Multiple Gluten Free (Celiac) Questions

[CruiseMelissa]

My 6 year old daughter has celiac disease and from what I've read, the MDR is the safest place for her. Some questions for RCCL dietary needs experts:

 

1. We are currently signed up for My Time Dining because the earlier seating is full (our kids are 4 and 6 and eating at 8:00 wouldn't work well). From everything I read it seems that waiters get to know people with special food needs and present them with the next day's menu to order. If we do MTD I assume we'll have different waiters each time, will this be a problem?

 

2. I'm worried about ports and finding safe food for her there, we've talked about coming back to the ship to eat lunch. The buffet isn't an option because of cross-contamination but it seems that the WJ is the only restaurant open for lunch on port days. Is it at all possible to get her a safe meal on the ship on port days?

 

3. Similarly, if we decide one day to have lunch at the buffet "on the fly" because we are at the pool, want to eat quickly, etc. is it possible to get the safe meal she ordered the night before from the MDR and bring it to the buffet to eat with us?

 

We're doing the Grandeur of the Seas in August, if that matters. I do plan on contacting the special dietary needs people at RCCL but want to do my research on here first. Thanks so much for reading all of this :)

[Clarea]

With regard to Windjammer, the safest approach is to connect with the Windjammer chef as soon as you can after you board. The chef will be able to help with your breakfast and lunch needs.

[SnorkelBoy]

We've been told by the buffet Chef that with advance notice they can have a special meal available the following day but each ship is different so best to introduce yourself to buffet chef and to the maitre d to see about getting the same wait staff if you have MTD at about the same time each night.

[oneputt18]

Have you wait listed for early dining? Plus it might be helpful to contact special needs they might be able to help getting the earlier dining time.

special_needs@rccl.com(note under score between special and needs)

 

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[spookwife]

1: very easy to have the same waitstaff in MTD

 

2: GR has Park cafe with salads, fruit and yogurt offering and beef on weck( you get it without the Weck)

 

3: no. Besides then what will she have for dinner that night?

 

There are GF items in the buffet and you can request something to be brought out fresh

 

 

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[cb at sea]

You should be able to eat on land...surely you have a good idea by now of what is a "safe" food for her. Simply don't order anything that is "iffy"...stick to plain meats or veggies, without sauces/gravy/breading, et..

[CruiseMelissa]

You should be able to eat on land...surely you have a good idea by now of what is a "safe" food for her. Simply don't order anything that is "iffy"...stick to plain meats or veggies, without sauces/gravy/breading, et..

 

I wish it were that easy, but cross-contamination is an issue for celiacs, she can't have food prepared on surfaces that gluten-containing foods have touched. I'm a little skeptical that Caribbean restaurants would take that seriously.

[CruiseMelissa]

1: very easy to have the same waitstaff in MTD

 

2: GR has Park cafe with salads, fruit and yogurt offering and beef on weck( you get it without the Weck)

 

3: no. Besides then what will she have for dinner that night?

 

There are GF items in the buffet and you can request something to be brought out fresh

 

 

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Re: #3, I assumed we would be ordering Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner in the MDR the night before (unless that isn't correct) and would ask if we could take the lunch meal "to go"

[Clarea]

Re: #3, I assumed we would be ordering Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner in the MDR the night before (unless that isn't correct) and would ask if we could take the lunch meal "to go"

You may have a problem with the "to go" thing. Most ports will not let you bring food into the country.

[CruiseMelissa]

You may have a problem with the "to go" thing. Most ports will not let you bring food into the country.

 

Sorry, I'm getting less and less clear... the "to go" thing was referring to taking a pre-ordered meal from the MDR to the buffet to be able to eat with the rest of the family that might want a last minute, quick buffet lunch.

[njkruzer]

I hope someone who's done it responds. What I do know is that a cousin did a 5 nt on the Explorer to Bermuda several years ago with their daughter who has celiac and spoke with RCI before traveling and everything worked out. I know there daughter has learned how to deal with it. She's a teenager now. Good luck and enjoy your trip.

[gerif]

Sorry, I'm getting less and less clear... the "to go" thing was referring to taking a pre-ordered meal from the MDR to the buffet to be able to eat with the rest of the family that might want a last minute, quick buffet lunch.

I understand what you are asking but the MDR is closed on sea days (which is when I assume you would be at the pool), so no one would be in that kitchen (totally different kitchen from the WJ) to prepare that special meal. Best to consult with one of the WJ chefs about getting something that is safe for her.

 

For ports, there are plenty of prepackaged gf snack foods available that you can bring with you. Our grandson is gf and there's a whole aisle in our supermarket with gf snack foods.

