best cruise line food allergy

Top Cruise Lines for Food Allergies: Safe Dining at Sea

by Judith Eve | Mar 4, 2024 | Cruise Lines & Cruise Types

Navigating the high seas with food allergies can seem daunting at first. But, fear not! Many cruise lines have stepped up their game, offering a variety of dining options that cater to guests with food sensitivities. It's all about enjoying your vacation without the worry of an allergic reaction.

Choosing the right cruise line is key to a stress-free journey. They understand the importance of food safety and go the extra mile to ensure their menus are inclusive. Whether it's gluten-free, nut-free, dairy-free, or any other dietary restriction, there's a cruise line out there that's got you covered. Let's dive into some of the best options available, ensuring your next cruise is both memorable and safe.

Understanding Food Allergies on Cruise Ships

When planning a cruise with food allergies, it's crucial to understand how cruise lines handle special dietary needs. For many travelers, concerns about food allergies can make the idea of cruising seem daunting. However, the good news is that most cruise lines are well-equipped to cater to guests with a variety of dietary restrictions, ensuring a Safe and Enjoyable Dining Experience .

First, it’s important for guests to Inform the Cruise Line about their dietary requirements well in advance of their sailing date. This heads-up allows the kitchen and dining staff to prepare and ensure that safe and appropriate meals are available. Many cruise lines request this information at the time of booking, but a follow-up call or email close to the departure date can also help reinforce the guest's needs.

Moreover, upon boarding, guests with allergies should Meet with the Dining Staff or a specialized Food and Beverage Manager . This meeting is an opportunity to discuss specific allergies, cross-contamination risks, and to plan meals for the duration of the cruise. Some cruise lines even offer a dedicated staff member to assist guests with food allergies throughout their journey.

Accommodations often include Special Menus designed for guests avoiding common allergens such as nuts, dairy, gluten, and shellfish. These menus take the guesswork out of dining and are marked clearly to prevent any confusion. Additionally, chefs onboard are typically willing to customize dishes to meet specific dietary needs, giving guests the freedom to enjoy a wide range of culinary options without worry.

Below is a table highlighting key points about handling food allergies on cruise ships:

In essence, understanding and navigating food allergies on cruise ships start with clear communication and taking advantage of the services and accommodations offered by the cruise line.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Cruise Line

When selecting a cruise line for a guest with food allergies, several critical factors come into play to ensure their dining experience is both safe and enjoyable. It's not just about the destinations but the journey itself, especially when it comes to meals which are an integral part of the cruising experience.

Firstly , the attention and care the cruise line gives to handling food allergies can be a determinant of a smooth voyage. It's essential that they have a sound system in place for guests to notify the staff about their allergies well in advance. This extends to whether the cruise can cater to specific needs with special menus and customized dishes. If a line has dedicated personnel for allergy-related issues, it's a sign of their commitment to guest safety.

Secondly, having flexible dining options is key. This doesn't only apply to the types of restaurants available on board but also if they're able to adapt meals to be free from common allergens like nuts, dairy, and gluten. The ability of chefs to customize dishes on request reflects the cruise line's adaptability and concern for individual guest needs.

Training and awareness among the staff is another pivotal area. They should be knowledgeable about food allergies and cross-contamination risks. Staff training ensures that all precautions are taken in the preparation and serving of meals.

Finally, the communication channels available to guests on board should be efficient and responsive. Being able to easily reach out to dining or kitchen staff about dietary concerns or even inquire about ingredients in specific dishes is crucial for peace of mind.

Choosing the right cruise line is about aligning these factors with personal needs to ensure a safe, worry-free, and delightful dining experience while exploring the seas.

Top Cruise Lines with Excellent Food Allergy Policies

For travelers with food allergies, the difference between a good vacation and a great one often lies in the details of dining. Some leading cruise lines stand out for their exceptional attention to food allergies, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for all passengers.

Royal Caribbean International has set a high standard with its comprehensive approach to food allergies. Guests can notify the cruise line of their dietary needs well in advance of their trip, either through their online check-in portal or by contacting the special needs department. Once onboard, dedicated staff are available to discuss and adjust meal plans as required. Their chefs are trained to prepare dishes free from common allergens, using separate utensils and preparation areas to minimize the risk of cross-contamination.

Disney Cruise Line is another frontrunner, recognized for its extraordinary efforts to accommodate guests with food allergies. They offer a seamless experience from the moment of booking, encouraging guests to highlight their dietary restrictions. Onboard, guests have the opportunity to meet with chefs to discuss safe meal options. Disney Cruise Line is particularly praised for its kid-friendly allergen-free meals, ensuring that younger guests don't miss out on the fun.

Celebrity Cruises prides itself on a luxurious dining experience that doesn't compromise on safety for guests with food allergies. Their onboard culinary teams work closely with guests to customize dishes and ensure a worry-free dining experience. Celebrity Cruises emphasizes training for their staff in handling food allergies, including the importance of avoiding cross-contact.

These cruise lines have embraced the importance of catering to guests with food allergies, making them top choices for those seeking peace of mind at sea. They've demonstrated that a dedication to guest safety, flexibility in dining options, and thorough staff training are key components in delivering an exceptional cruising experience for everyone.

Tips for Dining Safely with Food Allergies on a Cruise

When it comes to dining on a cruise with food allergies, preparation and communication are key. Even with cruise lines that prioritize safety and flexibility for guests with dietary restrictions, there are additional steps travelers can take to ensure a safe and enjoyable dining experience.

Before booking your cruise , it's essential to research and choose a cruise line known for accommodating special dietary needs. Once you've booked, immediately inform the cruise line of your food allergies. This should be done through your travel agent or directly via the cruise line's special needs or dietary request form on their website. The more detailed information you can provide about your allergy, the better prepared the staff will be to meet your needs.

Upon boarding, schedule a meeting with the ship's Maître D' or head chef to discuss your specific dietary requirements. This face-to-face interaction allows for a personal connection and gives you the opportunity to address any concerns you might have. It also helps the dining staff to recognize you during your meals.

Here are additional tips to facilitate a safer dining experience:

• Carry allergy cards : These cards should list your food allergies and can be handed out to the dining staff. They're particularly helpful in avoiding language barriers.
• Be vigilant about cross-contamination . Don't hesitate to ask how food is prepared and to request changes in the food preparation process if necessary.
• Opt for sit-down meals over buffets : Buffets often have a higher risk of cross-contamination. Whenever possible, choose plated meals where the kitchen can cater directly to your specific dietary needs.

By taking these proactive steps and leveraging the built-in accommodations of allergy-friendly cruise lines, guests with food allergies can significantly reduce their risk of allergen exposure and focus on enjoying the high seas safely.

Key Takeaways

• Inform and Communicate Clearly: Always inform the cruise line about your food allergies well in advance and have a detailed conversation with dining staff upon boarding to ensure your dietary needs are comprehensively understood and catered to.
• Choose the Right Cruise Line: Select cruise lines that have a strong reputation for accommodating food allergies, with dedicated personnel, special menus, and flexible dining options to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.
• Staff Training and Awareness: Opt for cruise lines where the staff is well-trained in handling food allergies, knowledgeable about cross-contamination risks, and prepared to customize dishes to meet individual dietary requirements.
• Proactive Measures for Safety: Carry allergy cards, inquire about food preparation processes to guard against cross-contamination, and prefer sit-down meals over buffets to minimize risks and enhance your dining experience.
• Notable Cruise Lines: Royal Caribbean International, Disney Cruise Line, and Celebrity Cruises are commendable for their comprehensive food allergy policies, demonstrating a commitment to safety, flexibility, and guest satisfaction onboard.

Traveling with food allergies doesn't have to be a daunting experience, especially when it comes to cruising. By taking the right steps ahead of time and choosing a cruise line that's known for its allergy-friendly dining options, guests can enjoy a worry-free vacation. It's all about preparation, effective communication, and making smart dining choices. With these strategies in place, travelers with food allergies can focus on the fun and relaxation that a cruise offers, knowing their dietary needs are well taken care of.

Judith Eve, loves to write riveting articles on crusingtonpost.com. She hails from the sun-kissed regions of South Florida, residing within a stone’s throw of the bustling Fort Lauderdale and Miami cruise ports. As a native Floridian, Judith’s love for the ocean and cruising extends as far back as her memory can recall.

Her lifelong passion for travel has taken her to countless destinations around the globe, but cruising, undeniably, holds a special place in her heart. Judith has embraced the elegance of luxury liners, relished the intimacy of boutique ships, and marveled at the innovation found on the newest megaships. This varied experience makes her a well-rounded and knowledgeable commentator on everything cruise-related.

Balancing her writing career and family life with effortless grace, Judith is happily married, mother to two wonderful children, and a doting grandmother to three grandkids. Much like Judith, her family shares her enthusiasm for the sea, often accompanying her on cruise adventures and enriching her articles with their unique perspectives.

Her work for crusingtonpost.com provides readers with insightful, engaging narratives of her travels, from vivid descriptions of the picturesque locales she visits to in-depth reviews of the cruise lines she travels with. Her writing is not only an exploration of travel and cruising; it is a testament to her zest for life, her commitment to family, and her love for the ocean.

Endearing herself to readers with her warm, personable writing style, Judith has become a trusted voice in the cruising community. She is the go-to source for tips, advice, and comprehensive information on cruising. As a tireless explorer and devoted family woman, Judith Eve embodies the essence of the adventurous spirit, inspiring readers to set sail and create their own sea stories.

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• Jul 18, 2018

Five Great Cruise Lines for Families with Food Allergies

My family and I love cruising, and we’ve done so despite allergies to tree nuts, peanuts, shellfish and dairy. With a bit of planning, you can do the same. With any cruise line, you’ll need to provide your travel agent with your family’s food allergies and any other special or dietary needs well in advance - preferably, when you book. Since cruises aren’t exactly able to run out to the store for supplies, they will need to plan properly and long before you board the ship.

1) Disney Cruise Line

The perennial U.S. News and World Report and Conde Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice top award winner tops our list. Buffets offer gluten free options as well as many vegetarian options without having to ask. Bonus: they use a rotational dining plan, which means you eat in a different restaurant each night, and your service staff follows you. This means you keep two servers who know you after day one, and you experience each of the main dining rooms, all done up in Disney style.

2) Royal Caribbean Cruise Line

This 2016 Autism Society Adam Heavner Memorial Award for Business of the Year has made dietary and other special needs of kids a central effort of the past few years. The first Autism Friendly Certified cruise line, they understand the dietary needs associated with the autism spectrum and have built what is currently the only autism-focused program at sea. For kids who simply have dietary needs, they’re equally dedicated. They offer a traditional dinner seating (same bat place, same bat time, same servers, different menu each night) as well as an open seating option, which allows you to choose your dining venue and time each night at your convenience.

3) Princess Cruises

I know, I know. You think of the Pacific Princess, Isaac and Gopher. But, this Travel Weekly and three-peat USA Today “Best Ocean Cruise Line” champion has come a long way since the days of The Love Boat. They are dedicated to families, with unique experiences on board and in port designed in partnership with Discovery Communications. Their variety of included dining options, which include a brick oven pizza prepared in an open kitchen, along with their top-notch service puts many minds at ease. Similar to Royal Caribbean, they offer both a traditional seating option as well as an open seating option.

