Vegan and Gluten Free on a Fantasy Cruise?

[nancy drew]

Just wondering about others' experience with dining vegan and gluten free on a cruise (probably the Fantasy). We may be planning a cruise in the next year or two, and I'm worried about what I'll be able to eat. I'm sure the table service meals will be OK, but what about breakfast and lunch? Can I get fresh fruit freely? What else will I be able to get from the various lunch and breakfast options? Will they make something special, like vegan/GF Mickey waffles, like they make at WDW and DLR, or anything else? What is available for lunch?

 

[chris31997]

Not sure about the making the waffles gluten free, due to space and needs.

But you should be able to get fruit, veggie, and protein pretty regularly. I do know that you can let them know that you have diet issues and they will do what they can. If you are really worried, you could bring protein bars or powder.

Hopefully, someone will post who has cruised more recently.

 

[cruisecrasher]

Just wondering about others' experience with dining vegan and gluten free on a cruise (probably the Fantasy). We may be planning a cruise in the next year or two, and I'm worried about what I'll be able to eat. I'm sure the table service meals will be OK, but what about breakfast and lunch? Can I get fresh fruit freely? What else will I be able to get from the various lunch and breakfast options? Will they make something special, like vegan/GF Mickey waffles, like they make at WDW and DLR, or anything else? What is available for lunch?

I'm sailing vegan in November and since there were no vegan trip reports I've found I plan to take extensive photos.
I've heard soy milk is available, but if you favor almond milk (like we do) or something else you can BYO).
I did find some blogs (not mine)
http://veggiegrettie.com/2011/09/02/a-very-vegan-and-gluten-free-disney-cruise/
Palo brunch vegan thread-
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2981514
Another sailing vegan thread-
http://www.m.www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2948421

And even a raw vegan one-
http://www.therawadvantage.com/tag/raw-vegan-on-a-cruise/

This on dairy alternatives onboard-

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2987315

 

[sambycat]

there is at least one vegan entree on each MDR night. you need to note your dietary needs on your reservation and then repeat repeat repeat. i’ve read people have had excellent options and experiences. i didn’t act completely proactively once on board so my meals were more vegetarian then vegan. the buffets have amazing options, but many of the veggies are sauteed in butter (it is labeled). i had to ask for soy milk, which they had, but it wasn’t out. i’ve read that people have met with the chef the first night and preplanned meals for the next day, but i think because i hit 2 MDRs with EXCELLENT vegan meals for dinner, i didn’t push it and later i wished i had as perhaps i could have had some more “fun” vegan options for breakfast or lunch (besides just fruit. or the day i snapped and ate like 14 poached eggs swimming in hollandaise. not pretty). i believe they also have veggie burgers poolside, but they weren’t advertised. i had a great veggie pannini sandwich made for me at fillmores (or whatever that is called), but i did have to explain no cheese - they probably saw me inhaling the poached eggs and wondered what my problem was!

we dined at remy and palo brunch as well. there were options, but not tons. at remy i just went vegetarian. i think if i ever have the chance to do lunch there, i would stick to vegan and insist and i am sure it would be great. the vegetarian menu was very good, but (since i’ve been there before and other similar places), i don’t know that i would spend that time and money unless the menu (vegetarian) gets a little more... i don’t know what. it was delicious, but i don’t think they had much for you if you went vegan there. palo, i just selected what i felt i could eat.

 

[sambycat]

just to reiterate, many of the those blogs etc do talk about the chef coming out and pre-ordering meals the first night and then there being sit down breakfast options like waffles or what not. i wasn’t offered this and honestly our service was really screwy the frist night (but then was excellent) so i wasn’t insisting just because i was unsure. i wasn’t offered any vegan desserts/rice cream or anything. i read about also people ordering vegan smoothies to their rooms via room service which sounds great! i’m still working out the how to’s of my vegan practice (learning options and how to speak up and not feel like an obnoxious goon!) so our next cruise/vacation i am confident i will know whats what better!

man - i had one of the best tofu dishes evah on board. hungry......

 

[SharonLowe]

If you like Indian food, you might want to request it - many of the chefs are Indian and they will cook up something really special for you. Also, Palo will do a very nice vegan meal for you.

 

[aqmom]

We are a celiac family with many food allergies for one child. Have not cruised yet, but already spoke in person to one of the three people working the special food dept. to help us. You can make requests and they do their best to make the food what you are looking for. I was very reassured. I wanted to be sure that the girls would have access to cookies and non-dairy ice cream (not to mention pancakes and waffles). Be sure to contact them before you go and I bet you will have all your needs and desires met!!! (at least that is what I am banking on!!!!). I wrote online to them and then received a phone call back. Of course now that I need it, I am not finding my note with the phone number. My apologies! It all started when I was considering a port adventure and it mentioned that they proved chips and soda (my daughter has corn & dairy allergies in addition to celiac). I wrote to the general DCL "contact us" online about port adventures and how to do snacks and got a call back with tons of helpful tips and information for ports and on deck. It sounds like they really try to accommodate us the way that the parks do and that they have access to the items used in the parks.

