If you're harboring thoughts of bringing back an ounce or two of good Jamaican pot from your cruise, don't do it. U.S. Customs uses drug sniffing dogs to find illegal drug smuggling and they don't have much of a sense of humor about it. They use these dogs to go through the baggage that's removed from the ship when you dock back at your home port. Don't spoil your return by being led away from the port in handcuffs.

Cuban cigars are another area where you should exercise caution. The trade embargo with Cuba prohibits bringing any Cuban made product, including those delicious hand rolled cigars, into the United States. I don't want to steer anyone wrong here so let me state for the record that it's illegal, period. Now off the record, I've brought a handful or two back for my own personal use and was never challenged by Customs. Maybe they missed them, maybe they didn't care (that day), I don't know. If you choose to do this, you do so at your own risk.

Cigarettes are yet another issue. You can purchase name brand American cigarettes like Marlboro, Winston, Camel, etc. for around $8 U.S. in St. Maarten. No matter how you slice it, that's a bargain that's hard to pass up. U.S. Customs allows each individual to bring back a certain number of cartons. I don't want to say how many exactly because that number may change. This information will be readily available on board so check it out and if you have non-smokers with you, they too can bring cartons back into the U.S.

Alcohol, which can be purchased very inexpensively in many ports, is also restricted. Again, check the current customs information on board before bringing alcohol back into the U.S.

Large ticket jewelry items, artwork, and other baubles that have a high price tag could be subjected to scrutiny by customs officials as well so please be sure to check the legal status of anything in your possession prior to disembarking at your home port.