Allergies and tablemates question

[m&m's mom]

Reading the thread about allergies a question occured to me.
What do you do if someone in your group has an allergy where they cannot even be around a certain product (the obvious thing is peanut butter)? Has anyone ever had to request their stranger tablemates to not eat certain items?

 

[101DalmFan]

You can request to NOT have tablemates at dinner. There is no guarantee Disney will be able to honour your request, but if there is a medical issue I'm positive they likely would accommodate you

 

[LadyShiva]

Reading the thread about allergies a question occured to me.
What do you do if someone in your group has an allergy where they cannot even be around a certain product (the obvious thing is peanut butter)? Has anyone ever had to request their stranger tablemates to not eat certain items?

So many people don't show up to dinner that I refuse to even worry about this.

We're skipping Lobster night, though. No reason to push my luck.

Brandie

 

[tvguy]

So many people don't show up to dinner that I refuse to even worry about this.

We're skipping Lobster night, though. No reason to push my luck.

Brandie

Wow, the dining room was always full on on cruise, even on the night we had rough seas. And we had late seating, which is supposed to be the less popular dining time. Actually, late seating may be the reason, since late seating folks tend to enjoy a longer dinner than early seating folks...us late seaters are SERIOUS about eating and the dining experience.

 

[LadyShiva]

Wow, the dining room was always full on on cruise, even on the night we had rough seas. And we had late seating, which is supposed to be the less popular dining time. Actually, late seating may be the reason, since late seating folks tend to enjoy a longer dinner than early seating folks...us late seaters are SERIOUS about eating and the dining experience.

We did a 4 day in April, in late dining. We saw one set of our tablemates twice... One dinner and the breakfast to leave the ship! Imagine 2 people at a table for 10. Quite a ludicrous picture!

Brandie

 

[ReggieB]

Reading the thread about allergies a question occured to me.
What do you do if someone in your group has an allergy where they cannot even be around a certain product (the obvious thing is peanut butter)? Has anyone ever had to request their stranger tablemates to not eat certain items?

I would contact DCL directly about that, and make sure that your servers know. I am positive they would accomodate the guest with allergy issues, and if need be assign a table for just them and their family/group. Disney are very good with that sort of thing. For families that haven't experienced allergy issues, they might have a tough time following your request. I wouldn't want it to get confrontational.

 

[bertalander]

Valid point to bring up. While we deal with pn/tn allergies in our five year old ourselves I'm ok with other eating those food around him... to a degree.

I would probably leave dinner early with him if there was, say, a cashew trail mix type thing (not thinking that on a menu just using an example), but we would be fine with someone eating carrot cake that has nuts in it.

I'm trying really hard to teach him how to live in the big bad world, nuts and all.

 

[LJC1861]

Brandie,

If you are skipping Lobster night.....can I have yours??? LOL

Linda

 

[happymommy]

I'm sorry, but aren't most nut allergies ingestion only? My DS's dairy allergy used to be touch hypersensitive, but he's gotten beyond that. If someone is so allergic to a nut, anyone in close proximity (close table) could set off an allergic reaction. In that case, it is important to notify the ship. But, like airplanes, although they may not offer the item, someone may bring it with them (my DS used to be peanut allergic, severely, but outgrew it, so is required to eat it regularly, as his allergist says he must to ensure his tolerance, and he is also in a research study with Johns Hopkins University Hospital for his dairy allergy). I'm just suggesting that although you may not share a table, someone nearby may be eating something you're allergic to. That is something that, like airplanes, cannot be controlled.

 

[yndygo]

I'm sorry, but aren't most nut allergies ingestion only?

It depends on the severity of the allergy.
If your kid eats peanut butter for lunch and uses the slide before mine? Wherever his/her hands touch, my DD is getting a contact reaction (read: huge nasty welts and hives)

The reason most airlines stopped serving peanuts is because of the number of reactions of peanut allergic passengers to the peanut dust in the air from bags opening.
Which is why the warnings on labels read: may contain traces / processed on machinery that processes / processed in a facility that processes - because the severity of the allergy can be that extreme.

The fact that your DS can ingest it at all is VERY cool... but also means that his allergy isn't level 5.

My DD and by DBro are both treated for their peanut allergies through National Jewish - and are of the "could have a reaction if you had peanuts and then were around them" category.
Neither DH nor I are - and even food with trace amounts of peanuts are not allowed in our home.

