taking buffet food out of buffet restaurant

[Rib Jig]

our previous cruse on Joy thru West Caribbean,

Garden Cafe on Joy seemed loose about it, no warning signs;

e.g., small cereal boxes for day snacks whilst exploring ports;

now pending:  🥪__ 🥪__ 🥪

Barcelona > Venice > Barcelona B2B rt Jun 23 > Jul 14 NCL Escape;

we are thinking take small containers for "picnic" ship buffet food;

prioritize exploring time vs. lunch restaurant dining at busy ports: Rome, Pisa, etc.

so what, if any, are ship rules wrt taking food from buffet restaurant

for cabin, for port visits?  (we are NOT heavy eaters nor do we waste) 
Thanks in advance.

[davencl]

Many (if not most) ports prohibit taking food from ship ashore.

Edited June 18 by davencl

[Rib Jig]

not true West Caribbean ports;

none blocked "mini" boxes granola cereals...

[Asawi]

The rule is that food is not allowed to be taken out of restaurants. I do however see lots of people taking food out of the buffet and I have never seen anyone trying to stop them. I have brought sandwishes and fruit to my room without issues.

Every day the Daily points out that food or beverages are not allowed to be taken off or on the ship. Please respect the rules of the country you are visiting and do not bring fresh food ashore! Meat, fruit and vegetables are usually not welcome.

[drew69]

You are usually limited to packaged food like the cereal due to port regulations.  Usually much easier to just grab something from a kiosk or take away place while exploring

[Cigar King]

3 minutes ago, Rib Jig said:

not true West Caribbean ports;

none blocked "mini" boxes granola cereals...

32 minutes ago, Rib Jig said:

we are thinking take small containers for "picnic" ship buffet food;

 

It sounds like they are considering taking more than cereal...

 

[Rib Jig]

OK, looks like port rules same rules as airports;

food must be direct from manufacture, e.g., cereal, granola bars, etc.

[mjkacmom]

5 minutes ago, Rib Jig said:

not true West Caribbean ports;

none blocked "mini" boxes granola cereals...

Because factory sealed food is okay, a ham sandwich is not.

[Rib Jig]

thanks for responses thus far;

can't recall, was anything offered on ship,

beside boxed cereals, factory sealed...?

[curmudgeon98]

Personally, in that region of the world, enjoying a lunch on shore is often one of the highlights.  It's usually best to get out of the complete tourist zoo zone, but you don't have to go far to find family-run restaurants that have high standards.  

[mjkacmom]

We have 2 daughters with celiac, we bring our own factory sealed food for excursions.

[ontheweb]

2 hours ago, Rib Jig said:

our previous cruse on Joy thru West Caribbean,

Garden Cafe on Joy seemed loose about it, no warning signs;

e.g., small cereal boxes for day snacks whilst exploring ports;

now pending:  🥪__ 🥪__ 🥪

Barcelona > Venice > Barcelona B2B rt Jun 23 > Jul 14 NCL Escape;

we are thinking take small containers for "picnic" ship buffet food;

prioritize exploring time vs. lunch restaurant dining at busy ports: Rome, Pisa, etc.

so what, if any, are ship rules wrt taking food from buffet restaurant

for cabin, for port visits?  (we are NOT heavy eaters nor do we waste) 
Thanks in advance.

As you have probably figured out by now from the responses, there is a big difference between just taking food out of the buffet and bringing that food ashore.

[Rib Jig]

1 hour ago, curmudgeon98 said:

...lunch on shore is often one of the highlights.

for some,it takes back seat to extra 30 minutes in Pantheon

or Vatican or seeing architectural marvels, etc.

...there's always a shady spot to grab factory sealed snacks;

[CroozeNoob]

I actually have my wife bring her separate cooler purse, and we just fill it with whatever we want.

 

You want a sloppy steak at 2am? Well I have you covered.

[Rib Jig]

3 minutes ago, CroozeNoob said:

separate cooler purse, and we just fill it with whatever we want.

but what about taking it off ship?

are there signs at Mediterranean ports forbidding non-sealed food,

fruit, sandwiches, etc.?

