Cruise Advice

[Mary Kay]

My dh and two kids are going on a well-deserved vacation in our new-to-us camper and are also taking a four-day cruise out of Miami to the Bahamas. The camper is so that it will be cheaper when we sleep and we can haul all of our own food. I would suspect that many of you have food issues when you are away from home - like me so am appealing to you for advice!

I have issues about the ecological impact of cruises etc, but the family wants to go, so I'm just not addressing these concerns here.

But what about the cruise? I'm going to bring either my Vita-Mix or my Magic Bullet. Which one to bring? Of course, the Magic Bullet is a toy compared to the V-M, but does work about 90% as well, and is small and not very noisy. Anyone been on a cruise that can tell me which one to bring?

Also, they say they have filtered water, but I don't trust anyone so I'm bringing my water distiller for the room. Just in case there's any chlorine in the water etc. Do you think they'll allow it? Their contract/rules are vague.

Anybody else been on a cruise that can give me advice? I'm not a vegan and I'm about 90% raw. However, I BECOME a vegan when I know that there will be factory-farmed animals/products being served.

Could I bring my own dehydrated stuff like flatbreads or nuts etc?

Any other advice would be greatly appreciated.

Mary Kay

[MysticTree]

ask the cruise people. I don't think people here can second guess what their rules are except to say they'd be fools to not allow their customers to provide for themselves especially if the cruise price is all-in.

[Mary Kay]

Oh, Thanks Georgina,

I have asked them and they seemed fine with whatever I wanted to bring except no food. But was wondering if it was in my suitcase if I could.

I actually wanted to hear firsthand what others have done. I told the guy to whom I spoke that I wanted to bring my juicer so I could make juice in my room, and he said no prob, but again, wanted advice. Have any of you made smoothies in your room etc?

Thanks for answering with such a quick response though!

Mary Kay

[MysticTree]

I have asked them and they seemed fine with whatever I wanted to bring except no food. But was wondering if it was in my suitcase if I could.

Mary Kay

well obviously you could; I guess you shouldn't but I suspect you will :o)

I probably would too but I don't really get to have holidays away from home.

[Revvell]

I don't recall them going through my luggage when we went on our cruise. Things could be different now though. dunno.

As was said in the other thread, the sit-downs were the hardest for me to get some real food. They "tried" to be accommodating yet didn't even understand vegetarian much less raw vegan. The buffets are great. Bring your citrus juicer and MB... I think the VM might be a bit much but with the juicer ~ there was a lot of fruit/greens that could be cut up ~ juiced and blended. If I remember correctly, there was always fruit available. If not, store some for when there isn't.

I don't see why you can't bring dehydrated stuff and nuts/seeds.

Pretty sure we drank the water.

The "room" is just a small cabin... unless you've gotten something larger?

[Traceyraw]

I would call them ahead. They will make special arrangements for you. I told them I had food allergies. Theyre were plenty foods I could eat. I was on Royal Carribean. So many fresh fruits and veggies. They had smoothies with fresh fruits. Your on vacation let them do the work. I was having so much fun in the sun thats all I ate was fresh fruits and salads. Smoothies galore. When there are making them tell them you have milk allergies so fruit only please. Enjoy have a great time.

[Traceyraw]

P.S. I drank bottled purified water.

[Mary Kay]

Revvell, Yeh, thanks I'm only going to take the Magic Bullet - I agree the V-M might be a bit much!

Traceyraw ==Thanks, but I don't even trust the bottled water! But I'll drink it if that's all Ican do! do you have to buy the water? Just curious.

Thanks again,

Mary Kay

[Traceyraw]

We bought it from the gift shop. Enjoy your cruise

[Mary Kay]

Okay, so today I called again and this time was "armed" with detailed questions. Here's what I found out about Royal Caribbean: Yes, you can bring a Magic Bullert (so I'm assuming I can also bring my water distiller - hehehe), and yes, I CAN bring food so long as it's non-perishable --like nuts or dried fruit are okay, etc. Oh, and one other thing, ALL the meals are served buffet style, so that is good cuz I can pick out whatever I want.

The only problem I foresee is my nine year-old twins. I want to keep them from eating hydrogenated oils in baked goods, keep them from factory-farmed meats, etc.....sigh.....LOL, pray for me!

Thanks again to everyone who responded.

Mary Kay