Taking packaged food off ship in PV, Mazlatan, Cabo

[EGG]

I absolutely will not eat off the ship. I was planning to take off a packaged granola bar and buy bottled water. Does anyone know if this will be a problem? I'll be on a Royal Caribean cruise.

[Addictedtwo]

I absolutely will not eat off the ship. I was planning to take off a packaged granola bar and buy bottled water. Does anyone know if this will be a problem? I'll be on a Royal Caribean cruise.

 

No problem you just can't take meats or fruit/veggies. Nor can you bring on foreign foods such as meats and fruits/veggies either.

[quincytoo]

I absolutely will not eat off the ship. I was planning to take off a packaged granola bar and buy bottled water. Does anyone know if this will be a problem? I'll be on a Royal Caribean cruise.

 

I am not trying to be rude at all but may I please ask why you absolutely will not eat off the ship????

 

I have had some of the best meals of my life in Puerto Vallarta which is saying something as my dh was in fine dining for many years and I consider him to be a great chef:)

 

In Mazatlan we ate at Victor's on Stone Island and had a very enjoyable meal also.

 

Bottled water you can buy at any grocery or corner store in Mexico. I don't remember seeing packaged granola bars on the Diamond but maybe RCI carries them.

 

Have a great cruise :)

[househunter]

I don't understand either?:confused: Part of the fun of travelling in enjoying the cuisine of the places you visit. The mass produced frozen food from the ship does not compare to a fresh lunch of dorado in Cabo or a great shrimp feast in Mazatlan.

 

Are you afraid of getting sick or are there other reasons you don't want to eat on shore? You do know that thousands of people vacation for weeks at a time in Mexico and other parts of the world and eat in the restaurants right?

 

Obviously it is your choice to eat a granola bar instead but why?

[jandjfun]

You can take package food from the ship.

I go to Mazatlan all the time. I spend weeks on end there. As long as you eat and drink in the resorts area, you are fine, you will not get sick. They all use filtered water systems. And you can get bottled water anywhere. The touristy areas I am speaking of are the golden zone, any restrauant close to the big resorts off the golden zone, stone island (although I hate stone island) I wouldn't eat where "the locals" eat, like taco stands they push around, or where they hang the meat to cook it in the open. But feel free to eat in any place in the golden zone. If you like shrimp, you will miss out on the best shrimp of your life if you don't order some in Mazatlan!

[bonnie&clydecruzers]

If you like shrimp, you will miss out on the best shrimp of your life if you don't order some in Mazatlan!

 

Are you serious? You would rather eat a packaged granola bar than some coconut shrimp in mazatlan? It's your choice but why wouldn't you want to take advantage of what Mexico has to offer?

[Addictedtwo]

I am not trying to be rude at all but may I please ask why you absolutely will not eat off the ship????

 

I have had some of the best meals of my life in Puerto Vallarta which is saying something as my dh was in fine dining for many years and I consider him to be a great chef:)

 

In Mazatlan we ate at Victor's on Stone Island and had a very enjoyable meal also.

 

Bottled water you can buy at any grocery or corner store in Mexico. I don't remember seeing packaged granola bars on the Diamond but maybe RCI carries them.

 

Have a great cruise :)

 

DITTO! I wasn't going to get into this topic but we have been going to Mexico for over 30 years, the last 10 have been staying 2 to 3 months, never been sick and we eat all the local stuff. We also avoid all the tourist traps. The food is great as are the people.

[EGG]

Okay, I'll reply. My DH who has weighed within 2 pounds of his perfect weight since the day we were married 37 years ago does not eat lunch (well maybe a slice of cheese and a fruit) and does not snack. Food absolutely does not motivate him. He also does not like spicy food which has been a challenge for me for many years but I've found lots of dinners that we both like. We've gone on 12 cruises (including 3 to Europe) on 5 different cruise lines and we've been happy with the food on every one of them. Our food habits also often limits excursions because we won't go on an excursion that includes food or wastes time with a food stop. Our typical port day is to get up early, which we will certainly do on this cruise since we are from the East Coast, have a big breakfast hopefully watching while the ship docks, leave the ship early and walk around for 3 or 4 hours. We choose 1 or 2 places that we really want to see like a church or a museum and enjoy the ambiance of the city. We may have an independent tour. No matter where we go, we're usually tired by 1 or 2 o'clock from so much walking and then it is back to the ship where I grab a small snack and DH grabs a water. Often, if there is shopping near the ship, we'll go out again after I lay down for an hour.

