Extreme dietary needs.

[metalguy21]

I plan to take my daughter and son-in-law with us on a Western Caribbean cruise (Allure of the Seas) in May 2023.  She has Crohns disease among other immune system problems.  She long ago gave up on restaurants as even when they tried their hardest they always let things slip into their foods that made her sick.  So she has spent many years prepping and taking her own food everywhere.  

 

She has before and is willing in this case to dry her own vegetables and put them in baggies and eat that and canned tuna for the entire trip if needed.  So ... will they let her bring canned meat and baggies of vegetables on the ship?  A cup of hot water and a can opener is all she would need then.  I always suggest she could likely special order such a thing but she says it never works out.  Some cook will decide a dash of garlic salt won't hurt and away she goes sick as a dog. 

 

I/we really want to do this trip together as it's not only over her birthday but their second wedding anniversary.  Any thoughts? 

[1025cruise]

The tuna will be allowed because its canned, but the baggies of veggies won't. Best option is to contact special needs to discuss.

[not-enough-cruising]

27 minutes ago, 1025cruise said:

The tuna will be allowed because its canned, but the baggies of veggies won't. Best option is to contact special needs to discuss.

I have to disagree with the veggie comment. 
Why would they not allow dried vegetables? 
 

My wife always takes a gallon zipper bag of her homemade trail mix/granola - no questions ever asked. 

[Cigar King]

Tuna comes in pouches.  I'd use those instead of cans.  I'd also contact special needs before I did anything.  Your daughter is likely not the only one with restrictions that Royal has had to take care of on board.

[BND]

38 minutes ago, 1025cruise said:

The tuna will be allowed because its canned, but the baggies of veggies won't. Best option is to contact special needs to discuss.

She can take them on the ship, she just can't take them off.

[not-enough-cruising]

13 minutes ago, Cigar King said:

Tuna comes in pouches.  I'd use those instead of cans.  I'd also contact special needs before I did anything.  Your daughter is likely not the only one with restrictions that Royal has had to take care of on board.

Good call on the tuna pouches. 

[brillohead]

I see no problem with those items being taken on board. 

However, I would also recommend that she stop at the MDR and talk with the headwaiter, who will likely bring out a chef to talk to her personally.  

I've heard from several different people that Royal takes allergies and other dietary restrictions VERY seriously, and she can order in advance and have a special meal created just for her each evening.

[metalguy21]

2 minutes ago, brillohead said:

I've heard from several different people that Royal takes allergies and other dietary restrictions VERY seriously, and she can order in advance and have a special meal created just for her each evening.""

 

 

I called special needs (thanks for the suggestion, I had never needed or heard of such a service.)  They said the do indeed deal with this all the time.  I said we aren't just talking a vegan diet here but she assured me they can special order and they will special cook her meals to order.  She also mention talking with the staff in the MDR.  And I guess there is a form you can fill out on booking.  Good idea to talk to the cook too.  We took her to a very high end resort in Thailand and the head chef came out at the start and went over her needs and then personally cooked all her meals.  But then that's what you expect out of a $1000 a night resort.  Just not sure if they can make good on this. 

[cynt]

Praying it all works out for you. Family vacations are priceless. 

[BecciBoo]

There is really no need to go to such lengths.  The staff is perfectly willing and able to do whatever she needs done.  Why wouldn't you want FRESH veggies etc.

 

Personally, I had IBS and UColitis and am diabetic.  They will even keep the sugar out of my drinks!  I can ask for anything and they are always happy to provide.  I don't have those conditions any more thanks to a strict Keto/Carnivore diet...gone and done and 35 lbs lighter as well.  I eat that way on a cruise easily too.  Research is our friend.

[smokeybandit]

Random, but as your daughter ever seen a nutritionist who specializes in GI/autoimmune diseases?

 

My wife has Crohn's and had all sorts of problems after surgery trying to find foods that she could tolerate. The nutritionist really helped.

