Can you bring food back on board from U.S Ports?

[lucywestie]

We will be visiting Seattle [Pike Market] and were wondering if you could bring things such as specialty cheeses, bread etc. back on board. I know I have seen people writing about having your bags searched for Alcohol etc. when coming back, but will they confiscate food? [i can understand how they might do it in Caribbean ports or other international locations, food and agriculture regulations etc]

Thanks

[turquoisesea]

We were in Key West on the Enchantment last week and brought back 2 pieces of Key Lime Pie. They were in a small bag that we put on the belt for screening. No one said anything. There are many signs about taking food off the ship, I didn't see anything about bringing food on the ship. especially at a US port.

[cruisePRN]

Heck YES, you can bring back all the food you want. The staff usually hit the supermarkets to bring back lots of junk food. Even in foreign ports we bring back food for gifts, like vanilla in Mexico and jams from south america. check to see there are no restrictions on agricultural goods not packaged

[gary2835]

We were in Key West on the Enchantment last week and brought back 2 pieces of Key Lime Pie. They were in a small bag that we put on the belt for screening. No one said anything. There are many signs about taking food off the ship, I didn't see anything about bringing food on the ship. especially at a US port.

 

It's funny your cruise was allowed food. In April on the Rhapsody no one was allowed to bring food aboard from Key West. We threw a pound of fudge away. They told us we could go back outside and eat it. Eat a Pound of fudge. Now I know why I saw several people eating on the dock as we walked by.

[premiumrican]

I have brought back 3 5lbs wheels of gouda cheese from Aruba and St. Martin, put it through the belt and they said nothing.

[dolfandude]

I wondered about this also. Then I realized that a key lime pie would never make it from Kermit's or the Blonde Giraffe all the way back to the ship without being eaten!!!!:D

 

Steve

[RevSmith]

I have brought food on from St. Martin also...never had a problem...but it was always sealed...don't know if it's against the law...I always thought it was just fruits and vegetables, not things in jars or cans...that would not make sense.

[misterbuds]

I also brought a slice of key lime pie back on the ship in key west. They did say no food was allowed back on board and I said to my husband if they stop me I will eat it at the gangway. (I would have been sick though since we had filled up on conch fritters, conch chowder, and frozem chocolate key lime pie on a stick prior to getting back on the ship) I love key lime or anything lemon and wanted to try a slice of key lime pie (not frozen or chocolate covered) but i wanted it for later. I think I put it through the xray machine too. They must see it all the time, all these wedges of pie. Too funny.

 

I believe when they say no food, they mean restaurant food, fruits, vegetables, etc. and not packaged foods which I believe should be okay.

[turquoisesea]

It's funny your cruise was allowed food. In April on the Rhapsody no one was allowed to bring food aboard from Key West. We threw a pound of fudge away. They told us we could go back outside and eat it. Eat a Pound of fudge. Now I know why I saw several people eating on the dock as we walked by.

 

Gee, I am a 100% rule follower, and can honestly say I did not see anywhere that food could not be brought back on board. As another poster said, I have seen crew members at every port bring bags filed with food back on board. I just reread all the Compasses and didn't see anything there, but then it doesn't say not to bring booze back either. I'm sorry you had to throw your fudge away!! :eek: Not fair!!

[banderboo]

We had to throw away bakery items that were purchased in Mazatlan but were allowed to bring on chocolate in St. Marteen. I think it depends on what the food item is. i.e commercially packaged vs homemade/fresh fruit/fresh veggies etc.

[medfordgirl]

Uh Oh, when we go to sint maarten we were planning a trip to St Martin and looking for a nice decadent french bakery to bring back some pastries. Do you think they will take it from us? If not, Do you think we can bring it home? Or must we finish is all on the ship?

[mommabean]

I was told at the gangway of Enchantment in Key West that I could bring back all the canned soda and bagged chips I wanted. But they said no "prepared" foods would be allowed on board and they mentioned "like a sandwich". I didn't ask for more details since I only intended to bring sealed packages.

 

I DO hope to get some key lime pie on this next trip. Or maybe I should just eat one piece and be done with it. I'm undecided at this point. :)

 

Gina

[vmom]

Uh Oh, when we go to sint maarten we were planning a trip to St Martin and looking for a nice decadent french bakery to bring back some pastries. Do you think they will take it from us? If not, Do you think we can bring it home? Or must we finish is all on the ship?

 

My understanding is that is has to be packaged or sealed type foods that are OK. Foods such as fruits, vegtables, or nuts that are not packaged are definately not allowed. I don't think prepared, non packaged foods such as pastry items would be allowed to be brought back to the US. You may be able to get the pastry items on the ship but may not be able to get them into the US.

 

We will be going to St. Martin also. Is there a good bakery you'd recommend stopping at?

[medfordgirl]

My understanding is that is has to be packaged or sealed type foods that are OK. Foods such as fruits, vegtables, or nuts that are not packaged are definately not allowed. I don't think prepared, non packaged foods such as pastry items would be allowed to be brought back to the US. You may be able to get the pastry items on the ship but may not be able to get them into the US.

 

We will be going to St. Martin also. Is there a good bakery you'd recommend stopping at?

 

I haven't been to the french side. been to sint maarten twice, this next time in January we plan to make the trip to the french side. If you find a good bakery let me know. started a thread on the St martin blogs to see if anyone there can recommend one. Have a great trip.

[cruislovin]

The sign on the Explorer stated NO COOKED FOOD CAN BE BROUGHT ONBOARD. The sandwich from Subway in San Juan was not permitted.

[Pumbaamd]

When ever we stop in Aruba we go to that little grocery store, near the post office, within walking distance of the ship, and get some packaged snacks and Gouda cheese. Same in Key West (without the Gouda). Also have taken on board Gouda in Curacao. No one cared. Also, in Antigua, there is a little IGA, just behind the Casino and to the left of the pier. We re-supplied there with snacks, cheese, crackers and wine. Again, no problem getting back on board. Just be cool when shopping in port. Just don't try to bring back two or three cases of Budweiser!

Rick