Taking food off the ship

[monkeybird]

They don't really check bags and backpacks when you leave port....just saying

I'm a rule follower. I'm also keenly aware of the many invasive species, both animal and vegetal, that have caused problems in many parts of the world, so I'd rather not be part of the problem.

 

[monkeybird]

I can take a refillable water bottle with me though, right? No need to get a sealed one....

 

[MunFam]

We have a kiddo with food allergies, so we pack food for all excursions (from home)...as a vegan myself, my suggestions are individual packs of: dried or freeze dried fruit, nuts and trail mixes, granola bars, popcorn, (GF for me) pretzels, individual packs of peanut butter and a sleeve of crackers, chips, bottled drinks, and individual packets of plant based protein that can be dumped in to a water bottle and shaken. I use the Orac Energy Greens by Paradise and they are sold on Amazon. Costco, Trader Joes, Walmart and Amazon are my main go-tos for the prepacked snacks.

Keep in mind that what comes on the ship, must be factory sealed...as well as when you take it off, so if you open it, you need to finish it or be willing to toss it, which is why the individual serving work best. You can open stuff on the ship and consume it slowly, but any food that crosses the threshold of the ship must be sealed...coming and going.

The extra snacks were also nice to have on board when we got tired of running up top to get something...like french fries or a plate of tomatoes...

 

[monkeybird]

Thank you for the tips, @MunFam .

 

[xiphoid76]

It's my understanding that room service will not deliver the Uncrustables in the package any longer. For just that reason, perishables typically are not allowed off the ship.

On our last Dream cruise 3/27 we asked for peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and they came in the sealed bag...it was nice to have so I could save them for later.

 

[cyclenut]

I have seen a lot of people try to take whole fruit off the ship, despite all the warnings that you cannot. It must be thrown away. No, just because you didn't peel the banana doesn't mean it is still in it's "package". Seriously. I heard this argument at the security checkpoint once.

The primary reason for these food rules is parasites and other bugs. Fruit is known to carry larvae and it isn't too hard for a few pieces of fruit to cause an invasive species of some bug to invade the crops of the local port. Most of the rules are based on agricultural requirements. Some are based on commerce or security too of course, but the prepackaged food is really more about the bugs.

 

[Lynzer4]

They don't really check bags and backpacks when you leave port....just saying

The dogs don't have to be right up to you to smell the food. I forgot I had a banana in my bag from being up at the pool the day before and the dogs started going and came right up to me. They asked and I said I didn't think I had anything so we checked my bag and there was the little banana at the bottom. It was just trashed and I was on my way but they are there and they do catch anything you aren't suppose to have.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I can take a refillable water bottle with me though, right? No need to get a sealed one....

Yes, in most ports. That said, we have been in at least one port (sorry can't recall which one) that didn't allow personal (refillable) water bottles to be taken off the ship also.

I'll see if I can find which port that was. Seems to me it was in Mexico.

 

[MinnesotaMouseketeers]

I'm a rule follower. I'm also keenly aware of the many invasive species, both animal and vegetal, that have caused problems in many parts of the world, so I'd rather not be part of the problem.

Exactly!!!! I believe this is worth repeating.

 

[ALK$Disney]

Haven't you seen the food sniffing dogs? I have.

And, yes, I've seen people made to open their bags and remove illegal fruit/food to be dumped in the trash cans.

Which places are you speaking of? We have never taken food off or onboard from any port, but we have never been inspected by dogs or been stopped and had our bags checked.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Which places are you speaking of? We have never taken food off or onboard from any port, but we have never been inspected by dogs or been stopped and had our bags checked.

In the ports where I've actually seen the dogs, they don't approach the "offender" unless they smell something. They don't have to be all that close to catch the scent. Once a dog alerts, the person is asked to open the bag. Not all bags are opened, only if the dog alerts.

There are many people not even aware there's a food-sniffing dog in the terminal when getting off in ports, so you may not have even been aware of it.

 

[Msmit002]

It's not a DCL rule. It's a law of the land.... So, sneaking foods off the ship is akin to smuggling contraband into another country.

Yep! And just remember, the USA is a nation with due process as a part of its system of justice. Not the same with other countries. Personally, it just isn't worth it and this is coming from someone with Celiac, ie. significant dietary restrictions. I eat a good breakfast before I hop off the ship and make tracks to food as soon as I get back on board, if I am out all day.

 

[joycsk]

Someone was mentioning the Med cruises. The rules are in place to protect nations. I have personally packed granola bars to transport to cruises in the past, and I have been able to get frozen uncrustables in the past (though that was years ago). But please don't try to pack items into baggies. For those who need to have food with them, there are the following options: choose excursions that include lunch; choose shorter excursions that allow you to return to the ship for lunch; pack safe snack options into your cruise luggage; budget for lunch off-ship when planning your excursions. For someone who thinks s/he can beat the system, the best option is that you end up with a hangry family on the excursion after your food gets confiscated and trashed. The options go down from there.

 

[kiford]

Think about that before you decide they won't notice. What if they do?

In some places, it's a fine up to $10K.

We have never taken food off or onboard from any port, but we have never been inspected by dogs or been stopped and had our bags checked.

We've seen or been asked to show bags in various different ports. It can be random or sparked by a food sniffing dog. A $10K fine isn't something to risk on the assumption that because you can't see someone being searched that it isn't a possibility.

 

[AngelDisney]

There are so many pre-packaged snack options out there: chips, nuts, trail mix, cookies, dried fruits, etc. For peace of mind, I always get pre-packaged snacks and bottled water for excursions.