Jump to content
This site uses cookies. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. More Info... ×
  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.




  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):



    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):


  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Where Your Contribution Counts!
    eNewsletter
    Support Us!
  • Record is Archived

    This article is now archived and is closed to further replies.

    Daniel Cojanu
    Daniel Cojanu

    Cruising with Celiac

    Reviewed and edited by a celiac disease expert.

    Journal of Gluten Sensitivity Spring 2016 Issue - Originally published April 14, 2016

    Cruising with Celiac - Photo: CC--kansasphoto
    Caption: Photo: CC--kansasphoto

    Celiac.com 05/10/2016 - As we all know, traveling with celiac disease can be somewhat challenging. Trying to avoid situations of contamination can be quite difficult, yet we accept this challenge so we can go about a normal routine which in my situation, includes traveling. My wife and I who travel quite often do enjoy a good cruise due to the relaxing atmosphere and great care we receive for my dietary issues. Our experiences on Princess Cruises has been very positive and clearly, they take dietary issues quite seriously.

    Unfortunately, not so much with Oceania Cruises. First of all, this experience is based solely on my recent trip. I suspect some other folks with celiac may have had a positive experience. That's great. This article is based solely on how I was treated by this cruise line in August of 2015.

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A12):
    Oceania insists that any request for special diets be submitted by the travel agent. Not sure what happens if you book online.

    Once on board, the person in charge of special diet requests met us at dinner and explained we would get a menu in our mailbox every evening. We are to circle our choices and bring it to the desk by 8:30am. We made the mistake of going on a tour and not having it in until noon and guess what? Yup, you order off the menu.

    After this discussion, I was directed to dinner choices that could be prepared gluten-free. I was surprised to see my dinner entrée loaded with croutons. O.K., first day shakedown, let's see what happens. Strike 1.

    As we all know, buffets can be dangerous but I attempted to try and see if they had any gluten-free foods available. I selected a breakfast item that was clearly battered and asked the server if this was gluten-free. He looked somewhat quizzical and said "yes". Strike 2. I then asked for gluten-free toast. It took a full 15 minutes for them to toast 2 pieces of bread. Strike 3. Later in the cruise, we stopped for lunch at the poolside café where I ordered a sandwich with gluten-free bread. "We don't have gluten-free bread on board" was our waiters' response. After I indicated that was surprising since I have it at dinner nightly, he finally went off and secured my lunch. Strike 4 ?

    I could go on and on but I will spare you the rest. Oceania is a high end cruise company with prices to match. Princess on the other hand was exemplary. Once your request is in, you receive an email with a list of gluten-free menu items that will be available. If you want gluten-free beer, this is also offered albeit at a price. Every evening, the maître d comes by so you can order for the next evening. Clearly, they take people with dietary issues seriously.

    Why the disparity? I believe it's what I encounter as many restaurants. Since gluten-free dining has become the latest fad diet, I honestly believe that many establishments (and cruise lines) don't feel the need to take proper care. My suspicion is that they just look at gluten-free requests like "oh good, another one of them" and don't take it seriously. I guess my final advice before selecting a cruise would be to see what the initial reaction is to your request. If they respond like Princess, and I suspect other cruise lines, I would at least look carefully at booking a nice vacation. Would I go back to Oceania? I would not. I have put my concerns into writing to them and two months later, no response. My travel agent also followed up about this situation, again, no response.

    Traveling with celiac is difficult enough, and I hope that certain companies will begin to take us more seriously.



    User Feedback

    Recommended Comments



    Guest Cliff

    Posted

    Viking Cruise Line was FANTASTIC about my offerings, in most cases my meals were better than the other passengers. The maître d met with me at every meal to review the offering for the following meal, the wait staff was also very knowledgeable about celiac. I am looking forward to my next cruise with Viking and would highly recommend Viking Cruise line to anyone traveling with celiac disease.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    Guest Susan

    Posted

    I had a horrible experience on Oceania in October 2015 on a Mediterranean cruise. I was given cookies that were according to the maitre d' gluten free only to be told on another occasion the cookies were not gluten free. There seemed to be a lack of understanding on the part of the dining room staff on what constitutes a gluten-free diet. Off the ship, I found delicious gluten free items, clearly marked and in sealed packages. At our end of cruise stay at our hotel in Barcelona, the bread and pastry gluten free choices were a big surprise after the steady diet of the not so great gluten free bread on the Marina. In a letter responding to my post-cruise letter of complaint, Oceania admitted to falling short with respect to knowledge about the gluten free diet. As these cruises are more "upscale" than say Princess, (where my past experiences were positive), I had expected everything would be okay. I was ill on the ship and the cruise triggered GI problems that took four months to resolve. I would never ever cruise with Oceania again.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    Guest Dale