 

[Blueyedchanel]

We are a celiac family with many food allergies for one child. Have not cruised yet, but already spoke in person to one of the three people working the special food dept. to help us. You can make requests and they do their best to make the food what you are looking for. I was very reassured. I wanted to be sure that the girls would have access to cookies and non-dairy ice cream (not to mention pancakes and waffles). Be sure to contact them before you go and I bet you will have all your needs and desires met!!! (at least that is what I am banking on!!!!). I wrote online to them and then received a phone call back. Of course now that I need it, I am not finding my note with the phone number. My apologies! It all started when I was considering a port adventure and it mentioned that they proved chips and soda (my daughter has corn & dairy allergies in addition to celiac). I wrote to the general DCL "contact us" online about port adventures and how to do snacks and got a call back with tons of helpful tips and information for ports and on deck. It sounds like they really try to accommodate us the way that the parks do and that they have access to the items used in the parks.

If you find that number in the next week please share. My son had an egg, milk, soy, and peanut allergy and so is limited as to what he can eat at most restaurants. When I called the 800 number to order bottled water and stuff before our cruise next week they asked if we wanted the "Bon voyage" package that includes a cake, I explained the allergy issue and after she made a few phone calls she found that they will be able to make him an egg, milk, soy, peanut free cake. I'm thrilled, my DS never gets treats like cake. I would love to however call and talk to them before the cruise.

 

[HarrisFamily4]

Hi Nancy, we sailed on the Disney Wonder last year and my 10 year old neice has celiacs and needs to eat gluten free. They were sooooo amazing!!! They have a separated menu to choose from, and the head server of the dining room (his name was Wit) personally came over to take her order every night and treated her like royalty. She absolutely loved it and she said the food was great.

They are totally prepared with alternative meal requirements and will do anything to make sure you enjoy the experience. If you ever say or ask "I'm not too sure between the apple crumble or the chocolate mousse" they don't hesitate and simply say "don't worry, I'll bring you both...."

Nothing to worry about !

 

[aqmom]

If you find that number in the next week please share. My son had an egg, milk, soy, and peanut allergy and so is limited as to what he can eat at most restaurants. When I called the 800 number to order bottled water and stuff before our cruise next week they asked if we wanted the "Bon voyage" package that includes a cake, I explained the allergy issue and after she made a few phone calls she found that they will be able to make him an egg, milk, soy, peanut free cake. I'm thrilled, my DS never gets treats like cake. I would love to however call and talk to them before the cruise.

I am so disorganized right now - my apologies. I am not finding my note. I believe I spoke to Denny and he said that there were three people on the team for DCL special diets. I am sure that during business hours (it was too late tonight for them to answer), the special diet line at WDW could get you the DCL Special Diet number. Special Diets at WDW is 407-824-5967. The generic DCL number is 407-566-7000.

I am sooo happy to hear about your cake. I hope that you all have a truly magical time. On our first trip to WDW it was my eldest daughter's 8th birthday. She was allergic to rice, potato, peanuts, sesame, corn, gluten, sorghum, squash, dairy and more. They made her a fantastic birthday cake! I LOVE DISNEY DINING and allergies!!!!!! She is super sensitive and has not yet gotten sick with Disney dining (knock on wood). Made us buy DVC and now that is our only vacation spot (beats me cooking on each vacation and lugging a suitcase of pots and pans).

p.s. Thankfully we are back on board with rice, potato and squash!

 

[Blueyedchanel]

I am so disorganized right now - my apologies. I am not finding my note. I believe I spoke to Denny and he said that there were three people on the team for DCL special diets. I am sure that during business hours (it was too late tonight for them to answer), the special diet line at WDW could get you the DCL Special Diet number. Special Diets at WDW is 407-824-5967. The generic DCL number is 407-566-7000.

I am sooo happy to hear about your cake. I hope that you all have a truly magical time. On our first trip to WDW it was my eldest daughter's 8th birthday. She was allergic to rice, potato, peanuts, sesame, corn, gluten, sorghum, squash, dairy and more. They made her a fantastic birthday cake! I LOVE DISNEY DINING and allergies!!!!!! She is super sensitive and has not yet gotten sick with Disney dining (knock on wood). Made us buy DVC and now that is our only vacation spot (beats me cooking on each vacation and lugging a suitcase of pots and pans).

p.s. Thankfully we are back on board with rice, potato and squash!

Thanks I will give them a call!

