Severe food allergy and non-traditional dining

[I_heart_vaca]

I have a severe shellfish allergy. I know how to deal with this at home and even on land-based vacations, but what should I do on the ship? We have Anytime dining - as there are 8 of us and we don't want to be locked into a dining time, or have a lengthy dining experience each night.

 

I do have an EpiPen for emergencies (never travel without it) and I wear med-id bracelet (in the event something happens when no family is around). I guess my question is this - are items on buffets marked? If we are in the buffet area can I still talk with a server about items and ingredients? If we go to the Anytime dining rooms do I just mention to the server?

 

Thanks for all info and experiences you share! I am so looking forward to my first cruise - 5 years in the planning with my family - and want to insure no 'stupid mistakes' screw up our trip (I would love to see the whole ship not just the infirmary!).

[RhondaPerr]

You should contact Princess and speak with Kelly, who is in charge OF this area. No, things are not always marked, and the buffet can have hidden seafood. You will need to speak to the Maitre D even after you give Princess all your information! He will help advise you as far as buffet. Princess takes your allergies seriously, you may want to get the same waiter each night! Also be aware that especially on the buffet, they do not always have an ingredients list, where they can guarantee your safety.

 

I have severe allergies to seasonings and spices, and Princess made sure I was safe. Also if you are taking any excursions that include lunch, you need to inform the excursion desk of your allergy.

 

Hope this helps!

 

 

 

 

I have a severe shellfish allergy. I know how to deal with this at home and even on land-based vacations, but what should I do on the ship? We have Anytime dining - as there are 8 of us and we don't want to be locked into a dining time, or have a lengthy dining experience each night.

 

I do have an EpiPen for emergencies (never travel without it) and I wear med-id bracelet (in the event something happens when no family is around). I guess my question is this - are items on buffets marked? If we are in the buffet area can I still talk with a server about items and ingredients? If we go to the Anytime dining rooms do I just mention to the server?

 

Thanks for all info and experiences you share! I am so looking forward to my first cruise - 5 years in the planning with my family - and want to insure no 'stupid mistakes' screw up our trip (I would love to see the whole ship not just the infirmary!).

[JimmyVWine]

The dining room staff will assist you and can make your cruise safe and enjoyable. But there is little that can be done with the buffet. Ingredient identity and cross-contamination are much more problematic with the buffet and the service staff is far less capable of making adjustments as compared to the galley pros. If it were me, I'd avoid the buffets. If you are looking for a casual alternative to the MDR I would choose the piazza and burger grill.

[Roland4]

We travelled on Ruby with friends with a son who has a severe nut allergy. Your TA, or you if you booked direct, should advise Princess IMMEDIATELY of your allergy. There is paperwork that will have to be completed. This gets your allergy noted on the Passenger Manifest. In our case the Section Head Waiter took the son's order the first night and then he signed off on it for the waiter every other night. They were also aware of an "allergy issue" in both specialty restaurants. For all that, he still ingested walnuts in pancakes in Horizon Court that were NOT identified. Fortunately he is old enough to realize what was happening, but we raised holy hell with the Hotel Manager over it and were assured they would take steps to make sure it never happened again. Moral of the story, assume nothing in the buffets. Ask!

[wowsmom]

I also have severe seafood allergies. Before each of my cruises, I contacted Kelly Ashley. Once on board, I've gone to see the Maitre' D (he had a list that I was on).

 

Our first two cruises we did Anytime Dining and our third was Traditional.

 

The first one, the MD suggested we try one dining room and if we liked it and our wait staff, we should book with the same waiter for the whole week, which is what we did. It worked out very well for us.

 

Our second cruise, they said standing reservations "weren't necessary" - which left me explaining who I was and what my allergy was to different wait staff each and every night (somehow, the same ones were never available!). I still had no problems, but it was a bit tiresome to have to go through it all every night.

 

Traditional dining was, of course, very easy - they had it on record and I did mention it the first night. After that, the waiter remembered but would still double check to be sure I was okay with what I was getting and I heard him remind the assistant waiter once or twice (mostly when everybody else at the table had seafood, he'd say to bring my food first, etc).

 

In all three cases, the head waiter or assistant head waiter came over with the next day's menus each evening. He would take my order for lunch and dinner the next day (we always did lunch in the main dining room). When I'd go to lunch, I'd just have to tell them my name and cabin number and they'd come verify my order.

 

I was told to basically avoid the buffet, since things aren't marked plus there is always a possibility of cross-contamination. So for me, the buffet was for desserts only. :)

 

Have a wonderful cruise!

[Coral]

IMO - Traditional dining would be best. Traditional dining doesn't have to mean "long dining times".

