Major Dietary Restrictions - any advice?

[beynac]

Greetings All:

 

Looking forward to my first Celebrity cruise in December on Century. I have learned so much from these boards!!!

 

I have an unusual condition that severely limits my diet. No fructose or sucrose (no fruit, most vegetables, honey, balsamic vinegar, wine, etc). This is usually a problem in sauces, dressings, when ingredients are more hidden. As a minimum, I fully plan to discuss this with my waiter on the first night, but do you think I'll need to take it a step further? My TA gave me a "special needs" form, but that seems to refer to more in-room and mobility needs. There is a line at the end of the form that discusses food allergies, which applies to some degree. Should I head to the main dining room once I board and discuss it with them then rather than waiting for the first dinner?

 

Just wondering the best way and the best time to handle this. I'm hoping that Celebrity will be accommodating to my dietary needs and help me find suitable food/meals. From everything I've read, they seem to have good customer service, especially related to food. Does anyone have a similar issue/experience?

[cruzeluver]

By all means contact the special needs department in advance and make them aware of what you need. Then you'll want to follow-up with the maitre 'd once you are onboard to make sure your instructions are followed. Good luck, and have a wonderful cruise.

[Xport]

What if I have special dietary needs?

Subject: Special Needs, Medical/Physical

 

 

Celebrity can accommodate special diets onboard. These diets have been created in consultation with dietary specialists; selections offered are for lunch and dinner for the main restaurant only.

• Lean and Light
  
• Vegetarian
  
• Diabetic
  
• Low Fat
  
• Low Sodium
  
• Low Cholesterol
  
• Kosher Meals
  
• Gluten Free
  
• Lactose Free
  
• Baby Food (for example: Similac Formula, Gerber, Pedialyte)
  

ALL REQUESTS MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE FOLLOWING DEADLINES: Originating PortKosher Food (CCL)Baby Food (CCL)Specific Allergy requests (CCL)Continental US40 days40 days40 daysSan Juan, Puerto Rico40 days40 days40 daysAlaska40 days40 days40 daysHawaii40 days40 days40 daysSouth America80 days80 days80 daysEurope80 days80 days80 days

 

Access Department

 

Phone: 866-592-7225

Fax: 954-628-9622

Email: special_needs@celebrity.com

 

*In the event that Celebrity cannot accommodate a particular dietary need or food request, whoever sent in the actual request will be contacted so that alternative arrangements can be made.

 

Guests with special dietary needs should confirm the arrangements with the Restaurant Manager on the day of boarding. Any special dietary and food requests can be accommodated in the main restaurant only. Download the menus for more details!

 

Other Products *Distilled Water is provided for guests with disabilities at no charge. This request must be submitted in writing to the Access Department via fax, no later than two weeks prior to sailing. *Regular Soy Milk is readily available onboard. *For those departures that are non-U.S., specific brands are sometimes difficult to come by and the local epicure will be substituted.

 

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Sorry; this became a bit garbled in the cut/paste process...

[LuAnn]

on the Solstice T/A in April during lunch and she had VERY restrictive dietary needs....she raved about the way Celebrity had handled her requests and needs. She interfaced quite a bit with the waiter who was serving her ..don't know how she set everything up but it seemed to work like a charm! The previous post seems very helpful with who and how you should contact Celebrity regarding your requests. Have fun! LuAnn

[dawnprincess]

I've only had an experience with Princess but expect Celebrity to be as good. One of our tablemates had stringent dietary restrictions that helped her tinnitus problem (no salt especially but lots of other things). The head waiter met with her every evening at dinner to discuss the following day's meals. They even baked a special kind of bread JUST FOR HER! They couldn't have been nicer. Like the others, I would suggest faxing the info ahead of time and being as specific as possible so that the kitchen is aware of your issues before you even board the ship. This should help them to provide meals that meet your dietary requirements.

[CruisingEasy]

Greetings All:

 

Looking forward to my first Celebrity cruise in December on Century. I have learned so much from these boards!!!

