Replacing personal items on board

[luxurysailer]

We've been on fourteen cruises, and I don't know whether or not personal supplies (toothpaste, mouthwash, shaving lather, etc) can be purchased on board the ship. I assume the answer is yes, but the need has never arisen for either the DW or me. I would appreciate a response from those of you who know the definitive answer to this question.

[Randyk47]

We've been on fourteen cruises, and I don't know whether or not personal supplies (toothpaste, mouthwash, shaving lather, etc) can be purchased on board the ship. I assume the answer is yes, but the need has never arisen for either the DW or me. I would appreciate a response from those of you who know the definitive answer to this question.

They may not have every brand or your particular brand of personal item but they do have the basics. We're pretty good about our packing and don't often leave stuff home but I have run out of shaving cream and I think Mrs. K forgot her toothpaste....and didn't like mine.....so we have had to buy an item or two over the years. :)

[eh2zed]

Available but not cheap of course. After all you are in the middle of the ocean. Or you can buy at a port.

[catl331]

Certainly you will not find your favorite brands. I remember a small area near/or in the liquor shop with toiletries. I had to replace a toothbrush and learned the hard way to bring an extra one! I bought the last one they had too.

[luxurysailer]

Thanks, I felt sure that was the case but just wanted to be sure. Due to my recent surgery, we're probably going to have to lighten up insofar as our carry-ons are concerned for our upcoming Alaska cruise on the Amsterdam. The DW may be more receptive to this possibility if she is assured she can replenish anything that runs out.

Oh yes, eh2zed, the answer to your question at the bottom of your response is a definite "yes."

[Johanna7]

I had to replace my hair spray on the Rotterdam as customs had confiscated it. The same brand (only one available) that cost me $1.00 at the Dollar Tree store in Ft. Lauderdale cost $4.99 on board.

Yes, you can replace things but it will be a lot more expensive. If going to Alaska, you may be able to find things cheaper on shore.

[esther e]

If you go to Target you can find small samples of almost everything. It's easier to bring a few tubes of sample toothpaste rather than a regular size. Also, deodorant, hairspray, etc. It's worth checking out.

[HamburgAvonLady]

Thanks, I felt sure that was the case but just wanted to be sure. Due to my recent surgery, we're probably going to have to lighten up insofar as our carry-ons are concerned for our upcoming Alaska cruise on the Amsterdam. The DW may be more receptive to this possibility if she is assured she can replenish anything that runs out.

Oh yes, eh2zed, the answer to your question at the bottom of your response is a definite "yes."

Just remember to ask for "assistance" from the cruise line and airlines.
My DH has walking problems so we always ask for wheelchair assistance and I can then put my carryon bags on his lap. If you are
flying into the departure port a day or two early --- plan a stop at a
Walmart or similiar to get your travel essentials.

[Jazmyn49]

If you run out of shave cream, hair conditioner works great!

[we're sailing away....]

Thay have meny things just don't be pickey

[Krazy Kruizers]

Remember that on the airplanes -- you can only take 3 ounce containers -- and they must all fit into a quart size Zip lock bag -- one per person.

[Krazy Kruizers]

If you are flying into Seattle a day or two early -- you can buy some items there -- regular size -- your brand, etc.

[sail7seas]

You can't find very many personal things for sale, the prices are high and they aren't restocked very often.

If you need some things, it is likely you can find a suitable product in port.

[eh2zed]

Thanks, I felt sure that was the case but just wanted to be sure. Due to my recent surgery, we're probably going to have to lighten up insofar as our carry-ons are concerned for our upcoming Alaska cruise on the Amsterdam. The DW may be more receptive to this possibility if she is assured she can replenish anything that runs out.

Oh yes, eh2zed, the answer to your question at the bottom of your response is a definite "yes."
Luxurysailer, isn't it the truth though.

[sail7seas]

I had to replace my hair spray on the Rotterdam as customs had confiscated it. The same brand (only one available) that cost me $1.00 at the Dollar Tree store in Ft. Lauderdale cost $4.99 on board.

Yes, you can replace things but it will be a lot more expensive. If going to Alaska, you may be able to find things cheaper on shore.


