Carrying on Soda/Water

[luvsvacations]

How do you carry on soda and water - we will go to the store the night before but do you just shove it in the suitcase ??

[luvsvacations]

After you have purchased your carryon beverages - do you just stuff then into your suitcases or is there a better idea ?? Thanks

[jkrislc]

Prior to our Alaska cruise on the Oosterdam, we purchased some Diet Pepsi as my wife prefers it to Coke products. In our case, we made room in our carry-on since we didn't take much with us. As for water, we've never felt the need to carry it on.

Since our next cruise leaves from our home port, I will probably have a dedicated carry-on bag for soda and wine. I've heard others have checked their sodas and water, but I personally wouldn't risk it. Someone did that on a Disney cruise I was on and several of the large two gallon container was damaged and leaking as a result.

[Krazy Kruizers]

The water on the ships is way better than the water we have coming through our taps -- so I would never buy water to take onto a ship.

Soda -- you don't even have to put it in a carry-on. If you have a heavy duty storage bag -- just put it in there and put it through the xray machine -- no problems.

[BumperII]

We also carry on products other than coke. We stop at the Winn Dixie in FLL and pick up a twelve pack of our favorite beverage in plastic bottles shrink wrapped in plastic. We pack these in a flexible Tote's bag along with jackets and clothing we don't need for the next couple of hours. Then we simply have it carried aboard as checked luggage. The plastic containers work just fine. Two liter bottles also work fine.

Don't try this stunt with alumium cans. They rupture much more easily than plastic bottles.

[Randyk47]

I can kind of understand hauling a special soda or wine on a ship but hauling water is just too much of a hassle in my book. I imagine if we could drive to a port and not have to find a shop near our pre-cruise hotel we might feel differently.

[1cruiselvr]

We have gone to the store and purchased a shrink wrapped case prior to boarding. We tape our name and room # on it and give it to the porters like it's luggage. We've never had a problem with it not arriving to our cabin or breakage. If you don't want that much water, then your other option is to carry it on. Happy Sailing!

[luvsvacations]

Thanks - I didnt realize you could just have it wrapped and put your name on it - I also like the idea of packing a nylon bag and then just filling it and carrying it on - or tag it like luggage.

Thanks

[boccismom]

We just strap a couple of 12-packs of Diet Pepsi to a wheeled luggage cart (meant for just this purpose) and take it on as carry-on.

The only people who have ever questioned it are other passengers who have never thought to do the same.

[lvz2cruz]

We checked it in FLL and the 12 packs of soda cans arrived with our luggage.
In NY, it was not delivered with our luggage. Our room steward asked if we had gotten all our bags and we said our 3 12 packs of soda had not come yet. He looked around and came with them--all opened with 3-6 cans missing from each.
This time when we go out of NY we will carry them on ourself. We have a wheeled backpack and will put them in there. When we cruise out of FLL we will tag and check them. I think some ports are not so gentle with our bags as I would like.

[1cruiselvr]

We checked it in FLL and the 12 packs of soda cans arrived with our luggage.
In NY, it was not delivered with our luggage. Our room steward asked if we had gotten all our bags and we said our 3 12 packs of soda had not come yet. He looked around and came with them--all opened with 3-6 cans missing from each.
This time when we go out of NY we will carry them on ourself. We have a wheeled backpack and will put them in there. When we cruise out of FLL we will tag and check them. I think some ports are not so gentle with our bags as I would like.

Sounds like a porter or 2 got thirsty. :D

[RonJoan]

After you have purchased your carryon beverages - do you just stuff then into your suitcases or is there a better idea ?? Thanks

For those who buy them by the case (and many do for the longer cruises) just slap a luggage tag on the case and drop it at the embarkation pier with all the other luggage. It will be delivered to your room. For smaller quantities other methods are used.

RonJoan

[kazu]

We 'carry ours on' usually through a rolling carry on or thanks to another cc'er a great thing that can wheel the stuff on board if need be :)

I have seen lots of people slap luggage tags on, but for whatever reason, I'm not comfortable with that. And since we can pick up most of what we need at most ports, we just bring what we need :D

[Sandi3667]

I taped a copy of our luggage tags onto a 12-pack of Diet Pepsi, and checked it with my other luggage. It made it to the room with the rest of our luggage, and I could enjoy my preferred beverage throughout our cruise.

[CruiserBruce]

There is really no reason to bring on water. Water is free on board, and healthwise, and for taste, is about the best water you will ever use.

[SAN415]

My drink of choice is La Croix carbonated water. I bring a case with me, It comes in cans like soda. I also bring a case of the root beer soda that my husband must have. And also one of the box wines. I put them into an "Aldi" cloth shopping bag. I twister tie the top handles together and slap a room tag on it and it gets into our cabin by the porters, no problem.

The last cruise I just left the Aldi bag in the trash can folded up. One of the porters took it out and set it next to the trash, between the desk and the waste basket. In case I put it in there in error. So when I saw them I told them I didn't have room in my suitcase to take it home. He smiled and said okay and tucked it under his arm. So some things we leave as customers they do find a use for.