 

[cgolf]

I was on the Wonder and on the Dream and did both Gluten Free and I did eat some vegan options too. They were very accommodating and I had options at breakfast including pancakes. Fruit and veggies were always an easy option too. Lunchtime it depended on where we ate - if you do the buffets you are limited to what they have there (but a chef always would take me through the line and show me what I could eat and also offer to make me fresh items in case of cross contamination). For sit down breakfasts and lunchs I could order the night before and let them know about what time I was going to come and they would make it up for me when I got there. I also ordered from room service without an issue!

 

[momhmmx2]

We are a celiac family with many food allergies for one child. Have not cruised yet, but already spoke in person to one of the three people working the special food dept. to help us. You can make requests and they do their best to make the food what you are looking for. I was very reassured. I wanted to be sure that the girls would have access to cookies and non-dairy ice cream (not to mention pancakes and waffles). Be sure to contact them before you go and I bet you will have all your needs and desires met!!! (at least that is what I am banking on!!!!). I wrote online to them and then received a phone call back. Of course now that I need it, I am not finding my note with the phone number. My apologies! It all started when I was considering a port adventure and it mentioned that they proved chips and soda (my daughter has corn & dairy allergies in addition to celiac). I wrote to the general DCL "contact us" online about port adventures and how to do snacks and got a call back with tons of helpful tips and information for ports and on deck. It sounds like they really try to accommodate us the way that the parks do and that they have access to the items used in the parks.

I have celiac as well and I'm cruising in December. Who are you talking to? I called DCL and they tell me I have to wait until I'm on the cruise and find my servers to let them know

 

[sambycat]

That was my experience-we noted it every where (and told servers everywhere) and it was difficult to be sure I was eating vegan. It wasn't the great success others have had, but I wasn't as persistent on board as I should have been (just saying I bore some responsibility for my particular situation). So do take every suggestion and be relentless on board!! Good luck!

 

[bats]

If you just tell your servers on board, they will alert your head server and be/she will take notes on allergies and everything else. I am a fussy veggie and I got to order my meal the night before which was a real help as if I didn't like anything on the menu, they did me someone special ... Pasta with different sauces and mushrooms ... Baked potato with cheese and salad .. Lovely!!

 

[sambycat]

Especially for celiac/medical needs,there may not be the variety of products available or offered if you *just* alert your server? Just seems the case from what I've read online/experienced. Next time, I will do everything I did last time and ask to speak to a chef the first night as well I think.

 

[Melissa R]

I have celiac as well and I'm cruising in December. Who are you talking to? I called DCL and they tell me I have to wait until I'm on the cruise and find my servers to let them know

I have Celiac as well and had it noted on my reservation in advance, but the best advice I can give to you is to go to the place where they take dining change requests and Palo reservations on the first afternoon after you board. Talk to someone there about your dietary needs. My head server just so happened to be there that day, and I was able to preorder my dinner for the first night at that time. That way, my food came out with my family's.

Every night at dinner, I had gluten free rolls brought to me. Each night, I ordered my dinner for the next night. I don't think I ordered specific desserts but instead just told them to surprise me. I have fantastic desserts!

Now, they also told me that I needed to eat all my breakfasts and lunches in the dining rooms, but I didn't want to do that. So when I went to Cabanas for a meal, I just used my best judgement to find things that I knew were safe, and then when I had questions, I would explain my situation to a host and they would get a chef for me. I was able to find out what was safe and what wasn't. I did also get gluten free waffles from Cabanas once. It was a long wait but worth it.

At the fast food locations, they have gluten free pizza crusts but they take a little while to prepare. I think I was offered gluten free hamburger buns, but I can't remember because i really don't like those - I just prefer to do without.

 

[cherylp3]

I'm going on my 9 & 10th disney cruises, I did 3 cruises last year as vegan and gluten free. Suggestions, bring snacks for movies. Check in at the the restaurant change area and let them know you have allergies. I suggest you ask for the restaurant manager or your head server, they can bring a chef out like the raw vegan link mentioned. Beware of desserts. Make sure to ask that there is no dairy products. On my may 2011 cruise they brought a dessert that had marscepone cheese. Luckily I managed not to eat any.

 

[pearljammer]

I would imagine you may have a hard time finding out if something is gluten free. I dont' know if this is an allergy concern or merely other reasons. I say this because we've sailed with our DS who has an egg allergy. Although they know this, we had to pre-order meals and it was often difficult to find out if something had egg. We often played it safe and just passed if we had to question it. This limited his eating selection but they did a great job attempting to cater to his allergy though. So if it's you or anyone else who may read this with a food allergy of this type, just don't go into thinking it's perfect and easy. I found it to be frustating at times but not enough that it overshadowed the joy we experienced from our cruise. I have to keep in mind that if I'm frustrated, it may be frustrating for them as well.

There is plenty of food though. Have a great trip.

 

[DahliaRW]

Thanks for this thread. I'm gluten free (intolerance, not celiacs) and was wondering. I know they are usually great at the restaurants at the parks (even in Japan) with allergy free options, so I was hoping the cruises would be the same. Sounds like they have lots of options!