Celiac looking for real information about royal's buffets

[screwsmcernst]

I am just back from sailing on the Carnival Magic. I have Celiac Disease, and this is the first cruise I have ever been on where I have actually lost weight.

 

We are looking to book a cruise on Royal for next year, My question is this.... Are the food items in the buffet area labeled with gluten free signage like they are on Celebrity?

 

On Carnival, breakfasts and dinners in the MDR were fine, but at lunch, I could not take the chance and eat anything off the buffet, because it wasn't labeled. I couldn't even have salad dressing, because no one knew for sure. I ended up eating cheese chunks, cucumber and carrot slices, and french fries.

 

I'm not trying to bash Carnival, and I'm not in the mood for "Royal cheerleaders" telling me I shouldn't have been on carnival in the first place. If you have information that is of real use, please respond.

 

Thanks,

[Ourusualbeach]

I am just back from sailing on the Carnival Magic. I have Celiac Disease, and this is the first cruise I have ever been on where I have actually lost weight.

 

We are looking to book a cruise on Royal for next year, My question is this.... Are the food items in the buffet area labeled with gluten free signage like they are on Celebrity?

 

On Carnival, breakfasts and dinners in the MDR were fine, but at lunch, I could not take the chance and eat anything off the buffet, because it wasn't labeled. I couldn't even have salad dressing, because no one knew for sure. I ended up eating cheese chunks, cucumber and carrot slices, and french fries.

 

I'm not trying to bash Carnival, and I'm not in the mood for "Royal cheerleaders" telling me I shouldn't have been on carnival in the first place. If you have information that is of real use, please respond.

 

Thanks,

 

Royal will recommend that you take all your meals in the MDR, however this is not always possible.

 

When visiting the buffet ask for a chef to come out and point out which foods are safe for you to eat. Do not take the advice of the servers, while they are trying to help they are not always the best informed.

[MommaBear55]

My daughter had an amazing experience on the Independence of the seas.

 

Windjammer there was always someone available to guide her through the buffet. We made a point of avoiding the busiest times. There were always GF rolls and desserts. She really liked the Indian dishes. The MDR had three different kinds of breads, they made her both GF tiramisu and key lime desserts. In the MDR in the am she could have GF French toast or pancakes. The GF pizza was horrible, so on par with their usual pizza. Each day the cupcake shop had at two GF flavors which changed every day or two.

 

It was by far and away the easiest vacation she has had since she was diagnosed two years ago. The irony is that she is the sales and catering manager at a very high end resort on the ocean in Maine and her own property manages to gluten her a couple of times a year.....

Edited December 31, 2015 by MommaBear55

[spookwife]

I am just back from sailing on the Carnival Magic. I have Celiac Disease, and this is the first cruise I have ever been on where I have actually lost weight.

 

We are looking to book a cruise on Royal for next year, My question is this.... Are the food items in the buffet area labeled with gluten free signage like they are on Celebrity?

the bread station will be. nothing else is that I recall, but all you need to do is ask to speak to a chef and they will walk you through every station and tell you what is safe.

On Carnival, breakfasts and dinners in the MDR were fine, but at lunch, I could not take the chance and eat anything off the buffet, because it wasn't labeled. I couldn't even have salad dressing, because no one knew for sure. I ended up eating cheese chunks, cucumber and carrot slices, and french fries.

 

I'm not trying to bash Carnival, and I'm not in the mood for "Royal cheerleaders" telling me I shouldn't have been on carnival in the first place. If you have information that is of real use, please respond.

 

Thanks,

 

 

the best place for anyone with severe dietary restrictions is the MDR because those menus are labeled GF or can be made GF,

[katpetal]

Is the MDR open for lunch on Royal? On the carnival cruises I went on, they were not.

[39august]

Yes, open on sea days only.

[Clarea]

Is the MDR open for lunch on Royal? On the carnival cruises I went on, they were not.

Usually only on sea days.

[cb at sea]

No..the buffet is not labeled, but as stated, ask for a manager or head chef...they will help you.

[DannyS]

On Freedom in November, one station at the Windjammer was designated "Gluten Free" all of the food at that station was Gluten Free, and there were gluten free buns and bread at that station as well. (It was one of the smaller, stations, with 2-4 steam trays and space for a basket that held the breads in their original packaging.)

