Gluten-free cruise diet

by C.J.
(St. Louis)

Recently, I went on a cruise and I was concerned about how I would approach a gluten-free cruise diet. Would I have to eliminate a lot of the tastiest foods? Would I end up only eating fruit and salads? Since I had never been on a cruise before, I wasn't sure if they could accomodate my gluten-free diet.

I sent a few emails to my travel agent before the cruise started so that I could be prepared prior to arriving on the ship. She assured me that there would be gluten-free options for dinner on the cruise. She said that all I would need to do is consult with the head waiter when I arrived and that this person would arrange for my meals to be prepared just as I needed them to be.

The first night I ate in the dining room, I expected to have something already selected for me as that was what I understood the head waiter to say. Instead, I had to choose from a regular menu and ask a lot of questions about what was available. I was a little disappointed, but fortunately, they were able to accomodate my needs that evening without much preparation.

From that point on, eating dinner was a breeze. Our waiter, Troy, brought me the menu for the following night and I would select my meal ahead of time and they would ensure it was gluten-free. Honestly, unless you are gluten-intolerant, you can't possibly appreciate how stressful it can be to contemplate eating away from home.

One highlight was the last night I ate in the dining room. Troy set a plate of chocolate cake in front of me (well, actually it was three small pieces) and I took my first bite of absolute heaven. It was the most life-alteringly delicious dessert I had ever tasted. In fact, I liked it so much, I bought the cruise line's cook book just for that one recipe.

So, cruising and being gluten-free can work together. It worked for me.

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Gluten-free cruise diet

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Cruise gluten free
by: Anonymous

I just ended a cruise with Celebrity Solstice cruise and it wasn't too good!! My travel agent contacted the cruise line in advance - so far, OK.
When I arrived I had a card on my door asking that I contact the maitre`d, which I did - then they would only fix me heart attack food. Plain boiled fish and steamed veggies - no salad dressing - actually it scared them to death to try and prepare me anything acceptable to eat. And since it was a fairly large cruise - they didn't care about one person who needed special food prepared, when 2,700 others didn't. So, don't assume that just because you've contacted them in advance, and give then a card explaining your condition that your going to get great made-to-order food on a large cruise - not happening.

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Soon to be cruising
by: Susan

Which cruise ship did you travel with? I'll be going on a cruise soon and my husband is allergic to gluten.

http://www.simplygf.com

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