Tap water on ships

9 years ago

We're taking a cruise to Alaska soon--I had to be talked into it. In reading, I see that a LOT of people bring their own bottled water on board to save the cost of the ship's high-priced bottled water. So my question is, what does the tap water taste like? I know it's mostly made on the ship and it's perfectly healthy. I grew up in Portland where the water is absolutely delicious, then moved to California where the water has a lot of minerals and tastes awful to me; we have a good filter now, though I prefer the bottled water we used to get, for taste. I find it very difficult to drink water that doesn't taste good and feel guilty just thinking about all those used plastic bottles. Thoughts?

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Comments (12)

Rose Pekelnicky
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Don't they make some kind of a small Brita filter you could use with the tap water?
aok27502
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
It varies, but if you're particular about your water, I doubt you'll be happy with the tap water. But good luck smuggling bottled water on board, They are very testy about you bringing in anything that they'd rather you buy from them.

Rose has a great idea. Britta makes a water bottle that might do what you want.

Britta water bottle

MTA: enjoy your cruise! Alaska was amazing!
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Rosie
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
We took a two week cruise on Norwegian in January. We drank the tap water exclusively and it was delicious. We didn't notice any chemical tastes in the water. Our cabin steward left a pitcher of ice water in the refrigerator every day so we always had cold water.

People have brought cases of water on board in the past, but from what I read, the cruise lines are starting to no longer allow it. If you don't want to drink the tap water, then I think the suggestion to bring a filtered water bottle is a good idea.
Elmer J Fudd
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I've taken a number of cruises but I have no recollection of having had an unpleasant reaction to shipboard water. If you find you don't like the taste, ask your cabin steward to keep a plate of sliced lemons in your room and ask for the same at meals. Bottled water has its place for convenience as on land excursions but I don't think this is something to be overly concerned about.
jim_1 (Zone 5B)
9 years ago
Having completed 39 cruises in my life, I can attest to the water thing. I have no problem with the taste; however, the missus insists on having bottled water for taking her morning pills. I do not know what the current rules are for all the cruise lines, but Holland America allows you to bring your own water on board. (What they sell on the ship is outrageously expensive.)

Consider this: since you will be going to Alaska, you will be able to get off the ship in most ports (you will be in Canada for at least one stop), and you can replace your bottled water almost daily. Take one bottle with you. Try the stuff that comes from the tap and decide yourself.

The missus insists on the bottled stuff for her pills, but she has no problem with drinking the water that is served in the dining rooms. I cannot figure that one, and I won't try either.
sjerin
Original Author
9 years ago
Thank you all for your imput--it's helpful!
dances_in_garden
9 years ago
I am checking with my parents and sister, who go on cruises quite often. I know my parents drink a LOT of water, and have gone on Alaskan cruises more than once. If anybody knows what to do to save money on a cruise, these are the three to ask LOL! I will let you know.

Dances.
sjerin
Original Author
9 years ago
Thank you, Dances!
chessey35
9 years ago
Never had a problem with water on cruises.
paulsens45
9 years ago
Get water from a bar.
dances_in_garden
9 years ago
Okay. So it seems they DID bring their own bottled water. But you have to check with your cruise line, as one let them bring it and the other was confiscating water bottles (something about people hiding booze in them). My sister also brought CANNED pop, but said there is a limit so check on that.

As for snacks, they said there is always food available on the ship so no need to bring them. My mother mentioned grabbing some fruit to put in her bag to carry on excursions just in case but never found it really necessary.

So there you go LOL!

Dances.
sjerin
Original Author
9 years ago
Thank you, Dances. Yes, our line does allow one to take on board bottled water and a bottle of wine each. :) However, I am not sure as to why people do this, and wondered if it's the taste of the water or just the mentality of drinking bottled water we all have today. I have no problem drinking the ship's water but only if it tastes good, and I do hate to think of the waste of plastic bottles. But now hubby says, why not, so I guess we're going to take some after all. Sigh. Thank you all for your ideas.

I'd hoped to hear from Glenda!

Tap water on ships

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Rose Pekelnicky

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Tap water on ships

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