4) Norwegian Cruise Line

A darling of multiple cruise industry “Best of…” awards since 2003, Norwegian’s pre-cruise support for those with food allergies and other dietary needs, as well as other special needs is fantastic. Onboard, you’ll find multiple dining venues and friendly, helpful staff who are there to serve. Part of their incentive program is tied to positive responses on customer experience surveys, and they strive to ensure they receive them on the last night of your cruise. At dinner, Norwegian uses an open seating option called “Freestyle Dining” - eat wherever you like, whenever you like. They pioneered this advancement in cruise dining in the early 2000s, and is the foundation for other cruise line’s open seating concepts. While your servers are different each night, those with food allergies are handled with the care and attention required. You’ll simply need to introduce your family each night and make some new friends along the way.

5) Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival has spent the better part of the last decade transforming its image as a booze cruise to a family-centric value cruise line. They’ve done a fantastic job in overhauling their entire fleet to add fresh new dining options and redesigning their kids club spaces. Camp Ocean and Circle C do not allow outside food in their spaces, and do not serve food either. The exception is their late-night programs where some snacks, such as chips may be served. Also, any kid 8 and under with any special needs have a different colored name tag with their needs written on the back so staff can identify them at any time. In the dining rooms, you have the option of traditional seating or open seating.

#cruisingwithallergies #cruisetips

• Travel with Food Allergies
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9 cruise lines with the best food.

Set sail with one of these cruise lines for an epicurean adventure at sea.

Cruise Lines With the Best Food

Courtesy of Holland America Line

Holland America Line's Tamarind restaurant offers delicious Pan-Asian cuisine.

Taking a cruise vacation transports you to coveted destinations in places around the world. For many people, though, it's all about the culinary experience, especially for those who return time and again to dine at their favorite onboard venues – many of which rival the best restaurants you'll find on land. While most cruise lines still offer all-you-can-eat buffet-style venues, some also feature next-level culinary experiences with world-renowned chefs at the helm, menus curated by Michelin-starred chefs, and immersive food and beverage programs.

If you're a foodie looking for the cruise lines with the best food, U.S. News has compiled this list of cruise lines focused on delivering an extraordinary dining experience, based on expert opinion and reviews. We've also highlighted two of the venues on each line that receive accolades for outstanding food and service.

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Oceania Cruises

Courtesy of Oceania Cruises

Oceania Cruises' culinary program has long been regarded as one of the best of any cruise line – and the company has even trademarked the term "The Finest Cuisine at Sea." Jacques Pépin, the renowned French master chef, has been the executive culinary director since 2003; he has inspired the menus and cuisine on board the line's seven small luxury ships since that time, including the newest vessel, Vista . Oceania is also committed to sourcing the best ingredients from destinations around the world. In addition, the line has a high ratio of culinary staff to guests, and the ship's galleys are outfitted with equipment you'd typically see in Michelin-starred restaurants.

Guests can book exclusive Culinary Discovery Tours on two of the ships, Marina and Riviera . Hone your culinary skills or learn to prepare new types of cuisine at The Culinary Center, found on Marina, Riviera and Vista. You'll also find special wine-tasting and Champagne events in partnership with La Reserve by Wine Spectator. In addition, the line has just announced its first Culinary Masters' Cruise featuring Oceania's two French master chefs aboard Marina in October 2024.

Most of the dining venues are complimentary on Oceania Cruises (except for Privée and La Reserve), and options run the gamut from French and Asian cuisine to Italian fare and steakhouse specialties. There are also new culinary concepts on board Vista – including Ember, which features American classics, as well as Aquamar Kitchen, a venue focused on healthy Mediterranean-inspired cuisine.

Here are two of Oceania's best restaurants:

• Red Ginger: Red Ginger's colorful red and gold interiors, designed with feng shui in mind, draw guests in when they enter the restaurant, but it's the bold Asian flavors that keep them coming back for more. With Vietnamese, Thai and Japanese specialties to choose from, diners will enjoy selections such as caramelized tiger prawns, crispy ginger calamari, red and green curries, and bulgogi rib-eye steak. Red Ginger is available on Marina, Riviera, Sirena and Vista.
• Toscana: The hearty cuisine inspired by Tuscan and northern Italian flavors at Toscana is served on Versace china that's custom designed for the restaurant. Diners should come with an appetite to enjoy several courses before the main event, including a hot or cold antipasti or soup, a selection of pastas, and a classic version of Caesar salad prepared tableside. Traditional main dish favorites include osso buco alla Milanese, veal scaloppini, lobster fra diavolo and Dover sole. Toscana is available on Regatta, Insignia, Nautica, Marina, Riviera and Vista.

Book an  Oceania Cruises  itinerary on GoToSea, a service of U.S. News.

Silversea Cruises

Courtesy of Silversea Cruises

Silversea is another cruise line known for its culinary excellence. Guests will find a selection of international venues featuring Italian, Asian and French cuisine on board the line's fleet of 12 ships.

S.A.L.T., an immersive dining experience that stands for "Sea and Land Taste," is available on Silver Nova , Silver Moon and Silver Dawn . The S.A.L.T. program was created by Adam Sachs, former editor-in-chief of Saveur magazine and three-time James Beard journalism award winner. The innovative program invites guests to experience the destination and local food culture through on-board hands-on activities, including making local recipes in the S.A.L.T. Lab. You can also attend cooking demonstrations and lectures, or book in-depth culinary excursions to working organic farms, Sicilian pasticcerias (where you'll learn how to make pastries) and vineyards in destinations around the world.

The all-inclusive luxury line's restaurant venues are complimentary with the following exceptions: French fine dining restaurant La Dame; the S.A.L.T. Chef's Table experience available on Silver Nova; Seishin Restaurant, which serves Asian fusion dishes on Silver Spirit; and Kaiseki, the Japanese, sushi and teppanyaki venue available on five Silversea ships.

These are two standout dining venues on Silversea:

• S.A.L.T. Kitchen: S.A.L.T. Kitchen's menu changes daily inspired by the destination, but diners will also find a "Voyage" menu that reflects the influences from the overall region of the itinerary. The daily "Terrain" menu in Italy might include dishes likes prawns cooked in a cherry tomato sauce with garlic, white wine and parsley or a classic risotto with clams topped with a pan-fried filet of sole. The "Voyage" menu on an Eastern Mediterranean sailing would feature dishes from Greece, Croatia and Italy. The immersive dining experience is available on Silver Ray, Moon, Dawn and Nova.
• La Dame: The curated menu at La Dame was created by Silversea's top chefs and is served in an elegant contemporary space with white-glove table service. The cuisine pays homage to classic French gastronomy along with modern techniques and flair. Guests can expect to dine on traditional French dishes such as seared duck foie gras, French onion soup, lobster bisque, Dover sole and souffles for dessert. La Dame is available on all the line's ships, except for Silver Origin.

Find a  Silversea Cruise  on GoToSea.

Explora Journeys

Courtesy of Explora Journeys

MSC Group's new luxury brand, Explora Journeys, features a top-notch culinary program with a team of international chefs at the helm. Acclaimed chef Franck Garanger, the line's head of culinary, has been recognized as a French master chef since 2008; he has also overseen the culinary programs for both Silversea and Oceania cruises before joining Explora.

According to Garanger, Explora Journeys has one of the highest chef-to-guest ratios and food costs of any cruise line, which is why you'll see offerings like freshly shucked oysters on the half shell, ceviche, free range and organic chicken, made-to-order grilled fish, and other freshly prepared items in Emporium Marketplace, Explora's globally inspired all-day dining venue. There's also a large focus on plant-based dishes, wellness and healthy menu selections in venues across the ship.

The first of six 922-guest superyacht-style vessels, Explora I, offers guests a choice of six restaurant venues, including the French-inspired Fil Rouge; Marble & Co. Grill, an elegant European steakhouse; and Med Yacht Club, which features delightful Mediterranean cuisine. Guests will also enjoy boutique international and regional wines; try a glass of Moët & Chandon, Explora's "house" Champagne.

During your "journey," you can also attend cooking classes at the Chef's Kitchen, a private dining and culinary school with lead enrichment chef Jean-Louis Dumonet at the helm. Another world-class chef, Dumonet received the distinction of becoming a French master chef in 1994 and has had a very successful culinary career, including achieving his first Michelin star at age 28.

Explore these standouts in Explora's culinary program:

• Sakura: This beautiful Pan-Asian restaurant is open for lunch and dinner. The bright and airy design features cherry blossoms suspended from the ceilings and Asian-inspired decor. The authentic dining experience also boasts an open kitchen and a sushi bar with many ingredients sourced from Japan, and the venue has outdoor seating and indoor tables with floor-to-ceiling ocean views. Begin your evening with an Asian-inspired cocktail and a starter of crispy duck leg confit, wagyu beef tataki or soft-shell crab tempura. Main dish highlights include a miso black cod fillet, 72-hour slow-cooked short rib beef panang and an addictive lobster pad Thai.
• Anthology: The innovative concept at Anthology "is imagined as a unique culinary stage showcasing global cooking talents and cuisines, provenance and rare ingredients along with wines by highly coveted winemakers." The tasting menus are curated by a rotation of top chefs that changes throughout the year. The first chef who opened the new ship, Mauro Uliassi, has a three-Michelin-starred restaurant in the coastal town of Senigallia, Italy. The second chef (through April 2024) is Swedish-born Emma Bengtsson, executive chef at the two-Michelin-starred Aquavit in New York. Anthology is the only dining venue on Explora I that comes at an additional cost. There's also an optional wine pairing.

Compare  Explora Journeys  cruises on GoToSea.

Regent Seven Seas

Regent Seven Seas' culinary program, "Epicurean Indulgence," features top-notch dining experiences on board the luxury line's six ships. Guests will also find educational hands-on cooking classes in the Culinary Arts Kitchen and Epicurean Explorer tours focused on the wines, spirits and regional foods in destinations around the world. Regents' all-inclusive cruise fares include as many as seven dining venues (depending on the ship), that feature French, Italian, Pan-Asian and steakhouse restaurants as well as 24-hour in-suite room service. You can also enjoy fine wines and spirits in all the restaurants, bar and lounges.

Regent Seven Seas boasts a variety of excellent restaurants, but here are two top options:

• Pacific Rim: The entrance to Pacific Rim is just as impressive as its food with the floor-to-ceiling bronze Tibetan Buddhist prayer wheel that sits just outside the venue. Inside, your evening experience in this beautiful zen-like space begins with a signature cocktail and a difficult decision of which Thai, Japanese, Korean, Chinese or Vietnamese dishes to order for dinner. Begin your meal with a selection of sushi and sashimi, then sample pork and shrimp siu mai or thom kha gai soup. For a main dish, don't miss elevated dishes like miso black cod, Canadian lobster tempura or aromatic duck.
• Compass Rose: Compass Rose is the largest specialty restaurant on Regent's ships, and you'll find the elegant venue across the fleet. The menu features classic favorites and dishes that are always available, including foie gras, escargot, Alaskan crab salad, black Angus cuts of beef, New Zealand lamb chops and a daily choice of pasta. The additional chef's gourmet menu changes daily. If you prefer lighter fare, choose one of the healthy Serene Spa & Wellness selections. Guests can also customize their dining preferences and order from any of the menus.

