Medications & Security Checkpoint

[tbonecopper]

Hi everyone!

 

I was going over my list of items I want to pack and was curious about medications... I take a number of prescription meds and really don't want to consume the space in my suitcase with the bottles (there's about 9 bottles including the vitamins). I know when you go thru security at an airport, they mandate you have the pills and such in their original containers. Is it the same with a cruise?

 

Or could I get away with having them measured out for each day + OTC stuff like allergy and advil in a ziploc in the "carry on" I take w/ me?

 

It's probably not a good idea for legal reasons, but is it a possible thing? Or do they get as finnicky with that at cruise security checkpoints as they do with TSA?

[Pam in CA]

I've never had a problem putting my prescription medications in a small ZipLoc bag along with a copy of my prescription. I keep a list of my medications (name, dosage, frequency and purpose) in a Note on my iPhone which comes in handy whenever I'm asked what medications I take. I had to go to the Medical Center with a really bad cold on my Royal cruise and they asked for this info. I just handed them my phone. :)

[tbonecopper]

Thanks Pam! I do the same with my phone. It's not Princess I worry about, it's port security. :) I don't want them thinking I'm sneaking something special special onboard, hah.

[Ron the Rev]

DW has to take anti TNF ( Humira ) injections, we understand that this should not go through xray ( or whatever ) scanners, we have covering letters but it does sometimes cause great consternation when you get a rookie at the security point.

[jagsfan]

I hate several meds and they all come in big 90 day supply bottles. I portion them with my vitamins into a plastic travel pill carrier. Multiple cruises on multiple cruise lines and have never been questioned. I do keep the patient info that comes with each one in the side pocket of my carry on. If I was ever challenged, the description of each prescription drug is on those sheets.

I've always done that flying, too, and have never had a problem there, either. I think as long as you have the printed pharmacy info, even if you were asked about one, the answer would be right there.

 

 

 

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[SJSULIBRARIAN]

Have never had a problem at either airport security or cruise port security with medications not being in their original bottles. But I could not speak for outside of North America. It might be tougher in Europe or Asia.

[RJ2002]

We have never had an issue with meds. However, we do carry a current letter from our physicians which states the medications we are currently taking.

[timetravler]

Jagsfan is correct. I do the same and never have had any problems. I do take a extra day or two of meds with me just in case. I tape my original prescriptions on the back of the pill container. I use one of those large pill containers which is about maybe 8 inch square. One thing to note is be very careful how you pack it as I have had the lids open inside my carry-on before. The only medication I would keep in the original bottle is a highly controlled pain killer such as Vicodin.

[Grammyluvs]

I take multiple, multiple meds. From pills to inhalers to drops, etc. I have never had a problem. I meter out the pills in a pillbox or two that will last the length of the trip. Like Pam, I keep a list of my meds on my iPhone but that is really for when I am at home and need to fill out a form. Never had to use it on any cruise. Maybe it is because I am old and look like I need them. LOL

[Colo Cruiser]

Hi everyone!

 

I was going over my list of items I want to pack and was curious about medications... I take a number of prescription meds and really don't want to consume the space in my suitcase with the bottles (there's about 9 bottles including the vitamins). I know when you go thru security at an airport, they mandate you have the pills and such in their original containers. Is it the same with a cruise?

 

Or could I get away with having them measured out for each day + OTC stuff like allergy and advil in a ziploc in the "carry on" I take w/ me?

 

It's probably not a good idea for legal reasons, but is it a possible thing? Or do they get as finnicky with that at cruise security checkpoints as they do with TSA?

 

 

A quick search found an extensive thread on this from last month.....

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2139490&highlight=prescriptions

[san diego sue]

We put our pills in little daily dose baggies that we buy ar Walmart or Walgreens(either have them). However, if you are traveling outside the country, read that countries requirements. Some say must be in original containers(prescription bottles).

Goingthrough security at U.S. airports prior to your flight and also boarding ship security, little daily dose things are fine.

[caribill]

I have never had a problem traveling in the USA or abroad with pills in unlabled containers and without any copy of prescriptions with me. This is true for airports and for ships.

 

I have never been questioned by any authority whatsoever including to a country where is it is supposedly mandatory to have medications (even OTC) in original containers when entering the country, the only time I did have original containers.

[jagsfan]

Actually, I've never had a problem in Europe, Asia or Africa. Never been to Antarctica.

I feel safe having the pharmacy printout with pill description available. Easy to unzip the side pocket if I need it.

Airport security pretty much knows what they're looking for, and recognize it on sight.

Cruise security doesn't usually look that closely at stuff like that. I think weapons and booze are their priority.

Edited January 10, 2015 by jagsfan

[tbonecopper]

Thanks for the information everyone, I really appreciate it. No, no prescription painkillers like Vicodin here. Just my psych, High blood pressure, and maybe Tylenol or similar. What worries me is the actual Florida State statute regarding the transport of prescription medication not in its original container, see here:

 

http://www.jgcrimlaw.com/lawyer-attorney-1948856.html

 

Of course any information from any attorney especially from a random website is highly subjective. That said, I am flying down to Fort Lauderdale from Jacksonville so I will be subjected to TSA screening and I'd rather avoid any unnecessary issues or delays.

