We're sailing Golden Princess in a week. I get conflicting information when I have called 1-800-princess. One person told me we could get a boxed lunch to take with us when we go on our own shore excursions. Another person tells us NO they are not available. Anyone have experience with this? It would be so much easier to take our lunch.

I have been a frequent reader of cruise message boards for more than three years, and I haven't seen a box lunch as being an option when going on shore (sometimes a box lunch is included in the price of an excursion).

I have seen people mention that they have either made sandwiches on their own, or ordered them from room service, for the purpose of taking them ashore.

In most ports we haven't found it much of an inconvenience to return to the ship for lunch.

we always bring a lunch-size cooler and either order room svce sandwiches or get something from the b'fast buffet in the AM.

The zip-lok bags that we bring are great for this. 1 for ice, 1 each for the sandwiches and a washcloth so the ice isn"t dripping.

We have brought croissants, Hard boiled eggs, cheese and, if fits, water bottle in the cooler, in the backpack.

Saved us many times, cannot wait until 2pm, esp., if you are up at 6am for the tour.

Many people have remarked, that they wish they had thought of that.

Never had the bags checked either.

bring a collapsable lunch box ( the softsided variety)...

At breakfast-after you have eat-Grab anything sandwichy that you want and make your own lunch--there are wonderful rolls,fruits,bacon etc-not problem making a bacon and tomato sandwich at all)...Bingo--instant lunch...

We just got off Celebrity and this is very easy to do..The lines do NOT provide a box lunch--but as another poster said--you can also order room service and make your own stuff up..but room service has a tendency to ignore "special requests"..and you can do a lot better going up to the buffet and making your own lunch...

IF you are going to be in the towns--eating at the local restaurants is always good---gives you a taste of the "island" food..so that is another option...

Boxes lunches used to be more common then they are today.

On some islands, depending on the laws, taking food of of the ship is illegal (violates Dept of Agriculture laws of the country). Fines can be imposed for doing this.

I would consult the ship's staff before doing this to see if there are any problems. I actually saw a couple fined hundreds of dollars in Fort Lauderdale after disembarking the ship for bringing fruit off of the ship.