Food sensitivity allowances

[BecBennett]

I have a bit of a sensitivity to HFCS, do when we go to the US I do my best to avoid it. The main thing I do is source coca cola with cane sugar, because coke is my drink of choice.

So now on to my multiple point questions;

1. I'm cruising on the inaugural cruise out of Sydney later this year. We do cane sugar coke in Australia, what are the chances of them having this instead of HFCS coke on board?

2. If I pack some cans of coke to come on board with me, to be certain of what I'm drinking, will they allow me to take a can or two into the restaurants with me?

3. Will they charge me corkage if I do this?

4. I've tried to note my sensitivity on my reservation, but it's not listed as one of the food allergy options, so is there somewhere else I can note it?

I also want to make it known that it's not an allergy, so it isn't a problem if I consume some of it, but if almost all my drinks contain it for four nights, things will get messy for me so I'm sort of in an awkward position. Like I feel weird talking about it like it's an allergy, because it's not, but I also don't want to pretend it doesn't exist and just hope for the best... If that makes sense...

Thanks everyone.

 

[Mommb]

I do not know what kind of sodas will be on the ship. I do know that you are allowed to carry onto the ship any non-alcoholic beverages you want, with no restrictions to where you may bring or drink them. Since there is no charge for soda in the dining rooms, there will not be a corkage fee if you bring your own.

Whether to mention your intolerance to your servers is up to you. If you notify them and they note it on your file, they will watch out for HFCS in all foods and drinks you order, but they may decline to bring you items that have even a small amount of HFCS (if there are any). If you have an issue mostly with beverages and you bring your own (or order coffee, tea, or other unsweetened drinks) you may not need to point out your intolerance.

 

[lanejudy]

I recommend bringing cans of the "safe" version. In all honesty, I don't know that the MDR servers will be able to tell you the ingredients of the Coke onboard that particular cruise since it goes through the fountains. You can order a Coke from room-service or a bar, in which case you should be able to read the ingredients - but you'll also be charged for it. I'd bring your own and ask the first night if it's ok at the MDR.

HFCS is prevalent in a lot of foods. It really depends on how seriously you need to avoid it. You will likely be looking at ingredient lists each meal. If you note it on your reservation, it will be treated like an allergy. DCL will not allow you to order anything with the ingredient even if noted as a "sensitivity not allergy." They have to be extra careful to cover themselves.

 

[RedHead0186]

Whether to mention your intolerance to your servers is up to you. If you notify them and they note it on your file, they will watch out for HFCS in all foods and drinks you order, but they may decline to bring you items that have even a small amount of HFCS (if there are any). If you have an issue mostly with beverages and you bring your own (or order coffee, tea, or other unsweetened drinks) you may not need to point out your intolerance.

I second this caution. On a previous cruise my friend noted her gluten sensitivity (not allergy or intolerance, she can have it, but larger amounts will cause GI discomfort/issues). From the minute she noted it, the servers would not bring her anything that had gluten in it. Even if she specifically requested it and told them she was okay eating it, they would not. We took to ordering the things she wanted to try and then letting her sneak a taste when they weren't looking, lol. Even when we went to Palo, the minute we sat down our server asked who had the gluten sensitivity, so it was noted in her 'file' and 'followed' her.

I certainly appreciate that DCL takes food allergies so seriously, so please no I am in no way faulting our servers or anyone. I understand that if she told them she had a gluten sensitivity and they 'let' her have something with gluten in it and she got really sick, they could get in serious trouble. It was just more of an annoyance because there were sometimes she wanted to have something with gluten (since it's not a severe sensitivity for her). In hindsight she said she wouldn't have bothered mentioning it up front so that she had more flexibility to order what she wanted. So I always just like to caution people so they can make an informed choice about how to handle it (especially if it's not something super severe).

 

[SleepyDeb]

If you like seltzer water, you could have that. No sweeteners. It's what I always drink, for no reason other than I like it. They have it in the dining rooms.