Packing (Plastic) Bottles of Water

[SantaAna,CA]

I saw a cruiser mention something about bringing bottled water on the ship. I assume you would probably have to pay (outrageous) prices for bottled water when you are cruising, since it doesn't look like it's included. I do tend to drink alot of water, what does anyone think about it? Do they allow it, bringing your own I mean? And does anyone know the typical charge for a coke or a bottle of water, this is only my second cruise. Thanks.

[dakrewser]

You can bring water, no problem. But the tap water on the ship will most likely be purer than that in the bottle you carry on.

[ruthiegirl]

The large bottle of water in our refrigerator in our cabin, we were on the Westerdam, was $2.50. You can bring as much bottled water that you can carry aboard ship, only thing they weigh a ton. I drank their water, it seemed alright to me.

[jaguarstyper]

I agree with the others, the water right from the spigot tasted way better than the water I drink everyday here at home. What did we drink 10 years ago, before bottled water? :confused: I pretty much only drank scotch, but what about the rest of you?

Tim

[gaylenhazel]

We had 2 cases of water we just slapped a luggage tag on and sent with our luggage at the pier. They have extra tags and were happy to do it. They didn't limit us on how many "pieces" of luggage we could have. It was nice to have our own bottled water.

[jhannah]

I agree with Dave. The ship's water goes through a reverse osmosis process. We have an R/O system in our home for drinking water, so that's what I'm used to. Never had any bad taste or qualms about the ship's water. It doesn't seem worth it to lug that much weight onboard when there's no real problem with the ship's water, IMO.

[Ziggy7]

I agree with Dave. The ship's water goes through a reverse osmosis process. We have an R/O system in our home for drinking water, so that's what I'm used to. Never had any bad taste or qualms about the ship's water. It doesn't seem worth it to lug that much weight onboard when there's no real problem with the ship's water, IMO.I too agree, I actually thought it tasted better than the bottled water , also my crystal lite tasted so much better, and had to becareful, it also tasted stronger so more water had to be added, which meant the water was tasteless as it should be :)

[wendyparmer]

My husband owns a bottled water distributorship and we always carry a case or two with us. Even on the airplanes. They will tag them just like luggage and it is so convenient. Especially when you go to the ports. We carry a bottle off the ship each port and do not have to buy any when they are selling it by the gangway. We went with a large group (40 people) on our last cruise, and they all thought we were very smart bringing our own since they had to pay $3.50 - $4.00 each bottle.

[ron46936]

It's interesting the number of people who think that bottled water is "purer" than tap water. The water on the ship has to conform to much stricter standards. On some of the older ships the purifying chemicals did sometimes leave a unpleasant taste. We used to carry a small Brita filter unit to improve the taste, but the water on the newer ships tastes just fine.

I do only drink bottled water when staying at hotels in Mexico.

[cruzincurt]

Bottled spring water is usually hard and full of calicum since it's pumped from the ground. Great for those kidney stones. Processed water like Aqufina comes from the canned beverage plant and is soft. Costs more than gasoline.

I would guess that ships water produced through RO is also soft. I'll have to take my test stips next cruise.

[TinaLee]

The only reason to bring bottled water onto the ship, in my opinion, is so that you'll have the bottles to carry back off with you in the ports. While on the ship, the water is fine. They R/O and purify the stuff until it is, well... tasteless!! LOL! and isn't that the whole point?

We usually bring our mugs with us to fill with ice and water while we're out on the deck in the sun (to fill the breaks between the umbrella drinks) and then we bring a 16 oz bottle with the sport top for each of us to fill and take off the ship in ports. We just refill them on the ship before each stop. The whole luggage/water/soda/wine thing gets totally out of hand weight-wise after a while.

TinaLee

[pboedeker]

We've taken a case of Dasani water with us, because my husband is addicted to it! However; be advised --

Next time I'll use packing tape and completely wrap the case of bottled waters I'm checking, so that the porters don't help themselves to 1/2 of the water. Pretty crappy to get the remaining bottles delivered to my cabin with the shredded packing!

