Any experience with food allergies and Disney Cruise Line?

[RxforDisney]

My DD(6) and DS(3) are begging me to go on a cruise. DS is anaphylactic to milk, and also has egg allergy (don't know what his reaction is as he has never eaten anything with egg in it).

We are considering taking a Disney cruise after he turns 4. We had a great experience at WDW last year with his food allergies, and I have confidence that we could find him food to eat on the ship. My concern is that I might not be with him all of the time. I really don't know a lot about the cruises, but from what I understand some of children's activities are separate from the parents. I know he would enjoy that - he is very independent. But, how safe would that be? How many kids do the leaders watch at once? How well trained are the leaders on food allergy issues? As I am writing this, I am talking myself out of it, but I would still like to know your thoughts.

Thanks in advance.

 

[scrapperjill]

I have not delt with food alleries on DCL...but I have taken a couple cruises with my dd who does have some special health care concerns. I can tell you that the counslers in the clubs are GREAT. I don't know the exact number of kids per counsler...BUT I do know they have a limit and they are very strict about it. If you show up at the club and they've reached their limit for the time your not let in. PLUS they do ask before you ever drop the kids off if there are any concerns. They enter the info in their computer and every time your child goes to the club their checked in to the computer....where the concerns (ie needs/allergies) pops up. Most of the time there not feeding the kids....however they do have meal times where your welcome to let your kids go with them to eat...OR pick them up before going. The DO NOT like you to pick the kids up in transition from one place to another....so you HAVE to pick them up before they go or after they arrive. With having a sever allergery it's never a bad idea to wear some sort of medic alert necklace, bracelet or band....and with it being a child I wouldnt' think it would be a bad idea to train your child to show anyone the medic alert BEFORE being fed anything.

One other thing...in booking your cruise there is a medical form that can be filled out....making your special needs listed on your reservation where even your dinning room servers should know about the allergy well before you even meet them.

 

[Selket]

I'm signed up for a DCL cruise this coming October and I've read good things. William is ana to peanut/tree nut and a type 1 diabetic. Ask me mid-October or come with us! (Oct. 6th Western).

 

[bushdianee]

I don't have experience with a child with food allergies but my DSis and I cruised on DCL and she has many food allergies and did fine. Our head waiter would come and get her choices and personally go into the kitchen and watch them prepare ther food. The head waiter even told us that she made sure that the workers put on clean gloves. At one meal DSis commented that something sounded good but it had carrots in it. The staff made her a special one without the carrots. Her food took just a tad longer then the rest but wait was barely noticable.

 

[Nik's Mom]

Hi,
We just got off a 4 night dcsl cruise. My ds is allergic to eggs. We did the medical release forms and our waiters were very careful. In fact, once we ordered something that we didn't realize had egg and the Chef actually had the waiter come over to tell us.

Don't worry about the kids club staff. They are fantastic. My ds's are both on the autistic spectrum and they were amazing with our sons!

 

[RxforDisney]

Thanks so much to everyone that replied. I am feeling better already. I knew deep down that Disney could handle it, but my motherly instincts were kicking in. I am going to the Disney Cruise Line site now to start dreaming.

Thanks again.