Explore  Regent Seven Seas  deals on GoToSea.

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Courtesy of Viking

Viking's nine 930-guest and adults-only ocean-going ships offer destination-focused dining highlighting regional cuisine and local specialties. In addition, cruisers will find their favorite classic dishes (some with a twist), such as a Norwegian baby shrimp cocktail, beef tenderloin and linguine with clams in The Restaurant, Viking's main dining venue.

Other dining options include an open kitchen and international fare at World Café, which also has a large alfresco dining area called Aquavit Terrace. For more casual fare, head to Mamsen's, a favorite spot for Norwegian specialties, or stop by the Pool Grill, where you'll find made-to-order burgers and light bites. All of these venues – plus two specialty restaurants, Manfredi's and The Chef's Table – are included in the cruise fare.

Guests on board Viking's ships are also treated to a daily afternoon tea in the Wintergarden, a Scandinavian-inspired, light-filled space located next to the main pool. If you're interested in learning more about destination-focused cuisine, reserve a spot in one of the hands-on cooking classes at The Kitchen Table to learn how to prepare some of the local dishes. These special excursions and culinary classes begin with a visit to a local market and end with an evening of cooking (or watching the dinner preparation) – plus multiple courses of food and wine pairings. There is a fee for the class.

The two specialty restaurants provide an exceptional experience with Viking :

• Manfredi's: Plan to make a reservation at Manfredi's, Viking's Italian restaurant. It features an impressive menu of Italian specialties, including dishes with influence from Tuscany and Rome. Start the evening with a selection of antipasti for two and pasta e fagioli or crème of porcini soup. Then, choose between traditional offerings like osso bucco alla Milanese, rosemary parmesan-crusted lamb or the Tuscan favorite dish bistecca Fiorentina (Florentine-style steak). There are also wonderful fresh pasta dishes and several types of risotto.
• The Chef's Table: The Chef's Table menu changes several times throughout the cruise, allowing guests to sample a variety of multicourse tasting menus that highlight international and regional specialties. The beautiful venue is perfect for a special evening and a "food journey" where you'll savor a selection of Asian, Norwegian, French or other cuisines paired with wines by the ship's master sommelier.

Book a  Viking Ocean Cruises  itinerary on GoToSea.

Holland America Line

Holland America's master chef and creative culinary artist, Rudi Sodamin, has been with the line for around 20 years. He also heads up the Culinary Council, a group of well-known chefs who will be on board for culinary cruises scheduled throughout the year. During these special voyages, guests can attend cooking demonstrations and coffee chats and make reservations for exclusive chef-hosted dinners and events throughout the cruise.

Holland America also has a new initiative with Fresh Fish Ambassador, chef and TV personality Masaharu Morimoto (you'll recognize him from "Iron Chef"). The Global Fresh Fish program affords the line the ability to source more than 80 varieties of fresh fish in destinations around the world. In addition, you'll find certified sustainable Alaskan seafood on the menu during Alaska cruises .

Wine aficionados can look for wine tastings and wine blending sessions on board the ship and excursions to wine regions ashore, some in partnership with Food & Wine magazine. Rudi's Sel De Mer is an excellent choice for a fine dining evening, but the French brasserie-inspired venue is only available on three ships.

Here are two of Holland America's top specialty restaurants:

• Pinnacle Grill: Pinnacle Grill, an upscale steakhouse, is a specialty restaurant (with an additional fee) that's available on all of the line's 11 ships. It's a favorite spot for couples to enjoy a romantic evening and features classic dishes like shrimp cocktail, jumbo lump crab cakes, lobster bisque, filet mignon, surf and turf, and grilled lamb chops. Seafood lovers will also find Alaskan king salmon and halibut. Be sure to save room for a twist on a timeless dessert – the not-so-classic baked Alaska with Ben & Jerry's Cherry Garcia ice cream.
• Tamarind: Tamarind's elegant atmosphere and flavorful Pan-Asian cuisine make this another top pick for Holland American cruisers. The specialty restaurant is available on four ships (for an additional fee) and features dishes from Thailand, Japan, Indonesia and other Asian countries. Appetizers include specialties like crispy duck with a steamed bao bun, shrimp tempura and Chinese five-spice baby back ribs. For the main course, choose from several types of curries, sample Mongolian barbecue lamb chops, or feast on wok-seared shrimp and lobster. Plan to come early to Tamarind Bar to enjoy a cocktail such as a saketini while watching the sunset over the ocean.

Find a  Holland America  cruise on GoToSea.

Disney Cruise Line

Mark Ashman | Courtesy of Disney Cruise Line

Disney Cruise Line offers excellent family-friendly dining options with over-the-top Disney- and movie-themed venues with live character performances and shows. The ships also have upscale adults-only lounges, bars and restaurants that are perfect for a romantic date night. Disney Cruise Line 's unique rotational family dining concept allows guests to experience three different restaurants while having the same dedicated servers every one of those evenings, so the service is personalized throughout your voyage.

Guests on board Disney Wish can dine in the fictional kingdom of Arendelle at Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure. The "Frozen"-themed evening includes Nordic-inspired dishes, musical performances by the characters and even singalongs for the audience. On Disney Wonder , guests are treated to a night filled with New Orleans-style jazz and street parties plus Southern-influenced fare at Tiana's Place. You can also meet Princess Tiana from Disney's animated feature "The Princess and the Frog."

Other top dining venues on Disney Cruise Line include:

Palo: This adults-only Venetian-inspired venue is an upscale spot ideal for a quiet evening without the kids (who will be very happy to spend time at the onboard kids club). The fine dining experience features northern Italian cuisine and floor-to-ceiling windows offering views from nearly every perspective. The specialty restaurant also serves brunch on longer cruises. The prix fixe (or "prezzo fisso") menu includes four courses, or you can opt to choose from the regular menu with a selection of appetizers, salads, pizza, pasta and main dishes that are individually priced. Guests will find Palo on Disney Magic, Wonder, Dream and Fantasy.

On Disney Wish, there's an updated version of the dining concept, Palo Steakhouse. The modern steakhouse and Italian restaurant – inspired by Cogsworth, the enchanted clock from "Beauty and the Beast" – offers cuts of Australian wagyu, Japanese Kobe and Miyazaki beef as well as delightful Italian cuisine and spectacular ocean views. Be sure to splurge on a cocktail at The Rose before dinner if you're dining at Palo Steakhouse. Note that meals at Palo and Palo Steakhouse come with an additional charge.

Remy: The exquisite dining experience at Remy is a collaboration between French chef Arnaud Lallement from l'Assiette Champenoise (a three-Michelin-starred restaurant in France) and Walt Disney World Resort 's chef Scott Hunnel from the renowned restaurant Victoria & Albert's. Your leisurely evening of fine wines and a tasting menu of French fare begins with a signature Taittinger Champagne cocktail prepared tableside.

Special touches in the "Ratatouille"-inspired venue include Frette linens, Christofle silverware, exclusive Bernadaud china made for Remy, Riedel glassware, tableside international cheese service and decanting stations for wines. A Champagne brunch is served on sea days and select port days. There is an additional charge to dine at the restaurant, which is available on Disney Dream and Fantasy.

Explore  Disney Cruise Line  deals on GoToSea.

Virgin Voyages

Courtesy of Virgin Voyages

Virgin Voyages' creative approach to cruising can be found in nearly every aspect of the line's three ships, including its adults-only vibe and fresh approach to dining. Virgin Voyages does not have a traditional main dining room – and there's no onboard buffet or large dining halls. What you will find is more than 20 eateries with menus created by Michelin-starred chefs that are included in the cruise fare. These smaller and more intimate venues include The Galley, a food court-style spot for casual and grab-and-go fare like bento boxes, tacos, salads, sushi, burgers, noodle bowls and desserts.

Meat lovers and vegetarians will love the veggie-forward dishes and indulgent pork or chicken specialties at boldly designed Razzle Dazzle. At Extra Virgin, sample trattoria-style Italian fare like crispy artichokes, seafood pasta, grilled Mediterranean sea bass and a special tableside preparation of affogato for dessert. For a Korean barbecue experience, head over to Gunbae, a fun spot where your evening begins with a shot of soju – Korea's national drink and the best-selling liquor in the world. The Wake is the largest venue on board and the closest restaurant to a main dining room; it sits at the back of the ship and features a raw bar in addition to a selection of steaks and seafood (some offerings come with an upcharge).

There are many excellent options for dinner, but these are two cruiser-favorite venues:

• The Test Kitchen: Inspired by Auguste Escoffier's "Ma Cuisine," The Test Kitchen is a favorite spot for its laboratory-like eatery and cooking school. The interior decor features metal furniture, beakers and test tubes to get diners in the mood for the exploratory culinary evening. Menus at this innovative venue are presented as a list of ingredients, and guests get to watch the chef combine the selected ingredients of the day for the six-course tasting menu. The upscale experience takes about 2.5 hours. Wine, beer or cocktail pairings come at an additional fee.
• Pink Agave: Virgin's stylish Mexican dining venue, Pink Agave, was inspired by the vibrant streets of Mexico City – and the restaurant features what the line calls the most extensive selection of mezcal and tequila at sea. The menu offerings include small, medium and large plates plus desserts. To begin the evening, order a few small bites to share, including esquites (a grilled corn dish) and aguachile, which is a ceviche made with raw tuna, avocado and jicama. Then, for the main course, choose between options like roasted duck or chicken, achiote marinated pork, or a vegetarian stuffed poblano pepper.

Compare  Virgin Voyages  cruises on GoToSea.

Celebrity Cruises

Courtesy of Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity's selection and quality of restaurant venues – and attentive service – have made the line a favorite for food-focused cruisers for many years. If you're sailing on one of the Celebrity Edge-class ships ( Ascent , Beyond , Apex or Edge ), you'll have up to 32 restaurants to choose from with globally inspired menus created by Michelin-starred chef Cornelius Gallagher.

You can also look for special culinary cruises and onboard events designed in partnership with renowned Michelin-star French chef Daniel Boulud, the line's global culinary brand ambassador. Some of the onboard programs include wine-blending classes, whiskey and scotch tastings, mixology classes, and food and wine pairing workshops.