Why did "CUSTOMS" confiscate your hairspray? :confused:

[ANSalberg]

The answer is YES you can purchase on board a few of the basics

What my DH and I do is make a list before leaving home. Normally we sail from Seattle [Asia/Australia or Ft Lauderdale [Europe] and the cruises are longish AND in foreign ports. So "Sample size" isn't applicable nor are "our" brands available. Both major cities have good supermarkets near the hotels we frequent and flying in a day early lets us shop easily/and hit a book store.
Getting your purchases on board isn't a problem & we pack an old HAL bag to carry our purchases[canvas ]
"Sail7Seas" we had a 4 ounce CLEAR container of Colgate GREEN toothpaste confiscated by TSA.....THAT led up to the list and LATER purchases for 2 month cruises! I wondered what it was about 4 ounces/GREEN sparkles MINTY that was so "suspicious". The halfwit that confiscated it said "It's 4 ounces - you need 3" ........??????

[sail7seas]

Confiscation by TSA is not unusual.

I was curious about the Poster saying CUSTOMS confiscated the hairspray. I can't figure that out.

[3rdGenCunarder]

Confiscation by TSA is not unusual.

I was curious about the Poster saying CUSTOMS confiscated the hairspray. I can't figure that out.



I think "customs" is a generic term people use for officials at ports and airports.

ANSalberg, yup, three ounces is the limit for each item in carryon, and they must all fit into a quart ziplock bag. If it's a 4 ounce tube of toothpaste and you have obviously squeezed out more than half, it doesn't matter. If the container is more than 3 ounces, it's a no-go.

You may take toothpaste, shampoo, etc in your checked luggage, and those may be larger containers. I double zipbag anthing like that if it goes into checked luggage.

[Johanna7]

Confiscation by TSA is not unusual.

I was curious about the Poster saying CUSTOMS confiscated the hairspray. I can't figure that out.



As we were flying from Toronto to Amsterdam and the ship departed from Rotterdam, I suspect it was the customs people here or in Amsterdam.

[sail7seas]

Custom's opened your bag and removed something without you present?

Wow.........

[fleckle]

This is the first time I have ever heard of customs anywhere confiscating hairspray. Was there something unusual about the circumstances involved?

Has anyone else ever had hairspray confiscated by customs of any country?
I wonder if they may have had reason to believe that the contents were something other than hairspray.

[fleckle]

Thanks, I felt sure that was the case but just wanted to be sure. Due to my recent surgery, we're probably going to have to lighten up insofar as our carry-ons are concerned for our upcoming Alaska cruise on the Amsterdam. The DW may be more receptive to this possibility if she is assured she can replenish anything that runs out.
An Alaska cruise is nothing at all like traveling in a 3rd world country. You will be stopping at Alaska ports where you can pick up pretty much anything you want.

For example, at Ketchikan there is a large Tongass general store right on the dock, a drugstore directly across the street, and a free shuttle to a nearby Walmart. Hope this helps to give your wife whatever reassurance she may need.

[Jemima]

Don't count on the ship shops having any needed basic items. The time we needed a toothbrush, they were out. We now always pack an extra one.

[azalice]

The TSA says liquids, gels, need to be 3.4 oz. or less (or 100 ml or less in volume). I see some of the small items in WalMart, etc. coming at 4 oz. and wonder why they don't size it as TSA insists.

[luxurysailer]

I appreciate all the responses and suggestions. I doubt I'll personally need anything, since I am very anal when it comes to packing.

[cdkempton]

LuxurySailor, Come on over to the Roll Call and join the group for our meet & greet.
4 weeks to go. Yea! :D

[English_in_Spain]

All ships just stock the very basics and not a very good selection.

I have always thought that ships would do well to have a small drug store with a selection of personal/basic items at reasonable prices. If people knew these things were available onboard I think they would buy quite a lot of things - possibly more than some of the things currently in the shops.

Whenever we cruise, we always buy all our toiletries etc at the departure port. I would definitely pay a bit more to buy things as I go onboard.

With a TA cruise or any other cruise with lots of sea days you are a bit stuck if you run out of some essentials.

[Bippie]

On my recent Eurodam cruise, I needed something for a cough and we were on a sea day so I had to use the ship's store. A stick of Hall's cherry cough drops was $4.99 and a bottle of Vick's DM cough syrup was something like $17.99.

They had a number of items but only one brand of any item (such as just one brand of toothpaste). Very similar to a small space of similar items at a hotel gift shop. You might have to ask where to find these items - they are not front and center. I suspect the more prominent spaces are reserved for items with an even higher profit margin.

As you can see, the prices are sky high. I know this doesn't bother some people but I hate to pay prices like that. Only you can decide for yourself if the convienence is worth the price.

