Anyone who has sailed DCL w/ food allergies...

[Tink n Poohbear]

how did you handle your requests? Is there a phone number you can call ahead of time like at the WDW restaurants to discuss dietary needs?

My son is allergic to dairy and pork, so I usually need to get things made just for him. Even things that seem safe like scambled eggs often contain milk and marinara sauce often has cheese, so I need to know what's in everything. Buffets can be a nightmare!

Also, does anyone know if they have soymilk or rice milk on board? I can bring our own, but if they already have it, no need to pack anything extra!

Thanks!

 

[DeeCeeSW]

Rice and soy milk is available---speak to your TA or to DCL directly about the allergies and they will list them on your reservation. DCL will also send you a "Medical Clearance Form" where you list all of the allergies and have it signed by your child's doctor. My DS has egg and peanut allergies along with a lactose intolerance.

 

[pjpoohbear]

When you book or soon after let the DCL reservation centre/ your Travel Agent, know that your son has food issues. They will note it on your reservation and then on the first night your head waiter will come and talk with you.

For the first lunch there is a head waiter on hand at both locations and you can speak with one them there about that meal. You can also go to the dinning change location and talk to the head waiters who are stations there. There are six head waiter in total, two for each rotation.

Each night after your waiter will have been informed what your requirements are and will work with you. I was given the ingrediants(?) book to look at each evening, as I am lactose sentitive. Also check out the children's menus on some of the disney cruise fan sites.

You will be fine and your son will still find lots to enjoy!

 

[marylee15]

I hate Mondays, that said, DCL is great with food allergies. My son has a severe peanut allergy and is also allergic to eggs, they were wonderful. They sent us the medical clearance form you just have your pediatrician fill it out and send it back to DCL via fax. On the first night our head server came over and put his hands on my sons shoulders and said you must be "R. . . . . . . " and my son was so excited. He made a big deal out of our son and then took a lot of time talking to us about the food. Additionally, the head server came over and asked our son about things he liked and he noticed that my son liked the bread and said there will be nut free bread at this table every night. They also gave us our own table because the smell can sometimes set off a reaction in my son. They were wonderful they really went above and beyond. I cannot say enough about how great they were.

 

[madisonsmom]

This is good to know...Friends that will be travelling with us have children that have allergies against wheat, gluten and lactose/dairy. I have told them they should post on here with a question about it as this board seems to be very knowledgable. Anyone have experiences with these type of allergies that have been on the cruise? I would love to be able to pass some info to them. THanks!

 

[Rence]

My father is allergic to fowl. This can be quite tricky because chicken broth is used a lot in cooking, even if the dish is not a chicken dish. Lots of soups use chicken stock as a base etc.

We had notified DCL ahead of time. Each night the head waiter would either come over personally or pass the information on to our server. They would go over the menu with my father and go item by item as to what items he could have and what items would cause a problem.

 

[snusnu]

There was a thread on this not long ago, so you might want to do a quick search. I have life-threatening allergies to fish (really fun on a cruise) and most nuts, and on our honeymoon cruise on DCL, the head waiter relayed my needs to my servers and they were fantastic. When you board, find your head waiter (ask at guest services), tell him/her your needs and you'll be taken excellent care of.

 

[padalyn]

The servers are the best!!!

I was on the 4 day annual passholder cruise in 04, and my companion (who is deathly allergic to coconut) managed to drink more than one of the "drink of the day" that we later found to use coconut rum...after some very sick hours she survived.

On the last cruise, we went to guest services to inquire as to how to manage her allergy since the stuff shows up in the strangest places - popcorn for one, sports drinks for another (imagine that). well, the head server was made aware, our server was, the cabin person, as well as the chefs. Her desserts came out looking a little different as they avoided the offending ingredient, and the server suggested more than once she not order a particular dish.

At the buffet, food stations, and bars they now have a contents list of all beverages, and foods served. These were not available in 04 - they must have gotten more than a few food complaints about it.

Just be sure to let the staff know, you will be fine!

 

[krhardy]

just my 2 cents worth, but as a fellow allergy sufferer, and someone with a child who has VERY specific needs (easier to say what he CAN have than what he can't), I would make sure that you are advised that DCL will do their best to accomodate you. And they will bend over backwards, as far as their vertibrae will allow. Unfortunately, there are only so many things they can control. When asking a server about particular ingredients in a dish, they may tell you, but remember that it is only to the best of their knowledge. I would suggest that if your childs reaction tends to be severe, make sure you have an epipen with you...always better to have it "just in case"...also, I always travel with my own "snacks" for my son...generally speaking I can always find something for him, but for the rare occassion when I can't, I keep non parishable snacks that I KNOW he likes. HOpe this helps. SO, in other words, they will accomodate you as much as you can, but you should also be prepared. Don't let the worry ruin your cruise! Have a magical (or wonderful) time!