[mbene]

Getting ready for a cruise and have been watching some YouTube videos. Some are saying security is tightening for 2026. One of the things they are commenting on is more scrutiny on prescription drugs. Some are saying they may not let people take their drugs only in pill organizers and are requiring you to have the labeled pill bottles with you. Our pills come in 90 day supply bottles and they can take up some room.

Has anyone else heard anything about this? I really don't want my prescriptions confiscated and then have to get them from the ship's pharmacy at exorbitant prices.

My first thought was is there now going to be a licensed pharmacist checking your prescriptions? You could put anything in those bottles and how could they tell?

[ThirdOfFive]

Originally Posted by mbene

Getting ready for a cruise and have been watching some YouTube videos. Some are saying security is tightening for 2026. One of the things they are commenting on is more scrutiny on prescription drugs. Some are saying they may not let people take their drugs only in pill organizers and are requiring you to have the labeled pill bottles with you. Our pills come in 90 day supply bottles and they can take up some room.

Has anyone else heard anything about this? I really don't want my prescriptions confiscated and then have to get them from the ship's pharmacy at exorbitant prices.

My first thought was is there now going to be a licensed pharmacist checking your prescriptions? You could put anything in those bottles and how could they tell?

Suggest talking to the cruise line as this may vary from cruise line to cruise line.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by mbene

Getting ready for a cruise and have been watching some YouTube videos. Some are saying security is tightening for 2026. One of the things they are commenting on is more scrutiny on prescription drugs. Some are saying they may not let people take their drugs only in pill organizers and are requiring you to have the labeled pill bottles with you. Our pills come in 90 day supply bottles and they can take up some room.

Has anyone else heard anything about this? I really don't want my prescriptions confiscated and then have to get them from the ship's pharmacy at exorbitant prices.

My first thought was is there now going to be a licensed pharmacist checking your prescriptions? You could put anything in those bottles and how could they tell?

No idea about the policies, I haven't heard nor have I checked. But this is what I do for travel:

Once I've finished using the pills in an Rx bottle, I keep the bottle, with the Rx label attached. It goes into a basket in my bathroom linen cabinet with empties of my other prescriptions. I keep only the "most recently emptied" bottle of each Rx..

When it's time to travel, I transfer whatever meds I need into their corresponding older rx bottles. Prescriptions usually have a 1-year expiration date on the label. So if I have a 90-day supply, the empty bottle is still technically valid for another 9 months.

Once I refill the prescription again, I throw the oldest bottle away, replace it with the next-recent empty bottle, and the cycle begins again.

Yes, it takes up space. But for a cruise, I'm not going to care. If I'm driving, I'm not going to care. If I'm on an airplane, it'll only matter if I plan on NOT checking my bags. If I'm checking my bags in, I put most everything in my checked bags, keep the rx bottles in the cabin with me, and there's plenty of room for a few days of clothing and other things I need for the plane ride.

[dewilson58]

Originally Posted by ThirdOfFive

Suggest talking to the cruise line as this may vary from cruise line to cruise line.

Best advice.

Been on a number, different lines..................never an issue.

[JoMar]

Lot of rules changed for 2026 for air travel and cruising. I have always taken the containers the prescritptions came in and take at least 30 days of medications. I also check the cruise lines prohibited list since that changes a couple times a year, especially stuff electrical and chargers.

[rjm1cc]

Originally Posted by mbene

Getting ready for a cruise and have been watching some YouTube videos. Some are saying security is tightening for 2026. One of the things they are commenting on is more scrutiny on prescription drugs. Some are saying they may not let people take their drugs only in pill organizers and are requiring you to have the labeled pill bottles with you. Our pills come in 90 day supply bottles and they can take up some room.

Has anyone else heard anything about this? I really don't want my prescriptions confiscated and then have to get them from the ship's pharmacy at exorbitant prices.

My first thought was is there now going to be a licensed pharmacist checking your prescriptions? You could put anything in those bottles and how could they tell?

There may not be a save answer to your question. On Holland America they say to bring your pill bottles but in over 20 years of cruising I have not. Just my weekly pill box. No problems. But maybe a halfway measure will work. Take a photo of the labels with your phone. Still have a problem matching the pill to the label so try and include the pill in the picture. If you cruise ends in a foreign county could have a problem so I would take the bottles.

[kaydee]

We cruise quite often and our meds are in small medication bags that I purchased at Walmart. Each bag has my daily pills in it. Never been a problem or issue of any kind.
Enjoy your cruise

[Berwin]

I would say that what prescriptions you are taking plays a major factor.

[Susan1717]

Last trip I took, I placed enough of each pill in its own sandwich size baggy. I then peeled the prescription label off the bottle and put the label in with the correct pills. As extra precaution, I wrote the name of that med on baggie with a magic marker. They took up hardly any space this way! I was surprised how easy every label came off the bottles.

[Ginnyshe]

Originally Posted by mbene

Getting ready for a cruise and have been watching some YouTube videos. Some are saying security is tightening for 2026. One of the things they are commenting on is more scrutiny on prescription drugs. Some are saying they may not let people take their drugs only in pill organizers and are requiring you to have the labeled pill bottles with you. Our pills come in 90 day supply bottles and they can take up some room.

Has anyone else heard anything about this? I really don't want my prescriptions confiscated and then have to get them from the ship's pharmacy at exorbitant prices.

