a child with a p-nut allergy in the club?

[Kimer]

I have a 5 year old boy (just turned) that has a peanut allergy. I would like him to be able to participate in the club - do they ever do food games or anything like that? Will they give him the epi-pen if it is an emergency and he ends up needing it? He is not one of those kids that goes into anaphalactic shock with just one p-nut - but any more than that - and he could. It would be a bummer if he could not participate! Does anyone have any info they could share?

 

[Kimer]

I found plenty on food allergies - but nothing about going inot the kid's club with allergies. Oh - and where do you get this "medical form" and if I fill it out - will my child still be able to participate in the club activities?

 

[kcashner]

Actually, there was a thread on this about a week ago. I made serious inquiries on our last cruise as we plan to travel with a friend who has severely peanut allergic kids.

First, you will fill out a medical form when you register for the club or lab (age dependent.) You should also request a form from DCL ahead of time which goes to the dining room staff. You server and head server are then very well aware of the situation. You will be seated at table with just your family. They will go over all the information you gave at the first dinner, to be sure that they understand and have all the details. They are VERY cautious.

There is NO eating in the club/lab except that there is water available. They do take the kids to eat at specified times (see the navigator handed out on the first day--lists all kid programming for the week). The only exception is that the kids in the lab play a game called "Into the Blender" where at the end, they make smoothies...but this is older kids.

Yes, the kid counsellors can administer emergency treatment following your instructions. Yes, they are very familiar with epi-pens. Please check with your doc as to whether this is the FIRST treatment you want used. Many kids are instructed to use Benadryl or another drug first and use epi only if the "lesser" agent doesn't work.

Personally, I wouldn't let the counsellors take my kid to eat....but I'd do everything else...again, that's personal opinion.

ALso...there are peanuts at the ice cream station as one of the toppings. The cast member changes gloves and gets your kid's cone or dish from the soft serve machine (change of gloves minimizes any chance of contamination.) However, they cannot promise you that one peanut didn't migrate into the sprinkles....so no toppings is the safest way to go.

SO...call DCL for the medical form for the dining staff. You will fill out another form for the kid counsellors at registration for the club.

 

[shelly3girls]

When I brought my DD to eat in the kids club the first thing they asked me was whether she had any food allergies. It appeared to me that they had a seperate table for kids with allergies.

Our next cruise we will be traveling with 3 children that carry epi-pens. From my experience on the cruise I would feel quite comfortable with them in the kids clubs even for dinner. If my child had a severe allergy where even a small trace on a table, etc could cause anaphylactic (sp?) shock then I would not allow them to eat with the club but I would still send at times other than meals. Even the nursery is quite strict about not allowing food in other than plain crackers.

 

[goofysgirl]

My 9 yr old daughter is allergic to peanut/ tree nuts. Tara has already been on 4 cruises and will do the 5th this October. The counselors were very aware of her allergy and took very special care with her at the buffets. They do seperate the kids to different tables with severe allergies if you want then too. I had the epi-pen with me, but you can leave it at the lab and they will carry it with them. Talk to the counselors and express your fears they will do everything they can to make your son safe. I do have to admit that she ate more dinners with us this last cruise, but I just think she was getting tired of the buffets.

 

[bostonlass]

When you say that they separate the kids with peanut allergies do you mean just when they eat or during the whole time they're in the club playing? My daugther has the dreaded peanut allergy and while I guess she should be separated during meals I'd hate to see her singled out during play time.

 

[goofysgirl]

Not during play times only during eating times and that is only if you request it. Tara sat and ate next to everyone, but she is a little older and very aware of her allergy, so she is very cautious.
Hope this helps.

 

[MNmom]

I will be on the Magic in 48 hours with my DS(3) who is severely allergic to milk and eggs, and moderately allergic to peanuts!!

I have filled out the forms and spoken directly with the Medical Special Services Coordinator. She was fantastic!! I am going to meet with one of the head chefs on the first day and discuss many issues with him...like how they will celebrate his birthday if he can't eat the cake

I am very comfortable with him in the clubs and will speak with the counselors when we get there. Our only dilema is that we want to go to Palo Brunch and that is during the Clubs lunch time. I haven't decided if he will go to lunch with the clubs or not. I am going to wait and make a decision after I meet with the chef(finding out what is safe for him to eat) and the counselors(feeling that he will be safe and taken care of).

I am a little nervous but feel that they have handled this many times. I will let you know how it goes in the clubs and with the rest of the food service.

Adios