Tips for Cruising with Food Allergies

If worries about maintaining your special diet have prevented you from taking a cruise, know this: cruise lines go above and beyond to accommodate special dietary needs, and they do it well.

If you are vegetarian or vegan; follow a low/no fat, low/no salt, lactose/dairy free, gluten- or wheat-free, low cholesterol, low sugar, Kosher or Halal diet; or are allergic to specific foods, the ship’s culinary staff can accommodate you. But, it’s your responsibility to alert the cruise line about your special needs well in advance of your cruise. Many cruise lines have an official special needs form just for this purpose. Your Cruise Holidays personal cruise expert can help you provide the cruise line with complete and specific information about your needs.

While on board, the chefs and crew will do their best to give you a great dining experience: but, it’s up to you to let them know if there’s been a mistake and you find a forbidden food on your plate.

Here are some tips to make sure all goes well, and you don’t go hungry:

· When you board, ask to talk with the restaurant manager in order to make sure that any special foods and drinks you require are on board. You can also ask to see menus for each day so you can plan in advance what to eat and what to avoid.

· Talk with each crew member who serves you to make sure your food doesn’t contain anything that it shouldn’t. Servers are accustomed to helping guests who have special dietary needs and will do their very best for you. Be sure to thank them for helping you remain true to your diet.

· If you are served any food that contains the wrong ingredients or is not prepared as you requested, talk with your server, who will have the galley prepare another plate for you. Then, let the maître d’ or restaurant manager know what happened to help ensure the mistake doesn’t happen again.

· Ask the chefs and servers at the buffet about the ingredients of any dishes you’re not sure about.

· Take a tour of the ship’s galley. You’ll be able to see for yourself how careful the staff is about food preparation, for you and everyone else on board.

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