[sail7seas]

I agree with those who are very pleased with the taste and purity of the ship's water.


Most of us have seen the various exposes showing laboratory analysis of bottled water and it is shocking the impurities present in those expensive bottles many folks buy.

We buy a bottle or two so that we will have the 'empty' to refill from the ships tap to bring ashore with us.

Way to much bother to lug cases of water to a ship that provides more pure water than the vast majority of what is being carted aboard. IMO :)

[cvillehf]

I found that taking one of those water bottles that has a filter in it worked great for carrying water with you when in port. I would fill it with the crushed ice on lido deck and I'd have cool water all day

[dakrewser]

We've taken a case of Dasani water with us, because my husband is addicted to it! However; be advised --

Next time I'll use packing tape and completely wrap the case of bottled waters I'm checking, so that the porters don't help themselves to 1/2 of the water. Pretty crappy to get the remaining bottles delivered to my cabin with the shredded packing!

I can't imagine porters stealing bottled water - there's so much more "interesting" stuff to take! Isn't it more likely that the packaging was breached and some bottles broken?

[sail7seas]

Of all the things a porter (stevedore) would 'help themselves to', I find it hard to believe they drank a pax water. I would be far more apt to think the packaging was not as sturdy as it should have been for the rough handling all cargo/baggage gets.


Sorry you lost some water......but I hate for you to ASSUME it was stolen by anyone. That's a rough charge IMO

[sbgood]

We had very BAD water on the Galaxy. I'm not talking about in the dining room, which had good water, but the water that the room steward gave us in the silver water container, it smelled like cigarette smoke, it made me gag. We later thought that maybe the steward just never changed the water from the previous cruisers. That was our third cruise, and the first time we had that problem.

[sail7seas]

We use water right from the tap on HAL ships and have never had any displeasure from it at all.

[sandij]

I aways pack a couple empty bottles to fill on the ship for shore excursions. The ships water taste fine.

[cruzincurt]

I use the water from the tap, not from a container that probably never gets cleaned. I also don't use ice from ice machines anywhere, but hopefully the ship takes better care of the inside of the ice machine than the local 7-Eleven.

People say they don't drink the ship's water, where do they think the ice tea, coffee and ice comes from?

The up side of people packing water is that when they break in the luggage bin the rest of us just get wet clothes, can't say the same for people that pack booze in plastic bottles in their luggage.

[Stevesan]

I also don't use ice from ice machines anywhere, but hopefully the ship takes better care of the inside of the ice machine than the local 7-Eleven.


We have a local curmudgoen of a TV personality who does restaurant "sanitation" reports (it's Marvin Zindler, the guy who had to travel from Houston to LaGrange to find a "house of ill repute").

Your comment recalls his battle cry: "Sliiiiime in the ice machine!"

[zdude]

You can bring water, no problem. But the tap water on the ship will most likely be purer than that in the bottle you carry on.

I have heard that RO is used on ship, but with all of the possibilities for contamination on board a ship, it is very unlikely that onboard water is as pure as San Pallegrino. Sure all water may have impurities, but the possibilities of those impurities leading to a health issue are far greater on a ship than in a quality bottling process. I'd much rather drink direct from a bottle of SP than from a bathroom tap/ship sanitized glass, ice from the maker...

With that said, I will probably still drink the tap water, but I will not try to say it is more pure.

[dakrewser]

I have heard that RO is used on ship, but with all of the possibilities for contamination on board a ship, it is very unlikely that onboard water is as pure as San Pallegrino.

Believe what you want, I'll believe the reports from the sanitation inspectors that the on-board tap water is better than 99% of bottled waters.

[sail7seas]

Wouldn't it be great if all of the bottled beverages we buy (most particularly water) were tested as often and as stringently as the potable water aboard a cruiseship!


