matthew.corrigan Posted May 19, 2023 #1 Share Posted May 19, 2023 Does anyone know if Alaska has any restrictions about taking food off the cruise ship? My wife and I are going on a Norwegian cruise in 2 weeks disembarking in Seward (Anchorage), and we're going straight into a long travel day home with some tight transfers where we may not have time to grab food. I was thinking of packing some containers so I could grab some stuff from the buffet on the last evening/morning to take on the go. I know that many island ports have restrictions about what food can be taken off the ship, but I don't know if that applies here. Does anyone have any input? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnChiang Posted May 19, 2023 #2 Share Posted May 19, 2023 They don't check your luggage departing the ship, so I don't think anyone will stop you. However, here is a notice from today's Freestyle Daily of the Norwegian Spirit currently cruising south from Seward: AGRICULTURAL NOTICE Due to public health regulations -food of any kind (hot, raw or unpacked /packed) will not be allowed to be brought onboard or taken off the ship at any time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare 1025cruise Posted May 19, 2023 #3 Share Posted May 19, 2023 Sorry, but nope, not allowed. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Coral Posted May 19, 2023 #4 Share Posted May 19, 2023 You can bring packaged snacks (candy bars, granola bars, chips) and bring those off of the ship. Do not bring anything from the buffet off of the ship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CFD130 Posted May 19, 2023 #5 Share Posted May 19, 2023 Really😄 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eaglecw Posted May 19, 2023 #6 Share Posted May 19, 2023 It's a huge NO, NO! Last year there was a couple with a couple of small children who had packed a nice lunch and got caught stopped at the gangway going off the ship with there sandwiches, cookies and fruit from the buffet, it didn't go well. They tell you numerous times that you can't bring food off the ship. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smitty7711 Posted May 19, 2023 #7 Share Posted May 19, 2023 Really. We had planned on at least grabbing some pastries before departure. We also have a very long day after docking in Seward from the NCL Jewel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roupa Posted May 20, 2023 #8 Share Posted May 20, 2023 Seward has groceries available in town!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smitty7711 Posted May 20, 2023 #9 Share Posted May 20, 2023 (edited) We’re being picked at 8:30 am at the cruise dock for a 7.5 hour Kenai Fjords tour. I don’t think we have time to get to a grocery store or we would. We do plan on having breakfast on the ship. Hopefully that will tide us over until lunch on the boat tour. Edited May 20, 2023 by Smitty7711 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruiserBruce Posted May 20, 2023 #10 Share Posted May 20, 2023 17 minutes ago, Smitty7711 said: We’re being picked at 8:30 am at the cruise dock for a 7.5 hour Kenai Fjords tour. I don’t think we have time to get to a grocery store or we would. We do plan on having breakfast on the ship. Hopefully that will tide us over until lunch on the boat tour. And there is no food offered on a 7.5 hour excursion? You are getting ripped off. Most excursions over 4 hours offer at least snacks. I would bet there will be snacks on the tour early, followed by lunch later. Have a big breakfast. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashland Posted May 20, 2023 #11 Share Posted May 20, 2023 We've taken cookies from the WJ as we've disembarked many times and have never been stopped. 😜 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smitty7711 Posted May 20, 2023 #12 Share Posted May 20, 2023 17 minutes ago, CruiserBruce said: And there is no food offered on a 7.5 hour excursion? You are getting ripped off. Most excursions over 4 hours offer at least snacks. I would bet there will be snacks on the tour early, followed by lunch later. Have a big breakfast. Yes, as I said hopefully breakfast on the ship will tide us over until lunch on the tour boat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare 1025cruise Posted May 20, 2023 #13 Share Posted May 20, 2023 21 minutes ago, Ashland said: We've taken cookies from the WJ as we've disembarked many times and have never been stopped. 😜 Doesn't mean it's not illegal, you just didn't get caught. A lot of time, the cute dog at the gangway isn't looking for drugs, it's looking for food. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GTJ Posted May 20, 2023 #14 Share Posted May 20, 2023 (edited) 2 hours ago, Eaglecw said: Last year there was a couple with a couple of small children who had packed a nice lunch and got caught stopped at the gangway going off the ship with there sandwiches, cookies and fruit from the buffet, it didn't go well. I imagine that the contraband was in plain view. I cannot recall vessel security having ever performed intrusive searches when alighting. The greatest risk is going through customs with contraband, as there are intrusive searches and no fourth amendment protections at the border. I remember a several years the person ahead of me at customs in New Orleans had taken an orange from the vessel . . . he was taken away by CBP, though I do not know the result. 