Food Allergy - Who do I talk to when we board?

[froggymomma]

First of all, thanks to all on these boards. I have already put so much of what I've learned to use in planning our 10/19 4-day Wonder cruise.

My 4 YO DS has a dairy allergy. I noted it on our cruise reservation. I also completed the medical form and faxed it to DCL as instructed. I am shipping a box of dairy free treats/snacks to the Poly prior to the cruise.

Is there someone I should talk to when we embark to identify ourselves as the "dairy allergy" folks to ensure that everyone that needs to be aware is?

When we go to the first day buffets - probably PC for us - is there someone we should seek out for assistance in identifying non-dairy offerings?

I think I've done all of the advance work I can, not I just need to understand what steps I need to take once we're on board - and I know if I can get an answer anywhere, this board is it!

Thanks for any help you can provide.

 

[AnnMorin]

And told the head waitor as well as our server the first night. They were great on checking what had chicken broth in it or eggs and reminding me what I could not eat. I would tell them right as soon as you enter the dining room. At the buffet I would ask the serving staff to assist you.

 

[CamColt]

Our DS has a peanut allergy and we did as Ann did. We told our waiters and they were wonderful about it. I think they were more concerend about it than we were, LOL! They really scrutinized everything and when they werent 100% sure, they wouldnt let DS have it. It really wasnt a problem at all.
Good luck!

 

[froggymomma]

Thanks so much for your quick responses. It sounds like there isn't anything more to do (on this subject) until we see our head waiter/server.

I'm so glad to hear how helpful everyone was!

 

[jrabbit]

Like others have said, DINNERS should not be a problem because you have your own wait staff. It will be a little trickier for breakfasts and lunches, but you should be able to get help here too.

 

[katerkat]

I just talked with my server on the first night - I have severe IBS and need all meats cooked incredibly thoroughly, as well as avoiding other triggers. He was great - my meat was cooked through and through every night. I only had one attack onboard, and it was my fault for drinking warm milk. I also asked for things to be cooked a little more from the buffets and stuck to cold stuff for breakfast.

I recall being told there was a food person you could talk to during boarding? We thought about looking for them (two people with GERD and one with IBS!) but ended up not. We were fine with just informing our server.

 

[MNmom]

Hi froggymomma-

I am traveling in Jan. with a DS(4) with severe dairy and egg allergy (moderate for peanuts too ). I would really appreciate hearing your experiences when you return. Especially with regards to buffets, room service and or other non-dining room fare. I am starting to get very nervous. I know he won't starve but want him to have a great experience too --and not eat Jello every night.

Thanks a ton and have a great trip!!!

 

[imgoingtodisney]

Because of hereditary heart disease I need to watch my sodium and fat intake. Is it possible to speak with the wait staff privately before our first dinner?

 

[huckster]

i to have food allergies i just let our servers now ahead of time and they mentioned alternatives every night . at the buffett i asked and they showed me what i could and could not have
commerce twp. i think your in the area!!

 

[JennsBabySky]

Originally posted by imgoingtodisney
Because of hereditary heart disease I need to watch my sodium and fat intake. Is it possible to speak with the wait staff privately before our first dinner?

You might consider filling out a medical release form. On it, you could note any dietary restrictions. This way they would be aware before you arrive.

 

[froggymomma]

MNmom, I will post an update on how the allergies went on board. My son has an egg allergy as well, but seems to handle small amounts in the occasional cake okay (could be because all he really wants to eat is the frosting).

I plan on eating as many meals as possible in the dining room. I believe the buffet the first day is the only buffet we will have to eat at, other than that it is my understanding that we can eat in one of the dinig rooms. We'll have different servers, so it will take a lot of repeating the same info ober and over, but if he can eat safely it is worth it. At the buffet I'm planning on plain carved meats, fruit and maybe a vegetable (if I can be sure they weren't drenched in butter). Never can trust crackers or breads if I can't read the label, and won't even talk about desserts.

We're doing a land/sea vacation with four nights at the Poly (added an extra night). I checked with the Poly and I can ship some dairy free snacks, cracker, breakfast cereals, soy milk and gummie treats in advance and they will hold it for my arrival. We've made PSs for every evening we're there and they gave me a special number for each restaurant to call seven days in advance regarding my son's allergies. We'll handle breakfast in our room and find a basic hamburger for lunch.

It seems to be coming together. One of the main reasons we chose a Disney vacation was the positive things we've heard about how they handle allergies.

Too much information I'm sure, but I've learned the only way to ensure no problems is to plan, plan, plan.

 

[tecdavidt]

I am gluten intolerant, so no wheat, barley, oats or rye. This includes modified food starch which most likely is wheat starch. All I did was tell my server and they were great about researching what I could have and not have. I always saw the menu for the next night before I left the dinning room! DCL will take care of you.

I even ran into our servers in the buffets and they could tell me what was OK and what wasn't and they even offered to go get different food for me. Talk about great service. I ate better on the ship than at home!!! Kathy

 

[Mjasp]

I have a question to all who told their servers about their allergies. DH is highly allergic to shellfish, (happened after years of eating it) Did you also note it on your reservations or only told the head server and waiters? On our last cruise everytime he ordered something he just asked if the sauce or salad dressing had any shellfish in it, but I would prefer to tell someone outright, although knowing my DH he would ask anyway.

Thanks
joanna

 

[tecdavidt]

I only told our servers and head waiter. I did not fill out the forms prior to our cruise. The staff went out of their way to make sure what they served me was OK with my diet. They even would tell me that this or that was a no when looking over the next nights menu. Some nights they went to other galleys to get the proper food! Kathy

 

[MNmom]

Thanks a ton froggymomma!!

I will look for your review when you return. Have a fantastic trip--my kids made a paper chain until our cruise...we have 108 days to go!!!!

Bon Voyage

 

[my3kids]

I filled out the forms and never had to tell anyone. They all knew! My servers said immediately when I arrived at dinner that they were well aware and were prepared to inform me each evening about the dishes that I could not have. Even at the buffet, once they knew I was one, wouldn't allow me to select the quesionable items until they spoke with the chef to determine ingredients. It was the easiest vacation with my allergy I ever had.

 

[katerkat]

We didn't fill out forms - just told our servers. But then, IBS and GERD aren't deadly/dangerous allergies. Just makes for an uncomfortable night if we eat something we shouldn't!