[PNW Traveler]

The head chef in the Windjammer will walk you around the menu items and let you know which are GF. I have done this many times. Some of the larger ships have dedicated GF island serving stations, great because it really lessens any cross-contamination issues. Many times the chef has offered a special preparation directly from the kitchen, ie a broiled fish fillet with no hint of breading or gluten. My experience is that the ships are lacking in GF snack items. I would bring GF cookies and/or crackers in my luggage for a GF child. The availability of GF cookies is not a constant aboard ship.

Preordering a GF meal in the main dining room works well, but sometimes does not arrive with the meals ordered by tablemates. I find the GF selections in the main dining room are often bland and unimaginative, but perhaps a child would be more easily pleased.

There is always an abundance of available fresh fruit!

[CCC3]

Could you schedule excursions after breakfast, and then have lunch on the ship around 2:00? Perhaps timing will be a solution to your problem.

 

 

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[ohbuckeye]

I have Celiac and always have MTD or eat in Specialty Restaurants. Yes, you can ask to have same wait staff in the main dining room (always best to make reservations though). Yes, they will bring you the menu for the next day but they always seemed to have things available for me even if this wasn't done (for example we ate at a Specialty restaurant). They are very accommodating with GF bread and will bring entrees with no sauce and a baked potato is always an option.

WJ is a bit tricky- but can still be doable- especially for breakfast-but I agree with others that you should talk to a chef first thing when boarding.

What ports will you be visiting? I certainly understand and empathize with not wanting cross contamination (certainly don't want your little girl sick on her vacation!) so I suggest bringing with you baggies that you can put fruit in as well as bring from home GF snacks (GF granola bars, GF pretzels, nuts, etc.). I'm assuming you'll be bringing some sort of beach bag or backpack when touring so easy enough to pack these light snacks.

I have not been on Grandeur so can't answer to that specific ship. Your little one can still have a great time with a little planning on your part! Hope this helped!

[LilBlackDress]

My 6 year old daughter has celiac disease and from what I've read, the MDR is the safest place for her. Some questions for RCCL dietary needs experts:

 

3. Similarly, if we decide one day to have lunch at the buffet "on the fly" because we are at the pool, want to eat quickly, etc. is it possible to get the safe meal she ordered the night before from the MDR and bring it to the buffet to eat with us?

 

We're doing the Grandeur of the Seas in August, if that matters. I do plan on contacting the special dietary needs people at RCCL but want to do my research on here first. Thanks so much for reading all of this :)

 

I don't know if they will deliver her meal to the buffet, but you can go to MDR order her plate and take it with you to the buffet

 

What sailing in Aug? Ports/number of nights? someone might have a copy of the menu rotation and to help you plan ahead a little bit better

[spookwife]

Re: #3, I assumed we would be ordering Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner in the MDR the night before (unless that isn't correct) and would ask if we could take the lunch meal "to go"

 

 

they do not provide 'to go' items as a general rule. maybe dessert at dinner. you can definitely pre order Dinner. I have never heard of them being able to accommodate Breakfast or Lunch since that is open seating so they have no idea when you will be arriving.

 

you will really need to speak to the Chef on the first day, because truth be told I am not sure how they handle cross contamination in the prep areas. they only have one section for 'allergies' or special diets . things like Kosher are prepackaged( and I assume Halal as well but I don't have any first hand experience with that)

 

all my celiac friends do not have cross contamination worries, so they just stick to items they know are safe.

[mjkacmom]

I have Celiac and always have MTD or eat in Specialty Restaurants. Yes, you can ask to have same wait staff in the main dining room (always best to make reservations though). Yes, they will bring you the menu for the next day but they always seemed to have things available for me even if this wasn't done (for example we ate at a Specialty restaurant). They are very accommodating with GF bread and will bring entrees with no sauce and a baked potato is always an option.

WJ is a bit tricky- but can still be doable- especially for breakfast-but I agree with others that you should talk to a chef first thing when boarding.

What ports will you be visiting? I certainly understand and empathize with not wanting cross contamination (certainly don't want your little girl sick on her vacation!) so I suggest bringing with you baggies that you can put fruit in as well as bring from home GF snacks (GF granola bars, GF pretzels, nuts, etc.). I'm assuming you'll be bringing some sort of beach bag or backpack when touring so easy enough to pack these light snacks.

I have not been on Grandeur so can't answer to that specific ship. Your little one can still have a great time with a little planning on your part! Hope this helped!

You can't take prepackaged food off of the ship, especially fruit. We always bring packaged gf food with us for dd14.

