How do I order a GF birthday cake?

[squirk]

For the record, I am not GF. My wife is. I am, however, the one responsible for making sure that her intolerance is duly accommodated on our vacations.

My experience with GF is very similar to that of @Anchors Away 2016 - even if you let DCL know ahead of time, your server is still going to come out for some Q&A to make sure that (s)he accommodates you properly.

So while it's probably not a bad idea to let them know ahead of time, in practice, I am not sure if it makes much of a difference.

 

[Cackyschmackers]

Awesome! Thanks everyone! I think I'll stick with the face to face explanation!

 

[Dug720]

For the record, I am not GF. My wife is. I am, however, the one responsible for making sure that her intolerance is duly accommodated on our vacations.

My experience with GF is very similar to that of @Anchors Away 2016 - even if you let DCL know ahead of time, your server is still going to come out for some Q&A to make sure that (s)he accommodates you properly.

So while it's probably not a bad idea to let them know ahead of time, in practice, I am not sure if it makes much of a difference.

I don't think that the letting them know is in any way meant to avoid the conversations each night.

It is so they can adequately prepare for the special needs of the guests they have on board.

If they are only "expecting" say 5 gluten-free (or insert other allergy that requires extra preparation) while they will overbuy a LITTLE, if there are even 20 more who go by the "I'll let them know when I am on board" there is a good chance they may not have enough things to adequately meet the needs of all those on board. And those who DID let them know so they could be prepared will end up suffering along with the "I'll just wing it" people.

 

[squirk]

I don't think that the letting them know is in any way meant to avoid the conversations each night.

It is so they can adequately prepare for the special needs of the guests they have on board.

If they are only "expecting" say 5 gluten-free (or insert other allergy that requires extra preparation) while they will overbuy a LITTLE, if there are even 20 more who go by the "I'll let them know when I am on board" there is a good chance they may not have enough things to adequately meet the needs of all those on board. And those who DID let them know so they could be prepared will end up suffering along with the "I'll just wing it" people.

But with specific regard to accommodating GF, it doesn't seem like they need extra "stuff" or extra prep time. I understand separate "clean" prep areas are needed, but for the most part, DCL is mostly removing stuff that they've had already been planning to serve. No gravy on those potatoes. No croutons on that salad. No sprinkles on that Mickey bar. No glaze on that salmon. Etc.

In all my cruises, it never seemed like they were going to prepare anything particularly unique for my wife. Rather, they were offering her "stripped-down" versions of what they already had on the menu.

If anything, it would seem like an unexpectedly high GF contingent of guests would mean DCL likely wound up overbuying a lot of ingredients.

As an aside, it is interesting to note that GF is not even an option on the DCL site when making a special dietary request. Soy, nuts, dairy, vegan, but no gluten.

 

[Dug720]

But with specific regard to accommodating GF, it doesn't seem like they need extra "stuff" or extra prep time. I understand separate "clean" prep areas are needed, but for the most part, DCL is mostly removing stuff that they've had already been planning to serve. No gravy on those potatoes. No croutons on that salad. No sprinkles on that Mickey bar. No glaze on that salmon. Etc.

In all my cruises, it never seemed like they were going to prepare anything particularly unique for my wife. Rather, they were offering her "stripped-down" versions of what they already had on the menu.

If anything, it would seem like an unexpectedly high GF contingent of guests would mean DCL likely wound up overbuying a lot of ingredients.

As an aside, it is interesting to note that GF is not even an option on the DCL site when making a special dietary request. Soy, nuts, dairy, vegan, but no gluten.

I was referring to GF bread, cookies, pancake/waffle ingredients, etc.

Obviously if your wife doesn't use those it would be immaterial to you. But if I get to the end of a cruise and am relegated to salad and fruit because way more people needed GF than listed it, there will be comments on the comment card as well as follow up emails and/or snail mail letters.

I have noticed that and commented both on the phone and in emails that it really should be an option. Trust me - should I end up with limited options on a cruise that will be the first of my recommendations to help prevent it.

 

[squirk]

I was referring to GF bread, cookies, pancake/waffle ingredients, etc.

Honestly, I don't know if we've ever been offered any of that stuff. If those things are available, that would be news to us. I am about 99.9% positive she was never offered GF cookies as an option for dessert. I cannot recall ever seeing GF waffles (or GF anything) at Cabanas.

In that context, I agree. Best to let them know ahead of time so sufficient provisions can be ordered. My guess is that since GF is not an option on the Special Requests, running short has not been (much of) a problem yet.