Peanuts and Pirate Cruises

[maroo]

We have a MAW family interested in doing the Pirates and Pals Fireworks Cruise - which is new.

When she called to inquire, they told her that they serve peanuts on the cruise. She asked if they could do one cruise with an alternative to peanuts (her child is quite allergic and doesn't really need to be around them, if possible) and they said no.

So...the question is...

Have any of your kids with really bad allergies to peanuts, peanut oil, etc - have any of them done any of the pirate cruises?

This particular cruise was just opened to the "public" recently, so I don't know if anyone would have done this particular cruise...:confused3

Anyway...I was just wondering how Disney typically handles these issues?

[Eeyores Butterfly]

I posted in her PTR. I just got off the phone with a GR manager. He was rather taken aback by the CMs response. He gave me the number for Community Relations and I am calling them tomorrow on my lunch break. Hopefully we can get the situation resolved. If you all happen to know of specific people I can talk to if CR is a bust, please let me know. I know I have seen names mentioned here on various threads.

As far as I know this cruise is not new. I remember several friends working a Peter Pan fireworks cruise back in 06 when I did entertainment. Maybe they went on hiatus? :confused3 But if it's the cruise I'm thinking of, even if they were on hiatus they have still done this before and I would think they would have addressed this issue already.

[Schmeck]

Is this a one-family at a time cruise, or will there be multiple families onboard? Perhaps the OP's MAW foundation can rent out the entire cruise?

[Eeyores Butterfly]

This is a multi family cruise. I highly doubt that MAW can rent it out. Our chapter at least has a strict budget for Wishes and will typically pay for one special thing for the family. There is a budget on that as well. The family does get spending money, so anything above and beyond can come out of that.

I was lead to believe by the GR Manager that I talked to that this shouldn't be a problem. I am calling them tomorrow either in the morning or on my lunch break and hopefully this will all get sorted out.

[Schmeck]

But if it is a multi-family cruise, what if people bring peanut products on board with them? Is there any way ahead of time to let people know it will be a peanut-free cruise, maybe before they book the cruise?

[Beccabunny]

This is so frustrating! I thought this cruise would be a great (albeit expensive!) alternative to the kids' pirate cruise, as I would be able to accompany my daughter AND we wouldn't have to worry about peanut allergies. If the airlines can declare a flight as peanut-free and tell passengers they can't open their peanut products while on board, I don't know why Disney can't designate perhaps one cruise per week as peanut-free.

[Schmeck]

That would be a great suggestion to WDW, but I don't know if they can guarantee a peanut-free environment any more than a school or other public place can - even an airline cannot prevent someone from opening a bag of peanuts, only react after they have done so. Of course they can make announcements, etc, but people have to obey the rules, and many people think they are above rules, even for a life-threatening situation.

Offering a cruise where they do not serve peanuts would be great, but what about people with other food allergies - shellfish, tree nuts, latex, all life threatening as well - perhaps those could also be not served (not sure if they do serve this stuff on the cruise) on the same night? Of course, latex is not a food...

Hoepfully WDW can come through for the MAW family - they usually do. Maybe a private cruise could be arranged?

[maroo]

What is the latest on this EB?

:goodvibes

[KirstenB]

I've never understood this. When dd did the pirate cruise, they served PBJ Uncrustables, which I understand. But Uncrustables also makes a cheese sandwich. Wonder why they just can't substitute the cheese? Peanut allergies are so notorious, I don't know why they don't just switch sandwiches.

[KirstenB]

Oops, sorry, I thought this was a replacement for the Pirate Cruise which is a daytime kids tour from the Grand Floridian dock. Didn't read carefully enough that it was a fireworks cruise.

[crashbb]

This is so frustrating! I thought this cruise would be a great (albeit expensive!) alternative to the kids' pirate cruise, as I would be able to accompany my daughter AND we wouldn't have to worry about peanut allergies. If the airlines can declare a flight as peanut-free and tell passengers they can't open their peanut products while on board, I don't know why Disney can't designate perhaps one cruise per week as peanut-free.

Actually, an airline cannot declare a flight peanut free nor can they tell passengers that they can't open their peanut products. They can refrain from serving peanuts themselves and they can request that passengers not eat any peanut products that they may have brought, but they cannot stop passengers if the passengers choose to ignore the request.

[Eeyores Butterfly]

Hi! It is a new cruise. It just started on the 13th apparently. (The one I was thinking of was an old Grand Gathering one that was similar). As such they have not yet figured it out. I talked to Community Relations who had me call the Allergy Line. They got back to me right away. Since it is new she is getting a run around (one person didn't even know it existed!). She said she will put together some info for me and get back to me tomorrow but she is sure it can be taken care of. Especially since the travel dates are not until November. I did mention I was surprised they would serve them given how prevalent and serious peanut allergies are, and she said she was also a little perplexed by that. However, it sounds like things will work out for the family. Whew!

