Bag Lunch, Crown Princess Alaska

[Magellan321]

It's really simple.....it must be in the original sealed manufactures packaging. That means no loose fruit, doughnuts from the IC, items self bagged off the buffet etc.....nothing but items in original manufactures sealed packaging. I don't even take gourmet sealed meats or cheeses. I pack a couple cheese and cracker packs, a lunchable, or meal replacement bar.

[shredie]

The AG checks are usually done at the State level. Exception to this is international borders.

 

True. People in uniforms with dogs. If the dog catches you with illegal donuts, you don't care if he's from the state or the federal government. Pam is right about Chile. I never saw such a production! A lady with a mango was "escorted" elsewhere.

 

I get my cereal in little boxes from room service. I think they still do that as a rule.

[RDC1]

Cold sealed cereal boxes don't violate the law. We always picked up a couple of boxes every morning.

 

Your right. The factory sealed boxes would be ok in some countries.

 

Have been in some where they say nothing, not even sealed can be taken off, but that was not US or Canada.

[jagsfan]

We try to try local stuff when we can...one thing I am looking forward to trying in Quebec is Poutine (sp?)...never had it but looks interesting. :D

 

 

I learned about Poutine when I started skiing at Mont Tremblant years ago. I love it. I think it used to be a Quebec thing, but found it in a Wendy's in Alberta, and to die for Poutine in Kamloops. I'm happy to say I can get it in a restaurant here in Jacksonville Fl.

I think if OP checks with the shore ex operator, he/she can get help with that bag lunch. There's a very good reason not to allow fresh fruit, meats, and most other foods into a country. (Or state).

[donaldsc]

Anything that's baked like danish, rolls with peanut butter & jelly, donuts, banana bread, etc.

 

Please provide a written statement from an official government or cruise company source that shows that this statement is correct - if you can find one.

 

DON

Edited April 25, 2015 by donaldsc

[pms4104]

What surprises me is that the tour operator apparently is unfamiliar with the Alaska state resttictions as to what is/is not permitted off the ship.

 

So easy for him to add $5/person to the cost of the excursion and provide a light boxed lunch or snack to his tour group. I bet he could include some local goodies normally not found in other parts of the country.

 

For a price, he'll ship one's catch to wherever ... you'd think he could figure how to feed his clients, rather than telling them to break the law..

[Cruisin' Chick]

Hi. I searched but was unable to find posts answering this question. We are taking an independent fishing tour in Ketchikan and need to take bag lunches from the ship. Will room service bring them to us or should we go to the international cafe and pack our own? will they give us bags/something else to carry them in? Thanks!

Jen

 

You need to get in touch with the operator and find out if lunch will be provided. If not a full day tour, they may just be assuming that customers will eat before and after on shore (they undoubtedly not just have cruise ship passengers on their tour, but other tourists).

 

On the last three excursions that we've taken that were several hours long, food was provided. A continental breakfast/BBQ lunch on our snorkeling excursion off of Lahaina, sandwiches the tour guide picked up before our Big Island tour (unfortunately for me with the condiments added that I can't eat so I was pretty hungry when we got back on board), and a lunch at a diner on Kauai that was included. But Princess did list that meals were provided for those excursions. For an independent company, you do need to ask about specific aspects -- food, cancellation policy, etc.

 

Don't follow what Miss Pat said as anything you need to use a zip lock bag for will not be allowed into the port by port officials. Certainly not anything you can get at the International Cafe and just about anything in the Horizon (I know that there were cereal boxes on our last cruise in Dec 2012/Jan 2013 as I would get my daughter fruit loops, etc. in the morning to enjoy in our cabin).

 

I will pack Power Bars, and other similar snacks that are factory-sealed. I do try to put some in my purse before leaving the ship (I forgot to do so before our Hilo tour) so we're not hungry on a tour or in port (we will look for a local eatery for a true lunch). If we're ever lucky to go on an Australian/New Zealand cruise, I know we won't be able to take these items off.

[Miss Pat]

Please provide a written statement from an official government or cruise company source that shows that this statement is correct - if you can find one.

 

DON

Been doing it for years in many ports without any problems.

[paul929207]

Consider the repercussions of bringing prohibited items ashore. If you are caught, at a minimum you will likely be taken to the ports naughty room for a stern talking to. This will quite likely take long enough that any tours will have left with out you. No refund. If you are going off on your own with others they are likely to be less than thrilled with the wait. They may go off without you.

 

Beyond that you may get a fine.

