Celebrity Cruise Lines

[adk]

If anyone ever taken a cruise on celebrity cruise lines, what has been your experiene with (1) gluten free issues; (2) the kids camp.

Thanks.

[Guest MelissaB]

I cruised with Celebrity before and they were wonderful. It was my only cruise and I honestly would love to go on another one with them. I'm looking into vacations for this year and it's unfortunate that they don't cruise to the Caribbean in the summer.

When I got on board, I spoke to the maitre de, who was very helpful. The first night at dinner, he found me and went over all my choices for that night and then for the next night. The food was outstanding. They brought me gluten free toasted bread everyday. In the mornings when I ate breakfast at the dining room, he was always looking for me and he made me special breakfasts of eggs benedict and french toast.

I would email the cruise line ahead of time or call someone at Celebrity just to talk to them. But I promise you, if you cruise with them you won't be disappointed.

Please feel free to ask me anything else.

[moving on]

I've cruised with Celebrity 5 times since going gluten free and can say each time is better than the last! You are well taken care of in the dining room but I enjoy breakfast and lunch on the upper decks. I usually approach the matre'd on duty in the spa cafe or back deck informal dining area and ask which items are gluten free for that day. If necessary they will talk with the chef who may bring you something from the lower level or the kitchen. I especially enjoy the light offerings of the spa cafe for lunch. Watch for bacon on the buffet line at breakfast as it uses bread as a sponge. Just ask and they will bring fresh bacon from the back - more than any one person needs. I do carry a small selection of cookies, cereal, corn chips and a bottle of gluten free soy sauce for evening sushi (talk to them and stick to the very simple). At the end of the cruise I leave the soy sauce with the team that prepares sushi and am sure to tip those matre'd's who go out of their way to help me eat safely. I do not order toasted bread because I am not sure they have dedicated toasters. My bread is usually brought on a plate in a napkin. I ask that the napkin remain as a cover for the bread rather than folded back. If you have specific questions, please feel free to ask.

You will not find pizza, waffles - at least on the top deck, pastries, etc., but going hungry will not be a problem. I usually find enough choices without those gluten type items.

I have no experience with the children's activities as we are senior citizens and usually travel on off times or longer cruises. I am actually having withdrawal as we have not cruised since last April and have nothing planned.