 

If they don't have that station, someone will show you which foods are gluten free, but cross contamination is a more significant concern, and you never know when a fellow passenger used another serving utensil on those foods.

 

If you talk to your dining room head waiter, they can often arrange for box lunches to be prepared for you, even if the main dining room is closed.

 

The most important thing is to email special services before your cruise, to make sure your reservation is marked appropriately.

[Lionesss]

Yes it will be labeled Gluten free...............but be wary of cross contamination.

 

Some people may not know how it could jeopardize your health.

 

 

Good luck

[sueandbobus]

My 8 y/o and I are both celiacs. I will talk to the head waiter in MDR after dinner to place a breakfast and lunch order for the next day. Usually I have breakfast and lunch sent up to Windjammer as making an 8 y/o sit through every meal in MDR can be a bit much.

 

Also, you can ask someone in Windjammer for food off of trays that haven't been put out yet. If you explain your situation, they are usually glad to help.

[Cruzin RN]

Beware of the hamburger patties, some use breading. Discovered by accident when I asked for a gluten free bun the server said, "I will get you a gluten free patty...wow, really didnt think about it.

[xxoocruiser]

Yes it will be labeled Gluten free...............but be wary of cross contamination.

 

Some people may not know how it could jeopardize your health.

 

 

Good luck

 

All my recent RCCL cruises nothing on the Buffet was marked as being "Gluten Free" even the bread items.

[bigboffs]

There seems to be no uniform RCCL policy regarding labeling in the Windjammer as to either Gluten or Sugar free. In our experiences some of the managers are very diligent in the labeling and others simply do not care. As mentioned, when in doubt check with either a buffet manager on duty or a chef (not a server). This is what we do.

[impatientlywaiting]

All my recent RCCL cruises nothing on the Buffet was marked as being "Gluten Free" even the bread items.

 

On Vision and Jewel in 2015 there were many items in the WJ labeled "Gluten Free". But as other posters commented, people must be wary of cross-contamination (i.e., using serving utensils from other dishes).

[PNW Traveler]

I am celiac and must also avoid dairy. My most recent Royal cruise was a spring 2015 transatlantic on the Serenade.

 

Windjammer - the head chef escorted me around the buffet and pointed items that were GF and DF. There were always good options. I appreciated that he offered custom prepared fish fillets as the daily fish offerings were often very lightly dusted in flour for buffet presentation. GF desserts were rather limited. GF bread could be ordered from staff. GF toast could be ordered near the omlette/toast station. Staff donned gloves and prepared the toast using a dedicated GF toaster.

 

Dining room - our waiter was very accommodating and suggested various menu items that could be specially prepared. I often preordered the entrée for the next evening.

 

Specialty restaurants - really more of an issue with the DF than the GF. Menu choices were more limited than the main dining room.

 

Chef's Table - this was an outstanding dining evening for me and well worth the extra fee. Before we reserved we talked with the head waiter to determine whether I could dine at this venue. He assured me they would created some special dishes. The chef was my hero and each dish was superb and special.

 

Other - difficult to find GF cookies anywhere on the ship. Gluten-free muffins were occasionally available.

 

Cruising as a celiac has become much easier. Staff is more knowledgeable and certainly more accommodating. Menu choices have improved. There is certainly more to cruising as a celiac than GF pizza, burger or cookies. I now find that cruising as a travel mode is easier than hotel/restaurant based land travel. OP - I'll be happy to answer questions.

[CVU]

My daughter had an amazing experience on the Independence of the seas.

 

Windjammer there was always someone available to guide her through the buffet. We made a point of avoiding the busiest times. There were always GF rolls and desserts. She really liked the Indian dishes. The MDR had three different kinds of breads, they made her both GF tiramisu and key lime desserts. In the MDR in the am she could have GF French toast or pancakes. The GF pizza was horrible, so on par with their usual pizza. Each day the cupcake shop had at two GF flavors which changed every day or two.

 

It was by far and away the easiest vacation she has had since she was diagnosed two years ago. The irony is that she is the sales and catering manager at a very high end resort on the ocean in Maine and her own property manages to gluten her a couple of times a year.....