[vbmom87]

I brought a small roll of clear packing tape with me and taped luggage tags onto the cases/bags of beverages. Dropped them off at the pier with our luggage and didn't see them again until they arrived in our cabin. Very convenient!!!!

[Wakepatrol]

All of these replies sound more like a camping trip than a cruise.
I guess i'll just slap a luggage tag on my vat of Gold Bond powder as well.

[luvsvacations]

Thank you for the suggestions - had no idea I could just put a luggage tag on it!

[jpver]

Carry water and soda. Jezus! I will never do do that!!! The only thing I take on board is water which Jezus has changed into wine!

Note that on HAL you are allowed to take wine and champagne on loard for your use in the cabins only of course. If you want to take it to the restaurant they will charge you a "crocage fee".. and then it is better to order a wine in the restaurant.

[gigi425]

When you said water is free on board, do you mean bottled water? Or tap water?

[vbmom87]

When you said water is free on board, do you mean bottled water? Or tap water?

Tap water.

[sargemrs]

Our recent cruise we fully meant to drink the "tap" water. After the first glass or two, I couldn't handle the chlorine taste. Just too strong. On our first port, we stocked up on bottled water and drank every one onboard. I didn't notice it in the tea and coffee but just plain it was bad, sorry!http://boards.cruisecritic.com/images/icons/icon11.gif

[vbmom87]

Our recent cruise we fully meant to drink the "tap" water. After the first glass or two, I couldn't handle the chlorine taste. Just too strong. On our first port, we stocked up on bottled water and drank every one onboard. I didn't notice it in the tea and coffee but just plain it was bad, sorry!http://boards.cruisecritic.com/images/icons/icon11.gif

I usually detect chlorine which is why we have a water filter at home. However, I have to say on the three ships we have cruised on, we did not notice any taste to the tap water on the HAL ships. On the NCL ship the tap water in our bathroom seemed to have a taste, but not the water in the dining venues.

Although we did not bring water on board, I did want to. I am one of those worry worts who likes to be prepared for any and all emergencies. In the end we didn't bother and fortunately had no emergencies. ;)

[vbmom87]

All of these replies sound more like a camping trip than a cruise.


Perhaps because I am a camper. I think in people who bother to do this it is usually because of budget.

[sportsmum]

Or, instead of budget, we prefer Pepsi over Coke enough to take a little extra trouble to bring it along! It's also very nice to come back after tiring shore trips to a cold drink on the balcony without having to find a bar and/or waiter.

I duct tape a couple of cases together and slap a tag on it. Best tip I ever picked up!

[RuthC]

Our recent cruise we fully meant to drink the "tap" water. After the first glass or two, I couldn't handle the chlorine taste. Just too strong.
That was on a HAL ship? I'm shocked, as I have never tasted anything but fresh, clean water straight from the HAL tap.

[sargemrs]

Yes, it was Oosterdam in Alaska, Aug. 28th cruise! I was psyched up to drink only the ship's water, as per board comments, but couldn't. Even in the MDR, I began taking my bottled water to fill my water glass. I hated doing it, as it was trouble for me, but due to a health condition, I HAVE to drink lots of water, and there's NO WAY I could have drank the ship's water, as bad as I wanted to. But I certainly tried! :rolleyes:

[Sandi3667]

Sorry you had a bad experience with the water. I lost track of how many gallons of the Oosterdam's water I drank on our May cruise (and I'm normally not a big water drinker).

[vbmom87]

Or, instead of budget, we prefer Pepsi over Coke enough to take a little extra trouble to bring it along! It's also very nice to come back after tiring shore trips to a cold drink on the balcony without having to find a bar and/or waiter.!

Yes, this true too. I try to avoid soda with high fructose corn syrup, so I purchased my Pepsi Throwback in Seattle. So, I avoided the high fructose corn syrup and saved money.

[kfrost72]

Is there a limit to how much wine you can bring on board? I'm really picky on my wine and where it comes from. I'd rather bring my own and pay the corking fee than the one their offer.

Also, is there any way to get particular alcohol? I saw that you can buy a bottle of alcohol through their "Indulgences", but my husband can not have gluten and the bottles offered he either can not have or does not like.

[RuthC]

Is there a limit to how much wine you can bring on board?
No limit on the amount of wine or champagne, soda, or water. That's true both at embarkation and every port.

[7timecruiser]

My DH doesn't drink wine and his liquor intake is rare... is he stuck with buying beer on board?

[RuthC]

My DH doesn't drink wine and his liquor intake is rare... is he stuck with buying beer on board?
Of course not! He can drink soda.
Not trying to sound facetious here, but would be expect to bring beer into a bar on land? No, he wouldn't, and HAL has the same rule.

[7timecruiser]

No, but he does bring beer to our home. And after all this will be our home for 10 days. No big deal. Just don't want to get to the port and find we are the only ones who didn't kno!

[Typhoon1]

Bring as many cases as you like. Have the porter deliver them to your cabin.

[jkrislc]

Not trying to sound facetious here, but would be expect to bring beer into a bar on land?
You make this ship sound like one big floating bar. :)