With so many complimentary dining and specialty options on Celebrity ships (making it hard to choose where to dine), here are two of the unique experiences not to be missed:

• Le Voyage by Daniel Boulud: Daniel Boulud's first signature restaurant at sea is inspired by the chef's global travels. The interior of the specialty restaurant, designed by the Parisian architect-design team of Jouin Manku, is as much of an experience as the meal with its intimate decor and banquette seating. Guests can choose between a standard dinner menu, a regular five-course tasting menu or a plant-based tasting menu. Le Voyage is available on the new Celebrity Ascent and Celebrity Beyond and costs an additional fee.
• Le Petit Chef: The innovative and fantastical 3D dining experience at Le Petit Chef is one of the most unique ways to spend an evening at sea. The immersive meal, which is either served in the quirky Qsine restaurant or Le Grand Bistro, depending on the ship, will delight cruisers of all ages, especially younger children. The tiny, animated chef (think about the size of your hand) entertains guests while preparing each dish. You may see him firing up a grill to sear a steak, picking fresh vegetables from a garden or even going on a fishing adventure in search of lobster. After each dish is prepared by "the chef," waiters will arrive with the actual dish. The 1.5-hour-long experience is an additional cost.

Explore  Celebrity Cruises  deals on GoToSea.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Gwen Pratesi has been an avid cruiser since her early 20s. She has sailed on nearly every type of cruise ship built, including the newest megaships, paddle-wheelers on the Mississippi River, and an 18-stateroom river ship on the Mekong River in Vietnam and Cambodia. She has also cruised on a traditional masted sailing ship and on a small luxury expedition vessel in Antarctica crossing the notorious Drake Passage twice. She covers the travel and culinary industries for major publications including U.S. News & World Report.

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Don't stress about your meals on vacation: How to take a cruise if you have dietary restrictions

• Travelers who have dietary restrictions or food allergies require extra planning when taking a trip.
• Celiac Cruise facilitates a celiac-specific training for all crew members on board the ship and has a dedicated galley free of gluten for the duration of the trip.
• They also choose sailings based on guest feedback, and work to safely recreate otherwise gluten-heavy experiences.

David and Sara Stubler took a cruise for their honeymoon in 1995, but after David found out he could not eat gluten six years ago, he thought that was his last.

"Because of my severe reaction to gluten and cross-contact, we didn't think we'd ever go on a cruise again," David Stubler, who has celiac disease and eosinophilic esophagitis and is also dairy-free, told USA TODAY.

Then, the 51-year-old stumbled across Celiac Cruise online, which offers gluten-free sailings in partnership with Royal Caribbean International and AmaWaterways. He and his wife boarded a cruise to the Bahamas with the company in January 2020 to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary.

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"Going into it, I was skeptical, so I had the suitcase full of snacks and emergency food and quickly realized I didn't need any of it," said the mechanical engineer, who is based in Kansas City, Kansas.

For travelers like Stubler who have dietary restrictions or food   allergies, taking a trip requires extra thought and planning.   And while taking a cruise can present a challenge for those with specific dietary restrictions, travelers can do so safely.

Try a specialized sailing

Maureen Basye co-founded Celiac Cruise after her son and husband were diagnosed with celiac disease. She and her family had traveled extensively prior to the diagnosis and wanted to continue to do so, but the experience felt different as she thought through every detail, from what they could eat at the airport to how many bags of food she needed to pack.

On vacation, she said, "the goal is to unplug and really relax and be able to just focus on your family or friends or whatever, and you're consumed 100% with, 'OK, what am I going to eat next, and what would happen if I got sick?' "

Celiac Cruise facilitates a celiac-specific training for all crew members on board the ship in partnership with Boston Children's Hospital, and has a dedicated galley – a kitchen on cruise ships – free of gluten for the duration of the trip.

In addition to regular meals, they offer late-night snacks, and have members of the medical team from Boston Children's Hospital and other experts present research to cruisers and "really give people the chance to learn something about how to better navigate and better live day to day with this disease," Basye said.

Story continues below.

They also choose sailings based on guest feedback, and work to safely recreate otherwise gluten-heavy experiences – such as by providing gluten-free pretzels to passengers in Austria.

Basye said rather than passengers feeling they cannot eat a given food or participate in a certain activity, she said the Celiac Cruise aims to say, "No, actually you can with us. This is what you can do."

Research ahead of time and prepare

Allie Bahn, a food allergy travel consultant who runs the website Miss Allergic Reactor, went on a cruise to Bermuda with her family in high school and has been on several smaller ones as an adult.

"I think in the last decade or so, it definitely seems like they're a lot more accustomed to dealing with different dietary restrictions and also food allergies as well," she added. Carnival Cruise Line, for instance, recently launched a food allergy program .

Bahn, who is allergic to foods including peanuts, tree nuts, and fish, said doing research ahead of time is the best way to safely take a cruise.

• She recommended reading reviews of the cruise line, looking into their protocols, and reaching out to them to "find out what that will look like when you're actually on the cruise."
• She also stressed that travelers should check to see what kind of medical facilities, staff, and supplies the ship has and determine their own comfort level. "If it's a family that hasn't done much traveling before, or an individual that hasn't done that much traveling before, they really need to decide if they feel comfortable with however far they're going, the destination, out in the middle of the ocean," she said.
• Bahn recommended cruisers consider whether they will need a translated "chef card" stating their food allergies, particularly if they are traveling to places where English is less commonly spoken.
• Buffets can be tricky for travelers with food allergies as well. "It's really hard to know," she said. "People can be mixing the different utensils with things." She suggested opting for a sit-down option instead, where guests can communicate their allergies to a server who can relay them to the chef.
• Bring plenty of safe, packaged snacks, too, "so that you always have a backup plan," Bahn said.

Lizzie Reynolds, a food allergy travel agent who focuses on Disney as well as other destinations, said to check rules about what kinds of foods you can bring off the ship while in port, as restrictions may vary.

"If the cruise line doesn't know that information, that should be a red flag," she said. Reynolds added that the company should know those rules.

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Reynolds added that not all companies handle allergies equally. She works with Disney Cruise Line, AmaWaterways, and SeaDream Yacht Club, and also recommended Windstar Cruises, all of which she said have "consistent great care" for food allergies.

What if you are exposed to allergens?

If you are exposed to something you are allergic to, Dr. James Baker, director of the Mary H. Weiser Food Allergy Center at Michigan Medicine, said it is important to have an epinephrine auto-injector with you and be sure it's up to date.

"If you're going to be on the (ship) for a prolonged period of time, let's say a two-week cruise, you may even want to have at least two and maybe four of those, so if you have a reaction you can take care of it," he said.

He also recommended notifying medical staff of your allergies before or when you board, showing them your emergency medications and "make sure that they feel comfortable treating you beyond that."

While Reynolds said traveling with food allergies is still difficult, her 17-year-old daughter who is allergic to peanuts, tree nuts, and dairy, has been on over 20 cruises. She has had anaphylaxis multiple times, but never while on a ship.

Let's Cruise Kids!

Cruise Tips for Families

Cruising with Food Allergies – Top Safety Tips

Last updated January 13, 2021

Traveling with a family member with severe food allergies or dietary restrictions can be challenging.

Cruising with food allergies requires a lot of research and preparation.

Speaking from personal experience (my son has a life-threatening nut allergy and my husband is allergic to milk), before booking a vacation, I spend the majority of my time researching food allergy policies, contacting restaurants and reading reviews.

If you’ve ever been on a cruise before, you’ll know that there is no shortage of delicious foods and dishes to try. There’s sit-down restaurants like the main dining room, midnight buffets, free room service, specialty restaurants, and fast food counters.

As a family with several different food allergies, a cruise vacation is one of the easier trips to plan. Major cruise lines – including those that we consider the best family-friendly lines – make dining and food safety a top priority.

We’ve cruised with Disney , Royal Caribbean , Norwegian, Celebrity, Carnival and Princess and have found that they all take food allergies seriously. They all get the thumbs up when it comes to staying safe on a cruise vacation.

We’ve found that more often than not, cruise staff will go out of their way to accommodate all passenger dietary needs – whether it be a food allergy or special dietary request. However, food allergy and special dietary policies vary among cruise lines. Below is a chart we’ve put together about managing food allergies on five family-friendly cruise lines .

Here are some additional tips to help you plan a stress-free and allergy-friendly cruise vacation for your family:

Before You Book Your Cruise

The table above gives a good overall all look at five major family-friendly cruise lines but for more detailed info, we recommend contacting the cruise line directly or working with a travel agent who is knowledgeable when it comes to cruising with food allergies.

Research food and special diet policies vary for each cruise line. Ask about youth program food policies, the medical staff onboard and clinic hours and any experience they have with responding to food allergy reactions or emergencies.

We recommend choosing a cruise line that offers traditional dining with set times for dinner. This way you can get to know the main dining room staff and waiters, chefs and other staff know what foods are safe and which ones have to be avoided.

Some cruise lines allow guests to bring their own snacks and drinks onboard. If you have a baby or young child who can only drink a certain brand of milk or formula , double check that you’re allowed to bring onboard.

After You Book Your Cruise

Once you’ve decided on the cruise line, ask your travel agent or contact the cruise line directly to inform them about your food allergies or special dietary requests.  They’ll note it on your account and make sure the ship’s staff knows about your allergies prior to boarding. They can also guide you on the necessary paperwork or the steps you need to take once on board.

Cruise lines have limited supplies when it comes to special foods and drinks. By giving them advance notice, they have time to stock up on special drinks and foods before you board.

Fill out any medical forms with relevant info regarding your food allergy.

What To Pack for a Cruise When You Have Food Allergies

Take a list of all your doctors’ names as well as contact phone numbers in case of an emergency.  A letter from your family doctor describing your particular food allergy and emergency procedures is also good to have on hand when traveling.

Most cruise lines have hand sanitizer stations outside each restaurant and food area but just to be safe make sure you pack your own hand wipes and sanitizer as well. On a ship with thousands of other passengers, there’s a chance that food crumbs will be left on the table or chairs. Whenever you’re eating in common areas like the pool deck or buffet, make sure you wipe down the table before digging in.

If you’re allowed to bring allergy-safe snacks and drinks onboard, make sure you know where to get them prior to embarking the cruise ship. You can either bring them from home or make a pit stop at a grocery store prior to heading to the embarkation port.

Consider purchasing travel medical insurance especially if your cruise is outside of your home country.

Things to Do After You Board the Ship

On embarkation day, cruise passengers are often told to head the buffet for lunch. Most first-time cruisers, however, aren’t aware that there is usually one sit-down restaurant open for dining. This is where we go because they’re better equipped to handle allergies – especially when thousands of families are boarding the ship at the same time. Inform the dining staff that you have food allergies and would like to know about safe lunch options.

Although food allergies should already be listed in the ship’s dining system, you should introduce yourself to the head waiter and dining staff in the main dining room on your first night of the cruise. Explain any food allergies and special dietary requirements. The dining staff will either bring out the chef to address your concerns or ask them how they’ll handle your allergy at dinner time.

You can request a copy of the following day’s dinner menu so you can clarify any menu options or ingredients used in dishes you’re interested in trying. If you love a particular dish, don’t be afraid to request it even if you don’t see it on the menu. Most of the time, chefs will be able to prepare a made-to-order dinner for passengers with food allergies or dietary restrictions.

If you have a child with allergies, ensure you speak to the kids’ clubs directors and staff so they’re aware of your child’s allergies. Ask them about epipen policies and whether or not your child should have one on them while participating in club activities.

