Food Allergys

[Cruiseroz]

Does anyone experience the same problem as I have please and what experiences positive or negative have you found?

 

The last 12 years I have had a dairy allergy.

 

The two cruise lines we have used since then have been very

considerate and special orders have been placed for evening meals.

 

The dining staff in both Princesses and Olsens were fantastic.:D

 

But when it comes to breakfast or lunch I have had to walk a minefield.

We [husband and myself] have tried to get the cruise admins to realize that after a week getting all this special treatment can be

a real pain. It would be so nice just to turn up and realize that some

dishes are made with a butter subsitute....which is not uncommon these days.

 

I think a lot of Chefs get hysterical when 'margarine' is mentioned.

The standard margaine used on both Princess and FO Lines have dairy solids included in them, so it would be nice if the administration before we get on board could supply Nuttelex or similar. In the UK recently there was an Olive Spread but Nuttelex does make a similar product. [no I do not work for them!]

 

On our last cruise [braemar] the Exective Chef calls a meeting of all passengers who were experiencing allergys and we had a talk.

 

One of the main problems was cross contamination by other passengers in 'self service' areas who would unknowingly pick

up a spoon and use it in other foods.

 

A lot of passengers asked for a Gluten free diet.

 

What would be nice on cruise ships are meals that have not been

drowned in cream! Even when I could eat dairy I do not think I would wish to pile my plate up with 3 - 4 cream cakes and have creamed soup every day!

 

Most passengers would not realize the dairy content in the most

basic of meals on cruise ships, powdered milk being one.

 

I can bake cakes not using dairy at home!!

 

Afternoon tea was not an option for us.

 

Just watching people stuff themselves at this time of day is

rather revolting. Then they wonder why they are so overweight!

 

Soya is not an option for me either only in small doses.

 

FO Lines made a wonderful Soya Coffee Ice 'cream'. But

I did not wish that every day, or fruit salad!!!

Love melon, but not for 'sweets' everyday for 3 weeks.

 

The Executive Chef did make a Soya Waffle that made a nice

change. On the second cruise he had an attempt at making

Baked Alaska too! which was a nice surprise...thanks Alex!

 

We usually cruise 21 plus days, and this dietary problem is starting to spoil our holidays.

 

I think the respective Cruise Lines at Administration level [Head Office]

need to manage this situation better and not leave it to the Executive

Chefs to suddenly cope with the situation.

 

Even when booking we give information about the diary allergy and find once on board the Galley is not prepared!

 

We would like to do a longer cruise but not if it will be a headache due to the dairy factor.