The USPH Inspections are incredibly detailed and rigid. I wonder how many hospitals or hotels could meet the standards cruiseships are expected (required) to meet.

Most of us would agree that U.S. standards for products to be consumed by humans are higher than most places in the world. Who knows what standards foreign countries place upon water bottlers???

[Majika]

We bring 2 large water bottles with us and when they are empty we refill them with tap water from the ship. I've never had bad tasting water on any ship we have been on so far. Last year, boarding the Carnival Triumph I had my 2 water bottles on the outside of my rolling backpack. One bottle was sealed and one had a few sips out of it, needless to say security took my open bottle but left me the closed one. Why they took it I really dont know, perhaps it looks too much like vodka, rum or tequila. So if you are thinking along those lines, put your 'water bottle' inside your carry-on.

[zdude]

Believe what you want, I'll believe the reports from the sanitation inspectors that the on-board tap water is better than 99% of bottled waters.

Reverse osmosis will remove impurities and large stuff, but it cannot avoid contamination after the process. Because of this the ship must add something, i.e. chlorine. I do not know of a bottled water that I have purchased that contains chorine. Therefore I would consider this a bad thing and in fact much less pure than bottled. I do not believe that the statements of these inspectors is accurate because of this. If course the inspectors might be jaded into thinking that chlorine makes water pure. It doesn't it kills bad suff, but definitely makes the water much more impure.

Add to this that the ship likely does not always make their own water, sometimes they get it elsewhere and then they rely on the sanitation of the locale, again they will likely do some purification and addition of chlorine.

I have read a bit here and a bit on other sites. I have not been able to find a place where you can get reports on the sanitation of ships, but I thought that that health services was supposed to supply these to the public. Any idea?

[Rosarymb]

The CDC has a report called VSIR-- Vessel Sanitation Inspection Report. They check 4 main areas of interest: water, food prep, food storage, and general maint/repair. A score of 86 is passing. The website is http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/vsp/default.htm; of particular interest is the variance reports, which are listed by cruise line; it's interesting what some lines don't want checked. Another good section is http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/vsp/surv/GIlist.htm, which is the list of ships with confirmed GI illness (norovirus or otherwise). They give percentage illness, divided by crew and pax. For example, during the Veendam's Jan 15th cruise, 17.8% of the pax and 6% of the crew were sick.

[Himself]

I drink a lot of bottled water. I do not bring it on ship but will buy a bottle or two if I am going ashore. I think it costs a couple of bucks a bottle. I have found the water on the ship to be very safe. I dirink a lot of the ship water.
I have found it to be the best water I have ever had.

Himself

[sail7seas]

We have wonderful water in our community at home. Hugely expensive new water treatment plant/miles of new pipes etc. We are used to Good water.

We have never had any complaint at all with HAL's water. It's Good IMO

[dakrewser]

Reverse osmosis will remove impurities and large stuff, but it cannot avoid contamination after the process.

I'm not sure how you envision the process (it's a closed system, more so than your municipal water supply), but it's no more open to contamination than any water bottling plant. Nor have you been able to cite any evidence for your suppositions (while others keep pointing you towards official reports). So, as I said, believe what you want.

-dave
"Thank you. We're all refreshed and challenged by your unique point of view."

[ekerr19]

I drink a lot of bottled water. I do not bring it on ship but will buy a bottle or two if I am going ashore. I think it costs a couple of bucks a bottle. I have found the water on the ship to be very safe. I dirink a lot of the ship water.
I have found it to be the best water I have ever had.

Himself

The voice of reason... thank you. Bottled water on board is a couple of bucks a bottle. Why in the world would anyone haul the stuff onto the ship?? We drink the ships tap water too - never had a problem.