Also, beware of any treats that are left in your room or handed out at special events – like chocolates on your pillow or cookies or candy during Disney’s Halloween on the High Seas or Holiday cruises.

Familiarize yourself with buffet options and don’t be afraid to ask questions about ingredients or food preparation procedures. When we’re eating at the buffet, we’ll request either the dining staff or chef to walk us through the entire place to let us know what’s safe and what we should avoid.

If you’re having food cooked in front of you, you can request the chef to use new gloves and utensils when they prepare your meal. Be friendly and polite and the staff will go out of their way to accommodate you.

When ordering room service, speak to the room service manager to alert him or her to your dietary needs.

Managing Food Allergies During Shore Excursions

There are several different ways to manage food allergies when exploring a port of call .

For shore excursions you book directly with the cruise line, make sure the staff at the shore excursions desk is aware of any food allergies. If the excursion has a food component (either lunch is included or you’re visiting a local restaurant), they will be able to notify restaurant or dining staff prior to your arrival. It’s also good to double-check once you get there that your allergies or dietary requests have been noted.

If you’re DIYing your day in port – something my family tends to do often – we normally pack food-safe snacks and drinks in our day bag and backpack in case we happen to get hungry or thirsty. If our day in port includes a restaurant or food stop, I usually contact them in advance to make sure there are safe lunch options for the entire travel group. I also have cards printed out that describe the food allergy in the local language as another precautionary measure.

Another good tip for those with food allergies is to plan shorter excursions. Planning a 2 or 3-hour excursion makes it easier to head back to the ship for lunch where you won’t have to worry as much about cross contamination or unsafe foods.

Final Thoughts

It’s easy to manage severe food allergies while on a cruise vacation. Cruise lines take food allergies seriously. Their success depends on making cruisers feel safe while still having fun.

As long as the cruise line is given advance notice, you do the proper research by asking questions and sometimes giving some reminders, you’ll be able to relax, eat and enjoy your cruise.

Just like managing food allergies on a daily basis at home, the most important thing when cruising with food allergies is to have all emergency medication and epipens with you at all times.

Have you had any personal experience cruising with food allergies? What are your tips on how to stay safe while cruising around the world?

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Cruising with Food Allergies

Cruises give you the best of both worlds, allowing you to see a variety of cities while eating most, if not all, your meals in a safe, controlled environment. Not all cruise lines are created equal, and the key is knowing the right questions to ask. Use our 12 tips for cruising with food allergies and our cruise line resource that details booking information and dining accommodations from the major lines. And to make the whole experience a breeze, consider Pixie Lizzie, a travel agent and food allergy mom.

12 Tips for Cruising with Food Allergies | Pixie Lizzie | Cruise Line Resource

1. Consider using a travel agent. A travel agent that specializes in cruises and has experience with food allergies, either firsthand or for their clients, can be extremely beneficial. Agents don’t generally charge a fee, and the ticket prices are the same as if you buy directly from the cruise line. Look for someone who has personally traveled on the ships they recommend. See our featured travel agent, Pixie Lizzie. 2. Find a line that will plan ahead with you. Look for a cruise line that will let you start planning for safe meals before you board — some lines will have you wait until you board. The benefit is you’ll have the opportunity to communicate your needs ahead of time and understand how they can accommodate them. Note: Some lines require up to 90 days advance notice about your allergens. Find which line meets your needs! 3. Ask about the dining protocols. Find out if they’ve had experience with food allergic customers. Choose a line that can articulate the allergy policy, including detail on how the staff is trained and how to best navigate meals (i.e. if allergies are noted on the menus). Determine whether you can or should special order allergy-friendly meals ahead of time. See if you can bring outside food to supplement dining options and/or for excursions. 4. Determine if the ship has adequate medical staff and supplies. A safe ship should have a doctor and nurses on call 24/7. They should also stock epinephrine, steroids and a breathing apparatus onboard. If you plan to use a kids club, ask if employees are trained to use auto-injectors and have undergone background checks. 5. Purchase travelers insurance. This type of insurance provides coverage if your travel plans change and covers the costs for transportation to a secondary medical facility in the event of a reaction. Food allergies are considered a pre-existing condition, so make sure your policy covers that.

6. Eat in the main dining room whenever possible. The main dining room is the safest place to eat if you have allergies, as opposed to buffets, because your meals will be made fresh. On some lines, you will have the same waiter every night, which is ideal. Another strategy is to ask to see the menu ahead of time so you can order in advance. 7. Choose the earliest seating. Often cruise lines have first and second seating in the dining room. The first seating ensures you are not eating right before bedtime.

8. Plan your meals. You may not be able to bring food off the boat due to customs regulations, so it may be best to eat before you get off the ship. If the line has allowed you to bring snacks on the boat to take them on an excursion, they must be pre-packaged and there will be restrictions such as no fruits, vegetables or meats. 9. Keep it short. Consider a short excursion if you want to avoid having to navigate meals in the port city. 10. Find allergy-friendly options. Use the Spokin app to find reviews in 43 countries to help you find the safest restaurants wherever you are! 11. Bring allergy cards. Consider printing allergen cards written in the languages of all your port cities.

After Arrival

12. Say thanks after a good experience. Share a review of your cruise line and any other restaurants you visited in the Spokin app!

Packing List

• Auto-injectors Bring a minimum of two auto-injectors and any other medications you may need.
• An Auto-injector Prescription In the event you’ve had to use an auto-injector on the boat and you need to refill at a port, this will allow you to avoid having to call your allergist.
• Personal Care Items If needed, bring your own travel-sized bottles of allergy safe toiletries (e.g. shampoo, body wash and suntan lotion).
• Snacks If allowed, bring snacks for excursions and to supplement the ships offerings, especially desserts.

Featured Travel Agent: Pixie Lizzie

Lizzie Reynolds is a travel agent who specializes in Disney vacations through her company Pixie Lizzie . She is also a food-allergy mom with a daughter managing severe dairy, peanut and tree nut allergies. She’s an experienced cruiser and has been known to bring gifts onboard for chefs that take care of her clients. Her blog, AllergyFreeMouse.com is the go-to resource for Disney vacations.

Her process is extensive, and she helps her clients navigate every step of the way. While Disney is her favorite cruise line, she’s also a fan of SeaDream , a yachting company whose executive chefs make all meals from scratch and catered to your allergens. Note: This line is only for children ten years or older. She’s an undeniably unique resource for food allergy families.

Cruise Line Resource

Before You Book: Notify the line’s Special Services team about your allergies and dietary restrictions by calling 407-566-3602 at least 45 days in advance of your cruise!  

Dining Accommodations: Disney can accommodate the top 8 food allergies at their table-service restaurants. They can also accommodate outside the top 8 allergens and encourage you to call in advance so they can prepare for your visit. They don’t have separate kitchens to prepare allergen-free items or separate dining areas for guests with allergies or intolerances.

Before You Book:  If you made your reservation on their website, you can add your allergy information to the “Update personal information” section. You can also email an allergen request to [email protected] .

Dining Accommodations: Allergies are best accommodated in the main dining room. Confirm your dietary request with the restaurant manager at dinner the first night of the cruise, and remind your server at each meal!

Before You Book: Contact the Access Desk to discuss policies and procedures concerning special diets prior to your cruise. Special dietary requests should be submitted with this form at least 45 days prior to sailing.

Dining Accommodations: Upon embarkation, guests meet with the Restaurant Manager or the Executive Chef for arrangements and to go over their dietary needs. Guests may bring non-perishable, pre-packaged snacks onto the ship to be stored in their cabin.

Before You Book: Contact the Ship Services Department at (800) 541-1576. Complete a Special Requirements Information (SRI) form to provide detailed allergen information.

Dining Accommodations: Guests with a variety of severe food allergies sail with Holland America Line regularly. Contact the Dining Room Manager upon boarding to review the details of these special dietary needs. The galley itself has many different areas of food preparation, which can help reduce the possibility of cross-contamination. However, meals are prepared in mass quantities on board, so there is always the possibility of some cross-contamination.

Before You Book: You or your travel consultant must advise Princess in writing of any special diet, allergies or medical needs. Submit allergen requests in writing no later than 35 days prior to departure for cruises to Alaska, Canada/New England, Caribbean, Hawaii, Mexico, Panama Canal and Coastal Getaways. For all other cruises, requests must be received no later than 65 days prior to departure.  

Dining Accommodations: Once onboard, please check with the Maître D’ to confirm your allergen requests.

Before You Book: Email the Special Needs Department 40 days prior to sailing and inform them of your allergy at [email protected] .

Dining Accommodations: On the first evening, speak with the Maître D’ to let them know you have allergies, and remind your server at the beginning of every meal. In the buffet, talk with the manager so they can answer any questions about ingredients in a particular dish. All items prepared for guests with food allergies are handled separately from the main food production. Also, annual retraining is provided to ensure that staff members know the latest information regarding the 14 major food allergens and intolerances.

Before You Book: Dietary requests are handled onboard the ship. However, to notify the staff in advance, email the Special Requests Department at [email protected] .

Dining Accommodations: Discuss your food allergies with the head waiter at dinner on the first night of the cruise. Allergies can best be accommodated in the main dining room. When dining at the buffet, speak with the senior dining staff.

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Cruising with Food Allergies: What You Need to Know

Cruising with food allergies can be smooth sailing with these tips from CruiseExperts.com

Planning a vacation should be an enjoyable experience from choosing your desired destination to daydreaming about activities and adventures you will enjoy. But living with food allergies can sometimes put a damper on traveling. Research should be done ahead of time regarding food options whether you are cruising or choosing a different method of transportation. Thankfully, cruise lines work hard to accommodate guests with food allergies. Many cruise lines employ award-winning chefs who are educated and trained when it comes to food allergies and the seriousness of the issue at hand. Plus, the goal of these cruise lines is to ensure you have a safe and enjoyable vacation, while also tending to any concerns you may have. If you or a loved one will soon be cruising with food allergies, here are some tips to help you protect yourself and enjoy your trip as much as possible:

Decide which cruise line would work best

In addition to destination, price, amenities, etc., certain cruise lines have specific systems in place to accommodate guests with allergies and dietary needs. Some of the best cruise lines for food allergies include Azamara, Carnival, Celebrity, Crystal, Disney, Holland, Norwegian, Oceania, Princess, Royal Caribbean and more. Some of these cruise lines, such as Azamara, will even send you an invitation to meet with the executive chef and restaurant manager to discuss allergies and special meal options.

Inform your travel agent ahead of time

Starting to plan your dream vacation? If so, let your skilled cruise agent know ahead of time about any food allergies, medical concerns, etc. Whether you have a diary, shellfish, gluten or nut allergy (among other possibilities), your travel agent will mark your account so the cruise line and its food staff are well aware. In addition, he or she can offer tips and suggestions about food options onboard your chosen vessel and accommodations that can be made. Because of the hustle and bustle aboard the ship on the first day, it is best to notify the cruise ship ahead of time rather than the day you step onboard.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions

Not sure what is in a particular dish, sauce or condiment? Don’t be afraid to ask your wait staff or head waiter to see the label, or ask the chef about the ingredient list. Taking a few minutes to familiarize yourself with the ingredients beforehand is by far a better option than dealing with a potential food allergy reaction later. Cruiseline chefs and wait staff serve hundreds if not thousands of guests with food allergies each week and understand the importance of knowing a meal’s ingredient.

