? The cruise line will provide plenty of drinks -- most of them included in the price you've already paid.

 

[carole88]

MrsPete - The cooler is a good way to bring on board drinks that are not included in the price of the cruise - bottled water, beer, wine or other liquor. If you drink a lot of soda, it is also a good idea since soda is only provided at mealtime.

 

[eye R.N.]

Is to order sandwhiches, etc. from room service and pack a picnic for the non Castaway beach days. Some beaches don't allow it, but it is a money saver for the ones that do.

The cruise line does provide drinks, soda at mealtime, and if you have a pepsi product preference, then your out of luck. Same for root beer of any type. Water is available but if you don't have a water bottle of your own and fill it up before you leave, again you are at the mercy of what is out there.

My cooler will be filled with drinks and snacks for the drive down, bottled water to take off the ship on port days.

 

[MrsPete]

I'm familiar with the idea of using room service sandwiches -- I think it's a good idea. In this case, however, I'm not questioning cooler so much as the SIZE of this particular cooler! I could understand bringing a six-pack cooler to carry a couple sandwiches, but a 51-drink cooler would be too large to carry around all day comfortably. If you have a large family, I'd suggest several small coolers -- they'd be much easier to carry.

As for bringing other soft drinks . . . why? You can get soft drinks for free three times a day -- you can even drink more than one at each meal. Considering the caffeine, sugar, and other chemicals content in sodas . . . well, you probably know the facts about sodas and health. "Moderation in all things" is a fitting phrase here.

As for bottled water . . . again, why? Water is free onboard. I can see bringing a bottle for each person and refilling the bottles, but I can't see the sense in dragging cases aboard.

 

[Buckaroo's Dad]

Hi cgdmom.

I t does not exactly match the required dimentions

I didn't know DCL offered dementia guidelines...


Hey webray.

it is ok to bring bottled water on the chip with you

Yes, but you might want to bring along some dip for that chip...


Good afternoon CoolMom02.

The attendant watched us put them in as we bought the drinks on the way to port

You must have sailed in concierge to have an attendant accompany you to port...


Hi MrsPete.

Who's going to lug this 51- can cooler around on shore?

Usually it's the sucker, oops, I mean husband...

I could understand bringing a six-pack cooler to carry a couple sandwiches, but a 51-drink cooler would be too large to carry around all day comfortably.

THANK YOU, MrsPete. I just love when logic foils an otherwise good plan...

 

[Tony M]

Although I definitely would not think that bringing 51 drinks ashore is practical, the size of the cooler was to bring onboard special drinks not available onboard. It also was great rolling it ashore with a few drinks, ice, eats, and other items strapped atop of the cooler with wheels and it's extendable handle. It made family port visits easier. Also, as mentioned previously, it is collapsible and took up very little space in our stateroom.

 

[house_of_princesses]

Sportmart had the 51 can cooler on sale last week for $19 and change.

With a family of six, the youngest being 2, I'd much rather carry our lunch (or whatever) on wheels, than carry smaller coolers by hand.