    Posted

    Thanks for the heads up on Oceania. Disappointing that such a high end line couldn't accommodate a gluten-free diet. I've cruised over 30 times on Princess, NCL and Carnival (also on RCL and Celebrity-but before I was diagnosed) and have been treated well. The only mistake I've noticed is a pie with a "Rice Krispy" crust was being served as gluten-free (before Rice Krispys could be bought as gluten-free). I usually don't ask for gluten-free bread--don't like it and it is a waste of calories. I prefer the sauces to be left off rather than made special. Again "gravy" is a waste of calories.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    Guest Rick

    Posted

    Great article, thank you.

     

    I also cannot agree more with this statement; "Why the disparity? I believe it's what I encounter as many restaurants. Since gluten-free dining has become the latest fad diet, I honestly believe that many establishments don't feel the need to take proper care."

     

    I'd be curious to know if your gluten free toast was in fact toasted in a safe gluten free toaster or oven? Something tells me it probably was not by the sound of your experience.

     

    I believe that dining establishments just do not fully understand that celiac is a disease. And when people come in saying they need to gluten free, when in fact they don't, with that so called meal being either contaminated or cross contaminate the person who "needs" to eat gluten free goes on their merry way without any ill effects or sickness. This gives the restaurants and so-called "need" to eat gluten free customers a false sense of accomplishment, when in fact the entire time there was some amount gluten in the meal being served and consumed. This is the very reason why I no longer eat out, I was tired of getting sick all the times that I did. It is also the reason why I haven't had a true vacation outside the States since getting diagnosed with celiac in 2007.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    Guest A. Burke

    Posted

    Princess is the best cruise line for celiac passengers! Have tried Norwegian Cruise Line once and eating gluten free was a disaster!

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    Guest Tiffany

    Posted

    We just got back from our second cruise with Disney Cruise Line. They did an exemplary job at making gluten free as easy as possible. Even on the buffet line, one of the head chefs will come out and walk you through the buffet line and offer to make you special items. They have free room service and when you look at the menu it appears they don't have much that is gluten free, but if you simply request things like gluten free doughnuts or cookies, they are able to comply. I have cruised with Royal Caribbean before, and I was underwhelmed. Their staff is not well trained and once they even told me that regular rice krispies (blue box-before gluten free rice krispies were even available) were gluten free! Needless to say, I won't be sailing with Royal Caribbean again, but Disney is a line I trust with my dietary needs. Thank you for reviewing two other lines!

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    Guest Mary Beth

    Posted

    I have been on Celebrity cruise lines 3 times and they have been wonderful!

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    Guest Lonna Swearingen

    Posted

    I had booked a cruise a year in advance on Valentine's Day with Carnival Cruise Line in 2009 for 2010..Before the year was up I was diagnosed with celiac disease...I contacted Carnival and they were very accommodating by providing gluten free dinner choices for me. As far as other meals I just chose to eat salads...

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    Guest Sophie Chenoweth

    Posted

    I have had similar experiences on holiday however some tour companies and restaurants are fantastic. I agree that many ignorant people in hospitality think it's just a fad diet and have never heard of Coeliac disease. That disappoints me.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    Guest Lauren Royal

    Posted

    There is no excuse for a high-end cruise line like Oceana to be so sloppy about something so important to our health. Thanks for the warning--I will cross them off my try-someday list. For a great high-end gluten-free experience, I highly recommend SeaDream.

     

    I've been on Princess and it was fine, but of all the mainstream cruise lines, I think Celebrity is the best. At least half their regular menu items are naturally gluten free (including all soups and sauces--thickened with cornstarch, not flour), and gluten free selections are clearly marked on the regular menus so you don't need to order in advance. It's such a pleasure to be able to decide what I want at the last minute like everyone else. They have separate gluten-free toasters in their buffets at a totally different station from where the gluten bread is--they are super careful to avoid cross-contamination everywhere.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    Guest Teresa

    Posted

    Celebrity is wonderful for gluten free. I was treated so well for every lunch/dinner. Everyone was served a souffle for dessert one evening - I got one the following night - made at one of the specialty restaurants. It's why we always cruise with Celebrity when possible - sound a lot like Princess!

