A rose by any other name (bringing flowers)

[YoHoHo]

We will be boarding in Vancouver for an Alaska cruise. I was planning on bringing some flowers on board as a surprise to DW (how I'd squirrel them away I haven't figured out yet :-). But then it occurred to me that we will be vetted by US border patrol agents in Vancouver and I am now thinking they might not permit me to 'enter the US' with those flowers (i.e. plant material).

 

Any thoughts/ experience on this?

[LHT28]

Are you taking them into the USA?

 

Are you boarding in Vancouver Canada?

 

Another option would be to buy some in the Bon Voyage package ..more $$ but less hassle ;)

 

https://www.oceaniacruises.com/bonvoyage/default.aspx

[CintiPam]

When we boarded Quest last October, I noticed a bunch of what looked like test tubes linked by some metal with a clear liquid in it on the desk in our cabin. I immediately called housekeeping to report that someone had left some type of chemistry experiment in our room.

 

When our cabin attendant showed up, he explained that it was the holders for the flowers that Azamara always replaces daily in your stateroom. :o

[A Knitter]

We will be boarding in Vancouver for an Alaska cruise. I was planning on bringing some flowers on board as a surprise to DW (how I'd squirrel them away I haven't figured out yet :-). But then it occurred to me that we will be vetted by US border patrol agents in Vancouver and I am now thinking they might not permit me to 'enter the US' with those flowers (i.e. plant material).

 

Any thoughts/ experience on this?

 

I would check with O or have your TA make the inquiry.

[muth cruiser]

Last February on the Riveria, my parents had flowers delivered to my daughter's cabin for her birthday. They placed the order on the ship and the flowers were beautiful.

 

The biggest surprise was the cost: $15.00. I am not sure if it was an error because at home the arrangement would have been at least $60.

 

The cost is not the important point of my post. I just wanted to share the fact that the flowers ordered on the ship were very nice.

[hondorner]

On our very recent transAtlantic crossing on Riviera, someting new was added to the choices. Apparently O has added an onboard florisst to the mix, and custom flower arrangements for your stateroom were available for purchase. They were not all that expensive, very attractive and added a really nice flair to the cabin. There was a full color brochure in our suite picturing each arrangement, and a small placard advertising the availability near the Concierge desk.

[YoHoHo]

Thanks for the replies.

 

Lyn, I used to always buy the $200 Bon Voyage gift - large bouquet, spa credit, inexpensive champagne.

 

I would order it as a 'surprise' with a little note to DW as a nice start to the cruise. We'd often take the bottle to the MDR to share, the Spa credit so DW would take a few moments for herself and the flowers to brighten the room and start our new adventure with a smile.

 

There was often a mix up of some sort. No wine, missing credit, no flowers once but always quickly rectified and the flowers were always very nice. I always looked forward to this.

 

Unfortunately I stopped because the last time the problem was not fixed and went from 'I can live with this but wanted to say..' to bad. Skip the details but it was not the staff on board but a lousy response/inaction from Miami. In hindsight perhaps the message was relayed through too many people but the net result was instead of a 'happy to be aboard' it left ill feelings. Like kicking a gift horse in the mouth (excuse the metaphor mixing) So that is why I am thinking of a DIY.

 

$15 would be amazing - I'd take four! It does sound like an error. But even at a more realistic price, having a florist on board as hondorner reports would ensure fresh product and perhaps even let some creativity have at it. I assume the R ships would be too small to support such service. Great that they have this on Riviera.

 

I've now found what looks promising *if* the USBP agents do concern themselves with such things when going on a cruise that goes to the USA leaving Canada (that is why I was considering as entering the US):

"Most cut flowers are able to enter the United States. However, they must be declared and able to be inspected by an Agriculture Specialist...."

 

So should be good to go. Now how to get them aboard w/o DW noticing. Hmmm. I suppose I'll be able to get a vase of some sort on board. Perhaps a spare ice bucket!

[YoHoHo]

When we boarded Quest last October, I noticed a bunch of what looked like test tubes linked by some metal with a clear liquid in it on the desk in our cabin. I immediately called housekeeping to report that someone had left some type of chemistry experiment in our room.

 

When our cabin attendant showed up, he explained that it was the holders for the flowers that Azamara always replaces daily in your stateroom. :o

Not many pax have chemistry experiments in their cabin - funny story.

