Hungry on excursions

thismomlovesdisney

Earning My Ears
Joined
Mar 10, 2012
We are going on a sail and snorkel excursion on GC. The excursion will be for almost 5 hours. I'm afraid my kids will get hungry and it's unclear whether or not food will be provided on the catamaran. Not to mention that my son has food allergies so they may not have something safe for him to eat. Should I plan to bring snacks for the kids? Will I be able to bring food ashore? Is there the possibility for dining services to prepare a lunch to go? We will eat breakfast as late as possible but I'm still worried someone is going to get hungry.

Thank you for any help!
 
We are going on a sail and snorkel excursion on GC. The excursion will be for almost 5 hours. I'm afraid my kids will get hungry and it's unclear whether or not food will be provided on the catamaran. Not to mention that my son has food allergies so they may not have something safe for him to eat. Should I plan to bring snacks for the kids? Will I be able to bring food ashore? Is there the possibility for dining services to prepare a lunch to go? We will eat breakfast as late as possible but I'm still worried someone is going to get hungry.

Thank you for any help!

I take a day bag with snacks and water with us. Sometimes there are "snack shacks" or a drink or box lunch provided. It depends on the excursion. I always pack something and I am glad I do. Protein and/or fruit bars and water mostly. This way if I don't need them I can have them for the next adventure. :dance3:
 
You can get the little single-serve containers of dry cereal from the breakfast buffet...fruit loops, frosted flakes, etc....those are always handy to snack on. I also always pack zip-lock bags. The breakfast buffet has an oat meal and grits station and they always have great toppings that make really good trail mix....nuts, dried fruit, shredded coconut, etc.
 
Whether or not you can bring food from the ship depends on the laws of the country you are visiting. Most places allow you to bring commercially prepared unopened packages (like pre-packed granola bars, etc). Since you know that the allergy issues are and what is safe, I'd suggest that you bring something from home that you can take on an excursion. Unless it specifies food is included, you can assume that it is not,
 


I appreciate your advice. I have a small suitcase packed with snacks and treats for my son. Mostly junky stuff since he's allergic to dairy and won't be able to enjoy most desserts (...no Mickey Bars). I will plan to pack some more substantial snacks and plan to give CMs anything we don't end up opening.

Sailing on Saturday!!:cool1:
 
I appreciate your advice. I have a small suitcase packed with snacks and treats for my son. Mostly junky stuff since he's allergic to dairy and won't be able to enjoy most desserts (...no Mickey Bars). I will plan to pack some more substantial snacks and plan to give CMs anything we don't end up opening.

Sailing on Saturday!!:cool1:

I trust you have already noted the allergy on your reservation. THe chefs will be happy to fix desserts for your child.
 


I appreciate your advice. I have a small suitcase packed with snacks and treats for my son. Mostly junky stuff since he's allergic to dairy and won't be able to enjoy most desserts (...no Mickey Bars). I will plan to pack some more substantial snacks and plan to give CMs anything we don't end up opening.

Sailing on Saturday!!:cool1:

Great plan. Have an awesome trip!!!
 
I appreciate your advice. I have a small suitcase packed with snacks and treats for my son. Mostly junky stuff since he's allergic to dairy and won't be able to enjoy most desserts (...no Mickey Bars). I will plan to pack some more substantial snacks and plan to give CMs anything we don't end up opening.

Sailing on Saturday!!:cool1:

Did you make dining aware of the allergy? My son is allergic to both milk and soy and they had rice dream products for him. He really enjoyed the different flavors of his special rice cream for him to eat.
 
I thought I heard/read/saw somewhere that DCL will make you sandwiches to go if you ask for them. Can one of you who cruises DCL often let me know if that is correct, please? I honestly don't remember where I saw that info.
 
Did you make dining aware of the allergy? My son is allergic to both milk and soy and they had rice dream products for him. He really enjoyed the different flavors of his special rice cream for him to eat.

Wow -- that is so great to know! And yes, I have informed dining of his allergies. Thanks!!
 
I thought I heard/read/saw somewhere that DCL will make you sandwiches to go if you ask for them. Can one of you who cruises DCL often let me know if that is correct, please? I honestly don't remember where I saw that info.

No, they will not. In some countries it is against the law to bring any food into the country. In other places, only certain items are prohibited (like fruit in St. Thomas!) Many people used to order the uncrustables and take them off the ship but if you tell room service that you are planning to do this, they are required to deny you the food!

They will make special allergy meals and send them to Cookies on Castaway Cay.
 
No, they will not. In some countries it is against the law to bring any food into the country. In other places, only certain items are prohibited (like fruit in St. Thomas!) Many people used to order the uncrustables and take them off the ship but if you tell room service that you are planning to do this, they are required to deny you the food!

They will make special allergy meals and send them to Cookies on Castaway Cay.

Ok, that makes sense based on everything I know about cruising. I was surprised when I heard/read that DCL would do it. Maybe I dreamed it. It's getting close to cruise time and I'm "cruising" 24/7!! :)
 
Wow -- that is so great to know! And yes, I have informed dining of his allergies. Thanks!!

One of the chefs got creative and make rice cream sandwiches with cookies on our first cruise 7 years ago. They also have rice milk for cereal or to drink. All you have to do is ask your server.
 
They have also been known to make dairy/egg/nut/peanut/gluten-free chocolate cake too! And pancakes, waffles, cookies, and special dinner rolls too. Your son will have plenty of fun things to eat onboard.

I was told by CMs onboard that on SOME DCL-booked excursions where meals will be served, they can arrange a safe meal for people with allergies. Again, it depends on the laws in each country. They will do their best if you let them know ahead of time. As for excursions where food isn't included, they cannot provide anything.

As for excursions with food allergies, we bring a small suitcase full of treats and snacks too! We usually bring Divvies cookies because they come prepackaged, cereal bars, dried fruit, fruit bars, and a few other items. Rebecca & Devyn make some nice snack packs that are perfect for excursions too!
 
They have also been known to make dairy/egg/nut/peanut/gluten-free chocolate cake too! And pancakes, waffles, cookies, and special dinner rolls too. Your son will have plenty of fun things to eat onboard.

I was told by CMs onboard that on SOME DCL-booked excursions where meals will be served, they can arrange a safe meal for people with allergies. Again, it depends on the laws in each country. They will do their best if you let them know ahead of time. As for excursions where food isn't included, they cannot provide anything.

As for excursions with food allergies, we bring a small suitcase full of treats and snacks too! We usually bring Divvies cookies because they come prepackaged, cereal bars, dried fruit, fruit bars, and a few other items. Rebecca & Devyn make some nice snack packs that are perfect for excursions too!

One of the chefs got creative and make rice cream sandwiches with cookies on our first cruise 7 years ago. They also have rice milk for cereal or to drink. All you have to do is ask your server.


Thanks for all the great tips. I'm so excited he will have so many food options, though eating may be the last thing on a 7 YO's mind! I'm probably bringing too much food, but that's OK...

Sailing tomorrow! Wooooohoooooo! And best of all, the kids don't know about the trip and we'll be waking them at 3:30 to head to the airport! :banana:
 

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