Has Anyone Cruised Windstar?

[mbr22m]

I'm going on a 10 day cruise with Windstar (Italy to Spain) and wondering if anyone else has sailed with them and how their experience was. I'm packing emergency snacks and the ship was notified months ago, but I'm still so nervous. Any cruising tips to ease my anxiety??

[cyclinglady]

Eat only in the main dining room. No room service. Get to personally know your head waiter and staff. I track them down after boarding and they can provide me with that first lunch when the main dining room is often closed. Ask about snacks. I had some prepackaged cookies, etc. Delivered to our room throughout the cruise as directed by my headwaiter. He also delivered frozen pizzas to the coffee shop so that I could order them in the afternoon after touring all day. We had to wait 30 minutes, but we were happy to have food!

In fact, I got to know several head waiters during each cruise. They did a little consulting with me, especially with the bar drinks. Our waiter ordered fresh baked gluten-free muffins and breads for all our meals. We discussed all food items with him at each meal.

We tipped big! And I wrote personal letters to the cruise lines thanking and mentioning each person who helped me.

I drink soymilk in my free cruise coffee and got some each time from the Starbucks counter free.

Grab apples and bananas, wash them and take them ashore. I saved my home packaged goods for those excursions.

Bring food for the flight. Even when you notify the airlines, they can and will mess up! Be prepared!

Have fun!

[mbr22m]

Thank you, cyclinglady! This is my first time traveling with celiac. We usually vacation nearby and I bring a cooler with me.

[Gemini]

I highly doubt you'll have any problems with a Windstar cruise.....especially in Europe. They are a high end cruise line so that is a big plus and Europeans accommodate Celiac Disease well and understand cc. I have been to the UK many times since my diagnosis..never had any problems and I am quite sensitive. I have a friend who does European river cruises every year and she noticed they accommodated Celiac Disease and no one was complaining they had gotten sick. She encouraged me to do one so that is in my future.

You are going to be surprised at the differences between the States and Europe regarding Celiac. We are treated well and it is no big deal for them to accommodate!

I hope you have a great time!