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    Guest Linda

    Posted

    Too Bad the Author had such difficulties. Fortunately my multiple experiences with Holland America have been just the opposite. I have had zero problems. They have my dietary requirements on file and refer to them when I book. The concierge and waiters all know of my status from the moment I enter the dining area (good cross-communication), and I look at the next nights menu to choose what I would like. The chefs prepare my selections gluten-free and if they cannot modify the recipe for me they offer other options. I have never (knock on wood) had any gluten reactions on the 4 cruises with them. Even the smorgasbord staff are knowledgeable about gluten. Even tho I trust what they do, I admit I am still vigilant (that is my responsibility). I love and trust Holland America.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites



    Guest
    This is now closed for further comments

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Help Celiac.com:
    Donate
  • About Me

    Daniel Cojanu

    Bio not available,


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):





    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):




  • Related Articles

    Sonja Luther
    Celiac.com 05/22/2014 - In September 2013, I found out that if I want to be healthy, I have to eat a strict gluten-free diet. Not only that, but I also have to avoid corn, casein, beef, chicken, shrimp, garlic, yeast, grapes, cantaloupe, and cauliflower. When I go to a restaurant, my diet restrictions eliminate almost everything on the menu. Because of the lack of options and my fear of cross-contamination, I have not been to any restaurant since my diagnosis except for dedicated gluten-free restaurants. But eating at home every day for the rest of my life cannot be the answer. I will not let gluten rule my life and turn me into a hermit. Traveling is one of my biggest passions and if food is my only obstacle to living my passion, I will face my fear of cross-contamination, find solutions...


    Sarah  Curcio
    Celiac.com 07/22/2016 - Some of us have the luxury of living in a household that is completely dedicated to being gluten-free. However, many of us don't have that luxury. So, there are certain precautions you must take, in order to avoid cross contamination.
    Now, here is a list of helpful tips to keep in mind for your kitchen:
    Always wear gloves or wash your hands thoroughly, especially if you have dermatitis herpetiformis (DH), when you are wiping down counter tops, tables and stove tops. Using paper towels would be a beneficial because you can throw it directly in the trash. As for hand towels, have a separate one for your hands. Having a dishwasher or even a counter top dishwasher, if possible, reduces your worries. Otherwise, be sure to have different sponges when washing...


    Yvonne Vissing Ph.D.
    Celiac.com 01/05/2018 - Cuba is abundant with music, color, and people. The countryside is a lush, rich green where fields of sugar cane stretch as far as the eye can see. Streets of Havana are filled with hot pink, lemon yellow, candy-apple red, bright blue and green classic cars. Rural streets have horse drawn carts overflowing with harvested sugar cane and the men (almost always men) with machetes from cutting the crops. It is a country of contradictions, where pillars of ancient affluence intersect with rubble as people yack on cell-phones while throwing their fishing lines off the Malecon.
    As a multiple-time tourist there, I'm overwhelmed with how friendly people are and how safe I feel, even though my ability to speak Spanish is, well, not-so-good. Given that wifi and internet...


    Jefferson Adams
    Celiac.com 12/03/2019 - Stories of gluten-free airline travel are legion, and we’ve covered more than a few tales of gluten-free airline food woe. Here are some insights from Celiac.com and our Gluten-Free Forum about dealing with gluten-free airline travel. 
    Airlines are Finally Stepping Up with Vegan and Gluten-free Options Did Japan's ANA Airlines Really Give a Single Banana as a Gluten-free Meal? UK Celiac Man's Gluten-Free Meal for a 10-Hour Flight on TUI was 'Popcorn and Crisps' Here’s what people on Celiac.com’s Gluten-Free Forum have to say about gluten-free air travel.
    Airlines are Finally Stepping Up with Vegan and Gluten-free ...
    Major airlines are among the numerous businesses that are shifting gears to cater to the growing demand f...


  • Recent Activity

    1. - Julie Riordan replied to Julie Riordan's topic in Traveling with Celiac Disease
      3

      Any ideas for travelling

    2. - trents replied to SuzanneL's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      1

      Weak Positive Test

    3. - SuzanneL posted a topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      1

      Weak Positive Test

    4. - Scott Adams replied to Braver101's topic in Coping with Celiac Disease
      2

      Constant sweating with celiac disease

    5. - Scott Adams replied to Julie Riordan's topic in Traveling with Celiac Disease
      3

      Any ideas for travelling


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):



  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      120,495
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    Zofosho
    Newest Member
    Zofosho
    Joined

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):


  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      120.2k
    • Total Posts
      1m

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):





  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):



  • Popular Now

    • JustGemi
    • Linedancegal
    • Hannah24
      9
    • jessiemariecar
    • Rhonda H
  • Popular Articles

    • Scott Adams
    • Scott Adams
    • Scott Adams
    • Scott Adams
    • Scott Adams
  • Upcoming Events

×
×
  • Create New...