Consider choosing a set dinner time

While some cruise lines are known for their freestyle dining options, choosing a set dinner option may work best when food allergies are involved. This allows you to introduce yourself to the wait staff scheduled for your table during the cruise, and thoroughly explain any food allergies.

Don’t be afraid to try something new

If you are about to embark on your very first cruise, get ready for daily meals options that are unique and mouthwatering. Chefs typically go all out at dinnertime, so if you see something on the menu that looks delicious, try it out. If there is an ingredient you are unable to eat, ask your head waiter to have the dish specially prepared with safe ingredient options. In most cases, the kitchen staff will be more than happy to provide you with a scrumptious dish that won’t affect your food allergies.

Wondering which companies offer the best cruise lines for families that deal with food allergies or other medical concerns? Speak to a skilled CruiseExperts.com cruise agent today to find the perfect ship for your needs. Visit www.CruiseExperts.com or contact us directly at 1-888-804-CRUISE (2784) to learn more. And, don’t forget to like us on Facebook and join our InnerCircle for exclusive offers and cruise news you can use! Also, check out our new Resource Center , where you can receive expert knowledge from us before your next cruise or cruisetour!

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Practical Tips For Cruising On The Royal Caribbean With Food Allergies

February 4, 2022 //  by  Ciara //   Leave a Comment

Are you wanting to embark on a cruise adventure, but you’re nervous about traveling with food allergies or with a disability? Well, cozy up with a cup of tea and let me share with you the top tips fro cruising with Royal Caribbean ( or any cruise line ) to inspire your adventurous, allergy-friendly journey.

Before I drop the deets ( details ) about tips for cruising with food allergies, all opinions in this piece are my own.

News alert : Cruising is officially back! While November is the transition for comfy snug weather and the beginning of the holiday season ( hello Christmas markets ) , it also marked the day Royal Caribbean embarked on its first cruise from LA in over a decade. If you’re planning a visit to Southern California and love exploring the seas, consider adding a cruise to your bucketlist.

Feel free to jump ahead!

Fun facts about the Navigator of the Seas

What to do before boarding, self-service buffets are a thing of the past, onboard entertainment is fire, you have to book most of your experiences in advance, vaccinated or un-vaccinated, masks requirements, shorter sailings, roundup of tips for cruising with food allergies, 1. alert the staff beforehand, 2. ask the restaurant managers before you eat, 3. read the labels, 4. dine at the specialty eateries, 5. pack an allergy kit, 6. download allergy-friendly food apps for off-shore excursions, 7. buy travel insurance, 8. buy & pack allergy-friendly snacks, 9. book shore excursions that fit your needs, more travel resources.

Before setting sail on the Navigator of the Seas, here are a couple interesting things to know about the ship.

• The ship is 1,020 feet long.
• There are various cruise lengths you can choose and the shortest sailing is 3 days long.
• The ship is 161 feet wide.
• It comfortable fits about 3,970 guest.
• There’s 1,230 crew members from all over the globe. ( Their name tags will tell you what country they’re from .)
• There’s a total of 15 decks, 14 of which are for the guest.
• On board you’ll find a three story bar called The Lime & Coconut.
• It’s one of the only cruise ships to have an escape room aboard.
• Other unique activities on board include a laser tag arena, mini golfing, flow rider (where you can practice surfing) and a dive center.
• The sunsets over the ocean are amazing to experience from the top deck.

The Navigator of the Seas is one of Royal Caribbean’s most adventurous ships. Aboard you’ll find one of the longest water slides at seas called The Blaster, a hair drying bar, multiple hot tubs overlooking the water, and a colorful promenade lined with bars and a cute cafe.

You’ll also find Starbucks and Ben & Jerry’s to satisfy those coffee and ice cream cravings along the cruising route.

At first, when I was invited on as a guest to experience the Navigator of the Seas, I was hesitant to go. A couple months ago, I completely tore my Achilles and needed surgery. I couldn’t walk for months, and the pain from the surgery was excruciating. While the pain had subsided substantially, I couldn’t walk too far and I got tired pretty easily.

Fast forward to embarking day, I was pretty nervous about my dealing with pain management and traveling . While I’m not a novice to traveling with injuries … I still get nervous to travel.

This is a totally normal feeling.

Not to mention having food allergies can also make it daunting to travel. Nevertheless it’s completely doable and can be quite enjoyable once you feel prepared. If you’re new to navigating travel with food allergies, start here with these posts to help you feel more confident in planning:

• How To Juggle Food Allergies And Travel
• The Best Allergy-Friendly Travel Apps
• Easy Lunch Ideas To Pack On The Road

All that to say, if you’re nervous about cruising with a disability or food allergies, cruise lines make it tremendously easy to have a good time while also being highly accessible.

First, before you set sail and after you book your trip, alert the staff about your special needs via the guest special needs form . Tell them about any special diets, accommodations and anything else you need to make sure you have an amazing cruise experience. This is by far one of the most important tips for cruising with any special needs.

In addition, they have wheelchairs available at the entrance ( free of charge ) and will wheel you up to your stateroom.

The website says to alert them at least 30 days beforehand. However, my trip wasn’t booked that far in advance so I just let them know asap. I ended up in a stateroom with a balcony, but was instantly upgraded with an accessible stateroom with a balcony once I was on board.

It was a bit stressful changing rooms, but totally worth it the extra space and comfort. Thus, the sooner you can let them know, the better.

Here’s a photo of what a stateroom with a balcony looks ( left ) like versus an accessible stateroom with a balcony ( right ). There are no steps in the bedroom or the bathroom, including the shower. Everything is flat. When using the balcony, just make sure to let down the latch so its a ramp instead of a step out onto the balcony.

What it’s like + tips for cruising during the pandemic

Grabbing your own food at a buffet might be a thing of the past. At least on cruise ships it is! I’ve been on a cruise before ( hello Carnival ) and really enjoyed my cruising experience to the never-ending beaches of the Bahamas.

However, that was pre-COVID, and now there are some big differences. Below you’ll find exactly what to expect and the best tips for cruising so you can adjust your expectations accordingly.

While the gigantic buffets draw countless tourist to cruise the sea and indulge, the way to get your food has changed. As you enter the dining commons (this doesn’t apply to specialty restaurants), you’re greeted by servers who highly encourage you to wash your hands at the hand washing stations. Most people gladly wash their hands, but there are some who refuse.

Don’t be that person. If you refuse, note that you will have a server chasing you down with a bottle of hand sanitizer in the most elegant yet “don’t spread your germs” kind of way.

As you head toward the buffet lines, a different server will hand you a clean plate and a clean utensil pack. Here you’ll find aesthetically pleasing food with various delightful options ranging from American, to Indian, to whatever cuisine is being highlighted that day.

Note, you’re not allowed to grab your own food and all the food is plated by a server. The only exceptions are grabbing fresh pressed juices and fruit fries. Everything else, including grabbing a cup of coffee or tea, is done for you.

Whether you disembark at the port or plan to stay on the boat, expect to have some fire onboard activities. Not only did I find this to be the case on the Navigator of the Seas, but the global cruising industry says this will be a big trend across all cruise lines.

Some of the best entertainment aboard was the surfing simulator, an escape room, a hair blow dry bar, the upper deck hot tub (great for watching the sunsets) and the ice skating show. These were my personal favorites, but that’s not all you’ll find on the ship. Some other options include the casinos, bars, night club, enlarged pool deck, water slides, a three story bar, cupcake classes and various other classes.

The next big change is you must reserve in advance any show you’d like to see. Previously, if you saw a showtime that fit into your day you could just show up, but now you can’t. You have to book these shows in advance via the cruise app, which the crew reminded us often.

Although, this wasn’t heavily enforced since the ship was only one-fourth occupied.

I’m sure this varies across cruise ships, but these tips for cruising are great to keep in mind when planning.

This has become a pretty controversial topic and I’m not here to say what you should do. I’m just reporting what it was like on the cruise ship regarding vaccination status.

With that in mind, according to the staff about 99% of people were vaccinated on the ship.

Before you can board you the ship, you do have to show proof of a negative COVID test taken no more than 2-3 days out and proof of vaccination. This can vary across cruise ships.

Side note : Double check the CDC for current info about cruising.

The question of the hour — do you have to wear your mask? Well, this depends on the cruise line and what country you are visiting.

On Royal Caribbean this wasn’t enforced after you boarded and while you were on the boat. However, when we disembarked in Ensenada, Mexico ( it’s optional to get off here ), masks were required to leave and reenter the boat.

Frankly, I was shocked that Royal Caribbean was offering 3-day cruises, but after the year we’ve had … it makes complete sense. Due to Covid-19, shorter sailings is a newer trend for cruise lines as trips over seven days aren’t recommend.

I’m still a tad weary of being bunked up on a boat for over a week with strangers. Plus, I’ve been sick sea before, so taking an expedition with shorter sails is my preference.

If you’re prone to sea sickness, here are a couple things I recommend packing:

• Ginger essential oil — dilute and apply this to your wrist or behind your ear
• Motion sickness band — wear it on your wrist to help prevent motion sickness
• Dramamine — grab the non-drowsy kind so your not asleep the whole time on the boat.
• Anti-nausea lozenges or ginger chews — eat them whenever you feel nauseous.

The best part about shorter sailings is you really get to experience all the boats amenities and activities, especially if you don’t get off at the destination. My top tips for cruising on a shorter sailing is to get there early on embarkation day so you can enjoy the full day aboard. I made the mistake of coming late and it made a huge difference. I felt like the trip was cut short because I didn’t board until closer to 5:00 pm and I wasted the first day.

Don’t be like me.

If you’re planning to taking a 3-4 day cruise, get there early.

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Here are some of the top travel tips for cruising to help you feel confident and safe when traveling.

This is by the far one of the most important things to do when booking a cruise. Letting the staff know beforehand about your food allergies, food preferences, or any other physical accommodations you need before you set sail creates for a safer experience.

Each cruise line has a different time table about how far out you need to alert the staff. For Royal Caribbean cruises, its recommended to give the crew members a 30 days heads up.

Before you indulge in the amazing and unlimited food aboard the ship ask the staff if it’s allergy-friendly approved. It’s best to ask the restaurant manager or the head chef, but if you can’t find them ask any server in the dining areas. They’ll be able to ask for you or point you in the direction of who to ask.

Also, keep reminding the servers and restaurant managers about your food allergies while on board. I did this and it made a huge difference. Some restaurant managers even went out of their way to recommend food items for me to eat, and would bring me different food options they thought I’d enjoy. They were extremely kind!

Any foods that are naturally free of the top 8 allergens is labeled. You’ll see dishes with a gluten-free, vegan, or vegetarian labeled underneath the name of the dish. Those dishes are typically safe to consume, but I always double check with the restaurant manager.