[3rdGenCunarder]

As we were flying from Toronto to Amsterdam and the ship departed from Rotterdam, I suspect it was the customs people here or in Amsterdam.

Was the hairspray taken out of your checked luggage? Was it an aerosol can? I don't know about rules for Canada or Holland, but our TSA says no aerosols in checked or carry on "except for personal care or toiletries in limited quantities." Maybe "limited quantities" means travel size?

Was any note left in your bag? We've had checked bags opened for a routine search and a note was placed in the bag stating this. Nothing was ever removed.

Another option for buying personal items if you're flying is a drug store at the airport. Also inflated prices, but a better selection than on board.

[Johanna7]

Was the hairspray taken out of your checked luggage? Was it an aerosol can? I don't know about rules for Canada or Holland, but our TSA says no aerosols in checked or carry on "except for personal care or toiletries in limited quantities." Maybe "limited quantities" means travel size?

Was any note left in your bag? We've had checked bags opened for a routine search and a note was placed in the bag stating this. Nothing was ever removed.

Another option for buying personal items if you're flying is a drug store at the airport. Also inflated prices, but a better selection than on board.

It was in a plastic pump bottle. The one I bought on board the Rotterdam ship made it home okay. Same place in the suitcase. No note was left. It was definitely in the checked baggage (29 inch suitcase).

[GeriatricNurse]

Was the hairspray taken out of your checked luggage? Was it an aerosol can? I don't know about rules for Canada or Holland, but our TSA says no aerosols in checked or carry on "except for personal care or toiletries in limited quantities." Maybe "limited quantities" means travel size?

Was any note left in your bag? We've had checked bags opened for a routine search and a note was placed in the bag stating this. Nothing was ever removed.

Another option for buying personal items if you're flying is a drug store at the airport. Also inflated prices, but a better selection than on board.

It was in a plastic pump bottle. The one I bought on board the Rotterdam ship made it home okay. Same place in the suitcase. No note was left. It was definitely in the checked baggage (29 inch suitcase).

Well, I would suggest that your hairspray was removed because it was not in an "original" container! Rather, I would assume, it was being transported in a generic, unlabelled container! ;) It is the same for medications! They are also to be packed/transported in their "original" labelled containers! :)

[3rdGenCunarder]

Well, I would suggest that your hairspray was removed because it was not in an "original" container! Rather, I would assume, it was being transported in a generic, unlabelled container! ;) It is the same for medications! They are also to be packed/transported in their "original" labelled containers! :)

Can you fill your own pump bottle with hairspray? You can buy some hairsprays in pump (non-aerosol bottles). If this was on original pump-spray bottle, I can't imagine why it was confiscated. Maybe the bag was opened and checked by security and the bottle fell out? I often wonder how much stuff gets lost that way.

[Joy2Day]

On my recent Eurodam cruise, I needed something for a cough and we were on a sea day so I had to use the ship's store. A stick of Hall's cherry cough drops was $4.99 and a bottle of Vick's DM cough syrup was something like $17.99.

They had a number of items but only one brand of any item (such as just one brand of toothpaste). Very similar to a small space of similar items at a hotel gift shop. You might have to ask where to find these items - they are not front and center. I suspect the more prominent spaces are reserved for items with an even higher profit margin.

As you can see, the prices are sky high. I know this doesn't bother some people but I hate to pay prices like that. Only you can decide for yourself if the convienence is worth the price.

We discovered that some OTC medications are also available from the Medical Center. Cough medicine was available, but I don't know the brand or price. Ibuprofen was cheaper from the medical center than from the ship store, while aspirin, 'Sea Calm' and generic Tylenol were free.

[NMLady]

If you go to Target you can find small samples of almost everything. It's easier to bring a few tubes of sample toothpaste rather than a regular size. Also, deodorant, hairspray, etc. It's worth checking out.

Before our cruises I buy small sizes of various items at
http://www.minimus.biz/ since the small sizes take up much less room.

[NMLady]

On my recent Eurodam cruise, I needed something for a cough and we were on a sea day so I had to use the ship's store. A stick of Hall's cherry cough drops was $4.99 and a bottle of Vick's DM cough syrup was something like $17.99. ... .

This is why, after our first cruise, I made our own first aid kit in a soft side shaving kit. I put in things like cold pills, cough drops, cough syrup, Imodium, Alka Seltzer, bandaids, ginger capsules, Bonine, Peptobismol, and other OTC items we might need. It has saved us time and major money over the years of cruising we've done.

