Does Carnival let you take food off the ship?

CatMeow · #1 (**permalink**) November 8th, 2011, 12:18 AM

I'm seeing how Grand Cayman charges out the whazoo for anything and everything. Do ships let you pack a lunch and take it with you to the port? Or do the ports themselves not allow you to bring the food in?

green_rd · #2 (**permalink**) November 8th, 2011, 08:47 AM

Most ports do not allow you to bring food items off the ship and vice versa. The concern is local food safety at both ends. Carnival will not pack you a lunch.

I have seen it work both ways. I have seen people bring food off the ship - nobody seems to check very carefully - and I have seen passengers lose those woven palm frond hats coming back on board.

JLI219 · #3 (**permalink**) November 8th, 2011, 09:06 AM

I'm sure there's a way you could pack a fruit into one of your bags/purse when getting off the ship!

colorcrazie · #4 (**permalink**) November 8th, 2011, 02:58 PM

It depends on the port, not the cruise line. However, I often take a hard boiled egg from the breakfast buffet. Got busted by a beagle once because I had a banana in my purse...but that was a US port. So, since fruit is the easiest thing to smell, I would not recommend it. I also take a couple of protein bars with me and those I can throw one in a backpack and not have to worry. But, I usually just end up back on the ship in time for a late lunch on deck. And, yes, Grand Cayman is outrageously expensive.
Marty

lhp · #5 (**permalink**) November 9th, 2011, 07:31 AM

There are strict rules against taking raw (unpackaged) foods off a ship.

And as guest in these ports, we need to be a good steward and follow their rules.

However, prepackaged foods are completely acceptable.

We have a son with Autism that won't just "eat anything"...so we pack prepackaged peanut butter/crackers, candy bars, chips....

you can even carry off boxed cereal from Lido.

We also time our port visits so that we can eat a big breakfast and be back in time for a late lunch. This works best for him.

Iamchip · #6 (**permalink**) November 9th, 2011, 07:21 PM

I did not know you couldn't take food off the ship! Last cruise I took ziplock bags and my gf and I both took room service sandwiches when we got off. Maybe their just lazy in Cozumel? Any one know if their lazy/diligent in Nassau? (I was planning to do the same thing)

mynameisNOTlauren · #7 (**permalink**) November 10th, 2011, 11:10 AM

We usually take extra boxes of cereal from breakfast for snacks. The odd time we've taken an apple, and like they said above, it depends on the port.

green_rd · #8 (**permalink**) November 10th, 2011, 12:33 PM

There is usually some sort of general announcement, maybe in the Fun Times, and it will be posted on one of the signs by the gangway.

sgtmomret · #9 (**permalink**) December 17th, 2011, 02:37 PM

your not allowed to take any food off at any port....now saying that it does'nt mean people don't ie bananas, apples. We took dry cereal to feed the fish when we went snorkling.

fun2cruiz · #10 (**permalink**) December 17th, 2011, 05:23 PM

Packaged items are permitted to be brought off ship while in port. Fruits are a no-no.

Personally I like to experience the different types of cuisine where I am visiting, and allow for those costs in my cruise budget.

Cruznut2 · #11 (**permalink**) December 18th, 2011, 02:48 AM

I know there are rules about fruits being taken off the ships. I do remember back in1983 and 1984 they had tours to the ruins and would pack a box lunch for those going on those tours. Not sure if they still do that now.

Laura

JoeMo · #12 (**permalink**) December 20th, 2011, 10:39 PM

We usually order a sandwich or two from room service, zip em into our ziplock baggies, carry them off in our beach bag. We NEVER take fruit off the ship in any port, as we have seen the effects of fruit flies and other vermin introduced where they don't belong.
Take only memories, leave only footprints.