Can You Take Food Into Ports?

[message4u]

Friends of ours just got back from a European cruise. So they did not have to buy pricey meals off the ship, they would order room service in the early morning, and then take somthing with them to eat while they were sightseeing. Anyone else ever done this, and would there be any problem taking food off the ship?

[Gonzo70]

Friends of ours just got back from a European cruise. So they did not have to buy pricey meals off the ship, they would order room service in the early morning, and then take somthing with them to eat while they were sightseeing. Anyone else ever done this, and would there be any problem taking food off the ship?

 

In most ports this is illegal to do (can face very large fines if caught) and potentially hazardous to the local agriculture (introduction of new pests). Bringing pre-packaged food (i.e. granola bars still in wrappers) is generally fine, but any fresh meats, cheeses, fruits etc. are nearly always strictly forbidden. There are usually warnings posted in the daily newsletter delivered to your cabin and near the gangways where you disembark the ship.

[goldminer1951]

Gonzo is quite right, taking food ashore from the ship violates agricultural and customs laws in most locations.

 

Doing so has a big down side as well- you miss out on local cuisine. Having lunch ashore where the local food is great, such as the Med, is a another nice part of cruising. Enjoy the local cuisine and leave the ship's food on-board.

 

'Miner

[JanineM]

We are pretty frugal, but never would take food off of the ship. As others have mentioned, it's risky and dangerous to the local ecosystem.

 

I always carry some power/protein bars with me (pre-packaged - purchased at home before we leave). I have some fairly significant food allergies, so we're often wary to eat in restaurants where we don't speak the language or fully understand the menus. We tend to plan our days so we don't need to eat a full meal onshore. So we'll have a satisfying breakfast on the ship, then plan to come back in time for lunch at maybe 2 pm. If we're starved and don't want a power bar then we'll pick up something small to try the local cuisine, but we rarely eat a full meal onshore.

 

Were it not for my food allergies then we would definitely try the cuisine. After all, that's why you're out seeing the world ~ to experience new places!

[Karynanne]

There are ports that are extremely viligiant regarding food items allowed into their country. Australia and New Zealand ports had dogs, that are trained to search (sniff) your bags, and if an item was found, it was not allowed.

[Longboysfan]

Yes.. I have seen the firing squads out there when they catch you.

[dmk]

No one will be checking your bags to see if you are bringing food of the ship. Security only check your bags when you re enter the ship.

[ECCruise]

No one will be checking your bags to see if you are bringing food of the ship. Security only check your bags when you re enter the ship.

Except in Australia, in New Zealand (as detailed above), sometimes in Japan.

 

The point is, its illegal in most countries. Hiding it in your suitcase does not absolve you of the illegality.

[hajekfam]

Your bags might not be checked but that doesn't mean that you should break the law. If it is stated not to bring food ashore, it is not a cruiseline "rule", it is the law of a foreign country.

In fact in Rome, you cannot snack near the sights. They passed a law recently - here is an article about it:

snacking near the sights in Rome's historical center with fines up to $80.

[TravelerThom]

No one will be checking your bags to see if you are bringing food of the ship. Security only check your bags when you re enter the ship.

Except in Australia, in New Zealand (as detailed above), sometimes in Japan.

 

The point is, its illegal in most countries. Hiding it in your suitcase does not absolve you of the illegality.

Chile also does dog sniffs at the disembarkation pier. When I did a land crossing into Chile from Bolivia a few years ago I went thru three (3) agricultural inspections (at the border, 50 kilometers from the border, and again 100 km from the border). Chile has approval to ship large quantities of agricultural goods to the US, and is VERY serious about keeping this lucrative trade by preventing the importation of agricultural diseases.

[happycat Bainbridge Is]

Another amen to not violating the law. If you live someplace where a big part of the economy is agrarian, you can understand the fear of losing crops or livestock because of foreign bugs, microbes, mold spores or whatever from smuggled food contamination.

 

FYI in Mexico and many parts of the Caribbean, an official will be standing at the gate gathering a fabulous collection of fruit etc. that people try (and fail) to take ashore.

 

Do the big breakfast, take power bars and/or snack (less expensive than a sit down meal) at least on some local cuisine if you don't have allergies, then come back to the ship and top off before dinner.

 

HCBI

[Karynanne]

Except in Australia, in New Zealand (as detailed above), sometimes in Japan.

 

The point is, its illegal in most countries. Hiding it in your suitcase does not absolve you of the illegality.

 

Thanks for adding your comment. Australia & New Zealand are very strict as to what is allowed into their countries. It was the first time we had encountered entry regulations like this.

[Ma Bell]

Heaven forbid that anyone should miss a meal. LOL They might starve.

[usha]

:eek: OOPS!!! :eek:

We've gone off the ship with bread or croissants in Bonaire, Grenada, St. Maarten, Dominica, St. Lucia, St. Kitts, Tortola, and Aruba to feed the fishies.:o :o :o

Guess we'd better stop that, huh?:cool: