The youngest celiac in the house is guest posting today:
When my best friend asked me to join her family on a five day cruise to Key West and the Bahamas I was overjoyed. Because of my adventurous nature, I had very few reservations about the trip. There was one, however, that I could not overlook. What am I going to eat?! After a few searches online about gluten free dining on cruise ships, I found that the cruise line we would be using, Carnival, was supposed to be very good at catering to people with special dietary requirements. I decided that was good enough for me and that it was time to stop letting my gluten free diet get in the way when it comes to having fun.
After a VERY long drive from Ohio to Jacksonville, Florida, we had arrived at the hotel where we would stay until our ship left the next day. Once on our ship, the Carnival Fascination, we spent a good hour running around, exploring, and getting settled in. I had never seen so much food in my life. There were two huge buffets, one outside on the Lido deck, and another inside, and two large dining rooms.
The lunches and breakfasts were served buffet style, which I was a little wary of at first. But after tracking down the Assistant maitre d’, my worries were put to rest. She went around the whole buffet with me showing me what was okay and double-checking with the chefs as to how things were prepared. She was extremely helpful and very nice. I found my best bet for lunch to be the rotisserie meats that were available each day along with a variety of cooked vegetables (there was also a salad bar, but I can’t have raw veggies or fruits). There were more options, but most of the time I didn’t feel like going through the trouble of finding out what was in everything.
At dinner the first night, I informed out waiter, Levente, of my dietary needs and he was very helpful and said that every night after that they would have gluten free bread for me and prepare a gluten free version of whatever I wanted from the menu, but for that night I had steak, steamed vegetables, a baked potato and sherbet for dessert. After we had finished eating, the Chef de Cuisine came out with the menu for the next night and went through every item with me; the appetizer, main course, and dessert. She did this every night and was very willing to help.
Breakfast, as mentioned before, was served buffet style. There was also a sit down breakfast available upon reservation, but we always slept in too late for that. However, they said there were gluten free pancakes available if you ask for them. Every morning the buffet had fresh fruit, yogurt, and hard-boiled eggs. I found these to be the safest, most hassle free options. And I also packed some of my own cereal that I had some mornings.
Overall, the food was some of the best I have had. I had fun during the day and looked forward to my dinners every night. The staff was knowledgeable and very willing to help. I always felt like I was being taken care of. I would definitely do it again.
Cruising tips:
- Ask questions! If you aren’t sure about something, ask a staff member.
-When in doubt, go without. This is my gluten free motto. It’s better to skip something you’re unsure of then risk getting glutened.
-Dramamine! I suggest brining some type of motion sickness medicine just in case. The water can get rough and it’s better safe than sorry. Also, avoid being in your cabin when you hit rough water, it’s better on the upper decks in the fresh air.
-Have fun! There are so many things that you could worry about on any kind of vacation, but just relax and enjoy the good times.
Shelby Kaho is a college student, gluten-free traveler and blogger. She blogs at Teen Tech and Shelby’s Stang.
Shelb
Thanks for the review and the food spy photos from your iPhone. ( And for patiently waiting while I take pictures of your food at every meal.) I couldn’t blog without you.
Mom
Thanks for sharing your experience Shelby! We are looking into a cruise for our vacation in October, and you offered valuable information and advice!
I just told her about your comment and she was very pleased and flattered. Thanks, Erin.
Nice write up! It’s good to hear that the cruise line was so accomodating.
Congratulations, Wendy, on raising a great writer.
Yes, it was a relief for Mom as well. Thanks, Shelby did a great job on her post and she is also awesome in the kitchen.
Thanks for the helpful review! I traveled on the Carnival Dream last November and found the maitre d’ in the main dining room was most helpful! Just FYI: the gf pancakes and french toast available in the sit down breakfast dining room are not worth it! Very heavy and not good at all! You did good sleeping in.
Good to know about the pancakes, Heather. I see more cruising in her future.
What a great post, Shelby! Love the photo of the cruise ship and your food. Very helpful info for all.
So glad you had such a good trip. Yep, sometimes sleeping in is just right for vacation. I’m pretty happy with the breakfast choices you mentioned especially when one is eating more later in the day while on vacation. 
Thanks, Shelby, and thank you, Wendy, for sharing Shelby with us! Now I must check out her other blogs … even if I’m the wrong demographic. LOL
Shirley
I passed on your comment, Shirley. I think the girl is growing again and is still asleep, but she was pleased by your support.
Thanks so much for this! My husband has been after to me to take a cruise with him for ages so it is good to know when I finally have the time to do it I will be able to eat. Cracks me up that you slept in too late for breakfast – oh how I would love to do that right now – sleep! Thanks for sharing Shelby with us Wendy!
After you get the new book launched you should take hubby up on that cruise and get some sleep. I’d have Shelby reply, but she’s sleeping in. It is spring break after all.
What a wonderful experience! It makes me so happy when I hear things like this! Also makes me want to go on a cruise…
I never thought I was a cruise person until I saw her photos and heard how much fun she had.
I’m so glad you had such a good time. I went on a cruise with Royal Caribbean and they did pretty much what you said. I think sometimes I got a better meal than the other folks at my table. What a great mom to let you go on a cruise without her. Thank you for sharing this.
Shelby thought her meals were better, too. Don’t know about the great mom, I moved out when I was her age, so a cruise seemed minor. I’ll let her know you stopped by.
I went on my first cruise this past January…on the Carnival Pride. It was the best! Loved that my GF eating didn’t seem out of place and that they were there to take care of my. Even our Waiter and Second kept an eye out for me. The best was the two nights that they made their famous Chocolate Melting cake GF just for me…Mmmmm! Would do it again in a heart beat. Cheers from chilly Canada!
Michele, your experience sounds so much like my daughter’s and she was ready to book another cruise right away. She talked about the Chocolate Melting Cake, too.
Shelby! THank you soo much for sharing your gluten-free cruising experience! We have been thinking of taking the kids on a cruise soon and I have heard that ships do a good job of accommodating dietary restrictions. But now it is awesome to hear a first hand experience!! Thanks for letting us all know! So glad you had a great trip!
And Wendy, thanks so much for letting Shelby share her good experience with us!! She is a great writer! Must get that from her momma!!
xo
k
Shelby says thanks for that Kim. Mom thanks you, too. It really helps to motivate her to do more posts when she sees that her experiences can help others.