 

I was just really concerned because I read on another CC board that in Mexico (and I think they were talking about Cozumel) they look through your bags and purse and I always take a granola bar just in case.

 

When we go to the Caribean on a cruise, you can go to the beach and rent 2 chairs and an umbrella. The sand is white and the water is georgeous. I expected the same thing when I signed up for this cruise. It looks like most of the places give you the chair for free if you eat and drink all day. That will never happen with us. I've found the Westin in PV which has a day pass for $15 without food. But I have not found the same thing in Mazlatan or Cabo.

 

So I know you think we're crazy, but we've been to HAL's private island and while everyone was lined up for the barbeque, we found chairs, went in the water, read for a while, and then walked around the island, stopping on the way back for a drink.

 

The good news in all this is that I usually lose about 5 pounds on a 10 day cruise. So I've taken to look at these cruises as spa vacations. Lots of exercise and lots of healthy food.

 

Why did we book this cruise? That is a good question. Our son & family lives in Seattle and we wanted to visit them for a few days. I saw this cruise, it left on the right day of the week, the price was right, there is a cheap Virgin flight from Seattle to LA and we've never been to Mexico or LA. We signed up after final payment before I did any research. It's too late to change and I am sure we will have a great time. Now I am trying to find thigs to do that work for us and I just wanted to follow the food rules.

 

Thanks to everyone who answered. I am sure your answers will make those people who are afraid to eat in Mexico because of the reputation it has from years ago, feel better about eating off the ship. That is why these boards are so great.

[mytime53]

If you do find that you can't take packaged food off the ship (which I doubt you'll find, but one never knows how things can change from cruise to cruise, ship to ship, port to port), there is a supermarket (Soriano's) just south of the pier, and a Walmart across the highway. Both will take US$, and you can buy just about anything (including water waaaaaay cheaper than on board, and in a larger bottle that might actually get you through the day).

Enjoy your day. We never tire of walking around PV, although I must say that it's a good thing we take land vacations there...it's too hot and humid for us to walk for long during the day...fortunately, PV really comes alive after dark (and I'm not talking just bars).

[househunter]

Couldn't you just purchase bottled water and a small snack or fruit plate to share? Any of the beach bars in Cabo would be totally fine with that. They don't require that you eat and drink all day, just that you buy something. They don't care if you drink water or margaritas.

 

Have fun!

[EGG]

That sounds great. I got the impression you have to eat and drink liquor all the time you are there.

[critterchick]

I would vote against taking anything but a bottle of water off the ship. They do search your bag in Cabo, but I don't recall it happening in PV or Mazatlan. And I don't know what they will confiscate, but have seen trash barrels filled with food. I just haven't rooted through them to see if there's anything besides produce or meat in them.;)

[quincytoo]

When you buy bottles of water on ship it is stupid expensive :mad:

Wait until you are in port and for that same price of 500 ML bottle they gorge you for (think it was $2 or 3.99) you can buy three 1 litre bottles in port.

 

I don't remember any bag searches at any ports. Mexican food is certainly not all spicy, they might flavour at times with lovely chillis but that doesn't mean it is going to be searing hot at all.

 

I hope you enjoy the cruise and the wonderful ports:)

[Ron & Kristy]

I haven't been to Mexico all that much. Once years ago to Mazatlan, once years ago to Cancun and just recently to the MR on the NCL Sun. I felt the same way all of you do about the food and eating off the ship and basically I still do. I have to say though that I went to a recommended restaurant in Ziahuatanejo and I got food poisoning. I was trying to be so careful but I got careless and ordered sour cream with my enchiladas, the only thing I ate different than everyone else. Within a few hours I was so sick I thought I was going to die. Thank goodness it only lasted 24 hours but I did miss seeing most of Puerto Vallarta. I still recommend that people eat off the ship...but it isn't only the water, ice, and fruits and vegies you need to be careful of. Anything cold that would need to be refrigerated to keep from going bad should be avoided unless you are in a resort or upper end restaurant. Others might disagree but if you haven't had food poisoning before you don't know what sick is.