This thread is pretty funny, IMO - oh, and by the way - San Pellegrino is sparkling mineral water, not even close to tap water - but it is also sold on board. If you are expecting San Pellegrino from your tap, you will be disappointed. :)

[zdude]

I'm not sure how you envision the process (it's a closed system, more so than your municipal water supply), but it's no more open to contamination than any water bottling plant. Nor have you been able to cite any evidence for your suppositions (while others keep pointing you towards official reports). So, as I said, believe what you want.

-dave
"Thank you. We're all refreshed and challenged by your unique point of view."



Thank you for the complement Dave. Too bad though that it is so unique.

The link below states very clearly that the water is chlorinated or brominate to "AT LEAST" 2 ppm.

http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/vsp/Archives/checklis.htm

I am not saying it is unsafe. I said that in my very first post. in fact it is very likely safe for many people.

It is not however pure water. Pure water is... H2O. The water on a cruise ship is most definitely NOT pure H20.

Typically bottled water is H20, at least the ones I buy are, at the very most they are H20 and trrace minerals which are good for you in general. Sure there are the occasionally off brands that either have had issues or problems, but this is relatively uncommon. However it is COMMON, if not REQUIRED for cruise ships to chlorinate or brominate. Therefore it is a pretty easy argument that the water on board is not pure.

Safe? Sure, but not pure. Frankly chlorine also makes be sick so argueably to me it is not safe.

[SantaAna,CA]

You guys are great. Thank you for saving me the trouble of hauling water bottles around with me *smile*!

Jane

[pboedeker]

We're pretty confident that our Dasani bottles were taken out of the packaging by someone (between the porters at the pier and the cabin stewart who delivered the remains to our cabin), not an unfortunate accident. Seems upon investigating the damage to the package...the torn wrapper was punctured just enough for someone to squeeze their hand in and pull a bottle out of the package. The bottles were too big to just fall out of a hole that size. Thus the verdict that they were taken out, not fell out. Just MHO!

[DDawson]

I never knew that the ships water was suppose to be so pure. This is great news.

But then why do I have problems with the taste? And it seems that the longer the cruise goes on, the worse the water tastes. I can start out a cruise with only one lemon in my water at dinner. By the end of the cruise I'm using much more lemon.

I dont' drink the tap water at home. Some local restaurants have horrible water and some have great water.

I've been on at least 7 different ships on 4 different cruise lines. Is it just me?

[dakrewser]

I never knew that the ships water was suppose to be so pure. This is great news.

But then why do I have problems with the taste? And it seems that the longer the cruise goes on, the worse the water tastes. I can start out a cruise with only one lemon in my water at dinner. By the end of the cruise I'm using much more lemon.

I dont' drink the tap water at home. Some local restaurants have horrible water and some have great water.

I've been on at least 7 different ships on 4 different cruise lines. Is it just me?

The ship is constantly "making" new water - it's not loaded in a tank on the first day, or anything like that. (disclaimer: this does happen in certain itineraries where the water is really bad, such as the Amazon). So I'm not sure why you seem to notice a difference along the way.

[ekerr19]

We're pretty confident that our Dasani bottles were taken out of the packaging by someone (between the porters at the pier and the cabin stewart who delivered the remains to our cabin), not an unfortunate accident. Seems upon investigating the damage to the package...the torn wrapper was punctured just enough for someone to squeeze their hand in and pull a bottle out of the package. The bottles were too big to just fall out of a hole that size. Thus the verdict that they were taken out, not fell out. Just MHO!

OMG! Now I'm really LOTFLOL!!! Were you awarded "damages" along with your "verdict"???? This is too funny.

[dakrewser]

OMG! Now I'm really LOTFLOL!!! Were you awarded "damages" along with your "verdict"???? This is too funny.


Maybe the stevadores thought it was vodka that was being smuggled aboard!

[HeatherInFlorida]

I don't know how I've gotten this far into my life alive. It's really amazing. In the U.S. I drink tap water everywhere I go. I drink the water out of the tap on all ships I've been on. I drink the iced tea and the lemonade. I use many many ice cubes to chill my drinks.

