smag873 Posted February 14 #1 Share Posted February 14 Maybe a strange question, but under the guidelines that allow "prepackaged" foods to be brought onboard, would I be able to bring packaged/sealed cheese & meat (like sausage or prosciutto)? We plan on enjoying sail away from our balcony, and I would love to enjoy some charcuterie as a light snack while we take in the views, but ordering a cheese tray through the ship is ridiculously expensive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare cruiser2015 Posted February 14 #2 Share Posted February 14 3 minutes ago, smag873 said: Maybe a strange question, but under the guidelines that allow "prepackaged" foods to be brought onboard, would I be able to bring packaged/sealed cheese & meat (like sausage or prosciutto)? We plan on enjoying sail away from our balcony, and I would love to enjoy some charcuterie as a light snack while we take in the views, but ordering a cheese tray through the ship is ridiculously expensive. You could pick up some fixin's at the buffet and/or the Observation lounge. The cheese selection will be limited; not likely to find prosciutto, though I did see some during my recent cruise. "Sealed" food items are allowed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Anoynmous Phoenix Posted February 14 #3 Share Posted February 14 @smag873 It will depend on the cruise. On recent cruises between New Zealand and Australia there was, almost every day, a notice in the Freestyle Daily that NO FOOD of any kind could be taken off or brought on to the ship at any port. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare 1025cruise Posted February 14 #4 Share Posted February 14 Prepackaged foods must be factory sealed. Things like granola bars/etc. I wouldn't bring meat or cheese. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrinaLC Posted February 14 #5 Share Posted February 14 Absolutely. Enjoy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smag873 Posted February 14 Author #6 Share Posted February 14 44 minutes ago, 1025cruise said: Prepackaged foods must be factory sealed. Things like granola bars/etc. I wouldn't bring meat or cheese. Yes, I was thinking of packaged, factory sealed items, like this. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yankees111 Posted February 15 #7 Share Posted February 15 Plenty of food to satisfy your needs for free in buffet so no need to sneak food onboard 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UKstages Posted February 15 #8 Share Posted February 15 well, they wouldn't be "sneaking" it; they'd be taking it onboard in their carry on luggage. prepackaged meat and cheese is absolutely allowed (assuming a USA departure port), but that's more like vacuum-sealed charcuterie-type products and not deli meats with cellophane wrap over a styrofoam base. that being said, i'm in the camp that all concerned would be better off with buffet food or observation lounge snacks. or just a cocktail or two on the balcony, followed by a meal in any restaurant. it's just easier all around, but, yes, you can bring prepackaged and factory-sealed food onboard. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D_And_K_gocruising Posted February 27 #9 Share Posted February 27 Probably depends on how strict the port people feel like being that day, and maybe to an extent how hungry they are... 😄 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare graphicguy Posted February 27 #10 Share Posted February 27 On 2/14/2024 at 2:22 PM, smag873 said: Yes, I was thinking of packaged, factory sealed items, like this. You can try. But, I'm thinking "NO"! They are strict about fruits, cheeses, animal products (which is what that picture is). They'd confiscate it. And, I doubt they'd give it back at the end of the cruise because of spoilage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare shof515 Posted February 27 #11 Share Posted February 27 Beef jerky is an animal product and a snack. How strict are they with it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare graphicguy Posted February 27 #12 Share Posted February 27 32 minutes ago, shof515 said: Beef jerky is an animal product and a snack. How strict are they with it? I would imagine they would discourage/disallow that, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Anoynmous Phoenix Posted February 27 #13 Share Posted February 27 To flesh out my earlier post. Admittedly it was NZ or Australia but the Freestyle Daily, every day, had the following While both countries are paranoid about importing pests and diseases I should imagine most countries have a watered down version of those statements. At some ports there were "food sniffing dogs" working. I have seen similar in other parts of the world too. Unless you can get an OK from NCL and the port authorities to take those foods on board i would not bother; there is plenty of good food on board. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travelling2Some Posted February 27 #14 Share Posted February 27 Just a FYI that one of the main dining rooms will be open on embarkation day for a nice, relaxing sit down lunch. The view from your balcony may or may not be anything special or relaxing while you are still in port and you may find it noisy too. There are cold cuts, cheeses and other munchies (olives, breads, etc.) available in the buffet. We have found it useful to bring a small plastic tray ($1 from Ikea) in our luggage. We started packing one when we used to cruise with a bunch of small kids and we still bring it since i takes up no room and it is handy for "balcony picnics". (Other passengers will ask you how you got a tray.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travelling2Some Posted February 27 #15 Share Posted February 27 In our own experience it also depends on the port. Hawaii, Australia and New Zealand are very strict about transporting foods. Tropical ports seem more concerned than European ports (factory sealed ham products are very popular souvenirs in Spain, for example). Ports in Northern Europe (Scandinavia and the Baltics) seem to care not at all. I've always assumed that is because invasive pests are likely to survive in warm countries but your banana seeds won't grow in Norway anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjkacmom Posted February 27 #16 Share Posted February 27 I don’t know what port, but while we always get balconies (and are ones who use it a lot, especially with drinks and snacks), sail away is fun up on deck, and you can see both sides. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
julig22 Posted February 27 #17 Share Posted February 27 I don't think NCL actually cares if you bring pre-packaged food onboard -or take food with you for that matter. Warnings are more with respect to port restrictions, although for the most part, they use the same wording for every port. So if you are going through port security (coming or going) you're subject to those rules - and possibly the ability of their dogs to sniff out any food. If it's just ship security, they don't usually check your bags getting off the ship, don't always seem too concerned about what you bring back, as long as it isn't dangerous or something illegal. FYI, trying to bring back shells from their private island can get you detained! (not me, but the person ahead of me). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Distinctive-Destinations Posted February 27 #18 Share Posted February 27 On 2/14/2024 at 11:40 PM, yankees111 said: Plenty of food to satisfy your needs for free in buffet so no need to sneak food onboard I have to disagree with you here. Some people with dietary restrictions or medical issues (diabetes, etc) absolutely need to bring food on board. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yankees111 Posted February 28 #19 Share Posted February 28 (edited) Who said anything about dietary restrictions? The post was asking about bringing on a charcuterie board. Edited February 28 by yankees111 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IrieBajan54 Posted February 28 #20 Share Posted February 28 (edited) I think ship security at ports of call are more intent on looking for things like bottles and weapons. If your food is not visible (regular bag vs clear bag), it just goes unnoticed by the person doing the screening. Edited February 28 by IrieBajan54 add text Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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