That said? Yeah, you can't control other people - but that doesn't mean that you can't tell them the issue and ask them politely if they have a problem with waiting until you leave the table to order the peanut-related dessert.

 

[yndygo]

Reading the thread about allergies a question occured to me.
What do you do if someone in your group has an allergy where they cannot even be around a certain product (the obvious thing is peanut butter)? Has anyone ever had to request their stranger tablemates to not eat certain items?

We didn't ask our tablemates not to - but then, I don't recall there being a ton of peanut stuff on the ship as it was.

Then again - most people are really considerate if you explain the level of your child's/party member's allergy in my experience. And since the Head Waiter will be involved in the process personally if you have a peanut/nut allergy or other kind (dairy, egg, wheat) at your table - you'll know in advance if there's something to worry about.

If it's *really* an issue - like say the allergy is to the level of 'peanut dust will cause anaphylactic reaction' - definitely request individual seating.
Or at the worst - utilize the FREE room service!

 

[tvguy]

I'm sure if this was an issue they would just give you your own table. Not fair to ask someone not to eat something when just keeping the person with the allergy out of harms way would let everyone have what they need.

I know this has been an issue in some public schools...even got to court, and so far the courts have said you can't ban someone from eating something when just moving the person with the allergy would solve the problem.

 

[yndygo]

I'm sure if this was an issue they would just give you your own table. Not fair to ask someone not to eat something when just keeping the person with the allergy out of harms way would let everyone have what they need.

I know this has been an issue in some public schools...even got to court, and so far the courts have said you can't ban someone from eating something when just moving the person with the allergy would solve the problem.

Honestly? your "not fair" is not flying with me... if something you are doing - be it smoking, driving-drunk, or opening a bag of peanuts is threatening my daughter's life, it's 100% "fair" of me to ask you from refraining from doing it around her.
Yes, you have the right to tell me to go to the Devil - but I'm not going to NOT ask - it's my daughter's LIFE.


And for what it's worth? the "no peanut/no nut policy" has been upheld in schools here... perhaps you aren't as aware of the changing of laws regarding this issue.

http://www.foodallergy.org/Advocacy/advocacy-schools.html

It's rather clear where you stand on the issue - but you are incorrect in your assessment of the current legal situation.

 

[tvguy]

Honestly? your "not fair" is not flying with me... if something you are doing - be it smoking, driving-drunk, or opening a bag of peanuts is threatening my daughter's life, it's 100% "fair" of me to ask you from refraining from doing it around her.
Yes, you have the right to tell me to go to the Devil - but I'm not going to NOT ask - it's my daughter's LIFE.


And for what it's worth? the "no peanut/no nut policy" has been upheld in schools here... but given that schools where you are have criminalized taking a child out of school for a vacation? I think it's safe to say we do things differently here.

Maybe equitable would have been a better word. Certainly I would not advocate something that would threaten someone's life, especially when such a simple...and equitable solution is available....just request a table to yourselves for medical reasons. My hat is off to you, because if my child had such a life threatening allergy, I don't know how I would handle day to day life, let alone a trip such a cruise.

 

[yndygo]

Maybe equitable would have been a better word. Certainly I would not advocate something that would threaten someone's life, especially when such a simple...and equitable solution is available....just request a table to yourselves for medical reasons. My hat is off to you, because if my child had such a life threatening allergy, I don't know how I would handle day to day life, let alone a trip such a cruise.

Sorry - it's a touchy subject... I apologize if I'm coming across as rabid.

But I've seen my brother dying on the table in the E.R. - and barely making it - because he had trace amounts of peanuts in ice cream... it's not something I ever want to experience with my daughter.

Then again, when we were kids, no one ever heard of "life threatening peanut allergy" - so I guess I'm pretty lucky that there's awareness of it now.

I don't ever think it hurts to ask someone if it would be a hassle for them to refrain from eating it around her - but also, if someone said "you know, we love peanut butter, and I'd really hate to miss out on the Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie..." I'd also be 100% okay with saying "yep, I get that! I love it too - I just haven't eaten it since my daughter was born... but I totally understand - let me see what I can get the head-waiter to work out - or maybe we can just leave before you order dessert if that works?"

I don't expect the world to change to accommodate 1 person - or even a percentage of people - when it's something like this... but it would be silly not to ask someone in the situation. Because it would be awful to say, not get to know the people at the table because of a fear that they might say no, if it were a matter of the other folks saying something like "oh sure, no problem!"


