Not been around here for a while. Good to see the old faithful are still around and sharing their wisdom. I popped back in as I have a question I haven’t found an answer to elsewhere … I’ll be going on a cruise ship (travelling round the Mediterranean) in the not too distant future, and wondered if anyone here has had any experience with silly rules or averse reactions etc. WE all know it’s legality and charm, and WE also know it’s been on ships since tobacco was first “discovered”, but obviously we also know that sensibility doesn’t always carry over to the uninitiated. I’m not just thinking about the passenger/crew reactions, but also the airport style security. Any experience here? Which cruise lines?

You should check with the cruise line they should have clear guidelines. Snuff should not be an issue some will let you smoke cigars others will not so it would be better to just check with them or a travel agent to be sure. Airport security should not be an issue either, unless you are traveling to a trunk of it. I have carried on cigars with no issue so I would be surprised if snuff would be an issue as long as it is in a snuff tin but again, rules change so I would check with the airline just to be safe.

A friend of mine who is a big time cigar enthusiast just went on a Carnival cruise a few weeks ago. The ship he was on had a smoking lounge as well as a deck area where you could smoke… however he was told he could only smoke his cigar in the lounge and not on deck. Apparently the deck are is only for cigarettes… don’t ask me how this makes any sense but he was asked to put out his cigar while he was there. I would imagine snuff would probably be far less restricted since it is non obtrusive but I would check with airlines and such as J_S has recommended.

The most ‘likely’ issue you may encounter is when taking it versus having it. I have traveled extensively and not once has anyone; be it customs, airport security, or anyone else connected/concerned with my travels ever taken any note of my snuff- and that’s even with my carrying several tins, tap boxes and usually a plastic bullet. I have taken snuff openly in the US and only once has someone inquired- and that was while on a plane and the fellow was more curious than worried it was drugs. Because it falls into the ‘smokeless tobacco’ realm the uninitiated may say our snuff is like dip tobacco, perhaps a quick introduction to what it is and how its taken will alleviate some of their trepidations that you will be spitting like a wild Cobra. When it comes to declaring it- if you have several ounces of it, then perhaps you should mark it down, but if you have a few random tins/grams I believe it safe to say its purely personal use, much like a person carrying an open pack of cigarettes wouldn’t likely face issue if they had it when crossing a border.

Regarding declaring snuff, I’d say just do a bit of research and stay under the legal limit and keep quiet unless challenged, unless you’re required to declare all tobacco. Carry in original tin. I did this going to Oz - they give you a 50 gram allowance, so I just carried two tins of Toque Quit and kept quiet.

Thanks for your input guys. I called the cruise line earlier, and the guy who answered my call (unsurprisingly) had never even heard of snuff, so I had to explain it to him. He went to check with someone and came back saying there was no problem taking it on board. He didn’t however, specify any areas where it should/shouldn’t be used. Down to me to use discretion rather than lead them to imposing new restrictions I reckon I’ll be taking a new/sealed tin each of Thor’s Hammer, GH Ambassador, WOS Thyme and Lemon, and Best Dark. As to using it, I’ll play it by ear and feedback when I return. I’ll also be taking a couple of tins of Oliver Twist. Never used “bits” before, but I figure there’ll be times ashore on excursions where it might be a more sensible option.

Oh, and as to declaring it, I’m a Brit and will be sailing from and back to the UK. Even though they have airport style security, I really can’t see any problems bringing it back with me as duties aren’t levied on it here anyway. I was more concerned about the outbound security, and might just leave my snuff onboard when we visit other countries. There’s a time and a place to argue principles, and that’s probably not one of them

I was recently on a work trip and was surprised to see a very clear note at check-in that absolutely no tobacco or e-cigs were to be used in the room- this included smokeless tobacco and dip. Upon going to my room I saw another note stating the same. If I ignored the posted rule and took a pinch is anyone’s guess- but I find it disheartening to see even smokeless tobacco being banned. I suppose it is because some reckless dipper spilled their bottle, but I see a clear distinction between dip and snuff and not because I use the latter, but because I am grounded in sanity and reality.

@SgtJon, I wonder if they had CCTV cameras in the room to catch transgressors? Or perhaps they could check nicotine blood levels before and after you go to your room?

@SgtJon, I wonder if they had CCTV cameras in the room to catch transgressors? Or perhaps they could check nicotine blood levels before and after you go to your room?

I suppose they could pinch you if they found a bottle in your trash- but then how would they know if you used it outside and tossed it in your room. I guess they rely on the honor system…because goodness I only want my better half to see me in the buff .

I think even if a dipper did knock over a bottle it shouldn’t matter as, most could knock over anything else. Maybe a plate with gravy on it. That would make a nice mess just as well.

OK, back from the cruise now. No issues taking snuff on and off ship, though I chose to only use it in the privacy of my cabin. There was no way I was going to use it outside in the smoking areas as the wind would have emptied my snuffbox, and I never felt comfortable enough to use it in the public areas. I could of course have done so, and then had the discussion/arguement afterwards with whoever may have seen and gotten the wrong impression, but decided that wasn’t what I wanted on my holiday. I also didn’t want to run the risk of dropping my tin or spilling my snuff, and getting into arguements about soiling either the ship or other people’s property. I did however end up discussing snuff with a couple of smokers onboard, and they were surprised to hear I used it and that the diversity of snuffs still existed.