[ohbuckeye]

You can't take prepackaged food off of the ship, especially fruit. We always bring packaged gf food with us for dd14.

 

I have done it when in ports, nobody is there checking and I don't recall there being any written rule about this.

[Clarea]

I have done it when in ports, nobody is there checking and I don't recall there being any written rule about this.

When I've seen it in writing, it's been in the Cruise Compass.

 

Also, I've seen dogs checking for food in Cozumel.

[spookwife]

You can't take prepackaged food off of the ship, especially fruit. We always bring packaged gf food with us for dd14.

 

 

Huh? Of course factory sealed prepackaged items are allowed. Even fruit ( like fruits cups or the apple sauce cups or boxes of raisins)

 

It's only fresh items that are forbidden.

 

 

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[mjkacmom]

Huh? Of course factory sealed prepackaged items are allowed. Even fruit ( like fruits cups or the apple sauce cups or boxes of raisins)

 

It's only fresh items that are forbidden.

 

 

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Oops, meant to say only prepackaged.

[CruiseMelissa]

they do not provide 'to go' items as a general rule. maybe dessert at dinner. you can definitely pre order Dinner. I have never heard of them being able to accommodate Breakfast or Lunch since that is open seating so they have no idea when you will be arriving.

 

you will really need to speak to the Chef on the first day, because truth be told I am not sure how they handle cross contamination in the prep areas. they only have one section for 'allergies' or special diets . things like Kosher are prepackaged( and I assume Halal as well but I don't have any first hand experience with that)

 

all my celiac friends do not have cross contamination worries, so they just stick to items they know are safe.

 

Good point, I didn't make the connection that breakfast and lunch aren't as "organized". From what I understand, cross contamination should be a huge concern for all celiacs. Even if you order a plain, grilled chicken breast, if it's cooked on a grill that just toasted a bun a celiac can suffer from intestinal damage. But we're not here to debate the ins and outs of celiac disease :)

 

I plan on reaching out to the special dietary needs people at RCCL this week, this thread has been very helpful to set me up for the communication, thanks so much everyone!

[SilverSeas]

I'm not GF but I am highly allergic to dairy protein and totally understand your nightmare as it is mine as well, regarding ports. In my case non English speaking ones. The ship I am sure will be ok for us both. I have been advised re the ports to state very clearly you will be a hospital case if you are given the wrong food. To do this immediately you start the shore excursion so they can ring ahead. We are on some full day excursions and some include meals. When you can't take fruit with you I totally understand the nightmare. I can't eat granola bars as they too contain milk so I am bringing pre packaged nuts. When I first posted my question on this on another thread, I had an attacking reply from someone who was pretty nasty regarding expecting specialist treatment. (and some kind and helpful advice from everyone else.) I want to state right this moment, that every single person deserves to be able to enjoy the holiday they paid for and most people with severe allergies don't expect luxurious meals.....they 'get 'the problem it creates for people--because they have to live with it every day-- they just want to be able to eat.

I am going to be up front right at the start of everything to give the most time to plan, and take whatever prepackaged snacks to get me through a full day I can (in my suitcase before I leave for my holiday.) Once you have had your holiday post how you survived, so others can.

Edited May 6, 2017 by SilverSeas

[mnjcruiser]

I sailed on the Anthem last year with my daughter who has celiac disease. She had an amazing experience and the staff very accommodating. They made a note on our file about the special diet requirement and the head waiter came to the table every night to bring the next night's menu. It's easier for them to accommodate if you know where you are eating that way your daughter can pick her meal ahead of time. They would also allow her to pick from a different restaurant's menu if there was nothing she liked where we were eating.

 

She was also able to eat at the buffet. The buffet chef would come out and show her know what was safe and then would go to the kitchen to prepare her food so there was no risk of cross contamination. She had an amazing trip and didn't feel deprived at all. Actually, many nights her dishes were better than what the rest of the non-celiac family members were eating.

 

We were on the Bermuda/Boston cruise and we did have issues in Bermuda being able to find places where she could eat. We just made sure to have a hearty breakfast before leaving the ship and brought snacks with us.

 

I should mention my daughter is 22 and was diagnosed 3 years ago. When diagnosed she was very sick, she had complete villous atrophy and was not absorbing any nutrients. She was very anemic and always in stomach pain. She is doing so much better but is very hyper sensitive to gluten, so even small traces from cross contamination will make her very sick and can destroy her intestines. Having said that, she didn't get sick once on this trip. The wait staff did a great job at keeping her safe and never made her feel like a burden.

Edited May 6, 2017 by mnjcruiser