Not feeling the dining halls? Consider dining at the special eateries found on board. Aboard the Navigator of the Seas you’ll find several special dining options. The standouts I found that were excellent for diners with food allergies were:

• Chef’s Table
• Hooked Seafood
• Izumi Sushi
• Chops Grille

Each of the restaurants listed above were able to make gluten-free and dairy-free options while I dined at the restaurant. However, the best advice I would give is to check the restaurant beforehand (you can find this on your cruises website) and again tell to your server.

If you’re lucky, they may even bring you a secret specialty dish!

This happened to me on my last night of the cruise and the waiter surprised me with a allergy-friendly decadent dessert. It honest made my night! The lesson here is kindness goes far, you never know what someone is going through so spread kindness wherever you travel .

The first thing thrown into your suitcase should be an allergy kit. Seriously, throw that in asap. Inside your kit pack everything you need in case of emergencies, cross-contamination, and travel snacks for when you’re hungry. I won’t go into detail into exactly what I put in my allergy kit, but you can read the specifics here .

Travel apps and food apps are the best for using off-shore. Whether you’re stateside or adventuring through a foreign country, apps can really help you find safe food choices and build confidence while traveling.

One of the best travel apps for food allergies, particularly those with gluten-free allergies is Find Me Gluten Free . It’s database is gigantic and it easily discovers safe restaurants for travelers with gluten allergies to dine at.

I’ve used this app countless times in Europe and the U.S, and I’ve never had any issues with it. In some countries the database is smaller, so it’s best to play around with the app before you travel to a new destination.

On the other hand, if you don’t find a ton of options, don’t let the lack of options discourage you. Pack snacks, bring your food staples, and eat more raw plant based options such as fresh fruits and vegetables.

For more allergy-friendly travel apps, read through this post — Best Travel Apps For Travelers With Allergies .

Splurging on travel insurance is another one of the top tips for cruising. It’s always a good idea and is especially handy when you’re traveling overseas. Having it keeps you prepared for those ( knock on wood ) emergencies when your away from home.

If an emergency happens and you’re rushed to the hospital, travel insurance will cover it. Need to visit the doctor or buy some medicine…the insurance has your back. Travel insurance has saved our butts countless occasions and is an easy way to protect your health while traveling.

All cruises come loaded with copious amounts of food. There’s vegan food, gluten-free options, dairy-free alternatives and much more aboard a ship. Although there’s countless options, I’ve found it’s always best to come prepared with snacks just in case .

This comes in handy especially if you’re planning to get off the ship. Shop on Amazon for pack-able allergy-friendly snacks and throw them in your suitcase to eat while you’re off or on the boat.

Note that nobody ever complains about having too many snacks, so go crazy!

Keep your special needs in mind when booking your off-shore excursions, but don’t let it stop you from trying those adventurous excursions you’ve been eyeing. If you have food allergies and want to do a guided tour, know that most tours include lunch or dinner. Ask the staff to double check the food being served and ask if it’s possible to accommodate your needs. The same goes for traveling with a disability.

Whether you’re planning to spend 24 hours in Ensenada , or 24 hours in a different city — booking your excursions earlier is one of the best tips for cruising to help you feel more prepared and confident in your trip. If you’re planning to take this exact cruise, Royal Caribbean’s 3-day cruise to Ensenada , here’s a list of excursion and activities in to choose from.

Personally, I prefer exploring on my own terms for a more intimate experiences with the land and locals. This gives me more control over the food I eat and partaking in accessible adventures.

For cruisers with food allergies you can bring food from home, or use travel apps to help you find gluten-free or vegan local dining options.

I was a guest of Royal Caribbean and was invited onto their preview sailing of Navigator of the Seas. All opinions are my own. See their official website for more information on cruising.

Disclaimer: This post contains some affiliate links. That means I will receive a small commission on the purchase at no additional cost to you. Thanks for your support friend!

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How To Cruise With Food Allergies: Vital Safety Tips

Cruising with food allergies can be tricky if you don’t plan ahead. Research the cruise line policies, and make sure to notify everyone about your dietary needs.

I’ve had good experiences cruising with food allergies in the past, but it’s always best to be prepared for any mishaps. With a little extra planning, you can still enjoy sailing the seas without compromising your health.

In case you are wondering, I have celiac disease and cannot eat gluten. I am severely lactose intolerant and allergic to peanuts, almonds, and hazelnuts.

While I can eat some nuts (walnuts, cashews, pistachios, and pecans), I avoid them all when traveling for fear of cross-contamination. Anyone with allergies can totally relate to this.

One of the biggest fears when traveling is having an allergic reaction on a cruise ship. Peanut allergies are common, especially among children. If you have a child with a peanut allergy, don’t worry, as most staff are trained to use an epinephrine injector (EpiPen).

If you’re not sure who to sail with, it’s a good idea to read cruise reviews of passengers who have sailed with any food allergies.

Notify Your Cruise Line Before Sailing

When choosing a cruise line, it’s best to sail with one that speaks your language. In land-based restaurants, I found most mistakes in food preparations result from staff not understanding my language.

At the time of booking, I notify my travel agent of my allergies. They will add an allergy alert to my booking so the cruise line is notified. After that, be sure to call the cruise line (if you did not book with them directly) to confirm they have received the allergy alert.

Since most lines now use an app, some allow you to add your allergies to the app.

A few weeks before sailing, I call the cruise line again as a reminder. Why the second call? Sometimes, cruise lines will offer to add items on board to cater to your allergy.

One of my many allergies is to milk. While most cruise ships will keep a supply of soy milk or coconut milk, there usually aren’t other options.

However, when I booked a  Carnival Cruise , the cruise line offered rice milk, goat’s milk, and lactose-free milk to be put on board if I preferred those instead. I was thrilled that they made such an offering and took my allergies seriously.

Some cruise lines require advance notice of any food allergies before sailing. They want you to have the best experience possible. So, contact them using this guideline.

Holland America – contact Ship Services at least three weeks prior to your departure: 1–800–541–1576

Celebrity Cruises – prefers 45 days’ notice of food allergies, especially if you require soy milk onboard.

Carnival Cruise Line – does not require advance notice. But contact customer service on the first day. If you have any questions or special requests, email them at [email protected]

Royal Caribbean – requires 45 days’ notice before your cruise. You can fill out a form online.

Disney Cruise Line – To inquire about special meal options, contact your travel agent or Disney Cruise Line by calling (800) 951-3532

Princess Cruises – requires 35 days’ notice.

Norwegian Cruises – does not require advance notice. But contact customer service on the first day.

Before sailing, be sure to purchase sufficient medical insurance to cover you for your entire vacation, both land and cruise. It’s best to carry an emergency contact list at all times.

Carry An EpiPen

My medical bag includes a decent supply of antihistamines, and my purse consists of an epinephrine injector (EpiPen). If you carry an EpiPen, you might want to wear a medical alert bracelet  too. A few weeks before embarkation, check the expiry date of the EpiPen.

Also, I travel with “safe’ foods I can eat while on route to my departure port since airports have little to no selection of allergy-free foods.

In my suitcase, I often pack packages of gluten-free crackers, gluten-free and nut-free protein bars, and a selection of favorite “safe” snacks to have on board.

Just in case the worst should happen, and I get “glutenized,” I always have a large supply of upset stomach medication. Most cruise lines allow me to bring my “safe” foods on board so long as they don’t need to be refrigerated, frozen, or prepared by kitchen staff.

To avoid contact with unidentifiable crumbs on a table, pack disinfecting wipes. Travel pack wipes fit in a purse, backpack, or day bag.

Notify Staff Of Any Food Allergies

On the  first day of my cruise , I stop by the customer service desk to add my food allergies to my account. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about the menus, the alternatives, and how the cruise line can best cater to your particular needs.

On embarkation day, while staff ushers passengers to the buffet for lunch, stop by a sit–down restaurant to see if it is open. Many times, it is available even when the staff has said it is closed.

Avoiding buffets means anyone with allergies is less likely to have the wrong food. By choosing a sit–down restaurant, I can inform the wait staff and head waiter of my allergies.

This way, my food is prepared, especially for me, in a separate kitchen area without any cross-contamination risk.

Breakfast Gluten-Free Options

Every cruise line carries gluten-free bread, and some supply bagels too. Ask the servers about your available options, even when they are not listed. Gluten-free bread means French toast is also available.

Some breads and buns are made onboard, while some cruise lines purchase ready-made items.

During my  Holland America cruise , I was able to get gluten-free waffles for breakfast. Being celiac, I avoid breakfast sausages, hash browns, and sauces because they have wheat fillers or are coated with wheat in most cases.

Breakfast is a meal I can eat almost anywhere on the ship because I stick to whole fruits, fresh eggs, and unprocessed foods. If you are allergic to milk and eat omelets from the buffet, here’s a word of caution.

Most cruise lines now use liquid eggs, which they buy in large containers. The liquid product is a processed item that usually contains other ingredients, sometimes milk.

So, when having an omelet, I always request fresh eggs and not liquid eggs. Depending on your allergy and its severity, you may want to avoid the buffet.

Cunard carries a large selection of gluten-free items for breakfast. They also have a dedicated toaster to avoid cross-contamination.

Avoid The Buffet And Cross-Contaminated Food

During my cruise, I eat all of my lunches and dinners in the main dining room since I don’t know the buffet food ingredients. For the most part, none of the buffet staff can confirm the elements either.

If I ask, I’m usually waiting 5 or 10 minutes while someone runs to the kitchen to find a head chef. While he might answer my question, he won’t hang around to tell me the ingredients of everything on the buffet line.

With hundreds of passengers converging on the buffet, there’s a risk; a passenger has placed a serving spoon in the wrong place. So, avoid the buffet, and eat in a restaurant instead, especially if you have severe food allergies.

I was impressed with my recent Celebrity Solstice dining experience . Celebrity has added signage to the buffet food, notifying you whether the food is gluten-free, lactose-free, sugar-free, or vegetarian.

At dinner, choose a set dining time over anytime dining, because you’ll have the same waiter. Consistency is the key to eating safely, and dealing with the same staff member means not having to repeat my dietary restrictions.

Also, in the dining room, the Maitre D or assistant restaurant manager should visit you at each dinner seating and discuss what the kitchen can prepare the next day.

Then you can choose lunch and dinner for the following day. I usually don’t have a choice for dessert. Instead, the pastry chef will surprise me with a special dessert that is safe for me to eat.

The only exception was when I cruised on Cunard Queen Elizabeth. They offered to make ANYTHING I wanted, including a gluten-free and lactose-free cheesecake which was heavenly.

While all cruise ships carry gluten-free bread, buns, and sometimes bagels, not many carry a lactose-free spread. As more and more people develop allergies, cruise lines have worked hard to cater to your dietary needs.

There also take great care to prevent cross-contamination in the kitchen. While it might be tempting to share your food, it’s best not to sample your spouse’s or kids’ food because it may make you very sick.

Specialty Restaurants And Food Allergies

Throughout my many cruises, I have eaten at various specialty restaurants. I found the results to be hit-and-miss.

While I have informed the restaurant of my intolerances when booking, sometimes that critical information was lost at mealtime as with my experience at Le Petit Chef at Qsine.