[2little time]

I have a severe shellfish allergy. I know how to deal with this at home and even on land-based vacations, but what should I do on the ship? We have Anytime dining - as there are 8 of us and we don't want to be locked into a dining time, or have a lengthy dining experience each night.

 

I do have an EpiPen for emergencies (never travel without it) and I wear med-id bracelet (in the event something happens when no family is around). I guess my question is this - are items on buffets marked? If we are in the buffet area can I still talk with a server about items and ingredients? If we go to the Anytime dining rooms do I just mention to the server?

 

Thanks for all info and experiences you share! I am so looking forward to my first cruise - 5 years in the planning with my family - and want to insure no 'stupid mistakes' screw up our trip (I would love to see the whole ship not just the infirmary!).

Anytime dining is not like the traditional MDR where you wait for the entire table to finish each course. Your meal in anytime dining will progress as slowly or as quickly as you wish. The buffet is doable in your situation only if you stick to non-mixed entrees. There are salads that contain seafood as well as many of the entrees. There are also items that you will find to your liking. You will have a wonderful time.

[Pam in CA]

IMO - Traditional dining would be best. Traditional dining doesn't have to mean "long dining times".

I agree. As a previous poster said, it can be done with Anytime dining but unless you have a standing reservation at the same time with the same waitstaff (which is essentially the same as Traditional dining), you'll find yourself explaining everything every time you sit down. My daughter has shellfish allergies, too, although not as severe as yours, and Traditional works best with the least amount of fuss and explanation. It really comes down to your choice as to which is more important to you: explaining your allergy every night or having a set dining time.

 

Even when dining in Traditional dining, you can choose what you want to eat and how long you want to be in the dining room. On one cruise, for instance, I sat at a table for four in late Traditional dining at 8:15pm every night with three other ladies, none of whom was a big eater. We sat down, ordered 2-3 courses, and were done by 9:15pm. And that was having an appetizer, salad and entree (none of us are big dessert eaters although I ordered sorbet a few times.) All you have to do is to tell your waitstaff.

[WaggesAZ]

I also have severe seafood allergies. Before each of my cruises, I contacted Kelly Ashley. Once on board, I've gone to see the Maitre' D (he had a list that I was on).

 

Would you please tell me the best way to get in touch with Kelly Ashley? I too have a severe shellfish allergy and would like to speak/email her to confirm that I too can be on a list with the MD. I have told my TA & noted in my cruise personalizer. THANK YOU!

[Loonbeam]

One note about food allergies and buffet dining. Cruise ship or not, persons with severe allergies are always recommended by my doctor to avoid any buffets that offer self service.

 

Despite the best intentions of buffet staff, passengers are constantly using service utensils for other items, which can lead to a reaction even if items are indicated.

 

As an example, I was just at a casino buffet where someone dropped some of their peel and eat shrimp into a bowl of mixed greens, then used the salad tongs to pull them back on their plate. I told the buffet staff and they removed the greens, but if I had not happen to have seen that, both the tongs and greens were now potential hazards.

[I_heart_vaca]

As an example, I was just at a casino buffet where someone dropped some of their peel and eat shrimp into a bowl of mixed greens, then used the salad tongs to pull them back on their plate. I told the buffet staff and they removed the greens, but if I had not happen to have seen that, both the tongs and greens were now potential hazards.

 

This is my worst nightmare!

Thanks everyone. I will contact Princess today. Buffet might be out (breakfast should be safe), but we can certainly choose a designated Anytime dining room. I don't want to stress my family - and they don't want me to worry - so I am sure they will be fine if I pick a place and some can join me each night and some can go elsewhere. We never intended to spend every night together. That's a little too much togetherness for us!

[Pam in CA]

This is my worst nightmare!

Thanks everyone. I will contact Princess today. Buffet might be out (breakfast should be safe), but we can certainly choose a designated Anytime dining room. I don't want to stress my family - and they don't want me to worry - so I am sure they will be fine if I pick a place and some can join me each night and some can go elsewhere. We never intended to spend every night together. That's a little too much togetherness for us!

There are some parts of the buffet that should be fine for you. You can always request an omelet or eggs prepared any way you want, for instance, and you can let them know about your allergy. The pizza and grill should be OK as well. I had the best bratwurst on the Star a couple of weeks ago! :)

[Coral]

If I remember correctly - on the Sea Princess, there is (1) Anytime dining room and (1) Traditional dining room. So the OP will be in the same dining room each night which should work out for her.

[wowsmom]

Would you please tell me the best way to get in touch with Kelly Ashley? I too have a severe shellfish allergy and would like to speak/email her to confirm that I too can be on a list with the MD. I have told my TA & noted in my cruise personalizer. THANK YOU!