Then again - a scientist recently discovered a way to remove the allergen from peanuts without changing the nature or taste of them - so if it ends up being commercially viable? I'm thrilled!!
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2007-07/ncas-naf072307.php

This came out over the summer.

 

[Alexander]

I think DCL would be able to accomodate you with an individual table. I would be concerned that even if someone didn't order a specific food, that it has been prepared in a kitchen, touched by a cook, or a server that has made contact with PB. What if someone orders the PB pie, the server has some on his hands and touches your daughter's plate? I would think that you are going to have to have your own table and explain to the server the situation.

Personally, I found the room service hamburger to beat all of the food (well, not in Triton's) anyways. The dinners were the only disappointing part of the cruise.

 

[tvguy]

Sorry - it's a touchy subject... I apologize if I'm coming across as rabid..

No worries. Issues that are hot button topics in the rest of the world are hot button topics here.
I was involved in Little League Baseball for over 10 years as a board member, and we got conflicitng information on dealing with allergic reactions.
The doctors who ran our advanced first aid seminars told us to keep Epi-pens on hand for emergencies and told us under California's Good Samaritan law we could not be criminally prosecuted for using an Epi-pen on a child having an allergic reaction. Little League (actually, their insurance carrier) warned NEVER to do that, because you can still be sued in civil court, and, by the way, their coverage excluded that type of situation!!!! Then, there is the whole issue of how to get an epi-pen without a presciption. Those doctors who told us to have one, also told us they wouldn't give us a prescription.
Our solution was, kids who needed an Epi-pen should have a parent or guardian on hand with the epi-pen at all times, prepared to administer it, because all we could do beyond basic first aid would be call 9-1-1.

 

[TSBRN]

I personally don't think getting your own table would solve your allergy concerns....but if you are going to feel the need to ask the other guests to avoid eating nut products....you probably should get your own table.

Let me explain....as nurse for many years, I know how serious a nut allergy can be. But, I think your table mates food choices would be the least of your worries. I am really sure it would be impossible for your child to have a reaction to someone else at the same table eating say--a piece of peanut butter pie. In fact, I can't think of any airborne particles in any food they would serve. The only way your child could come in contact would be by touching that person (or their plate/untensils) where they touched the peanut product (hands or mouth, most likely). I find that scenario pretty unlikely.

If you are going to go with the idea that possibly the cook or waiter touched the peanut product on the table mates plate, then touched your child's plate during preparation; you would have to ban nut products from the whole kitchen or at least from all the tables those waiters are serving. I also find that scenario pretty unlikely.

If it were my child, I would be far more concerned with the pools, handrails, elevators, buffets....places that people touch frequently, and more disconcerting, children (and some adults) who put there hands in their mouths and touch everything. I mean, if you child is THAT allergic to nuts, those places would seem a much more logical place of transmission than at a dining room table (where you have control over what your child eats and touches).

I have a severe shellfish allergy, but would never think of asking others around me to not eat shellfish. I just carry my Benadryl and Epi pen with me at all times in case my food is accidentally contaminated...maybe not the best option for some, but I refuse to live in a bubble.

Just my two cents.

 

[yndygo]

I think DCL would be able to accomodate you with an individual table. I would be concerned that even if someone didn't order a specific food, that it has been prepared in a kitchen, touched by a cook, or a server that has made contact with PB. What if someone orders the PB pie, the server has some on his hands and touches your daughter's plate? I would think that you are going to have to have your own table and explain to the server the situation.

Personally, I found the room service hamburger to beat all of the food (well, not in Triton's) anyways. The dinners were the only disappointing part of the cruise.

Actually, the kitchens on board are *amazingly* conscious of the allergy issue - and as a whole, DCL is better than any restaurant we've ever been in. There are signs in the kitchen about food preparation and how to avoid contamination by the most common allergens.

As someone else pointed out, it's more the 'common areas' you have to watch out for than the servers and the kitchen.

 

[LadyShiva]

Linda: Sure, help yourself! I'm not a big seafood eater, anyway. For example, I prefer fried clam strips over shrimp!

I'm soooo glad the serious allergies in my family are all ingestion-type! I'm also glad I am not allergic, so I can be the taste-tester for the other 2. Makes life a bit easier to check the sauces and such for hubby (anaphylactic shock from milk and peanuts).

I wish you luck with the allergies, yndygo. We have found DCL to be easier to work with than WDW. At WDW, they just refuse to serve you anything they don't make in-house. On DCL, they have more options, and I think a better selection of options. And DCL bends over backwards to make sure you're fed.

Brandie