Food Allergy Info Here

[ducklite]

I just got back from the Magic, and it was truly MAGICAL! I've started an extremely detailed trip report on the trip reports area, but wanted to give this info separately as I know several of you are waiting for it.

I have moderate to severe nut allergies. I am allergic to all tree nuts in varying degrees, with hazelnuts and coconuts being mild, and with pecans and cashews giving me some fairly bad reactions. So far none have been life threatening, but my allergies have gotten worse over time, and my doctor feels that in time they will become life threatening, so I am VERY careful.

I do want to mention that I am NOT allergic to peanuts, so far anyhow. I also have a recent, new, unknown allergen, and am off to the allergist in a week for testing.

Here is my report.

I filled out the health form and faxed it in quite a while before sailing. It didn't really do me any good, but it was nice that the Doctor was aware of my allergies (I also have pharmacuetical allergies) just in case.

Topsiders is a nightmare. There is really not anyone there to help you as far as chefs go. I was extremely careful there, and never had dessert there. The dessert servers DO NOT understand allergies and cross contamination, and serve carrot cake with the same pie server that they use for cheesecake and flan. One day there were so many items with nuts on the buffet line that I gave up even trying and went to Pluto's where I got a yummy taco and chicken tenders. As far as I could tell, everything there is 100% safe. They use canola oil for frying, not peanut oil.

The guys at Scoops are very helpful, and will use a clean spoon for your sprinkles just in case if you ask. THey assured me taht they never use the spoon from the nuts for the candies, but used a clean one for me just in case anyhow. I probably should have skipped the candies and just had the soft serve, but luckily I didn't have any problems.

Most nights there are one or two entrees with nuts. My server, Ivana, brought out a menu that the chef had highlighted anything with nuts or nut oils in it so I would avoid those items. Most nights there were at least a couple safe desert choices as well. Sometimes it was easy to make it safe by leaving off the nut garnish, etc.

BEWARE OF THE EVENING DESSERT BUFFET!! I was very lucky that I saw a pastry chef lurking about and asked him what was safe, because several things I had thought would be WERE NOT! Also, the white chocolate is made with ALMOND OIL!

I lived dangerously by eating pasties each day, but probably shouldn't have due to a high potential for cross contamination. On the two mornings I ate in Lumieres for breakfast, I used my own fork to take pastries off the try, as they use the same forks for everything, and there were some items with nuts on the tray.

I had pancakes and french taost for breakfast with no problem, but in skimming the breakfast menu, there is nothing cooked on the grill with nuts, so there was no reason for concern there.

You just have to keep asking and reminding. Remember, many if not most of the waitstaff are ESL, and may not understand everything you say, even though they will yes you to death. If you are uncertain, don't be afriad to ask someone else, or even ask to speak to the chef.

The chef's all get it, and seemed genuinely concerned. If you are really in a bind, reach out to the dining room head servers, they all speak very fluent English and will take care of you. You will also see at least one of the head servers at every meal (even breakfast and lunch), they are the ones in the white jackets.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Anne

 

[rae519]

Thank you so much for that report. Although I do not have this type allergy - I am amazed that so many things can trigger a severe reaction (especially crosscontamination). It makes me much more aware now than I was before.

Looking forward to your report!

Rae

 

[gottaluvdisney]

Also, on embarkation day they have some of the head waiters and dining room managers in a designated location to speak to people about special dining needs (mostly dining time changes) I know it was listed in the Personal Navigator. This is the best time to speak to them about a special allergy, etc.

This is one of the functions of a head waiter. Even though most waiters and assistant waiters should be trained, the head waiter is the key person for these types of requests.

Good info for us ducklite!

 

[MNmom]

Thank You so much for this information!!!

I cruised last Jan with DD's 5 and 9 but we left our DS 2 home with grandma (he is the one with the food allergies...milk, eggs and peanuts!!!). The whole week on the ship I thought about how in the world we could ever do this kind of vacation with our DS.

Now we are starting to get the itch to cruise again. I am so concerned about what my DS could eat. I have heard that they will supply us with soy milk and it sounds like we will be best friends with the chefs on the ship. But at least I am now thinking this might be able to be done!! I wonder if we would be allowed to bring some of our own food on board (desserts are the hardest things to find). This has been quite an adventure for our family and we are starting to adventure out more and try new experiences. It can be very challenging sometimes but I am beginning to think we can make this work!!!

Thanks again

Happy Cruisin' MNmom

 

[aseafish]

I think I would be tempted to stay away from all buffets in a situation like that. Anything could have a "special" ingredient added or simply be cross-contaminated as ducklite mentioned. Speaking to the head waiter is a great idea. I know one of the first questions we were asked while booking was about special food needs. It's a daily battle with allergies, I know.