[Asawi]

11 minutes ago, Rib Jig said:

but what about taking it off ship?

are there signs at Mediterranean ports forbidding non-sealed food,

fruit, sandwiches, etc.?

Doesn't matter if there are sign or not, if it's not allowed it's not allowed! As I said, it's usually clearly stated in the Daily. It is your responsibility to stay on top of the rules in the country you are visiting. Fruit and meat are usually not allowed. Disclaimer: I have not cruised much in the Mediterranian. I'm talking in generall. All over the world.

[graphicguy]

Maybe regret jumping into this, but have been to many parts of Europe..Spain, UK, Germany, France, Italy, Greece.

 

In all honesty, the goal of saving time by taking food to eat on the go misses the whole point of experiencing Europe.  Savor food from a local hole in the wall eatery.  Between visits to one place or another, linger at a restaurant.  They expect it and you’ll be glad you did.
 

Rushing from place to place to see how many different things you can see without really experiencing them is cheating yourself!

 

Slow down.  Look around.  Have a cappuccino and a pastry at a local cafe and people watch.  My bet is you’ll love it!

[Asawi]

3 hours ago, Rib Jig said:

thanks for responses thus far;

 was anything offered on ship,

beside boxed cereals, factory sealed...?

If food is not allowed off (or on) the ship that is irrelevant.

[Asawi]

1 hour ago, Rib Jig said:

for some,it takes back seat to extra 30 minutes in Pantheon

or Vatican or seeing architectural marvels, etc.

...there's always a shady spot to grab factory sealed snacks;

And I assure you, in those touristic spots there is always places to purchase a snack to go. 

I'd be surprised if that cereal box would land you in any trouble. Factory sealed or not. But it annoys me a little that the topic claims to be about taking food out of the buffet when in reality it's about taking it off the ship. And according to post #15 that cereeal box seems to be seeking company of fruit and sandwiches. I'm sure you can get away with those as well since there probably won't be any checks when you get off the ship. That doesn't make it right though.

 

[9tee2Sea]

I sometimes make a plate from the buffet to take back to my cabin for my cabin mate.  I get up early, he dosent. So I chill in the buffet with my meal, then when ready to go  back, I make a plate of a few croissants ,butter, bacon, and cranberry juice.  Never had an issue with that ( so far).

[RocketMan275]

25 minutes ago, Asawi said:

And I assure you, in those touristic spots there is always places to purchase a snack to go. 

I'd be surprised if that cereal box would land you in any trouble. Factory sealed or not. But it annoys me a little that the topic claims to be about taking food out of the buffet when in reality it's about taking it off the ship. And according to post #15 that cereeal box seems to be seeking company of fruit and sandwiches. I'm sure you can get away with those as well since there probably won't be any checks when you get off the ship. That doesn't make it right though.

 

Those cute little dogs sniffing around when you exit the ship are more often working for the agricultural department. They're not looking for drugs but for food items.

[Rib Jig]

1 hour ago, graphicguy said:

Rushing from place to place to see how many different things you can see without really experiencing them is cheating yourself!

we do lots of travel to other cultures;

we've never rushed or cheated ourselves;

but just started using cruises with their 1 day stops;

that's why we chose B2B scheme for this itinerary
consisting of all-new destinations to us -- 2 days most ports;

perhaps prompt picnics featuring bodega sandwiches

will give us more exploring time per port...

after all, we're not walking & eating simultaneously...

[carohs]

Even if you don't want to spend a lot of time sitting down at a restaurant, at least plan to stop for local snacks or pastries to go. When else are you going to get another opportunity to experience local cuisine? You have to remember that the sights are just a part of the experience.

[Rib Jig]

since almost everything when traveling has value to me

the priority list is determined by me wifey !!

[complawyer]

i've seen many people, many times do this, whether or not they try to take it off ship, i do not know, but they do manage to take food out  of the buffet.

 

i dont think any food facility on any ncl ship will call the food ***'s to try and stop you