 

kashley@princesscruises.com is the email I've used the last few years. Not sure if it's still the same, but worth a shot. :)

[wowsmom]

If I remember correctly - on the Sea Princess, there is (1) Anytime dining room and (1) Traditional dining room. So the OP will be in the same dining room each night which should work out for her.

 

When we were on the Sapphire, we always ate in the Savoy dining room, but also always had different waiters so I still had to explain my allergies every night.

[Coral]

When we were on the Sapphire, we always ate in the Savoy dining room, but also always had different waiters so I still had to explain my allergies every night.

 

I was thinking if the Head Waiter is involved, they should be available.

[Budget Queen]

I have a severe shellfish allergy. I know how to deal with this at home and even on land-based vacations, but what should I do on the ship? We have Anytime dining - as there are 8 of us and we don't want to be locked into a dining time, or have a lengthy dining experience each night.

 

I do have an EpiPen for emergencies (never travel without it) and I wear med-id bracelet (in the event something happens when no family is around). I guess my question is this - are items on buffets marked? If we are in the buffet area can I still talk with a server about items and ingredients? If we go to the Anytime dining rooms do I just mention to the server?

 

Thanks for all info and experiences you share! I am so looking forward to my first cruise - 5 years in the planning with my family - and want to insure no 'stupid mistakes' screw up our trip (I would love to see the whole ship not just the infirmary!).

 

it is YOUR responsibility to inquire about the food. I have the same allergy, I ask to speak to a chef, and verify stocks especially- which have been the problem areas I have found.

[wowsmom]

I was thinking if the Head Waiter is involved, they should be available.

 

True.

 

I was just surprised how much my experience differed from one year to the next, on the same ship. I will say, our second time on the Sapphire, we also didn't ever have a wait staff that we liked enough to request a second time.

 

It's been interesting dealing with the different people. The head waiter last year, when we were in Traditional, was amazingly wonderful - even made me a special pasta dish one night. The first year on Sapphire (standing reservation), our waiter/asst waiter were great but the Asst Head Waiter, who was supposed to come take my order every night, tried to convince me that I really didn't need to pre-order my food. After a couple of nights of that, we spoke to the Head Waiter and it wasn't an issue. No biggie, in the grand scheme of things.:)

[paul929207]

Kelly Ashley *special diets

kashley@princesscruises.com (661) 284-4450

[geocruiser]

I also have a shellfish allergy. My TA lets Princess know before we go on the cruise. I do all the right things about letting the right people know on board that I have this allergy. BUT things can still happen. This year while on Crown Princess I was eating my short ribs in the dinning room. After eating about half of the plate I started chewing on something harder than the meat. So I took it out of my month and it was a small piece of lobster shell. It was in my plate and I did not see it. I got the Maitre' D and he call the Dr. I was lucky, just the shell and no meat on it. I was fine. The Maitre' D was very upset. He helped me every day choose safe food and then this happened. By dumb luck that night we took pictures of our food and there on the side of my plate in my food you can see the shell. Same color as my food. I did not see it before I ate because I was not looking for anything else to be in my food . I was able to show the picture to the Maitre' D and it helped him try to solve the mystery of how and where it got into my food. My food was kept away from other peoples food in the kitchen, so he thought it might have gotten in my food via the plastic cover which is used to keep your food warm.

By the way, I loved the short ribs and can wait until I can have them on Princess again.

 

At the buffet I would ask for the chef. He would walk around with me and tell me as we pass each dish if I could eat it or not. They will go out of their way to help you.

[VibeGuy]

I also have a life-threatening crustacean allergy. We always do anytime dining, and I generally check out the menu posted earlier in the day, and ask questions of the headwaiter if necessary. We often come to like particular servers - one in particular remembers us from cruise to cruise and wouldn't let me near crustaceans even if I threatened her with bodily harm, I'm sure. ;0) Even when we get someone new every night, it hasn't been an issue. Then again, it helps to have the menus memorized....(I think we cruise too much).

 

In the Horizon Court, I'm a little more circumspect because of cross-contamination issues causes by other cruisers, but generally find plenty to eat. The International Cafe and Vines have never been an issue - I think Princess does a VERY good job at hazard control.

 

I've never set foot in Sabatini's due to the old menu pretty much being a raging case of Russian Roulette, but we *have* done the Chef's Table three times now with no incident (including Chef's Table menus with crustaceans served to other diners). I look forward to the new Sabatini's menu with much delight.

 

YMMV, but I haven't ever dealt with the special diet desk. Everybody's been very gracious and helpful when asked.