Experiences with food allergies?

[JenInMD]

So...I'm back! And just to give you an update, I have mixed reviews about how my allergies were handled.

 

I will say that it was an unusual sailing, as I was in the Grandeur that had the norovirus outbreak & was confined to my cabin for 2 days. No fun!

 

So, on embarkation day, I went straight to the Maitre'D as was suggested. He told me it would be nearly impossible to accommodate me in my time dining, which is what we had requested, and he switched my to the early seating so that I would be certain to have the same headwaiter, server, & assistant who would get to know me. My luck in the dining room wasn't great. The head waiter was pretty inattentive and unhelpful. He only came to me on the first 2 nights with the following day's menu. He forgot about me after that. One night, I sought him out and placed my AVO, but he never entered it into a system, and nothing was prepared. We finally gave up on the dining room at dinner. The MDR at lunch was great, as were the specialty restaurants (we did Chops and Izumi). Very helpful and accommodating. But the biggest surprise for me was the Windjammer. I met with the manager during lunch on embarkation day, and he became my best friend on the ship! Every meal, I found him, and he prepared whatever I wanted in a special area of the kitchen, free of contaminants. He was always so super-busy and dropped everything to assist me. He was warm and kind, and put me so at ease. We wound up doing most of our meals there!

 

So, I survived (both norovirus and the food), and have to say that I really enjoyed myself and ate wonderful meals throughout the cruise! It definitely pays to advocate and to connect with the right people. I had a great experience!

 

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Edited February 4, 2015 by JenInMD

[tidygirl]

Glad you survived! I do know that someone had told me their son had the best of luck with food in the Windjammer with his allergies!

What did you think of the food?

[JenInMD]

Glad you survived! I do know that someone had told me their son had the best of luck with food in the Windjammer with his allergies!

 

What did you think of the food?

 

 

Actually, given my limitations, it was REALLY good! Everything was fresh & delicious! It definitely exceeded my expectations of what they might be able to do for me.

 

 

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[counsdr]

Jen, so sorry for all your "misadventures", but i'm glad everything did work out in the end and that you were able to enjoy your cruise.

Cheryl

[tidygirl]

Good I am happy for you!

[Natmom]

Thanks for following up! I'm sailing on the oasis in May and I have celiac disease. I have booked several speciality restaurants with hopes of being looked after a little better than the mdr. I have my fingers crossed!

 

 

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[JenInMD]

Thanks for following up! I'm sailing on the oasis in May and I have celiac disease. I have booked several speciality restaurants with hopes of being looked after a little better than the mdr. I have my fingers crossed!

 

 

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I have celiac as well, in addition to other allergies. You will do great in specialty as well as MDR. They have everything marked on their regular menu as GF, and if you work with your head waiter (most were great...I think we just got a dud!), they'll prepare it in a different area to avoid cross-contamination. Have filing, relax, and enjoy!

 

 

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[packyourpixiedust]

So...I'm back! And just to give you an update, I have mixed reviews about how my allergies were handled.

 

I will say that it was an unusual sailing, as I was in the Grandeur that had the norovirus outbreak & was confined to my cabin for 2 days. No fun!

 

So, on embarkation day, I went straight to the Maitre'D as was suggested. He told me it would be nearly impossible to accommodate me in my time dining, which is what we had requested, and he switched my to the early seating so that I would be certain to have the same headwaiter, server, & assistant who would get to know me.

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Interesting on the no early time- that is all they had available for us by the time we booked, I couldn't even wait list to first seating. I will go to the MDR as well right away then.... Thank you for this update. I cruise in a month and was curious how it would be there... Did you ever try Windjammer for dinner?

[JenInMD]

Interesting on the no early time- that is all they had available for us by the time we booked, I couldn't even wait list to first seating. I will go to the MDR as well right away then.... Thank you for this update. I cruise in a month and was curious how it would be there... Did you ever try Windjammer for dinner?

 

 

I think you read my post wrong. Early time was what they had left for me. I had originally been slated for My Time.

 

Yes, we ate in WJ for dinner a few of the nights. They were fantastic!

 

 

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[Natmom]

I have celiac as well, in addition to other allergies. You will do great in specialty as well as MDR. They have everything marked on their regular menu as GF, and if you work with your head waiter (most were great...I think we just got a dud!), they'll prepare it in a different area to avoid cross-contamination. Have filing, relax, and enjoy!

 

 

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Thank you! I'm happy to have some reassurance that I will not starve lol!

 

 

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[JenInMD]

Thank you! I'm happy to have some reassurance that I will not starve lol!

 

 

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That was my biggest fear....not only didn't I starve, but I barely even touched all the food I brought with me 'just in case'. Enjoy! They'll take good care of you.