33 minutes ago, 1025cruise said: Doesn't mean it's not illegal, you just didn't get caught. Very true, and something I tell clients when income tax returns are being prepared. But do keep in mind that there is a difference between an act being (1) contrary to law, (2) contrary to the terms and conditions of the contract of transportation, and (3) contrary to personal or corporate desires. Unfortunately, not every crew member can be expected to understand or communicate which of the foregoing is the case; but the consequences do vary depending on the actual infraction, if any (ranging from verbal reprimand, to expulsion from cruise vessel, to a fine and/or jail). Be forewarned! Edited May 20, 2023 by GTJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matthew.corrigan Posted May 20, 2023 Author #15 Share Posted May 20, 2023 2 hours ago, roupa said: Seward has groceries available in town!! Good suggestion thank you, but won't have time for that. Going straight from the ship to a scenic train excursion at 6:50 am that takes us straight to the airport. Hopefully we'll be there early enough to grab some food before our flight since we've only got a 55 minute layover in Seattle on the way home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashland Posted May 20, 2023 #16 Share Posted May 20, 2023 17 hours ago, 1025cruise said: Doesn't mean it's not illegal, you just didn't get caught. A lot of time, the cute dog at the gangway isn't looking for drugs, it's looking for food. My DH will take his chance to bring home a few Coconut cookies 🤪 So far many departure ports domestic/international and no problem...but thanks !!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
decrepit old man Posted May 20, 2023 #17 Share Posted May 20, 2023 The OP is asking about after the cruise, but what about at the ports? Can I bring snacks from the ship with me when I'm out exploring the towns? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Coral Posted May 20, 2023 #18 Share Posted May 20, 2023 8 minutes ago, decrepit old man said: The OP is asking about after the cruise, but what about at the ports? Can I bring snacks from the ship with me when I'm out exploring the towns? Only pre-packaged items. Such as granola bars, candy bars, etc.... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare CynCyn Posted May 21, 2023 #19 Share Posted May 21, 2023 4 hours ago, decrepit old man said: The OP is asking about after the cruise, but what about at the ports? Can I bring snacks from the ship with me when I'm out exploring the towns? I had to pour out a coffee once, but I have taken unopened water bottles off with no problem. I think the big no-no’s are meats, fruits, etc because of agricultural laws. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BazAl Posted May 21, 2023 #20 Share Posted May 21, 2023 So I'm curious.... if you're leaving a US cruiseship onto US grounds - why are cookies (since that's what we are talking about) illegal? I can understand meats, fruit, veggies - live items. Anything that pests can grow on. But pastries? Cookies? I can bring those from Australia into the US or whatever country to country. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Coral Posted May 21, 2023 #21 Share Posted May 21, 2023 (edited) 22 minutes ago, BazAl said: So I'm curious.... if you're leaving a US cruiseship onto US grounds - why are cookies (since that's what we are talking about) illegal? I can understand meats, fruit, veggies - live items. Anything that pests can grow on. But pastries? Cookies? I can bring those from Australia into the US or whatever country to country. There are very few "US Cruise Ships". American Cruise Line, Pearl Cruise Line....... Most main stream lines - NCL, CCL, RCCL, Celebrity, Princess, etc... are actually registered in foreign countries. Nuts and seeds are also forbidden. It is an agricultural issue. Thus, some packaged items are allowed. Other packaged items such as beef jerky are not allowed. Edited May 21, 2023 by Coral Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcl410 Posted May 21, 2023 #22 Share Posted May 21, 2023 Because different countries have different rules about what can and cannot be imported in to the country, I think the cruise lines just adopt the "no food" rule to make it easier.... That being said, in the USA certain foods; like baked good; are perfectly fine to be imported. (My sister in law routinely brings us pastries from Ecuador when she visits. The rules are made by the US Dept. of Agriculture. The biggest sticking point for many foods is "proving" where the food originated from. Aloha, John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare 1025cruise Posted May 21, 2023 #23 Share Posted May 21, 2023 12 hours ago, BazAl said: So I'm curious.... if you're leaving a US cruiseship onto US grounds - why are cookies (since that's what we are talking about) illegal? I can understand meats, fruit, veggies - live items. Anything that pests can grow on. But pastries? Cookies? I can bring those from Australia into the US or whatever country to country. Because, for the most part, you aren't leaving a US cruise ship. Especially since the cruise originates in Canada. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lane Hog Posted May 31, 2023 #24 Share Posted May 31, 2023 On 5/20/2023 at 9:54 PM, Coral said: Thus, some packaged items are allowed. Other packaged items such as beef jerky are not allowed. Not entirely true regarding jerky specifically... I've carried it into Australia and coming back into the US. It's country specific, and country of origin specific. Just be sure to declare it and don't get caught trying to sneak it by. The beagles and other breeds they use for finding illicit food are really, really talented. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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