 

Kristy

[househunter]

I haven't been to Mexico all that much. Once years ago to Mazatlan, once years ago to Cancun and just recently to the MR on the NCL Sun. I felt the same way all of you do about the food and eating off the ship and basically I still do. I have to say though that I went to a recommended restaurant in Ziahuatanejo and I got food poisoning. I was trying to be so careful but I got careless and ordered sour cream with my enchiladas, the only thing I ate different than everyone else. Within a few hours I was so sick I thought I was going to die. Thank goodness it only lasted 24 hours but I did miss seeing most of Puerto Vallarta. I still recommend that people eat off the ship...but it isn't only the water, ice, and fruits and vegies you need to be careful of. Anything cold that would need to be refrigerated to keep from going bad should be avoided unless you are in a resort or upper end restaurant. Others might disagree but if you haven't had food poisoning before you don't know what sick is.

 

Kristy

Food poisoning usually takes 12-24 hours after you eat something for you to get sick. It was most likely something you ate the day before.

[pulledporky]

The sand is white and the water is georgeous. I expected the same thing when I signed up for this cruise.

 

No white sand beaches on the west coast (relative to the white sand-blue water in the Caribean). But it's still beautiful.

 

(I think the sand on the west coast beaches is from broken down lava material, where the carib is from broken down coral)

[Ron & Kristy]

Food poisoning usually takes 12-24 hours after you eat something for you to get sick. It was most likely something you ate the day before.

 

According to my doctor, from what I described to her, she said classic symptoms of food poisoning. Are you also a doctor?

[quincytoo]

According to my doctor, from what I described to her, she said classic symptoms of food poisoning. Are you also a doctor?

 

I am sure you didn't mean for that to sound rude :cool:

 

My husband was in the fine dining service for many years and took many food safe classes, he also says true food poisoning usually starts 12-24 hours after you eat it. Perhaps your doctor needs to brush up on her training...LOL...sometimes doctors give the safest answers....throwing up in Mexico??? OMG You MUST have had food poisoning!!:rolleyes:

[househunter]

Not a doctor but have a niece who is a nurse! I have just done a lot of reading on the subject and classes from when I was in the restaurant business.

 

Sorry, if you were offended by my answer though. I didn't say that you didn't have food poisening, you probably did. All I said is that it was probably something you ate the day before.

 

Have a great day!:)

[Ron & Kristy]

Not a doctor but have a niece who is a nurse! I have just done a lot of reading on the subject and classes from when I was in the restaurant business.

 

Sorry, if you were offended by my answer though. I didn't say that you didn't have food poisening, you probably did. All I said is that it was probably something you ate the day before.

 

Have a great day!:)

 

Please accept my apologies. Most likely I did mean to be rude, at that moment, and I'm sorry for that. I'm not usually like that. I was in a lot of pain and under a lot of stress. I just had surgery this am and am very doped up right now and shouldn't be on the computer but I'm embarrassed for my bad manners and didn't want to not respond. Just to clarify, I was not throwing up, I had almost uncontrollable shakes, horrible stomach cramps and eventually diarrrhea. Here is an quote taken from a medical website:

 

"Symptoms of food poisoning depend on the type of contaminant and the amount eaten. The symptoms can develop rapidly, within 30 minutes, or slowly, worsening over days to weeks. Most of the common contaminants cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramping. Usually food poisoning is not serious, and the illness runs its course in 24-48 hours."

 

Maybe most food poisonings happen over a longer period of time as you stated but it can happen quickly too,as was my case. Just didn't want people to think I was giving out incorrect information. Again, so sorry for my rudeness. I'm going back to bed now. :(

 

Kristy

[Ron & Kristy]

Sorry Cleopatra, but we need to agree to diagree here...my husband would also strongly disagree with your husband and he was a chef too.

 

Pulled this off the Emedicinehelth site

>>Food poisoning is a common, usually mild, but sometimes deadly illness. Typical symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramping, and diarrhea that occur suddenly (within 48 hours) after consuming a contaminated food or drink<<<

Let's be fair Quincytoo, my quote also came off the same exact site. You can't ignore the fact that food poisoning can start setting in within 30 minutes as they plainly state on that site. Mine started about 5 hours after eating. It happens, period. When food poisoning starts was never the origininal question or the issue, it was about eating off the ship and I was just offering a few words of warning and advice for people to be careful in Mexico. They do not always use the same standards of storage or cleanliness that most of us would at home. I never stated that food poisoning can't start later but I am saying it can start earlier. I feel that my doctor, who has treated me for 10 years, and gets continuing education, is a knowledgable, excellent, doctor and I also trust what she told me regarding food poisoning. I'm sure she's treated way more cases in her career than any of us will ever experience.