 

Not every ship is the same. Jewel were not very GF aware. There was no dessert in the WJ other than jello or mouse items. I avoid dairy so that wasn't a fun dessert choice.

Indy has the flourless chocolate cake but not on Jewel. Mid day Tea Time they have dessert sauces and whip cream- which can be added to the cake.

 

I think it all depends on the Staff on board. Just be pro-active as I found they had items on Oasis mid way through the cruise I was not aware of. Little muffins were found in the Promenade Cafe or Sorrentos Pizza if I asked? The GF pizza was awful. I had it run through their oven twice and it was still not edible.

 

I have recommended in my post comments and to the HW for a GF letter to be in the cabin- with ALL Available foods on board and WHERE they are located! When you do your Profile on RCL logged in, you can put in GF for Allergies.

 

Many staff had no idea where the "UDI cookies" could be found in the WJ. Every ship has them I believe but you have to ask for them. They had the cookies sent to our cabin after someone knew where they were..... They do have GF Bagels and Hamburger buns in packages. I got those on Jewel a smaller ship, so they should be on the bigger ones then too.

 

The buffet was not labeled for GF on any ships we have been on. DH has to watch for shellfish and sometimes the labels are not right or don't tell what is in the sauce etc. So, only ask the Chef, do not rely on any of the crew in the Buffet area. Only the Chef will know for sure.

They do offer 3 bread type items at dinner or if you are in the MDR for lunch on a sea day you can ask for them. Not really a bread but more a banana style bread they make on board. It is Not a sandwich bread.

 

For dinner you choose the night before off the menu and they adjust it for GF. Don't be afraid to switch things around if you want something different, with a days warning they will accommodate you if they can.

 

Have a great cruise and hope it goes well.

Edited January 2, 2016 by CVU

[Lionesss]

All my recent RCCL cruises nothing on the Buffet was marked as being "Gluten Free" even the bread items.

 

 

 

Wow on both The Allure and the Oasis were sectioned off food on the main serving area as well as the desserts section that were.

 

I would not chance taking any gluten free items presented this way because of the risk of cross contamination.

 

Safe travels.

[CVU]

Wow on both The Allure and the Oasis were sectioned off food on the main serving area as well as the desserts section that were.

I would not chance taking any gluten free items presented this way because of the risk of cross contamination.

Safe travels.

Thanks, we are on Allure in 2 weeks.:)

Oasis wasn't doing much on the TA both ways we did. I am only sensitive to GF and lactose thankfully!

It is not easy to seek out the GF foods when no one tells you on Day 1 what is available?

I found out about the UDI Cookies when I saw someone with a package in hand. They are not put out to take-- you have to ask for them. This trip I will be even more pro-active and find out what is on board ASAP. We are on for B4Bs so I have time to find out.:) The little muffins were good but I found out about them late in the cruise.

Edited January 2, 2016 by CVU

[screwsmcernst]

Thanks everyone for the replies. I appreciate all the information.

[Goofyisme]

On the Grandeur talk to the chef at the buffet. They will point out the items that are glutton free and then will prepare a plate in the kitchen to avoid cross contamination. Very good service and awareness of GF needs.

[CruisinBarb63]

One of my daughter's has Celiac Disease as did one member of our party so I paid close attention for future reference (DD was not with us).

When dining in the dining room, you could order the day before. They had a special menu and you could also talk to the chef.

When dining in the Windjammer, you only need find one of the managers and they walked you around showing you what was gluten free. Some items were marked. They were very sure to ask the chefs who were behind the counters cooking, just to verify that there had been no change to the recipe or way it was cooked. In addition, the chefs who were cooking could give you some from behind the counter if you are worried about cross-contamination issues.

I recall one instance when the manager was walking around with someone and pointed out a curry dish advising it was GF then he verified with the chef who indicated the recipe he had included gluten so it was not GF.

 

They seemed very aware and when I asked the person in our group about her experience she said she was confident she had not eaten any gluten containing items as she never felt unwell.

[UCF_Knight]

On the Grandeur talk to the chef at the buffet. They will point out the items that are glutton free and then will prepare a plate in the kitchen to avoid cross contamination. Very good service and awareness of GF needs.

 

Gluttony is rampant in the Windjammer