[NMLady]

... It is the same for medications! They are also to be packed/transported in their "original" labelled containers! :)

Actually, meds do NOT have to be in their orginal labelled containers.
The TSA site even says that. I carry a printout of the TSA page with us if there is a question since hubby's meds are in daily packets in small baggies I purchase from the SciPlus site. We've never had a problem.
I do carry a copy of the Rx but we've never been asked about the meds.

Here's TSA reference:
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/specialneeds/editorial_1374.shtm#4

Scroll down to medications and you'll find these two sentences:

We do not require that your medications be labeled.

Medications in daily dosage containers are allowed through the checkpoint once they have been screened.

[fleckle]

Can you fill your own pump bottle with hairspray? You can buy some hairsprays in pump (non-aerosol bottles). If this was on original pump-spray bottle, I can't imagine why it was confiscated. Maybe the bag was opened and checked by security and the bottle fell out? I often wonder how much stuff gets lost that way.Yes. You can fill your own bottles and jars with hairspray, shampoo, lotions, creams, sunblock, mouthwash, insect repellent, cosmetics, or just about anything else that people take with them on trips.

We do it all the time to avoid needing to bring large, heavy bottles or jars on trips with more of any product than we will need. We transfer small amounts of the products to travel-sized bottles and jars. We also save small sample sizes of toothpaste and dental floss that we get from the dentist's office to take along on trips.

The products we will need in transit go with us in the TSA ziplock bag and the rest go in the checked luggage, inside double plastic bags to prevent worry about leaks.

Have been traveling like this for years and never had a problem or had anything confiscated. That is why I was wondering about someone's hairspray being confiscated by customs. Unless there was something unusual about it, it could be that someone just pulled it out during a routine inspection and forgot to put it back.

[GeriatricNurse]

Can you fill your own pump bottle with hairspray? You can buy some hairsprays in pump (non-aerosol bottles). If this was on original pump-spray bottle, I can't imagine why it was confiscated. Maybe the bag was opened and checked by security and the bottle fell out? I often wonder how much stuff gets lost that way.

I would guess no, you cannot fill your own pump bottle with hairspray! :)

[luxurysailer]

There have been several comments about TSA rules. However, we need to bear in mind that when traveling internationally, different rules may well apply in different countries.

I had some items confiscated by the Australian equivalent of TSA in Sydney about five or six years ago. The question was asked, "Do you have anything not in its original container?" An honest answer resulted in my contact lens solution and after shave lotion being confiscated, and one of our traveling companions had a couple of things confiscated.

I've never had any problem in the U.S. with items not being in their original containers, but I do label all such containers.

[kazu]

There have been several comments about TSA rules. However, we need to bear in mind that when traveling internationally, different rules may well apply in different countries.

I had some items confiscated by the Australian equivalent of TSA in Sydney about five or six years ago. The question was asked, "Do you have anything not in its original container?" An honest answer resulted in my contact lens solution and after shave lotion being confiscated, and one of our traveling companions had a couple of things confiscated.

I've never had any problem in the U.S. with items not being in their original containers, but I do label all such containers.

This is so very true. Very wise to keep that in mind when you are travelling internationally.

For example, in Canada, you must carry your medications in the original containers as Geriatric Nurse stated. liquids difficult to determine can be an issue if not in the original container.

Rules are not the same everywhere.;)

[fleckle]

It is always a good idea to check the requirements for any country to which you will be traveling, not only for allowable items but for possible visa requirements as well.

For flying in and out of the USA, we follow TSA regulations. "All liquids, gels and aerosols must be in 3.4 ounce (100ml) or smaller containers." There is no mention of any need for original containers. Canadian CATSA requirements are similar.

We have flown in and out of Canada numerous times throughout the past 10 years. None of our bottles or jars have ever been confiscated or even questioned, although none of them were the original containers.
Maybe it is because we have that sweet, innocent look about us. :):D

The only thing we ever had confiscated were some small manicure scissors one time when flying out of Vancouver several years ago. Nobody said a word about the hairspray, or any of the other bottles right there in plain sight.

[Raring to go]

I have several 3 oz. bottles, including one that is a spray bottle, that I bought at Waltmart. There is a sticker on each bottle that states that it is 3 oz. and meets TSA requirements. I always put my hairspray, shampoo, toner, etc. in these bottles, and put them in the plastic bag that TSA mandates. I have never had anything removed, or even looked at.

[Watson's aunt]

remember to leave all that stuff behind. I never bring all those dollar size items home.


Mary