 

[4nana]

Anne ~
Thank you so much for all the tips! We will be traveling w/our 18 mo old Dgson w/allergies ~ peanuts and milk are on the top of his list So we will definitely need to make Dis. aware and 'keep on our toes'. We also have contacted SW airlines and to our surprise they assured us they take extra precautions cleaning and also have peanut free trips for those who have problems.

 

[FantasticDisFamily]

Ok, as noted in the subject line I am not a doctor and of course you always want to work with your children's physician. But I wanted to give those of you with little ones a glimmer of hope.

Our son was deathly, and I mean fail to thrive deathly, allergic to a wide number of foods when he was an infant/toddler. Anything with cow's milk was a no-no. I have a friend who told me later he looked like a child in those aid to starving children commercials. He was better once he was put on Isomil - grew and progressed normally. About the time he was three his pediatrician decided to "test" some of the previously forbidden items based on research he'd read. Although worried, the protocol used was set up to ensure his safety and immediate response in the event of a reaction. No reaction! Bottom line - his system was now able to tolerate regular cow's milk! So we tested the other things that had been off limits with NO problems.

I understand and empathize with all of you battling these things and know it isn't true for all kids. When he was 18 months/2 years we were looking at a lifetime of worrying about these allergies. So it may be worth a conversation.

Oh and for anyone wondering - at just 15 he now stands 6 foot, weighs in at 175 lbs of pure muscle, and plays on the freshmen football team!

Deb

 

[ducklite]

Deb- Glad to hear it! I know a lot of kids grown out of milk allergies over time.

In my case the allergies have gotten much worse over time. I used to be able to eat coconut and hazelnuts with no reaction at all, I now can not. Up until a few months ago I could still get away with a toasted coconut donut, but now I can't I also used to be able to eat things with almond oils in them, and now can't. Soon enough I have a feeling I'll be told to avoid nut oils externally, which will make finsing appropriate things like massage oils and hand lotions more difficult.

Anne

 

[FantasticDisFamily]

Trying to find everything without nut oils will be a pain. And I know some allergies do get worse with time, especially for adults. I just found it unbelievable when talking with other friends who had little children with food allergies who were not given this hope/information. Kids do change and grow so I just thought I'd pass that along - I'm glad you had a great time and the info you passed along is terrific!

Deb

 

[Scratch42]

Thanks for your report as I am now facing this problem with DD10. She has develped an allergy to shellfish, ie, Shrimp, which was here fav! Go figure. We used to buy those shrimp rings and just snack on them. Now if she has any she balloons up!
Took her to the Doctor and he recommends that she stay away from all shellfish, chocolates and nuts!

Will the Wonder be a big problem for this?

Any info would be greatly appreciated?

Scratch

 

[goofysgirl]

Be careful of the salad dressings. They may contain fish oils or anchovy paste. I have an anaphalatic allergy to seafood, but have sailed twice on the Magic and will be on the 7 day in October. My youngest is allergic to nuts but she loves seafood. I happen to love nuts so we just watch what we are doing around each other. Communicate with your waiters, asst waiters, and everyone else that can hear you, that you have DEADLY ALLERGIES, they will listen to you. Keep your Benedryl and epi pens with you just in case, but we have never had any reason to use them. Have a wonderful trip!

 

[Scratch42]

Thanks for your advice. I'm new to this whole allergy thing and have never read so many lablels before. But a mother's got to do what a mother's got to do! I think the hardest part for her will be when she sees the size of the shrimp on the ship!

Thanks,
Scratch

 

[tecdavidt]

I am allergic to gluten (products with wheat, oats, barley). So no sauces, no chicken fingers, no soft shell tacos, no pancakes, no waffles, no wheat breads. You get the picture. I did eat better on the ship than at home! DCL went out of their way and I really appreciated that. They have special gluten free bread and rolls, yum. I had Cre'me Brulee' every night! That I could have. So with special diets, if you can do it at home, you can do it on the ship. Just prepare DCL. Kathy

 

[PiperG]

Originally posted by Scratch42
Thanks for your advice. I'm new to this whole allergy thing and have never read so many lablels before. But a mother's got to do what a mother's got to do! I think the hardest part for her will be when she sees the size of the shrimp on the ship!

Thanks,
Scratch

Yes, DH and I are constant label readers. One challenge, is that they make identical products in different plants. Some goldfish crackers are made in a plant that is nut-free, while others are made in plants that also have nut products. If the vats are not properly cleaned out, nut traces can be found in a product that should not have nuts. Thank goodness, labeling for such cross-contamination risks has become more prevelent.

Anne - thanks for the detailed feedback. As you know, DS 5 is severely allergic to peanuts and some other nuts. Our Wonder experience gave us some comfort, but as we will be on the ship much longer this time (and hence experiencing much more from a food standpoint) we wanted to do the extra research.

Glad you had a magical trip