Food Allergies, what to do?

[goofyguy1958]

I was just reading the "What food not to miss on the 7 day" thread and started wondering. I have allergies to mushrooms and peppers, -- can be life-threatening -- is there something I can do before the cruise to assure that I am not inadvertently given either of these in my food while on our May 2004 cruise? Or, do I have to ask at each meal?

 

[ChattyKathy]

my daughter also has to watch what she eats most of the time. We have a list the dr gave to us that is attached to the front of the ref but we now know it off by heart....

However, you do have a wide variety of foods to order from on the menu and pick from on the buffets~

We dont fuss over it, we just know and work around it, Plus- she knows and keeps an eye out too!

If and when you order something, tell the waiter/waitress to hold the onions/peppers....I'm sure it'll be fine.





Good luck!


Kathy

 

[outahere]

Tell your server about the allergies when you go to dinner the first night. They deal with this type of situation all the time and
will direct you to the menu choices which don't contain any peppers or mushrooms. There are also servers at the buffets who can tell you whether or not a particular item contains them.

 

[Lisa F]

If you have a life threatening food allergy you should fill out a medical form with DCL so that they know and can give you an idea about what might be hidden in some of the dishes. Sometimes it's not as easy as "leaving out this ingredient." Of course, you also need to be vigilant yourself but why go in blindly and guess when you can let DCL know and find out where the danger might be?

 

[Cruisin]

we have taken our severely allergic son (now 20) on several cruises.
Please do fill out the medical form and return it to Disney. We found when we arrived at the dining room the servers were already aware of our son's allergy and took great pains to see that he did not get something he shouldn't and also to see the he had something that he could enjoy.
You should of course always check yourself before you order/eat your meals, because the servers are only human and may forget and ultimately it is your responsibility to make sure that you are as careful as possible.
I don't think you should have any problems at all, they are extremely competent in handling food allergies on the DCL

 

[AnnMorin]

If so I would bring it to all meals. Definately make your wait staff aware of your allergies. They are quite vigulant but as someone who is highly allegic to poultry I do know you can never be too safe. You would not believe the amount of times I have been assured in various restaurants (never on DCL) that their was no chicken broth in a certain dish. Only when I have insisted that they check with the kitchen do I find out that I just missed going into shock again. On Disney I will say my wait staff has always been wonderful in making sure that I am not accidentally exposed.

 

[ducklite]

I have food allergies, and at dinner found our server to be wonderful. She would have the menu highlighted with the items I could not have each night as we were seated.

The buffets are a different story--NIGHTMARE! I am allergic to nuts and one of the COOKS manning the apsta station informed me that I could eat the pesto. Right. I was just extremely aware and if I even thought there might be a sliver of a chance I didn't eat it.

Anne

 

[ivanova]

just got off the Wonder --- the servers were FANTASTIC about hubby's nut allergy --- went so far as tell us at dinner about potential problems with the following day's breakfast & lunch menus.

 

[my3kids]

Definitely fill out the medical form. Never wait to tell your servers. By the time I got there, everyone was aware of me and even the people at the buffet knew who I was and wouldn't let me select things one day until they got the chef to check the recipes. While I wouldn't count on the staff at the buffet to be vigilant, your wait staff will be. By filling out the form ahead of time, the entire kitchen staff will be alerted, they will know at which table you are seated and your staff will know before you ever arrive about your specific needs.

Just call DCL(or your Travel Agent) and request a medical form be sent to you.

 

[MNmom]

Has anyone ever asked for ingredient lists before they leave??

I am sailing with a 4 year old allergic to milk and eggs

I was thinking about contacting DCL to find out if he can have the hot dogs/buns, chiken fingers, pasta/ sauce and a few other things on the menus. It is just very hard for me to go and not know ahead of time what is safe for him to eat. Am I being realistic or should I just have faith that DCL will take care of us!!