[Beccabunny]

Actually, an airline cannot declare a flight peanut free nor can they tell passengers that they can't open their peanut products. They can refrain from serving peanuts themselves and they can request that passengers not eat any peanut products that they may have brought, but they cannot stop passengers if the passengers choose to ignore the request.

I've been on a peanut-free flight. They certainly didn't make it sound like it was just a request. Regardless, one peanut-free cruise is something that would not be at all difficult for Disney to provide.

[hopefor4]

I have done this cruise! With my DD age 2 at the time, with a peanut allergy.

Now, remember this at the time was a Grand Gathering, we are going to do it again in November, as the public trip. I have been told it is EXACTLY the same. So let me tell you how it worked. You meet at the Contemporary resort in a larger meeting room and they have tables with "deserts" Cookies (unpackaged) Brownies in a package, and peanuts in a package. They also had gold chocolate coins, and cans of pop/juice. (chips pretzels etc) We did not eat on the boat. All of the eating was done in the room before hand, then we met Captain Hook and Smee. I cannot guarantee anyone didn't "sneak" and snack, but I and my son remember being asked not to eat on board the ship. (really who would want to?)

So I of course had her epi pen, and Benadryl and we were just careful like we would be any place else. It was fine, and I don't remember be overly concerned. (and I am cautious) I think the "threat" was in the room, and I had her snacks with me, as I always do, so she didn't care. (she stayed away from the snack table, and played around the large room)

I would say just be as careful as you would in any sitiuation of uncertainity, and enjoy the cruise. It was REALLY Lovely! FYI we did it the night before we left and it was the perfect end to a Wonderful holiday!

Hope this helps!

Michelle

[Schmeck]

I cannot guarantee anyone didn't "sneak" and snack, but I and my son remember not being asked not to eat on board the ship. (really who would want to?)

Michelle

I'm trying to wrap my tired brain around this - can you clarify? Is there an extra 'not' in there as a typo?

BTW, I would have to eat on the boat, or at least suck on a peppermint so I wouldn't get queasy. Yes, even on a small body of water, I get seasick!

[hopefor4]

OOPS!

That is exactly what happens with 4 kids running around 2 of which are looking over my shoulder!

We were asked not to eat on the boat!

So Sorry!

Michelle

[livndisney]

Ok, now I am confused. If there is no eating on the boat what is the issue?

[Beccabunny]

The issue is that the OP's friend was told peanuts would be served on the cruise, not before the cruise. Those of us with concerns about peanut allergies need to have this clarified.

[livndisney]

The issue is that the OP's friend was told peanuts would be served on the cruise, not before the cruise. Those of us with concerns about peanut allergies need to have this clarified.

I just called Disney Dining, they confirmed the "dining" is BEFORE the cruise and takes place on land.

And I do deal with life threatening allergies everyday, that is why I call Disney directly when I have a question.

Hope this info is helpful to the OP.:hug:

[Schmeck]

Thanks for the clarification!

I used to work on a tour boat (which is so funny, as I now get seasick in a bathtub) and the no food on board makes a lot of sense. It is so hard to clean out a boat after a party or cruise. If WDW served peanuts on the boat, it would be nearly impossible to get all that residue off to make one cruise peanut-free.

[Beccabunny]

Thanks for the clarification!

I used to work on a tour boat (which is so funny, as I now get seasick in a bathtub) and the no food on board makes a lot of sense. It is so hard to clean out a boat after a party or cruise. If WDW served peanuts on the boat, it would be nearly impossible to get all that residue off to make one cruise peanut-free.

Agreed. After reading the thread about the child who had a reaction after touching a restaurant window that was smeared with peanut butter, I'm a little paranoid. The residue could be anywhere.

[Schmeck]

Not to mention whole peanuts - all those nooks and crannies under seating, by the scuppers, steps, etc. All the gunk we used to find under there when we had time to do a thorough cleaning would make your skin crawl, shudder!

[Eeyores Butterfly]

I realized I never updated this:

The issue has been resolved. Once they reserve it they will talk to Brenda at the allergy line. No peanuts will be served that day at all, and they clean the ship every night. Most of hte confusion came from the fact that this cruise is just being reinstated (formerly it was a Grand Gathering) and the people doing it had not run into it yet. But it has all been settled.

[dzorn]

Even if they serve something other than peanut butter how do you know everything was cleaned properly. I doubt they wipe down every surface that another person may have touched. Would you want to chance a reaction out on a boat?

Denise in MI