I must be healthy as a horse ... "strong like bull" as my father used to say. Either that or putting myself in the face of danger all these many years may have built up an immune system that is simply impenetrable.

Why anyone would haul all that water on any trip/cruise/airline is absolutely beyond my comprehension. Careful is one thing. Obsessive cumpulsive is quite another.

[ekerr19]

Maybe the stevadores thought it was vodka that was being smuggled aboard!

No wait - It might be the glued back together with Elmer's glue mouthwash bottles! LOL!!! Oh, no - on second thought... no food coloring! Drat! :eek:

[ekerr19]

Careful is one thing. Obsessive cumpulsive is quite another.

LOL! How true. :D

[RuthC]

But then why do I have problems with the taste? And it seems that the longer the cruise goes on, the worse the water tastes. I can start out a cruise with only one lemon in my water at dinner. By the end of the cruise I'm using much more lemon.
Maybe the lemons are going bad? :confused:

[HeatherInFlorida]

Maybe the lemons are going bad? :confused:

Ruth! LOL! Everyone is HOT today! So funny ... TRDMF

[dakrewser]

Maybe the lemons are going bad? :confused:

Darn, Ruth - I'd just put in the new keyboard and you do this. Poof! Coffee all over another one! I'm gonna have to get one of those plastic covers for it.....:rolleyes:

[pboedeker]

OMG! Now I'm really LOTFLOL!!! Were you awarded "damages" along with your "verdict"???? This is too funny.


What does LOTFLOL mean? No damages awarded. Were we supposed to report this so someone? We just figured...they needed a drink?

[HeatherInFlorida]

I think EKerr meant ROTFLOL and her finger simply hit the wrong key. Don't want to speak for her, though ... just a guess.

[Ziggy7]

laying on the floor laughing out loud ?????

[HeatherInFlorida]

Ziggy! I'll bet you're right! Never thought of that. I usually think "rolling on the floor..." but I guess you could just lay there and laugh:D

[GA girl]

This has been a great thread - never knew so many could be so particular about water! I have wonderful water at home from our own deep well, but when away will drink whatever is offered as long as it's wet. And have drunk water throughout the Abacos, Exumas and Caribbean - from small RO units, cisterns, whatever. I'm with you Heather - we have to let our immune systems do their job.

[Ziggy7]

Ziggy! I'll bet you're right! Never thought of that. I usually think "rolling on the floor..." but I guess you could just lay there and laugh:Dhahaha that was the first hing that poped into my mind when I read it but we wont know for sure till she answers hehehehe :)

[ekerr19]

Ziggy & Heather -

HA! You got me - with this nasty cough I can't seem to shake I am laying on the floor, coughing and laughing out loud! But I forgot the coughing part...

Although, I guess someone didn't like my response... ;)

[Ziggy7]

Ziggy & Heather -

HA! You got me - with this nasty cough I can't seem to shake I am laying on the floor, coughing and laughing out loud! But I forgot the coughing part...

Although, I guess someone didn't like my response... ;)Ahhh so you were laying on the floor coughing and laughing out loud! LOTHCALOL! :)

[ekerr19]

Ahhh so you were laying on the floor coughing and laughing out loud! LOTHCALOL! :)

No ziggy - it's still not right -LOL!

LOTFCALOL!!!!!

Of course I could have been "laying on the hardwoodfloor, coughing and laughing out loud!"

[HeatherInFlorida]

You're both crazy. I've emailed each of you a giggle. EKerr, hope you're home ... didn't dare send it to your office.

Actually I like LOTHCALOL ... you can actually say it:D

[ekerr19]

You're both crazy. I've emailed each of you a giggle. EKerr, hope you're home ... didn't dare send it to your office.

Actually I like LOTHCALOL ... you can actually say it:D

I am in the office, regrettably. :(

Leaving soon for the doctor's office - but had to pick up some documents...