 

I have an unusual condition that severely limits my diet. No fructose or sucrose (no fruit, most vegetables, honey, balsamic vinegar, wine, etc). This is usually a problem in sauces, dressings, when ingredients are more hidden. As a minimum, I fully plan to discuss this with my waiter on the first night, but do you think I'll need to take it a step further? My TA gave me a "special needs" form, but that seems to refer to more in-room and mobility needs. There is a line at the end of the form that discusses food allergies, which applies to some degree. Should I head to the main dining room once I board and discuss it with them then rather than waiting for the first dinner?

 

Just wondering the best way and the best time to handle this. I'm hoping that Celebrity will be accommodating to my dietary needs and help me find suitable food/meals. From everything I've read, they seem to have good customer service, especially related to food. Does anyone have a similar issue/experience?

 

Beynac- do call the Food and Beverage and Division of Celebrity prior to the cruise and discuss it with them and then again when you board. Do not leave anything to chance.

[beynac]

Thank you all! This has been very helpful. I'm encouraged by the experiences you all have witnessed with the waiters being so accommodating. Eating out is always a challenge, but it looks like this trip will be a breeze compared to what I usually face while traveling.

 

I will definitely contact them ahead of time - I appreciate the phone numbers and links.

[lifevicarious]

One of our tablemates had stringent dietary restrictions that helped her tinnitus problem (no salt especially but lots of other things).

 

Interesting, I had never heard this before (no pun intended). I have had ringing in my ears for as long as I can remember (I'm 34). I had never heard of a connection between diet and tinnitus but after having just researched this, it does make some sense!

[CruisingEasy]

Tympanic Membranes are very sensitive!!!

 

 

Beynac - if you need someone to talk to at Celebrity I might be able to suggest someone. Let me know what happens after you talk to them.

 

I had some dietary issues that I had taken care of very quickly and easily. Celebrity was very accomodating.

[bubbie617]

With just a simple request with the maitre d' after embarking, your section headwaiter can visit you every evening with the following day's menus. You and he or she can then figure out what you can eat within your dietary restrictions. The kitchen will custom make things for you with a request with advance notice.

 

Have a great trip.

[DivasDare]

What if I have special dietary needs?

Subject: Special Needs, Medical/Physical

 

 

Celebrity can accommodate special diets onboard. These diets have been created in consultation with dietary specialists; selections offered are for lunch and dinner for the main restaurant only.

• Lean and Light
  
• Vegetarian
  
• Diabetic
  
• Low Fat
  
• Low Sodium
  
• Low Cholesterol
  
• Kosher Meals
  
• Gluten Free
  
• Lactose Free
  
• Baby Food (for example: Similac Formula, Gerber, Pedialyte)
  

ALL REQUESTS MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE FOLLOWING DEADLINES: Originating PortKosher Food (CCL)Baby Food (CCL)Specific Allergy requests (CCL)Continental US40 days40 days40 daysSan Juan, Puerto Rico40 days40 days40 daysAlaska40 days40 days40 daysHawaii40 days40 days40 daysSouth America80 days80 days80 daysEurope80 days80 days80 days

 

Access Department

 

Phone: 866-592-7225

Fax: 954-628-9622

Email: special_needs@celebrity.com

 

*In the event that Celebrity cannot accommodate a particular dietary need or food request, whoever sent in the actual request will be contacted so that alternative arrangements can be made.

 

Guests with special dietary needs should confirm the arrangements with the Restaurant Manager on the day of boarding. Any special dietary and food requests can be accommodated in the main restaurant only. Download the menus for more details!

 

Other Products *Distilled Water is provided for guests with disabilities at no charge. This request must be submitted in writing to the Access Department via fax, no later than two weeks prior to sailing. *Regular Soy Milk is readily available onboard. *For those departures that are non-U.S., specific brands are sometimes difficult to come by and the local epicure will be substituted.

 

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Sorry; this became a bit garbled in the cut/paste process...

 

Thank you for the info... recently restricted GF so it is good to know that I don't have to cheat while away.