 

Hey jagsfan! Nice to see another Jacksonville resident here, i'm sure there's a few others here as well. It's too bad our own port doesn't do many cruises beyond three days, oh well maybe one day when the city gets its act together. Definitely a conversation for another thread, another sub forum, and maybe another website itself LOL!

 

 

A quick search found an extensive thread on this from last month.....

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2139490&highlight=prescriptions

 

Thanks Colo cruiser. I didn't search for this topic specifically. Normally I would have however I find it's always best to have recent traveler opinions regarding issues like this do to the ever-changing security nature of our country. I'm sure you can understand. However I do deeply apologize for starting yet another topic about something that has already been extensively covered here in the four items. As a member of other forums on the Internet including a prolific self own community, I understand how aggravating it can be for new users to start repetitive topics over and over.

 

I still have some time before we leave, March 15 is the cruise departure date. I may just get letters from my physicians and a pharmacy grade pill container to hold my pills instead of taking eight or nine bottles with me. This will greatly alleviate space in my carry-on backpack and or my suitcase. You never know what you'll bring home do you? LOL!

Edited January 10, 2015 by tbonecopper

[Colo Cruiser]

Thanks for the information everyone, I really appreciate it. No, no prescription painkillers like Vicodin here. Just my psych, High blood pressure, and maybe Tylenol or similar. What worries me is the actual Florida State statute regarding the transport of prescription medication not in its original container, see here:

 

http://www.jgcrimlaw.com/lawyer-attorney-1948856.html

 

Of course any information from any attorney especially from a random website is highly subjective. That said, I am flying down to Fort Lauderdale from Jacksonville so I will be subjected to TSA screening and I'd rather avoid any unnecessary issues or delays.

 

Hey jagsfan! Nice to see another Jacksonville resident here, i'm sure there's a few others here as well. It's too bad our own port doesn't do many cruises beyond three days, oh well maybe one day when the city gets its act together. Definitely a conversation for another thread, another sub forum, and maybe another website itself LOL!

 

 

 

 

Thanks Colo cruiser. I didn't search for this topic specifically. Normally I would have however I find it's always best to have recent traveler opinions regarding issues like this do to the ever-changing security nature of our country. I'm sure you can understand. However I do deeply apologize for starting yet another topic about something that has already been extensively covered here in the four items. As a member of other forums on the Internet including a prolific self own community, I understand how aggravating it can be for new users to start repetitive topics over and over.

 

I still have some time before we leave, March 15 is the cruise departure date. I may just get letters from my physicians and a pharmacy grade pill container to hold my pills instead of taking eight or nine bottles with me. This will greatly alleviate space in my carry-on backpack and or my suitcase. You never know what you'll bring home do you? LOL!

 

No need to apologize! Since there was recent info in that thread thought I would point you in that direction. :)

[MJSailors]

My DH and I need to take several meds each day. That"s a bonus for living a long life!

However, because they are important for our well-being,I never pack them in a suitcase that can get lost or stolen.

I carry all our meds in my very large handbag.

I also have extra copies of prescriptions when we travel.

Never thought of all this when I was 30 years younger- oh well,with age comes experience ,I guess.

Healthy cruising everyone!

[sptrout]

My DH and I need to take several meds each day. That"s a bonus for living a long life!

However, because they are important for our well-being,I never pack them in a suitcase that can get lost or stolen.

I carry all our meds in my very large handbag.

I also have extra copies of prescriptions when we travel.

Never thought of all this when I was 30 years younger- oh well,with age comes experience ,I guess.

Healthy cruising everyone!

 

I understand why you carry your meds in your handbag, but what would you do if you left it somewhere, or if someone grabbed it? For those reasons, I do both, carry-on, and pack in luggage.

 

In my carry-on, I pack just my Rx drugs in their correctly labeled bottles. I also remove most of the drugs at home so there is just enough in the bottles for each day away from home plus a few spares. In my suitcase, I separate all my Rx & OTC meds into daily containers, and actually used these. The carry-on Rx meds are not used unless there is a problem with the luggage.

 

I know, kind of paranoid, but if I show-up at the ship without my Rx drugs then I would probably have no choice but return home.

[Treven]

Personally I simply open the door to my medicine cabinet, hold open a gal-size zip-loc bag in front of it and begin scooping all my bottles into the bag.;)

Edited January 10, 2015 by Treven

[pcsunlover]

Have never had a problem at either airport security or cruise port security with medications not being in their original bottles. But I could not speak for outside of North America. It might be tougher in Europe or Asia.

 

Same here. I take several different pills that I keep in a daily pill box. I just take that with me in my carryon bag. I do not carry any of the prescription information with the exception of that of an injectable medication that I have to send through the scanners separately at the airport. I've never had a problem with security at the airport or cruiseport.

