Do I need to take medications in the prescription bottles or can I use a MTW type dispenser? Although the cruise begins in Vancouver, all ports are in Alaska.

We’ve been on over a dozen international cruises and flown all over the world in the last 35+ years and always carried our prescription meds in 7-day pill containers (or in plain ziplock bags when we have been in extended trips). We have never, repeat, never carried the meds in their prescription bottles and have never been questioned about the meds by customs or immigration agents.

My DH carries his in the original containers with the Rx labels on, in a large zip lock bag, as he has quite a few meds. He has never been questioned about them, either here or overseas.

I've had experiences similar to RoamsAround. I rarely take the original prescription bottles; never had any problem and only twice in my life (I think) have I ever had an airport official even look at any of my medications, or anything else for that matter. (I remember having Afrin nasal spray being confiscated upon entering Japan it's apparently illegal to bring that into the country...but apart from that....no worries!!! Even less chance of anyone looking at your things on a cruise.

Over the course of many years I've carried many controlled medications....no one ever glanced at these, or anything else, in my bags..

once traveling to Nashville by air, on the return flight they questioned the package of Benefiber - a white powdery substance- that was in its original packaging. Took about 30 minutes for them to decide it was legit. I had a good laugh over that.

Thanks to all.

It’s safest to bring your medications in the original prescription bottles, cruise lines and port authorities usually prefer this for verification. A pill organizer (like MTW type) is fine for daily use on board, but keep the bottles handy in case they ask for proof.

That's funny about the Benefiber. Once a customs guy did a double take when he saw my zip lock bag of white powder. I told him very calmly it's laundry detergent, and I don't think he spent 5 seconds examining it. I have no idea what illicit drugs smell like, but probably not as nice as my detergent.

That's also interesting about Afrin being illegal in Japan. I wonder why.

We’ve been on over 20 cruises and I’ve always had medication‘s in the daily dispensing devices. I’ve never had any problems so I think you’ll be fine especially for where you are going.

just an FYI I recently read where if you’re taking medication into New Zealand they have to be in the prescribed vials.

you are arriving into New Zealand with prescription medicines (other than medicines containing controlled drugs), on you or in your luggage you must:

• have a copy of the prescription from your doctor, or a letter from your doctor stating that you are being treated with the medicine(s), and
• carry the medicine(s) in their original containers, and
• have a quantity not exceeding three months’ supply for prescription medicines (with the exception of oral contraceptives which can be supplied in six-month quantities).