MSC no food and drink policy

[tamsam07]

I know that MSC doesn't allow passengers to take food or drinks aboard, but does anyone know how heavily this is enforced?

 

Does anyone have any recent experience since the new rule?

[ourcruise2009]

Arrived back on Sunday from a Baltic cruise on the Lirica, we bought drinks (vodka) in St Petersburg & brought them back on board through the x-ray machines no problem. One of our fellow pasengers (thanks Vladimir) brought a nice bottle of flavoured vodka down to the quiz, we just asked for glasses from the bar & drank it. Hope this helps

[camofwilliamsburg]

You are allowed to take small quantities of soda or bottled water also.( at least for the caribbean cruises)

[AmoMondo]

I've never had any bother bringing small amounts of drink onboard - bottle of water or spirits but nothing excessive. Also had a few cereal bars in my hand luggage the day I embarked and again no bother.

 

They are not the best at enforcing any rules, to be honest. They don't seem to enforce this policy or the dress code. They don't seem to do anything either about the very occasional person who smokes where they are not suppossed to.

The only rules that i've observed being enforces are the no kids in the casino and no children buying alcohol (12 or 13 year old trying to buy spirits)

[Kan't Wait]

I've never had any bother bringing small amounts of drink onboard - bottle of water or spirits but nothing excessive. Also had a few cereal bars in my hand luggage the day I embarked and again no bother.

 

They are not the best at enforcing any rules, to be honest. They don't seem to enforce this policy or the dress code. They don't seem to do anything either about the very occasional person who smokes where they are not suppossed to.

The only rules that i've observed being enforces are the no kids in the casino and no children buying alcohol (12 or 13 year old trying to buy spirits)

 

Too funny...it must be that laid back attitude. I'll make sure that I take mine with me (laid back attitude that is :))

[AmoMondo]

Too funny...it must be that laid back attitude. I'll make sure that I take mine with me (laid back attitude that is :))

 

I always do on holiday....much less effort than the alternative!

[Beauseant]

Just Back from a week on MSC Splendida. Had a super time....only problem was that time flys! Anyway, as I like wine, I opted to buy those wine packages which can be bought from any bar (even bought packages of soft drinks and icecreams....worth it!).

 

But in every port stop (excluding Tunis of course) I used to bring aboard one bottle of wine with me in my back pack. Think they close an eye on this as long as one does not overdo it.

 

This wine package I bought, cost me 139euros and consisted of six red wine bottles plus seven bottles of mineral water.

 

B.T.W. like to thank all those people that contribute in this super site. Found many helpfull tips and info here. Special thanks go to guys like AmoMondo though.

[AmoMondo]

Thanks Beauseant - glad to be of help and pleased to hear you had a good time

[Beauseant]

Yes had a super time, and your posts in this site helped me a lot. I'll try to "repay" this by trying to answer some questions regarding the Splendida (am not as good as you though in explaining, but I'll do my best).

 

I wish to ask you one question please. Is the indoor pool (the one with the telescopic roof) heated in winter? I'm thinking about a March 2010 cruise on Fantasia or Splendida. Think will go if at least one of the big pools is heated.

 

Thanks again.

[AmoMondo]

Yes it is heated. the dsay we arrived , it was pouring down, windy and a bit on the chilly side. The indorr pool was very popular that day and the following, until the weather improved.

 

I'm thinking of doing a March sailing on either the Splendida or fantasia, since I enjoyed the big ship experience far more than I thought I would. Just hope it hasn't "ruined" me now for the smaller ships! I'll find out in about 8 weeks when I board the Sinfonia for 3 weeks.

[Minty4]

Also just back from a trip on Splendida and would agree that they are not too hot on rule enforcement. My friend took a small bottle of gin on board to drink in her cabin and this was not taken off her.

 

The rule about food was that partially eaten packets of food could not be brought aboard. However, we bought some nut bars when on the Mt Etna excursion and my son had started to eat one of them. Again, this was not taken off us.

[Beauseant]

Yes true, Minty. We also used to buy some small packed snacks from ashore (like nuts) to have in handy back in the cabin, especially during the early morning hours + that odd bottle of wine too of course. I think not over-doing it is the secret. Watching the sun coming up, plus slowly and silently entering port is something I still miss very much.

 

Thanks again for your info AmoMondo. Are the rear pool and mid outside one heated too? Think that an eastern med cruise in march will have some sunshine too in the areas near Alexandria/Tunis.

[AmoMondo]

Thanks again for your info AmoMondo. Are the rear pool and mid outside one heated too? Think that an eastern med cruise in march will have some sunshine too in the areas near Alexandria/Tunis.

 

Don't think so. The main pools had no water in them at all on the first realy bad day, although the adult pool at the back did. It was 3 days before we saw anyone in the outside pools themseleves and that was when the weather had gotten warmer. The second day wasn't as bad weather wise and we saw people in the hot tubs outside on various decks but not in the pools themseleves. Our crusie was late April/early May. They may have a different policy in the winter sailings.

[Beauseant]

Thanks again AmoMondo for your info. Well, at least the "roofed" inside-one is. Here in Malta, I swim from May till November (weather permitting), so thats why I love water. My prime relaxation method :).

[pctravler]

We had snacks in our backpacks and in our suitcases and we had no problems. I think if you have small packages that are sealed it is ok.

[hat776]

Lots of people take fruit or bread rolls or pastries with them when they disembark for excursions. I understand that in many ports this is not permitted but I've never heard of anyone being checked.