[satxdiver]

Like the others, I put my meds in weekly plastic containers arranged by day. I have never had the slightest interest by security in them. I do have a list of the meds I take which luckily so far is only 3.

[cb at sea]

They don't give a fig about your meds...guaranteed....carry them however you want.

[matj2000]

I understand why you carry your meds in your handbag, but what would you do if you left it somewhere, or if someone grabbed it? For those reasons, I do both, carry-on, and pack in luggage.

 

Really??

[sptrout]

Really??

 

Yes, really! For those of us that have chronic medical problems where medication is required daily and that going without them will cause serious to chastrophic results in as little as hours, never want to leave home without them. Therefore, I use backup methods to reduce the chances of arriving on ship without them.

 

People often say "don't pack valuables (including medications) in luggage" because they fear that their luggage will be lost, forget that carry-ons are just at risk as luggage, but for different reasons. This is especially true if one has to fly into a distant port location, and therefore, have more chances to have a carry-on to go MIA.

 

My carry-on medications (in proper bottles) are just for backup in case of a luggage problem, and to have proper labeling that may be needed (or not??) as mentioned in other posts. Once on board, if everything arrives in my cabin as expected, these bottles are placed in the safe and not used at all.

 

As a warning to others, DO NOT EXPECT THE SHIP'S MEDICAL OFFICE TO HAVE REPLACEMENT MEDICATIONS IF YOU SHOW-UP WITHOUT YOURS. They may try, but the odds are great that they will not stock the specific medication(s) that you need. I have found this to be true even here in Houston at major hospitals. They did not have my specific medications (which were nothing unusual BTW), and the inept nurses/doctors were more than willing to give me replacements that was nowhere near being the same as what they were replacing. Lesson learned, always take your own medications with you if you are going to be admitted to a hospital. They are very capable of totally screwing-up your medications and not care. If you take your own medications, they will bitch and complain, but you have every right to demand that they use what you have brought into the hospital, but they will have their pharmacy check to make sure that the bottles' labels match what is inside. Never forget who the boss is when in a hospital: you are!

 

I know that I may have "jumped shark" on this response, but experience is a great teacher.

 

BTW - - I see that you live in Spring, TX also. We live about a mile west of I45 in the 2920 area.

[gooch47]

I take my Ambien and Ativan in the original containers but my BP, etc. meds I put in the plastic daily containers. We've travelled all over the world and have never had any questions.

[crochetcruise]

Yes, really! For those of us that have chronic medical problems where medication is required daily and that going without them will cause serious to chastrophic results in as little as hours, never want to leave home without them. Therefore, I use backup methods to reduce the chances of arriving on ship without them.

 

People often say "don't pack valuables (including medications) in luggage" because they fear that their luggage will be lost, forget that carry-ons are just at risk as luggage, but for different reasons. This is especially true if one has to fly into a distant port location, and therefore, have more chances to have a carry-on to go MIA.

 

My carry-on medications (in proper bottles) are just for backup in case of a luggage problem, and to have proper labeling that may be needed (or not??) as mentioned in other posts. Once on board, if everything arrives in my cabin as expected, these bottles are placed in the safe and not used at all.

 

As a warning to others, DO NOT EXPECT THE SHIP'S MEDICAL OFFICE TO HAVE REPLACEMENT MEDICATIONS IF YOU SHOW-UP WITHOUT YOURS. They may try, but the odds are great that they will not stock the specific medication(s) that you need. I have found this to be true even here in Houston at major hospitals. They did not have my specific medications (which were nothing unusual BTW), and the inept nurses/doctors were more than willing to give me replacements that was nowhere near being the same as what they were replacing. Lesson learned, always take your own medications with you if you are going to be admitted to a hospital. They are very capable of totally screwing-up your medications and not care. If you take your own medications, they will bitch and complain, but you have every right to demand that they use what you have brought into the hospital, but they will have their pharmacy check to make sure that the bottles' labels match what is inside. Never forget who the boss is when in a hospital: you are!

 

I know that I may have "jumped shark" on this response, but experience is a great teacher.

 

BTW - - I see that you live in Spring, TX also. We live about a mile west of I45 in the 2920 area.

 

That's true! When I was in hospital for cancer surgery, my Specialist asked for a list of my prescribed medications, and instructed me to bring fresh supplies with me, and the scripts, the Hospital pharmacy could dispense then if needed. I'd have needed sedation big time if I'd been stuck in hospital for a month! 11 days was bad enough! I caught Dad when he forgot to pick up 1 of his medications, fortunately I have the same script for a different condition, and had enough spare to give him a sheet, which he replaced from his own supply when we got home. I also scolded him for failing to do what he's always nagging ME about, and yes I enjoyed the chance to dish it out! I usually have sticking plasters with me, no longer carry aspirin as on prescribed medication so forbidden by the Pharmacist who explained it would clash nastily. I always carry the medications in my carry on wheeled suitcase, with a walking stick in the other hand, it replicates my walking frame for short distances.

 

Enjoy your cruise! I'm, enjoying reading everyone's posts, and learning such lots of useful information.

 

Crochetcruise :cool: