What Cruises Are Good

[little d]

Hi all

We are looking for cruise to go on and don't know where we want to go and what ships are the best, can't decide if we want to take our daughter as well. we have never been on a honeymoon, or a family vaction. any ideas

Thanks Donna

[jkmunchkin]

I know Royal Caribbean offers gluten free meals. You just need to email them 45 days prior to your trip. Not sure how old your daughter is, but cruises are great for family vacations. There is something for everyone.

[little d]

cool thanks, we are also looking for something that is not really expensive as well, but hopfully we can get on with RC Im sure that will be a lot of fun. my daughter is 7 but I kinda don't want to take her because we never had a honeymoon when we got married, but I still want to take her too.

Donna

[gdobson]

The only cruise I've ever been on was Disney - but it was fantastic! They were very helpful with gluten free meals right up to having a chef walk the buffet with my son and me. Neither one of us got sick at all on that vacation.

[elefky]

Hi all

We are looking for cruise to go on and don't know where we want to go and what ships are the best, can't decide if we want to take our daughter as well. we have never been on a honeymoon, or a family vaction. any ideas

Thanks Donna

I took a Carnival cruise a few years ago. My travel agent notified them of dietary concerns and they sent me a form to fax back. I brought a loaf of my bread and a couple of boxes of my pasta with me. On the first evening I spoke to the hostess. She took the pasta and the bread. Any morning I ate in the dining room (only) I could get my bread. We agreed that whatever the pasta course was any evening, they would make with mine. Every evening she went over the next evening's menu with me to make sure I had choices. They were very accomodating.

The next year I went with Royal Caribbean. Again, we notified them ahead. They said I did not need to bring anything. Every evening I had a different gluten free bread (not always great but mostly ok). But I couldn't have a pasta dish. My waiter was careful with me.

Whichever company you travel with, contact them ahead. They are all used to dealing with dietary needs these days but some are more accomodating than others.

Have a great time! Cruising is wonderful!

Estelle

[dragonmom]

Ive been on Royal Carribian and Norwegian , both very accomodating. Going to Alaska on Holland America in July, they asked for a faxed list of things I'd like to eat from a list. I hope it goes as well as the other ones. It seems to me that once they know you are gluten-free they take pretty good care of you. What a life.....

[DILIROTH]

We recently returned from a Carnival cruise in the Med and had a wonderful time! We took our daughter and she had a blast at their camp carnival - the ship was very kid and family oriented. The counselors were wonderful and the availability of care was fantastic - it was great to have some adult alone time both on the boat and for shore excursions. The camp was included in the fare but they also have evening babysitting services for an extra fee.

Also, the best part of the trip was that I had plenty to eat and never had any gluten problems. The dining room was accomadating and I could order with ease but it was very inconvient for us b/c we enjoyed lounging at the pool and eating at the Lido Buffet. They had a wonderful omelet guy that I visited every morning, then I would often visit him for some fresh stir fry. They also had a grill and I was able to have a burger wrap but requested them to change their gloves before they touched my topings - they were a little puzzled at first but quickly became familar with my strange requests.

I am hooked on cruise vacations and would definately recomend!

Theresa

[RosR]

Hi,

I just got back from a cruise on Norwegian's Pride of Hawaii. I had my travel agent request gluten-free meals for me, but since it was not made a full month prior to my cruise they wouldn't order any "special foods" for me.

I would say your worst options are in the main dining room. The maitre d' told me that they pretty much coat/soak all of their meats with a flour mixture. The only meat they could prepare was a steak and some seafood items were ok, but you have to check daily. They really were not helpful and pretty much made no effort to help me out. I had the steak twice and didn't eat there again. I stopped in once to talk to them about that night's dinner, but they didn't call me back until after 10pm.

Dining in the buffet area had many gluten-free options and any time I asked a staff member to check something for me, they did so without hesitation and let me know whether I could eat it or not. Also, in the Italian restaurant, they have gluten-free spaghetti that they can prepare for you. There is also a Mexican restaurant with many options made with corn tortilla.

(They have other "fee" restaurants, but we did not eat at them so I can't tell you what they offer)

The cruise was great overall, just a few frustrations in the main dining room. Hope this helps.