cheeriomom Posted August 26, 2019 #1 Share Posted August 26, 2019 We are going on a European cruise in Oct 2020, some of our stops include Naples, Athens etc and I'd love to bring back things like oils, olives, cheese on the ship to take home. Can I do that if it's vacuum sealed? I know we can fly home with things in our luggage as long as we declare them at the airport. Just wondering what we can bring back on the ship. I'd be the one wolfing down all the cheese and olives at port if not, lol. RCCL policy - However you are free to bring non-perishable prepackaged food in limited quantities. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ergates The Ant Posted August 26, 2019 #2 Share Posted August 26, 2019 The cheese might not be a good idea. Would need to be kept chilled or it will deteriorate into a very smelly mess before you get home. The in cabin ‘fridges’ aren’t cool enough for perishable items, and the temperatures your luggage might reach on the way to and from the airport could be considerable. Looks like you will have to pig out on your cruise stops! Worth remembering that some food and drink, while great on holiday, doesn’t translate well back home! I’m thinking ouzo and limoncello for starters.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goofyfanatic Posted August 26, 2019 #3 Share Posted August 26, 2019 Food is supposed to be pre-packed and sealed to bring it back on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashland Posted August 26, 2019 #4 Share Posted August 26, 2019 3 hours ago, Goofyfanatic said: Food is supposed to be pre-packed and sealed to bring it back on. This policy isn't always followed. We were on an RCI Vision Med/Greece cruise this past May, and the guy in front of us lining up for the tender after porting in Cannes had a box of left over pizza from obviously a restaurant he had lunch in. He had no problem bringing it back onboard but, he did have to put it through the scanner. And I'm worried about bringing onboard some Holy Donuts from our port stop in Portland Maine this October !? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shofer Posted August 26, 2019 #5 Share Posted August 26, 2019 We brought back sealed smoked salmon from Alaska in our suitcases w/o any problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheeriomom Posted August 26, 2019 Author #6 Share Posted August 26, 2019 3 hours ago, Ergates The Ant said: The cheese might not be a good idea. Would need to be kept chilled or it will deteriorate into a very smelly mess before you get home. The in cabin ‘fridges’ aren’t cool enough for perishable items, and the temperatures your luggage might reach on the way to and from the airport could be considerable. Looks like you will have to pig out on your cruise stops! Worth remembering that some food and drink, while great on holiday, doesn’t translate well back home! I’m thinking ouzo and limoncello for starters.... Not all cheese needs to be kept cold, I just don't want to have to toss a bunch when we get back to the ship. Hopefully someone from a European cruise will chime in ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheeriomom Posted August 26, 2019 Author #7 Share Posted August 26, 2019 4 minutes ago, shofer said: We brought back sealed smoked salmon from Alaska in our suitcases w/o any problem. Awesome, thx!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bouhunter Posted August 26, 2019 #8 Share Posted August 26, 2019 In St. Martin LOTS of people bring LARGE blocks of cheese onboard😋 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
npcl Posted August 26, 2019 #9 Share Posted August 26, 2019 Keep in mind that ship might allow, but US customs might have a difference of opinion. Have noticed recently that CBP has been cracking down on food items and especially on those that do not declare. You might want to familiarize yourself with rules on what you can and cannot bring back when it comes to farm products. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheeriomom Posted August 26, 2019 Author #10 Share Posted August 26, 2019 18 minutes ago, npcl said: Keep in mind that ship might allow, but US customs might have a difference of opinion. Have noticed recently that CBP has been cracking down on food items and especially on those that do not declare. You might want to familiarize yourself with rules on what you can and cannot bring back when it comes to farm products. We're in Canada and have brought stuff back/forth to the US so we know the laws ;) I just wasn't sure what the actual rules were when getting back on the ship - I feel like pre-packaged may be my ticket to getting it home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matj2000 Posted August 26, 2019 #11 Share Posted August 26, 2019 How will they even know?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheeriomom Posted August 26, 2019 Author #12 Share Posted August 26, 2019 2 minutes ago, matj2000 said: How will they even know?? They check your bags and run everything through a scanner when you get back on board. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cb at sea Posted August 26, 2019 #13 Share Posted August 26, 2019 If it's SEALED, it will probably be allowed back OFF the ship. They don't really care about food you bring ONTO the ship, but anything not "prepackaged" will not be allowed OFF the ship again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hogbay Posted August 26, 2019 #14 Share Posted August 26, 2019 35 minutes ago, matj2000 said: How will they even know?? The dog will tell them. Why risk a $ 10,000 fine ? 