Can I bring vanilla on the ship from port as a souvenir

[nautica34]

Thinking about possibly buying vanilla extract in Cozumel for souvenirs. Since its liquid, would I be allowed to bring it on the ship since NCL doesn't allow liquids to be brought on? Asking on this board instead of Cozumel board as some cruise lines don't have issue with liquids being brought on.

[salty dingo]

Deleted

Edited November 12, 2019 by salty dingo
Not paying attention

[FitchburgWIFamily]

I have done it many times and never had an issue.  It was in a bag of stuff I sent through the scanners and no one questioned it.  I bought 4 or 6 smaller bottles of extract (not really small...probably somewhere around 6 or 8 oz).   I have also brought back on board bottles of scotch bonnet sauce in Jamaica, lots of spices in St. Thomas, and had no issues.

 

Even when you bring back booze on board, they take it and give you a claim check and you either get it delivered the last night or go pick it up.   

 

The same also applies to other items not allowed:  my son bought a knife and sheath in Honduras and they allowed him to check it in on board and he picked it up the last day.

Edited November 12, 2019 by FitchburgWIFamily
added more information

[nautica34]

2 minutes ago, salty dingo said:

Beans or extract?

Extract in a bottle 

[nautica34]

2 minutes ago, FitchburgWIFamily said:

I have done it many times and never had an issue.  It was in a bag of stuff I sent through the scanners and no one questioned it.  I bought 4 or 6 smaller bottles (not really small...probably somewhere around 6 or 8 oz).   

Thanks! Didn't want to buy some then be told would have to discard it

[salty dingo]

1 minute ago, nautica34 said:

Extract in a bottle 

I tried to delete my reply because you clearly stated that!😀

[realnurse2]

I have also done it several times,also no problem. I just told them it was vanilla and it was easy-peasy.

[ColeThornton]

1 minute ago, salty dingo said:

I tried to delete my reply because you clearly stated that!😀

 

 

and also because the beans aren't in liquid form.  😉

[don't-use-real-name]

Well I do it all the time - I use Vanilla to flavor my coffee !

Technically vanilla does have some alcohol in it but it is not like you are going drink it direct out of the bottle.

I have taken as many as 6 small 2 ounce bottles on board airlines in the TSA approved 3.1.1 bag.

Never a problem - still in manufacturers carton.

The vanilla from down Mexico way is a great deal more appeasing in taste.

My mom used to take the beans and make homemade vanilla - wow - knock yourself out !

[valleyvillage]

"Most vanilla extracts sold in Mexico are still artificial. Unwitting tourists who bring a bottle home often are buying not only fake vanilla, but also, by the FDA’s reckoning, cancer-causing ingredients." Cook's Blog. Make sure you're getting the good stuff! I stick to Nielsen-Massey and buy it from Amazon. It's the best I have found. And, yes...very expensive. But you know what you're getting.

[17cruisesnsl]

As ValleyVillage wrote some are not really vanilla.   I was told by a shop in either Harvest Cay or Costa Maya that the less expensive vanilla being sold at other stalls wasn't  real, that it was watered down and sugary.   

I know I bought vanilla in Mexico before and never had an issue but I didn't buy any last year, as the person I was buying it for is quite picky

Curious - those that have purchased vanilla recently- do you recall the brand and were you satisfied?   Will be on the Western Caribbean Escape in January and will purchase with recommendations 

[Brigitte3121]

Wow... I just returned from Los Cabos. While in town, I went to Walmart and bought two 250ml of “old fashioned Mexican clear natural vanilla”. Made in Pto. Vallarta. It was MEX$56 each. Too cheap to be real?

[don't-use-real-name]

1 hour ago, Brigitte3121 said:

Wow... I just returned from Los Cabos. While in town, I went to Walmart and bought two 250ml of “old fashioned Mexican clear natural vanilla”. Made in Pto. Vallarta. It was MEX$56 each. Too cheap to be real?

 

Mexican Peso$56 converted or US $ 56 ?

And the Brand Name please - Thanks !

[xcell]

8 hours ago, valleyvillage said:

"Most vanilla extracts sold in Mexico are still artificial. Unwitting tourists who bring a bottle home often are buying not only fake vanilla, but also, by the FDA’s reckoning, cancer-causing ingredients." Cook's Blog. Make sure you're getting the good stuff! I stick to Nielsen-Massey and buy it from Amazon. It's the best I have found. And, yes...very expensive. But you know what you're getting.

 or make your own -- it's not hard.

[SouthLyonCruiser]

My daughter in law is from Mexico and whenever she goes back or is one of her relatives comes to visit, we make sure to have them bring a couple of bottles, way cheaper than here and great quality.

[Brigitte3121]

Bloomington MN, it’s 56 pesos, or less than $3 US. The brand is Usumacinta, I think. There are several sizes to choose from. Brown plastic bottles. Go to where Walmart displays their souvenirs, trinkets, etc. 

[Markanddonna]

We purchased jars of powdered vanilla and sealed sticks in the Pacific Islands. No problem but some countries are very restrictive so not all the advice can be applied.

[Pibblefan]

I'd taste it before walking out of the shop.  I bought an expensive bottle of colored water.

[JamieLogical]

I would think that the absolute worse case is that they would make you check it like they do liquor.

[DinaS]

We've bought 8 oz bottles of home-made vanilla in the Caribbean - and onto NCL ships - and no one ever said a word.  Just put it in our bag in the scanner - and off we went.

 

 

[SSMcruises]

I had some given to me and once opened it was very stinky and nothing like vanilla.  I would be very cautious of anything bought in the touristy areas.  It could be very diluted and/or not safe.  

 

I have a friend staying in Mexico for teo

months that will bring me vanilla beans etc back, but she purchases it from the farm directly.