sansterre Posted October 19, 2022 #1 Share Posted October 19, 2022 We are aboard the Zaandam and yesterday visited the fabulous Mercado in Funchal. Before returning to the ship I selected 5 or 6 cut stems to put into our nearly empty liter water bottle in the cabin. The cost was 7 Euros. When we boarded the Zaandam we were told that no plant life could be brought aboard. I explained that these were cut flowers from the market and we have always been able to bring flowers on board for our cabin. Security told me no soil or plants could be brought onto the ship and he took the flowers. Later I asked guest services if this was a new policy. They had to check on that and called me back. Apparently it is new and applies to the entire fleet of HAL ships. I keep thinking of all the times we have brought flowers on board, most recently in February in Hilo, Hawaii. There have been countless other times when leis, crowns of flowers, or simple cut flowers have adorned our cabin. Has anyone else experienced this situation? Does anyone have an explanation for this restriction? 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruising-along Posted October 19, 2022 #2 Share Posted October 19, 2022 Onboard the Nieuw Statendam now. I had absolutely no problem bringing flowers aboard a few days ago in Halifax. 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare FlaMariner Posted October 19, 2022 #3 Share Posted October 19, 2022 I know that bringing flowers, plants, fruits, nuts etc across borders is many times a big No, No because that can bring in unwanted critters that create havoc to the local agriculture.....so the policy makes sense and I would have thought that would have already been the rule at HAL. Here is the link to the rules regarding bringing plants, etc into the USA....it's restrictive and probably similar for other countries: https://www.cbp.gov/travel/clearing-cbp/bringing-agricultural-products-united-states 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare carlmm Posted October 19, 2022 #4 Share Posted October 19, 2022 Just stupid, IMHO. I have brought flowers on board many times both for cabin decoration and as gift. And no, American agencies have no jurisdiction in Europe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sansterre Posted October 19, 2022 Author #5 Share Posted October 19, 2022 33 minutes ago, FlaMariner said: I know that bringing flowers, plants, fruits, nuts etc across borders is many times a big No, No because that can bring in unwanted critters that create havoc to the local agriculture.....so the policy makes sense and I would have thought that would have already been the rule at HAL. Here is the link to the rules regarding bringing plants, etc into the USA....it's restrictive and probably similar for other countries: https://www.cbp.gov/travel/clearing-cbp/bringing-agricultural-products-united-states I understand the flowers can't be taken off the ship in any country. We do not want to take them off the ship. The ship is not growing crops so I don't see a reason for concern. We said "NO" to seeds and bulbs because we can't bring them home to plant. These were cut flowers from the market. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare FlaMariner Posted October 19, 2022 #6 Share Posted October 19, 2022 10 minutes ago, sansterre said: I understand the flowers can't be taken off the ship in any country. So HAL is probably saying "if you can't take flowers off the ship, we probably should not let passengers bring them on the ship". Makes sense to me. (sounds like a mess to clean up after they die and drop all over the cabin also..... so win-win with that rule!). LOL. Go HAL! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arizona Wildcat Posted October 19, 2022 #7 Share Posted October 19, 2022 27 minutes ago, sansterre said: I understand the flowers can't be taken off the ship in any country. We do not want to take them off the ship. The ship is not growing crops so I don't see a reason for concern. We said "NO" to seeds and bulbs because we can't bring them home to plant. These were cut flowers from the market. The problem is the flowers have pollen and can have seeds and especially insects that are not visible. They can get transferred and transported. Lots of restrictions on plants. It is not a fleetwide ban. It is specific to various ports, but more and more countries are putting restrictions in place. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Mary229 Posted October 19, 2022 #8 Share Posted October 19, 2022 1 hour ago, FlaMariner said: I know that bringing flowers, plants, fruits, nuts etc across borders is many times a big No, No because that can bring in unwanted critters that create havoc to the local agriculture.....so the policy makes sense and I would have thought that would have already been the rule at HAL. Here is the link to the rules regarding bringing plants, etc into the USA....it's restrictive and probably similar for other countries: https://www.cbp.gov/travel/clearing-cbp/bringing-agricultural-products-united-states I always always surprised that you could bring flowers and fresh fruit. I remember dumping my remaining raspberries only to be told I could have brought them onboard. I think this new rule does make sense unless your cruise is to a single country. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1ANGELCAT Posted October 19, 2022 #9 Share Posted October 19, 2022 So, by this logic , HAL should have no fresh flowers onboard and can eliminate some more staff. No need for a florist. I’d love to see the policy in writing.🌷 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare The-Inside-Cabin Posted October 19, 2022 #10 Share Posted October 19, 2022 Here is the reason: Pick one or more: a) COVID b) For your convenience c) Supply Chain d) Inflation e) For your safety f) Insurance g) Security But, for your convenience, each guest may bring aboard one flower arrangement at no charge (but only if you look at it in your cabin) , additional flowers will be charged an $18 "flowerage fee" 16 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RuthC Posted October 19, 2022 #11 Share Posted October 19, 2022 The bigger question, at least to me, is why wouldn't HAL, if they did implement this new changed policy fleetwide not publicize it? They sure made an announcement several years ago when they attempted to change the wine policy from bringing all you want for in-cabin consumption to no wine allowed. (that lasted what, two days?) Oh, yeah, that's right. They didn't want to hear the screaming and yelling, and have to backtrack like they did with the wine policy. At the very least this change in policy should have been made known on the ship before passengers spent money to purchase flowers for their cabins. