Gluten free on Anthem

[FionaMG]

A while back I agreed to try and find out some gluten free information for @CatLadyFemme before their transatlantic cruise on Anthem next week.

 

So far, I'm afraid, I've only managed to scope out the windjammer but I'll try and get more details from some of the other places around the ship.

 

At breakfast, there is a separate gluten free section all the way at the back near the outdoor seating area.

 

It has yogurt parfait made with rice Krispies instead of granola, a selection of fresh fruit, other typical breakfast stuff like bacon and eggs, and then cold meat plates and cheese plates 

 

I checked with the server at the counter if they had gf bread since I didn't see any out and he said yes, every day, and that he was just waiting for a fresh batch.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There is also apparently a specific island in the main part of the windjammer that is designated as gluten free for lunch and dinner but we've not been in there at those times. I'll try and scope it out in the next couple of days.

 

I did also ask at the café if they had anything gluten free and the server went away to ask and came back and said no. I'll try again at another time as he didn't seem to be very sure.

 

[qa4ever]

I wish all ships had a gluten-free area at the buffet.  They had one on Oasis, but not on my Liberty cruise.  I did talk to the dining manager and give my feedback, hopefully, others do the same and they introduce it on more ships.  It seems apparently most ships now have gluten free dessert section in the buffet at least from what I've read.

 

Rice Krispies are not gluten-free btw, so they must be some other similar cereal!

[smokeybandit]

16 minutes ago, qa4ever said:

They had one on Oasis, but not on my Liberty cruise. 

Liberty had it last year. Seems odd that they would get rid of it.

[qa4ever]

1 minute ago, smokeybandit said:

Liberty had it last year. Seems odd that they would get rid of it.

My Liberty cruise was in 2019.  So maybe they added it after mine!  I am going on Harmony later this year and they do not have it from what I understand :(. Just the dessert case.

[FionaMG]

1 hour ago, qa4ever said:

I wish all ships had a gluten-free area at the buffet.  They had one on Oasis, but not on my Liberty cruise.  I did talk to the dining manager and give my feedback, hopefully, others do the same and they introduce it on more ships.  It seems apparently most ships now have gluten free dessert section in the buffet at least from what I've read.

 

Rice Krispies are not gluten-free btw, so they must be some other similar cereal!

Ah, ok. I thought they were gf so if they're not then you must be right and they're a look-alike.

[FionaMG]

So, some further updates.

 

Sorrento's has two varieties of GF pizza on request, cheese and pepperoni. The server said that those pizzas are always cooked in a dedicated gf oven.

 

We had breakfast in the MDR this morning and our server said you just need to inform them when you're seated that you need GF and they'll take care of you. I must say every time we've sat down somewhere with table service we have always been asked if we have any dietary requirements they should be aware of.

 

Swung past the WJ and got a pic of the GF bread.

 

[smokeybandit]

11 minutes ago, FionaMG said:

Ah, ok. I thought they were gf so if they're not then you must be right and they're a look-alike.

Rice Krispies are fine for many on a GF diet. The malt syrup used for flavoring may contain traces of gluten for the most sensitive.

[FionaMG]

4 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

Rice Krispies are fine for many on a GF diet. The malt syrup used for flavoring may contain traces of gluten for the most sensitive.

Thanks. I did not know that. It's very interesting. I'm lucky enough not to have any issues but I think it's always good to be aware of what others have to deal with so you can assist if necessary.

[qa4ever]

18 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

Rice Krispies are fine for many on a GF diet. The malt syrup used for flavoring may contain traces of gluten for the most sensitive.

The malt syrup contains barley which is a no go for celiacs or those on a strict gluten free diet.  I'm not sure about in the US, but in Canada, they do make a "gluten free rice krispies" made from brown rice that is safe.

[qa4ever]

FionaMG thanks for all the updates btw!!!  Very helpful

[FlyOverGirl]

I've cruised multiple times with Celiac and have always had amazing service.

When you get on-board go to the main dining room and talk to the head waiter (you can call prior to the cruise and have your reservation noted) and have them take down your name and cabin number. 

 

For dinner, the head waiter will come by and give you the menu for the following night and have you pre-place your order so it can be prepared in a separate kitchen. If you're going to a specialty restaurant the next night, just tell them and they will make sure the head waiter at that restaurant knows. 

For breakfast and lunch I've always had the head waiter spot me and come over to take my order. Head waiter becomes your best friend. If there's something you want and don't see - ask. Many times they will make it happen. I've had all kinds of things - cake, breakfast items, even a specialty item unavailable in the main dining room. Key is to make friends with the head waiter, your waiter, and your assistant.

 

I had less luck in the Windjammer. Again, find the head waiter and they will get the chef for you. I try to avoid Windjammer.

 

In main dinning room you can also ask to be seated with the same wait staff every evening even with MyTime Dining.

[mjkacmom]

7 hours ago, qa4ever said:

I wish all ships had a gluten-free area at the buffet.  They had one on Oasis, but not on my Liberty cruise.  I did talk to the dining manager and give my feedback, hopefully, others do the same and they introduce it on more ships.  It seems apparently most ships now have gluten free dessert section in the buffet at least from what I've read.

 

Rice Krispies are not gluten-free btw, so they must be some other similar cereal!

And granola usually is!

