Experience with cruises and extensive food allergies?

[dj2]

Does anyone have any experience with a Disney cruise and someone with a very restrictive diet due to multiple food allergies? I'd appreciate any tips you can share.

Thanks.

 

[kcashner]

We are cruising with our dear friends...their allergist tells them that they are the most allergic family he has ever met. SO...on my last DCL cruise, I did my homework to find out whether this would even be possible for them. At home, Mom makes everything from scratch, having done extensive ingredient checks. Choc chips are one brand only which has been checked to be sure no peanuts in the factory, etc.

One kid has a peanut allergy--he can have an anaphylactic reaction from smelling the aroma from another child's sandwich. Another child is allergic to apples and I'm not sure what else. Both have severe asthma. Mom is allergic to milk and other things, dad to beef and other things (I can't remember their whole list.) I just know that I never have them over for dinner, and if the kids come to play, mom sends food along. We only serve what she sends, etc. In general, life is easier at their house.

Ok, so the ship information. First, you fill out a medical form which you get at the time of booking. Then you call about a month ahead to be sure that they have the information. They will seat the family "alone together." No other people. The servers are very aware of the allergy situation. The server and head server will review it with them on the first night. DLC will bring special food on board if needed, and cook it individually. Room service has a system to "red flag" it if your room calls. (Normally, they have your name and stateroom number flash up when you call).

I checked with our server (who has been on DCL for years), and with the head of dining services. Both expressed that they are very used to dealing with these situations, and felt that it would be no problem. The big thing is that they are given all the needed information a month ahead so that they can purchase special food if needed.

The one "potential" trouble spot for this family was the ice cream station (Scoops). The CM will change gloves before serving them, but there are "open" containers of toppings. Thus, there is no way to absolutely guarantee that a peanut didn't "jump" into the sprinkles or something. Thus, their only ice cream option is "no toppings." This doesn't bother them, as this is their family rule any place. The kid counsellors were aware of the situation, but the kids never ate with the programs.

BTW, all was fine, and mom enjoyed the trip. She felt more relaxed than any other vacation.

So,,,let DCL know your needs...

 

[dj2]

thank you so much for your post. food seems to be such a big part of cruises that i was worried about it preventing me from going. Thanks again.

 

[ctdoc1]

My son suffers from a peanut allergy and at the time of our first cruise with him suffered from other food allergies as well (the latter have since gone away as he got older). As he suffered a anaphylactic reaction to the peanuts my wife (at the time of our boarding in the Topsider buffet) was questioning the ingredients of the various items. It so happened that the fellow we were speaking with was our server as well.

As to food preparation, at every meal the server would ask my son/wife what he wanted and had that prepared. During the process the server stayed in the kitchen and personally watched the cooking process to make sure that the meal was prepared as requested and to make sure that there were no cross-contamination issues (clean grill, pots, utensils, etc.). All in all we came away very impressed both by the procedures that they followed and by the seriousness that they showed towards the entire situation. My suggestion would be to go to Guest Services upon boarding and ask that they arrange a visit with your server before your first meal so that you can go through the various issues. Based upon what we experienced and the vast numbers of people that they serve I'm sure they can put you at ease. As the earlier post noted, certainly if there are special food requirements (other than preparation issues) you should s/w DCL a month or so ahead of time.