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare WriterOnDeck Posted October 19, 2022 #12 Share Posted October 19, 2022 41 minutes ago, The-Inside-Cabin said: Here is the reason: Pick one or more: a) COVID b) For your convenience c) Supply Chain d) Inflation e) For your safety f) Insurance g) Security But, for your convenience, each guest may bring aboard one flower arrangement at no charge (but only if you look at it in your cabin) , additional flowers will be charged an $18 "flowerage fee" You should add that it competes with the cruise line's marketing of flowers for your cabin. Why buy from HAL if you can bring on with you. Just like the wine policy.... Of course, it is out of "an abundance of caution." 3 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare The-Inside-Cabin Posted October 19, 2022 #13 Share Posted October 19, 2022 13 minutes ago, WriterOnDeck said: You should add that it competes with the cruise line's marketing of flowers for your cabin. Why buy from HAL if you can bring on with you. Just like the wine policy.... Of course, it is out of "an abundance of caution." Thanks - I am updating the list - Maybe I should add " we are following the science" 1 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USN59-79 Posted October 20, 2022 #14 Share Posted October 20, 2022 We have cruised for more than 1000 days since 1996. I wonder how many more of these "Screw the customer" decisions from HAL will cause me to say "I don't need to be treated like this" and just cancel our next 42 day cruise? 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Florida_gal_50 Posted October 20, 2022 #15 Share Posted October 20, 2022 2 hours ago, The-Inside-Cabin said: Here is the reason: Pick one or more: a) COVID b) For your convenience c) Supply Chain d) Inflation e) For your safety f) Insurance g) Security But, for your convenience, each guest may bring aboard one flower arrangement at no charge (but only if you look at it in your cabin) , additional flowers will be charged an $18 "flowerage fee" My personal favorite is c supply chain. That works for everything 😛. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sansterre Posted October 20, 2022 Author #16 Share Posted October 20, 2022 To Clarify: We are on the Grand Africa cruise, day 9 of 71 days. The day prior to arriving in Funchal (day 6 at sea) we received a letter about not purchasing and bringing on board weapons (no knives, swords, etc) and drinks (restrictions on wine, water etc.) I'm not sure we kept the letter but do know that it did NOT mention anything about flowers. Funchal was our first port. I did ask Security if the rule was just Funchal. The response was "no plant material from ANY port" can be brought onboard. Front desk told me the policy was for ALL HAL ships. I will ask for the ruling in writing. (good idea 1 anglecat) It may take some time, but if I get something in writing, I will post it on this link. 4 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare TiogaCruiser Posted October 20, 2022 #17 Share Posted October 20, 2022 (edited) Glad to hear you two are able to do this cruise. So you can still bring wine aboard and pay corkage, or did the letter totally forbid bringing on wine? Edited October 20, 2022 by TiogaCruiser 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
julia Posted October 20, 2022 #18 Share Posted October 20, 2022 7 hours ago, The-Inside-Cabin said: Here is the reason: Pick one or more: a) COVID b) For your convenience c) Supply Chain d) Inflation e) For your safety f) Insurance g) Security But, for your convenience, each guest may bring aboard one flower arrangement at no charge (but only if you look at it in your cabin) , additional flowers will be charged an $18 "flowerage fee" (h) Global warming 😄 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatcat04 Posted October 20, 2022 #19 Share Posted October 20, 2022 Yet another nonsensical policy that is "fleetwide" but ymwv depending on ship, phase of the moon, barometric pressure, or Magic 8 Ball. I get no biomatter going OFF the ship, that is the law in most of the world. But bringing something on to the ship that won't leave the ship? It so often is like the people making the rules have never been on a cruise ship. But hey they hired a previous head honcho of the company who hadn't so.... 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boatdrill Posted October 20, 2022 #20 Share Posted October 20, 2022 14 hours ago, sansterre said: I will ask for the ruling in writing. (good idea 1 anglecat) It may take some time, but if I get something in writing, I will post it on this link. Also ask if it's still possible to order flowers from the ship's florist to have in your room. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharon in AZ Posted October 20, 2022 #21 Share Posted October 20, 2022 1 hour ago, Boatdrill said: Also ask if it's still possible to order flowers from the ship's florist to have in your room. I’m on the Nieuw Statendam right now and ordered flowers for the cabin on day two. And they’ve lasted almost two weeks. I don’t think flowers onboard will go away. It’s possible there are country regulations that have to be considered. I usually wait to order once onboard and just get the cheapest arrangement. These were carnations beautifully arranged. 4 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sansterre Posted October 22, 2022 Author #22 Share Posted October 22, 2022 On 10/20/2022 at 5:18 AM, TiogaCruiser said: Glad to hear you two are able to do this cruise. So you can still bring wine aboard and pay corkage, or did the letter totally forbid bringing on wine? Thanks Tioga! I think my DH threw our "the letter" which mentioned wine and water, as well as knives and swords. We have had 3 more ports in 3 days since Funchal but I will ask for a copy at the front desk today. Also a copy of the "new ruling" on bringing cut flowers on board. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlorenceItaly Posted October 22, 2022 #23 Share Posted October 22, 2022 It seems as if the "fleetwide" answer is an easy out. With that said, due to CC we know this is often not factual. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruising-along Posted October 22, 2022 #24 Share Posted October 22, 2022 As I said earlier, there was no problem bringing flowers onboard in Halifax about 10 days ago. We will be onboard the Nieuw Statendam for another 2 weeks and I plan to ask before bringing more flowers onboard in the Caribbean. I have a feeling there won’t be a problem. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAVIP Posted October 22, 2022 #25 Share Posted October 22, 2022 Certification of health of imported and exported plants and flowers (vegetables, fruit etc) etc is usual in f.e. USA, Canada, EUrope, Japan, Australia and many other countries. The flowers and plants on board will undoubtedly have such Certificates. And...everything brought on board will leave the ship too in one way or another, like the flowers you and I bought on markets or flowershops "anywhere". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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