[soundman10f]

Anyone know about eating gluten-free on Allure recently? Going on Allure at the end of May and I am very nervous as this is the first time cruising for me after finding out I have celiac disease. We got the UDP when we booked the cruise a year ago and I am really wanting to take advantage of it. Also a lot of post I have read about the MDR menu change & being celiac make it sound like there is not many choices. Thanks for any input anyone might have.

[CatLadyFemme]

7 hours ago, smokeybandit said:

Rice Krispies are fine for many on a GF diet. The malt syrup used for flavoring may contain traces of gluten for the most sensitive.

They are not gluten free and are not safe for anyone who is celiac/Sprue, or has a gluten sensitivity or allergy. If people are choosing a low gluten diet, that is fine for them, but let's please be preicse in language. :)

[CatLadyFemme]

17 hours ago, FionaMG said:

A while back I agreed to try and find out some gluten free information for @CatLadyFemme before their transatlantic cruise on Anthem next week.

 

So far, I'm afraid, I've only managed to scope out the windjammer but I'll try and get more details from some of the other places around the ship.

 

At breakfast, there is a separate gluten free section all the way at the back near the outdoor seating area.

 

It has yogurt parfait made with rice Krispies instead of granola, a selection of fresh fruit, other typical breakfast stuff like bacon and eggs, and then cold meat plates and cheese plates 

 

I checked with the server at the counter if they had gf bread since I didn't see any out and he said yes, every day, and that he was just waiting for a fresh batch.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There is also apparently a specific island in the main part of the windjammer that is designated as gluten free for lunch and dinner but we've not been in there at those times. I'll try and scope it out in the next couple of days.

 

I did also ask at the café if they had anything gluten free and the server went away to ask and came back and said no. I'll try again at another time as he didn't seem to be very sure.

 

Oh this is SO fantastic. Thank you for the update! I was just on Freedom in early March and they didn't have a GF section in the WJ, so good to know.

[CatLadyFemme]

40 minutes ago, soundman10f said:

Anyone know about eating gluten-free on Allure recently? Going on Allure at the end of May and I am very nervous as this is the first time cruising for me after finding out I have celiac disease. We got the UDP when we booked the cruise a year ago and I am really wanting to take advantage of it. Also a lot of post I have read about the MDR menu change & being celiac make it sound like there is not many choices. Thanks for any input anyone might have.

We were on it last spring, and they were fantastic. We also had the UDP - I am Celiac as well as vegetarian, and ate SO much food. You'll be great!

 

Here is my review if you'd like to see what I ate:

 

 

[TwoMisfits]

7 hours ago, qa4ever said:

The malt syrup contains barley which is a no go for celiacs or those on a strict gluten free diet.  I'm not sure about in the US, but in Canada, they do make a "gluten free rice krispies" made from brown rice that is safe.

 

Aldi's sells a "Crispy Rice" generic cereal that is fully gluten free...I'm betting it's that (or another generic version of the same)...

[smokeybandit]

18 minutes ago, CatLadyFemme said:

They are not gluten free and are not safe for anyone who is celiac/Sprue, or has a gluten sensitivity or allergy. If people are choosing a low gluten diet, that is fine for them, but let's please be preicse in language. 🙂

I was precise and I'm not talking about those who choose gluten free. You can't put everyone's medical conditions as they relate to gluten in one bucket. All people are different. Even some diagnosed celiacs are more tolerate of trace amounts than others.

[TwoMisfits]

13 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

I was precise and I'm not talking about those who choose gluten free. You can't put everyone's medical conditions as they relate to gluten in one bucket. All people are different. Even some diagnosed celiacs are more tolerate of trace amounts than others.

 

I think the preciseness is in RCCL labeling the area "gluten free."  If they do, they are guaranteeing zero gluten, not "small enough you won't notice" amounts of gluten.  So all folks can trust the food they are eating there, no matter the severity of their need to avoid gluten.

 

Edited April 27, 2023 by TwoMisfits

[soundman10f]

21 hours ago, CatLadyFemme said:

We were on it last spring, and they were fantastic. We also had the UDP - I am Celiac as well as vegetarian, and ate SO much food. You'll be great!

 

Here is my review if you'd like to see what I ate:

 

 

Thank you. I had seen your post before and flagged it to read but never got through it. I went through it this morning and found it very helpful, especial the info about the specialty dinning. I still have some anxiety about it all as I am not great when it comes to speaking up about my dietary needs, but I am thankfully my wife will be there with me & she has no issues speaking up for me.

[mjkacmom]

21 hours ago, TwoMisfits said:

 

I think the preciseness is in RCCL labeling the area "gluten free."  If they do, they are guaranteeing zero gluten, not "small enough you won't notice" amounts of gluten.  So all folks can trust the food they are eating there, no matter the severity of their need to avoid gluten.

 

Yes, folks wouldn’t be happy to find traces of nuts in what is supposed to be a nut free section. Lots of celiac in my family, small amounts “count.” 

[FionaMG]

Another update. Lunch in the Windjammer.

Pics of the gluten free area.

To be honest, I'm not sure how comfortable I'd be with this. It seems to me that there might be the potential for cross contamination since it's not completely isolated like the breakfast area is.

 

 

 

 

 

[qa4ever]

1 hour ago, FionaMG said:

Another update. Lunch in the Windjammer.

Pics of the gluten free area.

To be honest, I'm not sure how comfortable I'd be with this. It seems to me that there might be the potential for cross contamination since it's not completely isolated like the breakfast area is.

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for these pics!