TVanTuyl Posted August 16, 2013 #1 Share Posted August 16, 2013 I am learning a lot about GMO foods and understand that most European countries have banned GMO foods ... is anyone aware if any CRUISE lines provide non-GMO foods? I assume ships purchase what is available in the ports that they visit so it may be a case by case thing and not a "rule", but I was just curious if anyone here has heard anything about it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ducklite Posted August 16, 2013 #2 Share Posted August 16, 2013 At home I eat 100% organic, antibiotic, rBGH, GMO free. (Munching on some freshly grilled free range and antibiotic free chicken with organic grilled veggies and organic quinoa as I type :) ) When traveling I do the best I can. Yes, most Euro countries have banned GMO's and rBGH/antibiotics, and their food chain is generally very safe. Most lines that sail in Europe source all foods from Europe. The mainstream lines that sail out of US ports buy from Sysco and the other institutional food suppliers, and organic, GMO free, hormone free, or antibiotic free is going to be the rare exception to the rule. Sad, isn't it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ducklite Posted August 16, 2013 #3 Share Posted August 16, 2013 By the way, the new steakhouse opening (or just opened) at the Mirage is supposed to feature grass fed antibiotic and rBGH free beef. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TVanTuyl Posted August 17, 2013 Author #4 Share Posted August 17, 2013 drat, I assumed that would be the case but am relatively new to cruising and don't read the boards religiously so I thought I'd check. Thanks for your info! And yes, it is very sad!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TVanTuyl Posted August 17, 2013 Author #5 Share Posted August 17, 2013 we have a client who is a sous chef there (Tom Colicchio's place), I just hope other places follow suit! Do you have Chipotle's in FL? They have started to label the GMO products on their menu, I haven't been since they implemented that rule, so I don't know how the menu looks, but I may take a stroll in and see? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ducklite Posted August 20, 2013 #6 Share Posted August 20, 2013 we have a client who is a sous chef there (Tom Colicchio's place), I just hope other places follow suit! Do you have Chipotle's in FL? They have started to label the GMO products on their menu, I haven't been since they implemented that rule, so I don't know how the menu looks, but I may take a stroll in and see? Chipotle is nationwide, it's pretty much the only fast food place I visit on any sort of regular basis. (Subway in an absolute pinch, but I'd prefer to find a decent grocery store and buy some organic fruit and crackers or yogurt to fend off the hunger until I can get home when I have to.) http://www.chipotle.com/en-us/menu/ingredients_statement/ingredients_statement.aspx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dooby Pagoda Posted November 20, 2014 #7 Share Posted November 20, 2014 We eat as you describe (organic foods) at home, but have just booked a Caribbean cruise for January 2015 and are wondering how we will manage. Has anything changed since you last posted? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BruceMuzz Posted November 23, 2014 #8 Share Posted November 23, 2014 (edited) I am learning a lot about GMO foods and understand that most European countries have banned GMO foods ... is anyone aware if any CRUISE lines provide non-GMO foods? I assume ships purchase what is available in the ports that they visit so it may be a case by case thing and not a "rule", but I was just curious if anyone here has heard anything about it? Most large cruise lines - regardless of where they sail - are at the mercy of the US Government. If we sell tickets in the USA - or if even one of our ships stops in a US Port - the US Center for Disease Control, the US Internal Revenue Service, and the US Navy claim jurisdiction over much of what happens onboard our ships, regardless of where the ships might be sailing. When my ship is sailing in Asia, or Europe, or Africa, or South America, we are required to purchase all our protein food items exclusively from US Certified Vendors. The only country in the world that has US Certified Vendors is the USA. We generally are not allowed to purchase foods ashore in any other country unless it is the direst of emergencies. Edited November 23, 2014 by BruceMuzz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dooby Pagoda Posted November 23, 2014 #9 Share Posted November 23, 2014 Do you know whether there are any cruise lines that offer organic food as a special option, akin to gluten-free? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ducklite Posted November 24, 2014 #10 Share Posted November 24, 2014 We eat as you describe (organic foods) at home, but have just booked a Caribbean cruise for January 2015 and are wondering how we will manage. Has anything changed since you last posted? Resign yourself to the fact that you'll be eating processed, GMO laden foods for the week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ducklite Posted November 24, 2014 #11 Share Posted November 24, 2014 Most large cruise lines - regardless of where they sail - are at the mercy of the US Government.If we sell tickets in the USA - or if even one of our ships stops in a US Port - the US Center for Disease Control, the US Internal Revenue Service, and the US Navy claim jurisdiction over much of what happens onboard our ships, regardless of where the ships might be sailing. When my ship is sailing in Asia, or Europe, or Africa, or South America, we are required to purchase all our protein food items exclusively from US Certified Vendors. The only country in the world that has US Certified Vendors is the USA. We generally are not allowed to purchase foods ashore in any other country unless it is the direst of emergencies. Yet another reason to avoid mass market lines. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BruceMuzz Posted November 27, 2014 #12 Share Posted November 27, 2014 Yet another reason to avoid mass market lines. Absolutely. And another reason to avoid cruise lines that call at US Ports. As soon as a single ship from a cruise line calls even once at a US Port, all of the US laws and regulations kick in. Any cruise line that does not visit US Ports: --Can visit Cuba --Can sell Cuban cigars onboard --Avoids the PVSA nonsense --Can purchase local foods in exotic ports --Is not required to collect US Income taxes from anybody who wins money in the casino --Rarely or never has any Norwalk Virus issues --Does not have to put up with the TSA --Does not have to put up with the US Immigration and Customs nonsense Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ducklite Posted November 27, 2014 #13 Share Posted November 27, 2014 However, US citizens must fly to and from various ports to cruise in those ships, so TSA/EASA/etc. and CBP in multiple countries is still very much in play. I'd argue that in most cases outside the Caribbean, one would go through far more layers of security--which can be far more stringent than what anyone encounters in the US--when cruising a non-US ship. That said, the minor inconvenience is inconsequential when the end result is being able to see the wonders of the world. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ducklite Posted November 27, 2014 #14 Share Posted November 27, 2014 By the way, not on a cruise, but it is not difficult at all for US citizens to visit Cuba. Fortunately most haven't figured out how to legally do it, so there is plenty of opportunity for those who have. ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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