[Pam in CA]

Been doing it for years in many ports without any problems.

That doesn't make it OK or legal. You've been lucky and if you continue breaking the law, I wish you good luck with that.

[Magellan321]

Hmmm....getting away with and right are two different things.

 

 

Sadly do to the ridiculous food prices in AK...a $5 box lunch is not profitable. We did have one excursion bring a packed lunch for us at a hefty $20 pp. We try and grab a quick local bite whenever possible but try to always have a packaged item on us.

[Miss Pat]

That doesn't make it OK or legal. You've been lucky and if you continue breaking the law, I wish you good luck with that.

All I can say is that reading the list of prohibited items there are many things that are allowed.

 

"Agricultural Notice: The U.S. and Canadian Agricultural Departments remind you that heavy fines can be imposed for bringing any fruit, vegetables, flowers, plants, meats or diary products into our ports of call.

 

On the Disembarkation Sheet (for Whittier) the content was slightly different:

 

US DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE RESTRICTIONS: It is illegal to take fruits, plants, meats or dairy ashore, on the spot fines will be enforced."

 

Items that are not mentioned are deemed to be OK by me. If they didn't want people to bring donuts & danishes they would have spelled out ALL BAKED GOODS.

Edited April 25, 2015 by Miss Pat

[shredie]

 

Items that are not mentioned are deemed to be OK by me. If they didn't want people to bring donuts & danishes they would have spelled out ALL BAKED GOODS.

 

Oh, give it up. LOL. The regulations are clear enough for a reasonable person to understand, and if you want to break them, be my guest, but don't insult our collective intelligence with this nonsense. Hahahaha!

[GandM-nq]

Please provide a written statement from an official government or cruise company source that shows that this statement is correct - if you can find one.

 

DON

OK, not directed at me but here you go anyways.

 

Excerpts from here: https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/82/kw/food%20restrictions/session/L3RpbWUvMTQyOTkwNDMxMy9zaWQvM3FoTHNIa20%3D

The following are generally admissible:

-Bread, cookies, crackers, cakes, granola bars, cereal and other baked and processed products

-Nuts- All nuts are allowed if they have been boiled, cooked, ground, oven dried, pureed, roasted, or steamed.

 

And for info, concentrate, puree, marmalade or jelly fruit is allowable as well. (source http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/manuals/ports/downloads/miscellaneous.pdf Table 3-134)

 

And always:

You must declare all food products. Failure to declare food products can result in up to $10,000 in fines and penalties.

 

Of course, that U.S. Customs and Border Protection mob could have it all wrong too - although it looks the same as information from United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

[dcdisney]

I have food allergies and one of our excursions is 8 hours long and includes lunch. Princess thinks it will be safe for me but has advised me to bring some pre-packaged items in my suitcase just in case that they would not have things on board for me to take.

[Miss Pat]

Oh, give it up. LOL. The regulations are clear enough for a reasonable person to understand, and if you want to break them, be my guest, but don't insult our collective intelligence with this nonsense. Hahahaha!

Read post #65 and let me know. As you can see it's not quite all black & white but there are quite a few acceptable items that are allowed.

[paul929207]

We were at a US airport flying home from overseas. While at baggage claim, the agriculture dog lit up on a woman near us. She was addament that there was nothing in the bag the dog was interested it. The officer finally asked her to empty the bag. Of course, there were two apples. I saw the officer catch the eye of one of the agents by the exit. He nodded at the woman. Last we saw, she and all her luggage were going thru a door none of us wants to go thru.

[Pam in CA]

We were at a US airport flying home from overseas. While at baggage claim, the agriculture dog lit up on a woman near us. She was addament that there was nothing in the bag the dog was interested it. The officer finally asked her to empty the bag. Of course, there were two apples. I saw the officer catch the eye of one of the agents by the exit. He nodded at the woman. Last we saw, she and all her luggage were going thru a door none of us wants to go thru.

I've seen the exact same thing at Logan airport.

[shredie]

Excerpts from here: https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/82/kw/food%20restrictions/session/L3RpbWUvMTQyOTkwNDMxMy9zaWQvM3FoTHNIa20%3D

 

And from the same document you reference above:

You may be able to bring in food such as fruits, meats or other agricultural products depending on the region or country from which you are traveling. Restrictions are placed on these products to protect community health, preserve the environment and prevent the introduction of devastating diseases to domestic plants and animals.