Thank you OZ for backing me up. I always appreciate your postings, your forthrightness, and even your bluntness. You get to the point! :D

I agree, let's all agree to disagree and let it go. It's not worth fighting over, or getting disagreeable and nasty over.

 

pulled this off Mayo Clinic

 

>>Food poisoning can cause debilitating abdominal pain, nausea, headache, fatigue, vomiting, diarrhea and dehydration. Symptoms usually appear several hours to several days after eating tainted food, depending on the microbe, this will usually cause illness 12 hours to 3 days after ingestion, with symptoms lasting about 4-7 days.

 

Judging from your posts I am starting to think you hate Mexico ;D

 

BTW, I feel just as safe eating in Mexico as I do anywhere in the world :D

 

Now where is the ignore button???

 

Kristy

(recuperating slowly but surely from shoulder surgery and typing left handed I might add!)

[Wisconsinites]

My Mexican Riviera cruise is coming up in two months. A member of my traveing party has just been diagnosed as having ulcerative colitis. Not knowing how long it will take for this initial flare up to be brought under control with the meds she's been put on, she asked her doctor (a GI specialist with 40 years experience) if he thinks she'll be able to travel by Christmas, and he said sure, he expects her to be well by then, travel will be fine so long as it's not, for example, to a destination like Mexico. When she told him that it IS Mexico, but on a cruise, he said that she should not eat the food or drink the water while on land. He was quite adamant about that.

[aclu_atty]

My Mexican Riviera cruise is coming up in two months. A member of my traveing party has just been diagnosed as having ulcerative colitis. Not knowing how long it will take for this initial flare up to be brought under control with the meds she's been put on, she asked her doctor (a GI specialist with 40 years experience) if he thinks she'll be able to travel by Christmas, and he said sure, he expects her to be well by then, travel will be fine so long as it's not, for example, to a destination like Mexico. When she told him that it IS Mexico, but on a cruise, he said that she should not eat the food or drink the water while on land. He was quite adamant about that.

 

I did not expect to become involved in this topic yet I am compelled to respond to your comment. Would he have said the same for Thailand, Brazil, Spain perhaps? I believe it is fair to assume that anyone with an immune disease such as colitis should seek medical advice before traveling. I do not believe the food in Mexico is absolutely substandard considering it is consumed by millions of Mexico men, women and children daily and is regularly served to tourists. Food borne illness can happen anytime, any place.

[Ron & Kristy]

Isn't it amazing how topics just seem to grow and grow! :-) ACLU_ATTY I don't think the political remark was ever directed at me. It seemed to be between Oz Cleopatra and Quincy_too, one from Australia and one from Canada. LOL

 

I appreciate your insightful post. That is the only point I was ever trying to make, be careful what you eat and you can get sick and quickly. It certainly put a damper on 24 hours of my cruise and I missed most of Puerto Vallarta because of it. Thank goodness I only ate a few bites of my meal because it just didn't taste right otherwise I might have been sick much longer.

 

I hope that you and your band of attorney's have a wonderful cruise and that you all stay well! :-)

 

Kristy

[oz cleopatra]

Isn't it amazing how topics just seem to grow and grow! :-) ACLU_ATTY I don't think the political remark was ever directed at me. It seemed to be between Oz Cleopatra and Quincy_too, one from Australia and one from Canada. LOL

 

I appreciate your insightful post. That is the only point I was ever trying to make, be careful what you eat and you can get sick and quickly. It certainly put a damper on 24 hours of my cruise and I missed most of Puerto Vallarta because of it. Thank goodness I only ate a few bites of my meal because it just didn't taste right otherwise I might have been sick much longer.

 

I hope that you and your band of attorney's have a wonderful cruise and that you all stay well! :-)

 

Kristy

 

 

Of COURSE it was not directed at you!!!!!:) I was just responding to a very fiery post directed at me, as would anyone.