My first thought was is there now going to be a licensed pharmacist checking your prescriptions? You could put anything in those bottles and how could they tell?

Most important are what the prescriptions are for if there is a medical problem. I was out of town with a friend when he had a stroke. Got him to the hospital but they couldn’t tell what medications he was taking because he didn’t bring original containers.

[Omycherie]

Originally Posted by mbene

Getting ready for a cruise and have been watching some YouTube videos. Some are saying security is tightening for 2026. One of the things they are commenting on is more scrutiny on prescription drugs. Some are saying they may not let people take their drugs only in pill organizers and are requiring you to have the labeled pill bottles with you. Our pills come in 90 day supply bottles and they can take up some room.

Has anyone else heard anything about this? I really don't want my prescriptions confiscated and then have to get them from the ship's pharmacy at exorbitant prices.

My first thought was is there now going to be a licensed pharmacist checking your prescriptions? You could put anything in those bottles and how could they tell?

There are many changes when it comes to traveling in 2026. It’s always good to talk to your Travel Agent about these.

Many of the changes are with TSA. I always recommend that when Traveling to have a picture of the actual medication, with the picture of the full prescription. But it is always best to travel with the original bottles but do understand some may come in a 90 day bottle. If you know you’re traveling, ask the pharmacist if they can put the meds in a smaller bottle.
If you are ever stuck in a foreignl country and you need medication, you must have the prescription with you. But you do need to be aware when traveling that many medications that are legal the US, are not legal in other countries, no matter if you have a prescription or not. Do not travel with your medical marijuana, this is not legal federally in the US and not legal in many other countries.
Cruise lines are also cracking down on medication, due to the increased drugs being brought on board ship, then being sold. I know this sounds silly, but it happens. Also find out what other items are prohibited on cruise ships. Otherwise, the will be confiscated at the port.

Be proactive when traveling, so you are “not that Guy” and are not delayed or delaying everyone else at security. Or, heaven forbid have to throw away unidentified vitamins and prescriptions. Not all TSA or security is the same and what one passes at one may not pass at the other.
Also, keep all medication in the Carryon, not in checked luggage.

Another change is Carry on luggage on airplanes. They are cracking down on the sizes. . Please check your airline for specific sizes and detailed to not be charged additional.
Again, please check with your Travel Agent (it’s Free) for more information or visit the cruiseline or airline website for specific details.

Safe Travels.

[Tlodge]

Originally Posted by mbene

Getting ready for a cruise and have been watching some YouTube videos. Some are saying security is tightening for 2026. One of the things they are commenting on is more scrutiny on prescription drugs. Some are saying they may not let people take their drugs only in pill organizers and are requiring you to have the labeled pill bottles with you. Our pills come in 90 day supply bottles and they can take up some room.

Has anyone else heard anything about this? I really don't want my prescriptions confiscated and then have to get them from the ship's pharmacy at exorbitant prices.

My first thought was is there now going to be a licensed pharmacist checking your prescriptions? You could put anything in those bottles and how could they tell?

Leave them in prescription bottles.No sandwich bags.You will have no problems.Cruise often on different cruise lines.Just got off Disney on 12/27.No problem.

[Kelevision]

Not sure what cruise line you’re on but I’m leaving for a 133 day cruise in a week and on the website it clearly says to bring ALL medications you’ll need for the entire journey due to being difficult to get and it even goes as far as to say bring 2 weeks extra just in case. It also says keep in original bottles. One thing I’m certain of…. they aren’t stopping everyone with prescriptions at the security check point. Otherwise, they’d never get everyone onboard on time.

[bmcgowan13]

Originally Posted by mbene

Getting ready for a cruise and have been watching some YouTube videos. Some are saying security is tightening for 2026.

We sailed last week from Port Canaveral on MSC. We put meds in our carry on and it went into the tube at security and popped out without a problem.

Have travelled extensively for years and never had an issue. By law they are supposed to be in the original container--even those CVS daily pill organizers are technically a violation of the law.

That law might get called into play when the you get stopped by police with white pills in a baggie in the center console and you say you have a prescription for them. Telling the cops they are over-the-counter and for headaches garners little sympathy and generates suspicion. There are tons of apps out there to simply look up the medication to check your story.

Check with the cruise line for sure but I'm sure they will quote policy.

[midiwiz]

Originally Posted by mbene

Getting ready for a cruise and have been watching some YouTube videos. Some are saying security is tightening for 2026. One of the things they are commenting on is more scrutiny on prescription drugs. Some are saying they may not let people take their drugs only in pill organizers and are requiring you to have the labeled pill bottles with you. Our pills come in 90 day supply bottles and they can take up some room.

Has anyone else heard anything about this? I really don't want my prescriptions confiscated and then have to get them from the ship's pharmacy at exorbitant prices.

My first thought was is there now going to be a licensed pharmacist checking your prescriptions? You could put anything in those bottles and how could they tell?

this depends on the port, i had the same issue. What I found out is if you are going out of canveral and tampa you don't need the entire 'brigade' just your typical weekly dispenser. Miami on the other hand you MUST have everything, including prescription evidence, reason if you think about it - Miami is a heavy druggie port.

One other word of caution is time of year, you might need to bring everything IF the cruise is longer than your pill dispenser has room for, it's hurricane season and you could be onboard longer than expected, etc.