 

RESTRICTIONS exist, but they are not noted in this one document from US Customs and Border Protection. The restrictions will be published at the ports where such restrictions apply. The federal government does not supersede the states in this instance. Just because this one document you cite does not itemize the individual restrictions in the individual states it does not mean that you can willy-nilly take any old foodstuffs off the ship on a whim. In some cases they will be confiscated, and in others, the offender will be escorted off somewhere to deal with the law.

 

In any case, it is silly to say that just because something isn't specifically prohibited, it is then permitted. I have not seen a document that specifically says that I can't take a live cobra in a red basket to Alaska, but I'm pretty sure I would be detained if I tried. This whole argument is silly. The rules are clear; obey them or take your chances.

Edited April 26, 2015 by shredie

[Coral]

We were at a US airport flying home from overseas. While at baggage claim, the agriculture dog lit up on a woman near us. She was addament that there was nothing in the bag the dog was interested it. The officer finally asked her to empty the bag. Of course, there were two apples. I saw the officer catch the eye of one of the agents by the exit. He nodded at the woman. Last we saw, she and all her luggage were going thru a door none of us wants to go thru.

 

I've seen the exact same thing at Logan airport.

 

I actually had this happen to me! I flew to Japan and had Walmart branded beef jerky with me thinking it would be travel well. I made it to Japan with no problems with it and it stayed in my carry on for the flight back. Coming home in Chicago, the cute beagle dog caught me at baggage area. I had no idea why. I got pulled aside where she asked me what I had in it (I was thinking they were looking for drugs) and I opened up the bag as I didn't think I had anything to hide. I found it ironic it was "walmart beef jerky I was bringing back to the US that caught me". They did send me to another line where all of my luggage was searched. They could care less about my dried apricots. Thankfully, I was not fined at all and was treated with professionalism by the authorities. Lesson learned.

Edited April 26, 2015 by Coral

[capriccio]

We were at a US airport flying home from overseas. While at baggage claim, the agriculture dog lit up on a woman near us. She was addament that there was nothing in the bag the dog was interested it. The officer finally asked her to empty the bag. Of course, there were two apples. I saw the officer catch the eye of one of the agents by the exit. He nodded at the woman. Last we saw, she and all her luggage were going thru a door none of us wants to go thru.

 

I've seen it at Miami airport with a passenger on our Princess charter back from Manaus.

 

I can't remember the port in Alaska but at one by DB - who hadn't paid attention to the warnings over the PA or in the Patter - carried off a banana and was stopped at the bottom of the gangplank and told to either eat it or toss it in the bin. He ate it - and didn't try to carry food off in Alaska again.

Edited April 26, 2015 by capriccio

[LoriPhil]

Some of the comments I've read on this thread are a bit troubling - the restrictions were put in place by local authorities for a reason and as visitors to the region it's arrogance to rationalize breaking rules because your contraband wasn't specifically itemized or because you haven't been caught yet.

 

I admit that I hadn't read those warnings on my first cruises and suspect there are quite a few people who can say the same (though now the announcements allowing passengers to debark include those food-warnings to keep us from embarrassing ourselves with the local authorities).

 

By the time I hit the docks I'm starting to waddle a bit so missing a few feeding opportunities is a good idea for me. Plan ahead, have a hearty breakfast, pack granola or cliff bars, buy something locally if possible and have a great time!

Edited April 26, 2015 by LoriPhil

[Kamloops50]

I've seen garbage cans full of food taken from cruise ship passengers at Canada Place in Vancouver . Some where even sealed containers of food from the US . The contents where restricted items of fruit , veg , diary and Meat products.

[shredie]

Some of the comments I've read on this thread are a bit troubling - the restrictions were put in place by local authorities for a reason and as visitors to the region it's arrogance to rationalize breaking rules because your contraband wasn't specifically itemized or because you haven't been caught yet.

 

Something we see often on CC: rules are for other people, not for MMMMEEEEEEEE!!!!

Edited April 26, 2015 by shredie

[pablo222]

Items that are not mentioned are deemed to be OK by me. If they didn't want people to bring donuts & danishes they would have spelled out ALL BAKED GOODS.

 

I have noticed that customs, immigration and agriculture inspectors;

and law enforcement folks in general are a light-hearted, fun-loving

group.

 

I'm sure they would enjoy some clever banter about a hyper-literal

interpretation of their regulations and laws.

 

Why pay for a shore excursion, when your tax dollars can provide

such entertainment for yourself, and others, for free!

Edited April 26, 2015 by pablo222