[metalguy21]

12 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

Random, but as your daughter ever seen a nutritionist who specializes in GI/autoimmune diseases?

 

My wife has Crohn's and had all sorts of problems after surgery trying to find foods that she could tolerate. The nutritionist really helped.

 

She has seen many specialists for the problem but I'm not sure about a nutritionist.  I'll mention it to her, thanks.  

[ZoeyVictoria]

It wouldn’t hurt to take tuna pouches as backup.

[metalguy21]

1 minute ago, ZoeyVictoria said:

It wouldn’t hurt to take tuna pouches as backup.

Yes, that was my thought too.  She can eat nuts too.  Having something to snack on without having to go to the MDR seems like a good plan. 

[MommaBear55]

1 hour ago, metalguy21 said:

 

 

I called special needs (thanks for the suggestion, I had never needed or heard of such a service.)  They said the do indeed deal with this all the time.  I said we aren't just talking a vegan diet here but she assured me they can special order and they will special cook her meals to order.  She also mention talking with the staff in the MDR.  And I guess there is a form you can fill out on booking.  Good idea to talk to the cook too.  We took her to a very high end resort in Thailand and the head chef came out at the start and went over her needs and then personally cooked all her meals.  But then that's what you expect out of a $1000 a night resort.  Just not sure if they can make good on this. 

It's my daughter with celiac disease favorite type of vacation. She feels 100% safe. In the Windjammer she asks a chef to come out and walk her around to show her the safe foods. If there is any question of possible cross contamination, they open up a new tray of food just for her. In the MDR, the maitre d comes to her so she can order her meal for the next night. That meal is brought to the table separately from the other meals. In places like the promenade cafe, she can look at a book that contains every ingredient for every dish. She also is proactive in reminding the servers at every meal that she is gluten allergic. Your daughter can do the same thing. 

[not-enough-cruising]

2 hours ago, metalguy21 said:

 

 

I called special needs (thanks for the suggestion, I had never needed or heard of such a service.)  They said the do indeed deal with this all the time.  I said we aren't just talking a vegan diet here but she assured me they can special order and they will special cook her meals to order.  She also mention talking with the staff in the MDR.  And I guess there is a form you can fill out on booking.  Good idea to talk to the cook too.  We took her to a very high end resort in Thailand and the head chef came out at the start and went over her needs and then personally cooked all her meals.  But then that's what you expect out of a $1000 a night resort.  Just not sure if they can make good on this. 

They can, we have a Crohn's diagnosis in my group, the food services staff does a very good job; normal they will meet with you every night at dinner and plan the next day's meals.

[Tomnsgirl]

5 hours ago, BecciBoo said:

There is really no need to go to such lengths.  The staff is perfectly willing and able to do whatever she needs done.  Why wouldn't you want FRESH veggies etc.

 

Personally, I had IBS and UColitis and am diabetic.  They will even keep the sugar out of my drinks!  I can ask for anything and they are always happy to provide.  I don't have those conditions any more thanks to a strict Keto/Carnivore diet...gone and done and 35 lbs lighter as well.  I eat that way on a cruise easily too.  Research is our friend.

Excellent news and congratulations.

[broadwaybaby123]

Contact the Special Needs department to see if they can accommodate her needs.

[screwsmcernst]

I have celic disease, I understand her fear.  I have sailed many times, and I have had some great experiences, and some Bad experiences.  

 

I also contact the special needs department and then speak to the MDR Maitre D, and chef once we get on the ship.  I also bring some g.f. snacks on board for my cabin.    The one place I usually avoid is the Windjammer Buffet.  Even if the items meet my dietary needs, I am never sure about cross-contamination.  

 

I hope your cruise goes well.  