[Wendy The Wanderer]

Well don't try the collapsible vases, at least not the flexible plastic ones that somehow firm up when you open them and put water in--not very dependable, unless they've improved the technology. Sometimes you can ask your stewardess to bring a vase--not sure how that works on Oceania.

 

As far as Vancouver, I think the point that you made that others are missing is that you are "virtually" entering the US when you board the ship since your next stop will be a US port. I say go for it, show them the flowers--the worst that will happen is they will confiscate them.

[JimandStan]

Now how to get them aboard w/o DW noticing?.

 

Your problem is going to be getting the flowers past the metal detectors at the foot of the gangway.

[RuthC]

You won't be "bringing flowers into the US" so long as you don't take them off the ship in Alaska. The ship is not the US.

How you get them aboard, and surprise DW, is up to you. Good luck. ;)

[Wendy The Wanderer]

You won't be "bringing flowers into the US" so long as you don't take them off the ship in Alaska. The ship is not the US.

How you get them aboard, and surprise DW, is up to you. Good luck. ;)

 

Oh boy, that should be interesting!

 

But I beg to differ--you'll be in US territorial waters, and I believe that kind of thing matters--after all, who knows what you might do with the flowers? Toss them overboard, take them ashore...but I suspect it won't matter at all. Now if it was a potted plant, it would matter.

[no fuss travel]

For the South Pacific cruise as long as we did not take the flowers off the ship, we could bring them on board. Their rules are even more stringent than the US.

[YoHoHo]

As Wendy The Wanderer wrote the worst thing thing is that they will confiscate them. Sure hope I don't end up on a USBP 'no fleur list'

Thanks for the heads up on the collapsible vase. I am sure a leaking mess would not make me very popular with anyone

[LHT28]

Oh boy, that should be interesting!

 

But I beg to differ--you'll be in US territorial waters, and I believe that kind of thing matters--after all, who knows what you might do with the flowers? Toss them overboard, take them ashore...but I suspect it won't matter at all. Now if it was a potted plant, it would matter.

Throwing things overboard you will have bigger problems to worry about & a large fine to boot

 

If really worried then buy the ones on the ship they have been "cleared" by the flower police

[cbb]

On a somewhat related note, could I purchase flowers at the European street markets I visit and bring them back on board?

[potterhill]

I have seen people do that. Unfortunately I can't, as DH has allergies.

 

Mo

[wripro]

Why not just order flowers from Oceania to be waiting in your cabin upon embarkation?

[orchestrapal]

Why not just order flowers from Oceania to be waiting in your cabin upon embarkation?

 

 

I agree.

We have always had beautiful roses in our suites especially the salmon colored ones that O seems to prefer and you see all around the R ships.

They really do a great job with their arrangements.

[cbb]

For me, buying the flowers and bringing them on board would be remembering where we bought them and what we bought every time I looked at them.

 

I can do roses at home, but flowers from a street market somewhere in Europe would be pretty awesome!

[tak2]

Thanks for the replies.

....

 

I would order it as a 'surprise' with a little note to DW as a nice start to the cruise. We'd often take the bottle to the MDR to share, the Spa credit so DW would take a few moments for herself and the flowers to brighten the room and start our new adventure with a smile.

 

..

 

Lucky Alison!

 

I think my wife would like me to hang out with you more.;)

[RuthC]

But I beg to differ--you'll be in US territorial waters, and I believe that kind of thing matters--after all, who knows what you might do with the flowers? Toss them overboard, take them ashore...

That's why I was careful to say "so long as you don't take them off (emphasis added) the ship in Alaska".

[YoHoHo]

Lucky Alison!

 

I think my wife would like me to hang out with you more.;)

That's what I keep trying to tell her!!

Do you have a cruise booked? Hard to top the adventures on Marina's Maiden Voyage.

[DOJO466]

As Wendy The Wanderer wrote the worst thing thing is that they will confiscate them. Sure hope I don't end up on a USBP 'no fleur list'

Thanks for the heads up on the collapsible vase. I am sure a leaking mess would not make me very popular with anyone

 

Funny...."no fleur list".....and I bet there is one.

[wripro]

If you want to buy the flowers at a market in a port you'll probably have to make the surprise be the fact that you're buying the flowers. Make her part of the whole experience. I don't know show else you can sneak them onboard.