THanks so much for this info. I am starting to think about the fun stuff and not worry so much about my DS (4)

 

[Cruisin]

I have never heard of anyone asking for ingredient listings before they leave. But I say why not try? It can't hurt, all they can say is that they are not available.
We found Disney Cruise Lines to be excellent in the area of food allergies. We took our son at 16 and then at 17 with a severe peanut allergy. Our servers were very helpful and tried hard to make his dinners enjoyable. One night he asked for strawberries and whipped cream for dessert, since desserts are basically non-existant for nut allergic people. Well they were not on the menu but the server brought them to him anyway.
Have faith, but also try to get as much info as you feel comfortable with.

 

[kcashner]

Our server asked about allergies on the first night. I specifically quizzed the staff as we will be sailing next year with friends who have children with severe food allergies. He said that the servers keep a record and also notify the head server, so there is a "double check" system at the sit down meals. At the buffets, someone is available to discuss how the items were prepared. In addition, the kitchen will specially prepare meals for the allergic individuals even to the point of bringing on board special items if they are notified ahead of time.

His suggestion for my friends was to notify DCL when the reservation was made, also to notify dining services 2 weeks before the cruise...then to notify both the server and head server at the first meal.

 

[goofyguy1958]

OK, now that we are within 3 weeks -- I can't believe I am actually saying that -- where do I get these "MEDICAL FORMS" everyone has referrenced?

 

[CamColt]

Good Question Goofyguy1958. Ive heard about this form too and since we are going on a cruise(not DCL) in a few months I asked DS's doctor for one when we were there recently. They gave me a letter stating he had a peanut allergy, but they didnt have any real form. From reading these boards I thought there was some sort of standard medical form or something. Anyone know?

 

[PiperG]

Our DS is also serverly allergic to nuts.

You can get the medical form directly from DCL. Or, if you are booked thru dreams, they can send it to you. On all three cruises we obtained the medical form in advance, had our MD complete it and sent it in via fax to DCL. The servers always knew in advance that DS was allergic.

In the past, I attempted to find out the ingrediants for the crackers associated with the cheese & cracker tray you can get from room service. I was not successfully in getting that, so we didn't order it. I am very eager to hear if MNmom has any luck with that.

 

[PiperG]

MNmom, where are you in Minneapolis? We live in Maple Grove and I work in Eden Prairie!

 

[Farms]

My daughters are both highly allergic to nuts (as in life-threatening, carry the epi-pen, etc). We filled out the medical form proir to boarding and on our first evening at dinner, the chef of AP came out and introduced himself, explained to us what the girls could/could not have, etc. He even went so far as to get bread from another restaurant because they ahd had nuts in the kitchen the same day they made the bread!!! Disney is first rate and they will take care of you -- but you need to make them aware of the issue first. HAVE A WONDERFUL TRIP-- with I was going again

 

[drclaws]

Originally posted by CamColt
Good Question Goofyguy1958. Ive heard about this form too and since we are going on a cruise(not DCL) in a few months I asked DS's doctor for one when we were there recently. They gave me a letter stating he had a peanut allergy, but they didnt have any real form. From reading these boards I thought there was some sort of standard medical form or something. Anyone know?

We were sent a one-page DCL form from our TA to complete and return that asked for medical conditions including allergies, medications taken and asked for physician name, address, telephone and signature. Our TA asked for it to be returned before 30 days out.

I would ask your TA or DCL directly if you need a form.

 

[tvguy]

The first question the first night from our servers was about food allergies. I have NEVER been asked that on any other cruise line.

 

[PizzieDuster]

Originally posted by outahere
Tell your server about the allergies when you go to dinner the first night. They deal with this type of situation all the time and
will direct you to the menu choices which don't contain any peppers or mushrooms. There are also servers at the buffets who can tell you whether or not a particular item contains them.

This is so true! Our table mates had a sweet DD who had special needs. The Head Server, our Server, AND A COUPLE OF CHEFS came to the table. They spent quality time with this family. It was impressive what they would come up with each night for this delightful young girl. The family was so happy! We got a kick out of it! To see her face when they brought her plate! We would clap! I remember she had "steak" one night. We all said cooked especially for her