Gluten Free Cruising

[pixiegirl]

I'm taking a cruise at Christmas, has anyone done this and what sort of changes, if any, did the cruise line make for you.

I'm going on Windstar and it says on their web site that they will accomodate special diets if notified 30 days ahead of time (which we have done) I was curious if anyone has done this and what sort of changes they made.

thanks, susan

[bmorrow]

I went on a cruise in July with the Princess cruise line, and everything was great. I requested a gluten free diet in advance. They ordered several items that were gluten free, and I brought some snacks with me. I met with the head waiter the first day of the cruise, and from that point on he helped me with the menu. He would let me look at the menu for the next day, and place my order at that time.

I am planning on another cruise in January, so I am hoping that it will be the same great results. I also have other intolerances, such as yeast and caesin, so it makes it difficult. Sometimes I am tempted to cheat, but then I remember how sick it makes me.

I hope that you enjoy your cruise!

[pixiegirl]

Oh thank you so much for that info... I'm trying so hard to keep gluten free, its not so easy. I have been almost gluten free for 3 weeks, I was out shopping with my daughter at our local mall and needed food, so we went to McDonalds and I got a salad with grilled chicken, the dressing was Newman's Own and I knew that was gluten free. So I ate it, within an hour my stomach was rumbling and I felt terrible. I went to the McDonalds web site and sure enough, even though the salad doesn't have crutons it says it contains wheat... in a salad! So I'm getting the message just after 3 weeks how hard it is to eat outside your home.

The cruise really has me worried, we have notified the cruise line and I'm hoping it goes well. This is my 4th cruise (I just found out I was gluten sensitive so I didn't have this issue with the other cruises) and when I took my first cruise it was a big family thing and I "knew" it was the sort of vacation I'd never take again, I was not the cruising type. Like I said that was a few cruises ago! Its not my favorite vacation but its a great way to unwind and relax. this one is on a far smaller boat then last year. 3000 people vs 250. Should be fun!

Thanks again, susan

[pixiegirl]

Its getting harder and harder to take a vacation. The cruise line just e-mailed me and told me that they can't accomodate my daughters life threatening peanut allergy now. The cruise line is Windstar, which is owned by the same company as Holland America and Carnival. Its a luxury cruise line and they can't help me with gluten or peanuts. Sigh. Now I'm not sure what to do, they said they only have one kitchen on the boat and there could be cross contamination. We have been on a number of cruises and they all had one kitchen too, as a matter of fact every hotel we stay at and every restaurant we eat in only has one kitchen.

Life can get so complicated, I'm so torn on what to do.

Susan

[pixiegirl]

I'm writing to myself on this topic, but I wanted to be fair about it incase in the future someone needs this info.

Yesterday Holland America called us, they are the parent company for our Windstar Cruise. We have 2 issues, my gluten problem and my daughter has a life threatening peanut and tree nut allergy.

They were very nice on the phone and I felt like they really wanted to help. She did say that they won't carry any gluten free breads for me, or pastas, I'm going a really small ship and they just "can't do that. I might bring a loaf of my own bread for breakfast toast! She said they hate to promise everything will be perfect because there is only one kitchen on board and there is a small issue of cross contamination (and I guess there is everywhere we go) but she has notified the boat, the ships doctor (for my daughter) and the chef. She said when we arrive on the boat to go and talk with the dining room manager and the chef, they know we are coming and that they will do everything they can to accomodate us. She said the staff does deal with food allergies all the time and are very aware of the issues of seperate utensils and cross contamination.

So after talking with them I felt much better. I did however buy a supplemental medical insurance policy that includes airlifting my daughter off the boat if we need too. I did this on our first cruise too so its a peace of mind thing.

Thanks hope this helps someone.

Susan

[Guest talsop]

Im also taking a crusie on carinval conquest which a larger ship. Who do I contact about seeing if I can get some gluten-free meals?

[pixiegirl]

Because my cruise line is small (just 3 sailing ships) I had to deal with Holland America the parent company, but I found the contact info for them on my cruise lines web site, actually I e-mailed them first and then after e-mailing back and forth a few times I asked for a phone number and they called me and we seem to have worked it out.

I'm sure on the carnival web site, they have info about allergies and special diets, so check there or send them an e-mail, they were very responsive to me.

Susan