🙄 https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/1272/~/food---general-food Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashland Posted August 27, 2019 #15 Share Posted August 27, 2019 3 hours ago, bouhunter said: In St. Martin LOTS of people bring LARGE blocks of cheese onboard😋 Same thing in Curacao we've noticed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare brillohead Posted August 27, 2019 #16 Share Posted August 27, 2019 I would ask Security or the Port Shopping person on the ship before you get off -- they're more likely to have accurate information. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikenbon Posted August 27, 2019 #17 Share Posted August 27, 2019 4 hours ago, cheeriomom said: We're in Canada and have brought stuff back/forth to the US so we know the laws 😉 I just wasn't sure what the actual rules were when getting back on the ship - I feel like pre-packaged may be my ticket to getting it home. We often travel to Washington state for groceries that we can't buy in Canada. As long as we are honest and show the receipt, there's no problem. We always make sure to find out ahead of time if there's anything we can't bring across the border. When we were in Key West and wanted to bring back a slice of key lime pie, we were told it needed to be in a sealed package from the bakery, and it went through, no problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRF Posted August 27, 2019 #18 Share Posted August 27, 2019 Our cooler has always been cool enough to keep cheese. And even if the cheese gets hot in your suitcase, it may change shape, it it firms up with cooled. I have carried packaged cheese to various places many times in my work travels. It may not longer be a rectangular block, but it tastes fine and I have not gotten sick from it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ladysail2 Posted August 27, 2019 #19 Share Posted August 27, 2019 5 hours ago, cheeriomom said: Not all cheese needs to be kept cold, I just don't want to have to toss a bunch when we get back to the ship. Hopefully someone from a European cruise will chime in 😉 I brought vacuumed sealed cheese back from Amsterdam about 4 years ago without a problem. When you arrive in Canada, the Immigration folks might ask you if you are bringing back any food. Say yes, because cheese is a food. It's vacuumed sealed and should not be a problem. They are mainly looking for meats and other foods not common to Canada. The oils and olives will probably be in sealed jars...so they won't be a problem. I've brought back jam, cookies, peanut butter...all sorts of things without a problem from Europe. Do declare it....it's not a problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrismch Posted August 27, 2019 #20 Share Posted August 27, 2019 Sealed items shouldn't be a problem. I've brought back spices, tea, coffee, and candies from many countries back to the U.S. They're my favorite souvenirs. Just make sure any glass containers are wrapped really well! Cheese I'd be a bit unsure of taking back as on one trip I went to a farmer's market in Ireland the day before our return trip. Had cheese I was assured wouldn't need refrigeration. However, I spent most of the flight back in the bathroom either throwing up or being hit with a bout of diarrhea. Worst flight ever!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merion_Mom Posted August 27, 2019 #21 Share Posted August 27, 2019 8 hours ago, Ashland said: And I'm worried about bringing onboard some Holy Donuts from our port stop in Portland Maine this October !? Yeah. The security people in the cruise terminal there are REALLY on the lookout for those! I think that they eat them. 😉 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashland Posted August 27, 2019 #22 Share Posted August 27, 2019 37 minutes ago, Merion_Mom said: Yeah. The security people in the cruise terminal there are REALLY on the lookout for those! I think that they eat them. 😉 Yep...that's my worry as well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goofyfanatic Posted August 27, 2019 #23 Share Posted August 27, 2019 15 hours ago, Ashland said: This policy isn't always followed. We were on an RCI Vision Med/Greece cruise this past May, and the guy in front of us lining up for the tender after porting in Cannes had a box of left over pizza from obviously a restaurant he had lunch in. He had no problem bringing it back onboard but, he did have to put it through the scanner. And I'm worried about bringing onboard some Holy Donuts from our port stop in Portland Maine this October !? OMG Holy Donuts on our Anthem cruise on 10/24 is what I was thinking about! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JR_Angus Posted August 27, 2019 #24 Share Posted August 27, 2019 19 hours ago, cheeriomom said: We are going on a European cruise in Oct 2020, some of our stops include Naples, Athens etc and I'd love to bring back things like oils, olives, cheese on the ship to take home. Can I do that if it's vacuum sealed? I know we can fly home with things in our luggage as long as we declare them at the airport. Just wondering what we can bring back on the ship. I'd be the one wolfing down all the cheese and olives at port if not, lol. RCCL policy - However you are free to bring non-perishable prepackaged food in limited quantities. Check the following Government of Canada website. https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/fpa-apa/menu-eng.html It outlines what is permissible and not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheeriomom Posted August 27, 2019 Author #25 Share Posted August 27, 2019 57 minutes ago, JR_Angus said: Check the following Government of Canada website. https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/fpa-apa/menu-eng.html It outlines what is permissible and not. I'm not concerned with what comes back to Canada - well versed in that. Concerned about what I can bring on in Athens, Mykonos, Naples etc... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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