Summer 2020 European Cruises - DCL v. others?

[Dug720]

We are considering a European cruise in a few years due to my kid’s food allergies (navigating that in a country where we don’t know the language is daunting, and at least we know she could eat on the ship). But since time on the ship would be limited, it is likely we would try a non-Disney ship... well, if I can convince DD and DH who are enamored with DCL.

I'm not saying not to go on another line, but I would just recommend you do your research on how well the lines you consider handle allergies - from recent experiences. Two years ago I was very comfortable with RCCL being gluten-free. I felt that everything was well marked and I was well taken care of. This past summer, the menus had changed and were not always accurately labeled, AND I had a head waiter trying to convince me that faro was safe for me to eat (it's NOT if you're gluten-free)...so I am very gun-shy to book them again. I don't expect them to protect them from myself, but I also don't expect to be more knowledgable about what is safe and what is not than the head server.

 

[wl1117]

Our money goes to Texas A&M, lol, so cost is very important to us at this point in our lives.

Whoop!

 

[MonaMN]

I'm not saying not to go on another line, but I would just recommend you do your research on how well the lines you consider handle allergies - from recent experiences. Two years ago I was very comfortable with RCCL being gluten-free. I felt that everything was well marked and I was well taken care of. This past summer, the menus had changed and were not always accurately labeled, AND I had a head waiter trying to convince me that faro was safe for me to eat (it's NOT if you're gluten-free)...so I am very gun-shy to book them again. I don't expect them to protect them from myself, but I also don't expect to be more knowledgable about what is safe and what is not than the head server.

Thanks - that feedback is helpful. We are managing peanut/tree nut which are not too difficult (compared to some), but I appreciate your word of caution!

 

[Dug720]

Thanks - that feedback is helpful. We are managing peanut/tree nut which are not too difficult (compared to some), but I appreciate your word of caution!

Yeah - I am by no means discounting other lines. They just may need more attention than Disney (which does still need attention - never just leave it in the servers’ hands).

 

[KashasMom]

We did a european cruise last september (there was 7 of us between 2 verandah cabins). Honestly, its so port intensive, we really never enjoyed the ship much. We were exhausted from all the ports (3 of them we did ourselves and one we did a DCL excursion). I havent been on any other cruise lines yet but because its so port intensive (we are looking at northern europe) we may go another cruise line.

I agree. We did a 13 night Baltic on RCI with 1 sea day. We were constantly on the go - back to the ship late at night. We ate in the buffet every night (wouldn't want to be restricted to Disney's dinner times). Don't even remember going to a show. It was an amazing, exhausting cruise. We spent about 1/3 of what a similar Disney cruise would have cost. Just not worth the Disney price for us.

 

[KashasMom]

We are considering a European cruise in a few years due to my kid’s food allergies (navigating that in a country where we don’t know the language is daunting, and at least we know she could eat on the ship). But since time on the ship would be limited, it is likely we would try a non-Disney ship... well, if I can convince DD and DH who are enamored with DCL.

Just a side note...we're going to Japan next year and daughter is a vegetarian (obviously not a life-threatening allergy!) and we've printed out cards in Japanese identifying that she's a vegetarian but eats eggs, etc. That may be a good option for you for a land vacation.

 

[Pens Fan]

Just a side note...we're going to Japan next year and daughter is a vegetarian (obviously not a life-threatening allergy!) and we've printed out cards in Japanese identifying that she's a vegetarian but eats eggs, etc. That may be a good option for you for a land vacation.

That's a great idea!

My husband used to travel to China quite often for business. While he doesn't have any allergies or food restrictions, he speaks no Chinese, what so ever and ordering food was a challenge at times. He finally made up cards with pictures of fish, chicken, a cow, etc. It helped him order his food when he didn't have an interpreter with him.

On a side note - unrelated to food - he always grabs a handful of the hotel's business cards. That way when he's out and about he could hand the card to the cab driver and not have to worry about the language barrier so much.

 

[KashasMom]

That's a great idea!

My husband used to travel to China quite often for business. While he doesn't have any allergies or food restrictions, he speaks no Chinese, what so ever and ordering food was a challenge at times. He finally made up cards with pictures of fish, chicken, a cow, etc. It helped him order his food when he didn't have an interpreter with him.

On a side note - unrelated to food - he always grabs a handful of the hotel's business cards. That way when he's out and about he could hand the card to the cab driver and not have to worry about the language barrier so much.

Yes, to the hotel's business card too! Funny thing...when we were in China the owner of a noodle restaurant introduced US to (voice) translation apps! We used one quite frequently once we knew about it. I have my Japanese one all ready.

 

[Dug720]

While generally the cards are a great idea, they do not always help. I don't know if it's bad translations or what, but in Greece this summer more than one person in cafes and restaurants I tried to eat at just looked at the card about gluten-free and best-case shrugged and worst case said "No understand." So especially with allergies I would not rely solely on those.

ETA: And the gluten-free ones were made by a Celiac organization (I don't have Celiac, but an allergy), so they had been checked for accuracy.

 

[KashasMom]

While generally the cards are a great idea, they do not always help. I don't know if it's bad translations or what, but in Greece this summer more than one person in cafes and restaurants I tried to eat at just looked at the card about gluten-free and best-case shrugged and worst case said "No understand." So especially with allergies I would not rely solely on those.

ETA: And the gluten-free ones were made by a Celiac organization (I don't have Celiac, but an allergy), so they had been checked for accuracy.

I expect that there are many people around the world who have no idea what gluten is. There's no way I'd trust a waiter in a foreign country to know whether something has gluten in it or not. Instead I'd choose not to eat anything that could possibly have gluten in it. With specific single ingredient allergies or being vegetarian/vegan the cards should work. It's easy enough to check with the chef whether something has peanuts in it. (As far as our situation for Japan, many people are already using the cards so we'll be good to go.)

 

[Dug720]

I expect that there are many people around the world who have no idea what gluten is. There's no way I'd trust a waiter in a foreign country to know whether something has gluten in it or not. Instead I'd choose not to eat anything that could possibly have gluten in it. With specific single ingredient allergies or being vegetarian/vegan the cards should work. It's easy enough to check with the chef whether something has peanuts in it. (As far as our situation for Japan, many people are already using the cards so we'll be good to go.)

The cards say wheat as well. Pretty sure wheat is universal.

And there are many places where they do know what gluten is. Italy is far ahead of the curve when dealing with wheat/gluten allergies.

 

[DVC Doc]

Just a side note...we're going to Japan next year and daughter is a vegetarian (obviously not a life-threatening allergy!) and we've printed out cards in Japanese identifying that she's a vegetarian but eats eggs, etc. That may be a good option for you for a land vacation.

We’ve found Japan to be very accomodating to vegetarians! Almost all major restaurants and everywhere at Tokyo Disney have a vegetarian option. If the waiter doesn’t speak any English (which is very rare), just say “Begitarian” and they will understand! Better yet, learn a few more Japanese phrases about what you can and cannot eat - the Japanese really appreciate foreigners who make an effort to speak their language. I used Duolingo, for example, and google translate to learn some specific phrases.

You’re going to love Japan, have an awesome time!