casein free on DCL ?

[wide awake]

Hi all,
Has anyone ever tried casein free on DCL ? DS has just been put back on cf...we did gfcf for a couple years, had great results, then it didn't seem to work anymore. Just found out the failure was probably due to the soy in his diet. Are going cf again, his doctor said just to watch the gluten and use the digestive enzymes, so this will be much easier. That said we're booked on the Magic in October and I'm wondering if anyone else has tried cruising with the diet...The med form says DCL can provide Kosher meals, so I am assuming that DS can get dairy free hot dogs...a big issue. Any other tips ?

 

[jeancbpugh]

we've travelled to WDW several times with DS who has food allergies. Talk directly with someone from DCL as soon as possible and tell them your needs. I'll bet they will jump through hoops to help you if you give them enough lead time!

 

[cupcake]

dealing with dietary restrictions. In order to accomodate you, you begin by filling out a form and they will need time to get everything situated, so I recommend that you call DCL now. If you used a travel agent, I am not sure if you can talk to DCL directly, but there's one was to find out ... give them a call!

I have seen posters here and on the cruise board commend DCL for dealing extremely well with guests with special dietary needs (eg. nut allergies, etc.). They have been very helpful and nice with me (soy).

Cupcake

 

[SweetSpot]

We've never attempted the diet so I am entirely sure of all the hidden things that need to be avoided. DCL is very good about following dietary concerns and I'm sure with the amount of kids that cruise on their ships they are familiar with the diet and will be very helpful in accomodating your needs.

I would call DCL and let them know about your needs. They can probably tell you what brand of hot dogs they purchase. I know it was a great relief for me when I learned that hamburgers were readily available at all hours. At least there wouldn't be a struggle to find something he would eat even if he ate nothing but hamburgers for a week.

Also, we have always been lucky to be assigned a table for just our family at dinner with only us making the request at booking. I was told this time that we have been lucky and that if it is really important to us I should send in a doctors note explaining the reason we don't want to be seated with other families. By dinner time my AS son is exhausted and dealing with the socialization associated with dining with another family is too much to ask of him. Something you might want to consider.

 

[wide awake]

Hi Sweetspot,
I am seriously thinking of asking for a table just for us...last year he did fine with tablemates but he has a new habit of being very negative about most topics of conversation...I think his way of joining in...we're used to it but I don't think prospective tablemates want to hear "no kids", "no school", "no trip", "no work", "no class", "no grade", etc...I'm giving it another month and if it is still a problem I'll make the request. Charles lived on hot dogs and wurst last cruise...as long as I can get dairy free he'll be happy. I would like him to have some desserts though. He drinks juice and he'll eat certain fruits so he won't starve but there won't be any fettucine alfredo w/ ham which he loved last time. I have the medical form, I just need to get it signed and sent in. His school is driving me insane...I sent a note, along with a lunch...I got questions such as "aren't cheetos okay ?", and "we're having a pizza party for him on Friday"...what part of dairy free are they not getting ?

 

[SweetSpot]

My son is also going through the negative about everything stage. His line that starts most things he says is "just one problem" among many other annoying ones. I agree it's his way of finding a way to join in the conversation and although it is driving me crazy and sparking many a lecture I think it is a good sign. (At least I keep telling myself that to keep me sane.)

My son has what he calls the cruisual. Mickey waffles for breakfast, hamburger for lunch and chicken fingers off the kids menu for dinner. Last year he added a hamburger from room service everynight. I loved that last year he also tried one new thing off the menu each night, even if he never ate more than one bite. It's one week when I don't care what anyone eats. I can't imagine following such a strict diet that week but completely understand why it is so necessary.

Hopefully the school will catch on soon enough. (Doubt it, but there has to be hope.) Is your son familiar with what he can and can't have so he can monitor himself or does he try to sneak a bit here and there?

 

[wide awake]

Hi Sweetspot,
DS is sooo good about the diet. Never asks for anything he can't have...and this is a child that has never been denied anything he asked for in the grocery store...okay, lets be real, never told no on anything material. There is a problem when the autistic 14 year old has a better idea of what is/is not forbidden than the school. Luckily he is changing schools and next Friday is his last day at this particular school. If he tried to sneak things I think it would be easier...as it is it breaks my heart to have him so compliant. Don't you love the negative thing ? Does your DS check up on you ? Charles is always quick to point out when I make a mistake driving, and he keeps an eye on whatever I cook...obviously I am incompetent and cannot be trusted to do things correctly.

 

[SweetSpot]

Good morning wide awake:

I'm amazed your son is so good with the diet. They are rule followers so I guess it makes sense but the limitations can be so hard for a teenage boy. My son is so limited in what he will eat and how it is prepared I can't imagine adding any additional limitations.

Yes my son tortures me by correcting what he perceives to be my mistakes, especially while driving. I have to remind him on a daily basis that by some miracle he was born, fed, clothed and has had him life completely managed without any snags along the way and that his father would never think of treating me the way he does so it is totally unacceptable for him to correct me. I figure 1,000 more times repeating the lecture he might get it.

I won't let him sit next to me anymore when I drive because he tells me I need gas, am going too fast or slow and where I should turn. He yells at other drivers on the road (pulling a phrase he's learned from some cartoon long ago) like an little old man. Scares the heck out of me that he will be driving age soon and he is determined that he will be driving. It was so much easier when he was younger.

Your son is in school year round? My son starts high school this year and his class is about 1,000 going in, 3,500 total in the school. I'm terrified. I know I need to get ready for the next stage but it's so hard. I've been up most of the night worrying because he spent weeks proving responsibilty so that he could go see the new YuGiOh movie today by himself. Even though I will be in the next theatre I am so worried, even though I know nothing will happen.

Hope you have a great day!