Picnic Lunch

[tterryj50]

A friend mentioned to me that if you ask your cabin steward, he could have a picnic lunch packed for you to take onshore. Has anybody else heard of this practice? We were thinking of visiting one of the more deserted beaches on Tortola and requesting this service if possible.

[jaguarstyper]

I dont think you'll be able to do this. They are pretty strict about taking food off the ship and bringing certain food from shore on the ship. My DW was eating an apple as we were going ashore in Tortola and she was told she could not take it off the ship and had to toss it, along with a couple of other pieces of fruit she had in her bag.

My guess this has to do with importation laws and perishable goods. You cannot bring anything live or perishable on to US soil from other countries without special permits. I assume its the same going the opposite direction.

I sure the concierge in the Neptune would be able to have it packed, but I doubt you'd be able to take it off the ship.

Tim

[dogsdogs]

I have taken lunches ashore several times. I just ordered them from room service. I always have ziploc bags with me. They might take an apple away from you that you are eating in front of them, but they don't search your bag on the way off the ship.

[dakrewser]

I have taken lunches ashore several times. I just ordered them from room service. I always have ziploc bags with me. They might take an apple away from you that you are eating in front of them, but they don't search your bag on the way off the ship.

So you aren't bothered that you're breaking the laws of your host country?

[the2ofus]

I think the issue is with any fruit or fresh vegetables that might be harboring insects or parasites that would not have a natural predator in the area you are visiting. I doubt if a sandwich prepared on board would cause a problem, but a fresh apple might.

Most of the pests that wreak havoc on our crops or waterways in the USA originally snuck into the country on produce or, like the water hyacinth, were brought in by people who thought they would look pretty in their pond.

If you had an island paradise wouldn't you want to protect it by limiting potential pests? I don't think it is so much a matter that people don't care about breaking laws. They think it is a petty infraction because they don't understand the law or the logic behind it

[Iggipolka]

I'm quite hypoglycemic, so I bring Lunabars or Powerbars with me on shore excursions. I figure there's enough chemicals in them to kill whatever bugs I may be bringing on land. :> They are relatively inexpensive, easy to pack and have certainly kept me from passing out due to low blood sugar.

[Cruising Illini]

About 8 years ago we ordered 16 box lunches at Honfleur for our bus ride to Normandy -- we had arranged the bus ourselves. This was no problem and we paid about $7 each for the lunches -- that was on the Maasdam I believe.
We took 5 lunches off from the Amsterdam in Scotland a few years ago and again no problem (in our rented car). BUT recently we have not been able to do this and it was always because the country visiting would not allow it. Originally we ordered from the Manager of Food Services and the last couple of times from the Concierge of the Neptune lounge. Generally they were composed of Granola Bars, Yogurt, Fruit, Pound Cake, etc. and cold bottled water in nice HAL lunch bags. It doesn't hurt to ask but many times the person with the best knowledge is Food Service Manager and just general room service may not know if it is allowed.