DCL vs other cruises with nut allergies

[babyruth]

Hi friends, I'm wondering if anyone with food allergies has been on a Disney Cruise and any other line for comparison? We are considering booking our first DCL cruise but I'm just wondering if there are other lines that are good with allergies as well.

 

[EdnaMarieMode]

We do not have food allergies, but I have witnessed how they are handled on DCL (table mate had a shellfish allergy) and on NCL (DS 11 was instructed just before our trip to avoid dairy to help rule out an allergy).

On DCL our head server asked on the first night if anyone had an allergy. Your servers then stay with you every night you eat in main dining so our table mate was not asked again about his allergy. Every night our server went through the highlights of the menu and if he pointed out a shellfish dish, he told our table mate “that dish is not safe for you, I recommend (other dish) instead as it is also very good.” Our server was always very knowledgeable about the menu and how dishes were prepared and there was always plenty for this guest to choose from. Our table mate dined at Remy and reported that the chef personally met with him to discuss the steps to avoid cross-contamination and reassure him that every item prepared for him would be safe. At Palo dinner and brunch, the second thing our server did after introducing himself was to ask if anyone had allergies. At the buffet he was personally escorted around by a CM who let him know what was safe and what wasn’t and frequently they offered to make him something in the kitchen and bring it out.

On NCL main dining was handled similar to DCL except that you have different servers nightly so we did have to go over the dairy restriction at each meal. Servers fairly often had to check with the kitchen concerning the preparation of dishes (which I really appreciated). There was plenty to choose from in the main dining rooms and at the buffet or poolside. In fact we loved the daily poolside BBQ because it changed daily so my son really had a lot of variety. We were on our own at the buffet (only had breakfast there). No one offered assistance but we didn’t seek anyone out (I’d guess if we had asked, someone would have helped us). At specialty restaurants we also were asked by our server at the start of the meal. There was plenty to choose from and the servers were very knowledgeable about how food was prepared.

In either case, passengers can call ahead and let the cruise line know about an allergy and they may be able to get additional alternatives on the ship for you. We didn’t and I’m not sure what difference it might have made if we did (dairy is really hard to avoid but there really was plenty to choose from right from the regular offerings ).

 

[Selket]

It's been a long time since we cruised with one of my sons who has a serious peanut/treenut/shellfish allergy. We did 2 cruises, 2 years apart I think and I don't remember feeling he was unsafe at any time but - one thing that stuck with me - is that I'm fairly sure we had a chef on one of the cruises that really wanted to serve him nothing but very plain food - plain chicken breast, plain rice, plain green beans, jello - really stuff that a person could be 100% beyond the shadow of a shadow of a shadow of doubt would not have allergen on it because it was made from scratch. He was concerned that much of the stuff in the kitchen could either "may contain" because he didn't 100% the source or could be cross contaminated and he couldn't make him the same meal from scratch just for him because he had too many other people to deal with (obviously). My son was younger and at the chicken nugget stage but also an adventurous eater so plain food night after night while we were eating like kings would have been the absolute worst thing - he would have been very sad. It would mean everything he ate on the cruise would have to be prepackaged like a box of cereal or very plainly cooked food - and I mean very very plain. Also he didn't want him to eat off the buffet at all - ever. I also think this was on our 2nd cruise and we didn't have any issues on our first cruise and the chef was excellent who worked with us so I wasn't expecting this on the 2nd cruise. It was a real pain in the backside....

As I often tell people who ask about allergies and restaurants - much of your experience will depend on the chef you get and you can't control that (and chefs don't like to contradict each other so asking for another doesn't always work either). Hopefully others will chime in too and give you an average of experiences. I can't speak to other cruise lines - DCL is the only one I've done.

 

[Mrsjvb]

all the mainstream lines are on par when it comes to accommodating special diets. the general rule of thumb is you will order the next night's dinner the day before. all the buffets, all you have to do is ask for a chef to come out and they will walk you through every station pointing what is and isn't safe. that being said, many people with very severe reactions stay away from them altogether because people will invariably cross contaminate with the serving utensils.

they all have dedicated kitchens for prep and cooking to prevent/minimize cross contamination issues back of the house.

I have had two different friends, same ship at different times, same allergy( GF plus no dairy) one was very happy with the variety and taste of everything, the other less so.. found the GF options esp in bread form to be severely lacking in taste and appeal

My own personal experience on Disney was NOT fun. I have a mild shellfish allergy( I like it, it doesn't like me) . one of the soups one evening was a seafood chowder of some sort, so I asked my waitstaff if it was plain seafood, or if there was shellfish involved. he went back with the bowl, came back out with it and said it was perfectly safe.

it wasn't. thankfully I only had about 4-5 spoonfuls before I got a mouth full of shrimp so my evening wasn't totally ruined, just a few uncomfortable hours in the cabin that night.