The Unexpected Rules Of Taking Food Off A Cruise Ship Into Port And What Could Get You Fined

One of the great advantages of cruise travel is that everything is included. Accommodation, entertainment, transport, and food — you don't have to worry about a thing, everything is taken care of for you. This is particularly useful for families, as younger kids are often snack machines and require regular feeding, something which can be tricky to manage outside of an all-inclusive package.

The exception to this is time spent in port or on a shore excursion. While some organized tours might come with a packed lunch or something similar, you are usually responsible for your own food and drink when ashore. As a result, many cruise travelers like to take advantage of the breakfast buffet to take snacks with them or make their own packed lunch for shore excursions. As long as you don't break any of the unwritten rules of cruise dining in doing so, it's a great way to prep for the day ahead and a useful money-saving hack since it is already paid for. 

However, taking food off a cruise ship into a port isn't always straightforward. Many ports have unexpected rules about what food you can and can't bring into the country, and you could get in big trouble for certain items. While there is usually an extensive list of items that you are banned from bringing onto the ship, the guidance for passengers on what they can take with them on shore excursions is sometimes less clear. Ultimately, it is your responsibility to ensure that you aren't breaking local laws with your packed lunch.

The rules around taking food off a cruise ship differ from port to port and country to country. Many destinations have strict rules around certain items designed to protect fragile ecosystems, while others have specific dietary laws that cover a range of foodstuffs.

In general, if you are cruising within Europe, you should be fine to make up a packed lunch from almost anything from the onboard buffet. There are almost no restrictions on bringing food from European countries into other nations in the continent, so things like sandwiches, fruit, and baked goods shouldn't present a problem. Cruising in the Caribbean is more complicated. Here, fresh fruit and vegetables are typically prohibited, depending on the country you're visiting from. In fact, for environmental reasons, most fresh food is a no-no in the Caribbean and a range of Central and South American countries. 

Meat and dairy are other things to watch out for when traveling. For example, Muslim countries like Brunei, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates have specific laws about importing non-halal meat, while Australia restricts bringing food from the ship or plane you've been on. Alcohol is another questionable substance almost everywhere. One surprising prohibition that can be easy to fall foul of even if you are paying attention to the food you are bringing is chewing gum. Importing large quantities is illegal in Singapore, resulting in a fine and up to a year in prison. While you are probably okay with bringing in small amounts for personal use, it really isn't worth the risk.

If you are worried about getting snacky while exploring your cruise destinations, don't panic. It's not all doom and gloom. There are plenty of ways to beat the munchies and avoid hangry moments while enjoying time ashore. For starters, eating the local cuisine is a great way to get to know a culture in more depth, and shore excursions offer the perfect opportunity to dive into the culinary traditions of your destination. If you are worried about managing your budget, taking the time to discover local markets is not only a fun and fascinating activity but it's also a wonderful way to try local food at incredibly affordable prices. 

If you have specific dietary requirements or really want to bring your own snacks, there are a few things you can bring off a cruise ship into a port that typically won't cause problems. Baked goods like pastries, brownies, and muffins are usually fine to bring with you and are often a major part of the breakfast buffet on a cruise ship. Factory-sealed foods like power or granola bars, chips, and even mini packs of cereal are also fine. Bottled water is acceptable, but other drinks can sometimes cause problems, particularly fresh juices, so they are best avoided. 

When cruising the world, it is important to remember that you are a guest in each country you visit. Abiding by the local laws and customs is vital, as well as sticking to the sometimes strange rules of the cruise ships themselves. Most ports publish a list of restricted items at the point of entry, but doing your homework before you travel is always a good idea.