[CatLadyFemme]

14 hours ago, metalguy21 said:

 

 

I called special needs (thanks for the suggestion, I had never needed or heard of such a service.)  They said the do indeed deal with this all the time.  I said we aren't just talking a vegan diet here but she assured me they can special order and they will special cook her meals to order.  She also mention talking with the staff in the MDR.  And I guess there is a form you can fill out on booking.  Good idea to talk to the cook too.  We took her to a very high end resort in Thailand and the head chef came out at the start and went over her needs and then personally cooked all her meals.  But then that's what you expect out of a $1000 a night resort.  Just not sure if they can make good on this. 

I bring a color coded list (green are ok foods, red are allergies) and give a copy to the head waiter who enters it into the system for me. Had almost a dozen cruises since my celiac DX (am also vegetarian and egg free), and never once gotten sick in the MDR. They are SO careful and even double check on gelatin, etc. If she has meals she would like because they feel safest to her, she can request them as well.

[Trixie21]

I will add to the various posts here saying please go and speak to the head waiter in the MDR. My wife has severe crohns and is also celiac. She never really etas better than when she is on our Royal cruises - never an issue in the MDR. they will adapt virtually any dish to your individual needs where at all possible - the next days meal will be planned the night before . 

[Trixie21]

16 hours ago, smokeybandit said:

Random, but as your daughter ever seen a nutritionist who specializes in GI/autoimmune diseases?

 

My wife has Crohn's and had all sorts of problems after surgery trying to find foods that she could tolerate. The nutritionist really helped.

I am in the same boat (no pun intended lol) as you. My wife has severe crohns , is celiac and has had several surgeries over the years. She is currently having serious issues after the most recent surgery in January this year.

May I ask which foods your wife discovered were causing her problems?

[BecciBoo]

This post is strictly motivated by the desire to help others, nothing else.  So please no flames.

 

This is something you might consider, this comes from a physician, not me.  In your research about these conditions consider listening to this You Tube content:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IkmHk_RAz6Y

 

This regimen has worked amazingly for me.  I can't speak for anyone else, but for me it has made a life changing difference.  There are thousands adapting to it who have had success with PHD, i.e. Proper Human Diet.  You may be eating the very things usually prescribed for Celiacs, IBS, Crones and Ulcerative Colitis that are highly toxic to our digestive and auto immune systems.  So I suggest this might help.....that's all.  We are each individually responsible for our own research.  I make no claims, just relay what has happened with me.  This plan is very doable on a cruise since there are so many choices and RCCL is so willing to accomodate. 

[marvelous35]

My daughter is gluten-free, dairy-free, and soy free.  In the past, the head waiter will note all her dietary restrictions and we can special order for the next day, including breakfast and lunch.  We always thought cruising was far easier accommodating her dietary restrictions than any other type of vacation.

 

It has been a while since we cruised with her, but from what I can tell, Royal Caribbean is more accommodating than before.  In the MDR, there is now a dedicated chef who works on all the special orders, at least on the cruises we asked.  In the Windjammer, there is a knowledge person available to answer any and all questions about the food.  We used to have to ask and wait for a chef to show up to ask.

 

Cross contamination is always an issue.  And it will return with people serving themselves in the Windjammer.  One person mentioned they will take out a fresh batch of food upon request.  That is awesome.

[smokeybandit]

4 hours ago, Trixie21 said:

I am in the same boat (no pun intended lol) as you. My wife has severe crohns , is celiac and has had several surgeries over the years. She is currently having serious issues after the most recent surgery in January this year.

May I ask which foods your wife discovered were causing her problems?

It's been over 10 years now so I don't remember specifics, but it wasn't a specific trigger food (other than the usual gluten/high fiber/etc stuff to avoid), but some supplements (I remember Cat's Claw was one, as well as turmeric) and some non traditional produce in the American market (like celery root and mung beans)

After about 6 months of this regimen the nutritionist suggested the random pains she was getting from otherwise everyday foods was gone.  Of course still the same predictable issues with certain foods, but no guess work anymore as to what causes issues.

Edited August 12, 2022 by smokeybandit