Most Italian restaurants carry gluten-free pasta, but the sauces generally contain milk. If you plan to eat at a paid Japanese restaurant, I have yet to come across a ship that carries gluten-free soy sauce.

Some specialty restaurants cook the food in front of you. In the case of an allergy, request that your food to cooked separately in a clean pan. In most instances, your meal will be prepared and cooked in the back, in a separate part of the kitchen to prevent cross-contamination.

I’ve enjoyed the best gluten-free food at Jamie’s Italian (Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas), Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria (Discovery Princess), and the Chops Grille (Serenade of the Seas). Steakhouses are always the best option since entrees usually consist of meat without sauces.

Royal Caribbean’s Jamie’s Italian had amazing food choices, and their fancy French fries weren’t coated in wheat.

Room Service

When ordering food for your stateroom, inform the staff of your dietary needs. Depending on your allergy, ordering room service may not be possible. Most cruise lines offer continental breakfast with toast, pastries, cereal, fruit, yogurt, and muffins. Not much without wheat!

However, Cunard provides a full European breakfast with eggs done the way you want, bacon, sausages, grilled tomato, and baked beans. Once I cruised with Cunard, I enjoyed breakfast in my stateroom – several times!

Children With Food Allergies

Raising children with food allergies is challenging, and traveling, is more so. Teach your children not to get and eat food without you present.

When cruising with children who have dietary restrictions, contact your cruise line to learn about their policies. Onboard kids’ clubs have rules about children with special diets and those that carry an EpiPen.

Make sure the staff at the kids’ clubs know how to use an EpiPen. When it comes to consumables, educate your child not to share food with the children. Be informed and understand the policy before embarkation day.

One of the best cruise lines for children with allergies is Disney.

Eating Safely On Port Days

Unless my itinerary is to a place where the language is something other than my own (English), eating out is generally not a problem. Just in case I get hungry or need a snack, I always carry something that I have brought from home.

This is when that gluten-free stash of snacks comes in handy. While some cruise lines are willing to prepare a takeaway lunch, others are not.

Also, bear in mind some ports are very strict about bringing food into their country, mostly certain fruits, and vegetables.

Have you ever seen the dogs in the cruise terminal and thought they were drug-sniffing dogs? No, these are food sniffing dogs, and I have personally seen the port authorities confiscate bananas and other fruits from passengers’ purses.

If you have booked a shore excursion that includes food, chances are it won’t be gluten-free. Taking your own snack will help to ward off the hunger pangs until you’re back on the ship.

Should you book a tour through the cruise line, they may be able to accommodate your special diet with enough notice.

Trying To Make A Difference After The Cruise

In 2009, I took my very first cruise to Alaska. Back then,  cruise food  was void of gluten-free symbols. After my cruise, I wrote to the CEO of Celebrity Cruise lines and suggested they add gluten-free, vegan, and sugar-free logos to their menus and buffet.

After all, there is a growing population of gluten-free people and many senior cruisers, some of which have diabetes. To my surprise, I received a lovely response.

Today, cruise lines have made considerable strides in addressing passengers with dietary concerns, making cruising with allergies a little easier. If you have food allergies and are afraid to cruise, don’t be.

Major cruise lines are well aware that there are a growing number of people on special diets or have food restrictions. Don’t be scared to ask questions; a lot of questions.

If you are fearful of becoming a medical emergency, choose a ship with a helicopter landing pad.

Gluten-Free Options When Cruising

Here is a list of gluten-free food options available on some cruise lines. Items will vary per ship. There are many more things available than what is listed here, as most things are made to order.

Carnival : pizza, pasta, bread for deli sandwiches, cakes upon request, beer, chocolate melting cake, hamburger buns.

Princess : bread, pasta, pizza. You can enjoy their afternoon tea if you’ve given 24 hrs. notice of your allergies.

Royal Caribbean : bread, bagels, pancakes, muffins, beer, chocolate flourless cake, French toast, pizza, panna cotta, sandwiches, cupcakes, and a gluten-free, packed lunch with select excursions.

Celebrity : bread, pizza, cookies, oatmeal, muffins, cake, macaroons.

Holland America : bread, waffles, muffins, hot dog and hamburger buns, pasta, and pre-made desserts.

Cunard : bread, waffles, cereal, buns, tarts, cakes, pizza, pasta, muffins. They will even create a gluten-free and lactose-free afternoon tea with scones and clotted cream.

Outside of the restaurants, you can often get foods that you can eat if you request them. On my Ovation of the Seas cruise, the Café Promenade would provide gluten-free sandwiches and desserts if I gave them 24 hours notice.

No matter how efficient or inefficient your cruise line is, ultimately, it’s up to you to practice due diligence. Even major cruise lines make mistakes, and that may be more common when you have multiple allergies or deal with different crew members.

Examine your food when it comes to the table, and never be afraid to confirm its ingredients. I’ve even asked a family member to taste something to see if it contained an ingredient, such as peanuts.

Cruising Post-Pandemic

Cruising post-pandemic ,  I found things have changed. On my Princess cruise, gluten-free options were limited, and I don’t know if that is due to supply issues or cutbacks. Out of the three specialty restaurants onboard, I was told I could only eat in one. 

During my cruise, there were no gluten-free buns, waffles, or bagels. And nothing on the buffet was marked gluten-free.

While there have been some huge steps forward in the cruising industry, cruise lines still don’t mark menus as they do in land-based restaurants.

Having Allergic Reactions

While you want to avoid having an allergic reaction, sometimes mistakes are made. That’s why it’s important to have medical insurance (that covers helicopter evacuation), carry an epi-pen and medication to ward off the side effects.

If you’re afraid of having an allergic reaction, you may want to pick an itinerary that always sails close to land.

Recently, a restaurant manager brought me a tart that he said was lactose-free and gluten-free. However, I smelled it, and it was made with peanuts. Good thing I checked!

Overall Experience

Overall, my experience cruising with allergies has been excellent. I have cruised with Princess, Holland America, Celebrity, Carnival, Cunard, and Royal Caribbean International without any incidents.

My only bad experience was with Norwegian cruises when they served me a meal with milk ingredients. It made me horribly ill, and I spent the last three days confined to bed and unable to eat.

While it ruined my vacation, I gave them the benefit of the doubt and cruised with them one more time on a different ship. But again, Norwegian served food that contained my allergens. I am not suggesting you avoid Norwegian Cruise Lines; I am just conveying my personal experience.

Now I book with a cruise line that offers set dining times as opposed to freestyle dining. Of the cruise lines I have sailed, I remember Princess having the most amazing gluten-free bread.

Carnival ships with Guy’s Burger Joints make gluten-free burgers with gluten-free buns. While I’m not a fast-food fan, these are the most delicious burgers ever, whether you eat them lettuce-wrapped or in a bun.

I was also impressed the patties are gluten-free since most places add wheat fillers. For all those regular cruisers who love Carnival, they can make their chocolate melting cake gluten and lactose-free!

Overall, the allergy-free  food in Cunard’s restaurants  was the best. Even their buffet has an allergy section, with many gluten-free and lactose-free choices. They also had four different lactose-free milk choices.

Talking to staff, the information received on catering to special diets is not consistent. No matter how efficient or inefficient your cruise line is, ultimately, it’s up to you to practice due diligence.

Never assume it’s safe to eat because cruise lines make mistakes. Examine your food when it comes to the table, and never be afraid to confirm its ingredients.

And lastly, I live by this fundamental rule; “If in doubt, don’t eat it.”

Monday 8th of May 2023

Hello! Thank you so much for this info! My 10 year old was recently diagnosed with a tree nut allergy and we’ve cruised before with no problems but this month when we go we’ll have his epi pens and he mostly eats pizza, pasta, and he likes steak in the dining room. Of course I worry, mostly about something containing a nut milk, flour or extract since he’s pretty good at avoiding nuts when he can clearly see them. Thank you again, this is all competent new and unchartered territory for me

Forever Karen

Andrea, be sure to speak to the Maître D at the main dining room. They will take care of the food for your son so it doesn't contain any tree nuts. Save travels.

June Marshall

Saturday 29th of April 2023

This has been very useful as I have a milk allergy full blown no dairy at all thinking of going on the Queen Mary just a bit apprehensive about shore days in different countries but if I don't eat just juice I should be fine x

Monday 13th of February 2023

Thank you for this info! I have Celiac, Hasimoto's, hypoglycemia, food intolerances, and more. Your info was invaluable, as my husband and I are determined to spend our 20th anniversary on Carnival.

Megan, I've had so many good experiences on cruise ships and I know you will too. A happy 20th anniversary to you both.

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What You Need to Know About Cruising With Food Allergies Kids With Food Allergies 1/17/17 3:36 PM KFA Leadership & Announcements

During the past few years, the cruise industry has started taking food allergies and special diets more seriously. Many major cruise lines now have policies to avoid cross contamination. Recently, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), an industry trade group, issued a statement about how cruise lines accommodate food allergy diets.

“Cruise lines are well equipped and happy to accommodate a variety of diets including no/low fat, vegetarian, vegan, dairy or lactose free, gluten or wheat free, low cholesterol, diabetic, Kosher and Halal diets, as well as allergy-specific diets,” the CLIA said.

What are your options for dining on board?

Years ago, cruises only offered meals in their main dining rooms, with never-ending buffets. Cruisers now want more flexibility. So cruise lines have started offering specialty restaurants, food stations and small cafés.

But for families with a child with food allergies, the dining room is usually the safest place to eat. The larger dining room galley is set up better to create allergy-free meals and avoid cross-contamination. At dinner, you will have the same waiter every night. The maître d’ should also know about your child’s allergies to help ensure you receive safe meals.

Policies on food allergies and special diets vary among different cruise lines. Here is some information about how individual cruise lines handle food allergies:

• Carnival Cruise Line offers food options that do not include top food allergens. They offer allergy-free foods in their dining rooms and on the Lido Deck.
• Celebrity Cruises is working with Dine Aware, a company that helps food service staff improve their understanding of food allergies. This program is helping them create new food allergy standards on their ships. Dine Aware started in November 2016.
• Disney Cruise Line does not have separate kitchens for allergen-free foods, but they do state they will make "reasonable" efforts to prepare safe items. They recommend that you eat in one of their main dining rooms so you can discuss dietary needs with the head server. They also offer gluten-free and dairy-free options at their table service restaurants.
• Norwegian Cruise Line includes gluten-free kitchen areas. They also have strict rules in the galleys to avoid cross contamination when preparing and serving food. A spokeswoman said they can accommodate guests with food allergies.

Are staff of children’s programs trained to handle food allergies?

Many major cruise lines have children’s programs. But each cruise line has their own specific emergency procedures and policies, including those involving allergic reactions , a CLIA spokesperson said. Check with a cruise line representative for more information.

• Carnival : Youth staff can use epinephrine auto-injectors. They also serve snacks and meals. The snacks vary per ship, including snacks for children with food allergies.
• Celebrity : Youth staff are not allowed to give epinephrine. Parents register their children, leave the epinephrine and talk to the staff. Staff are trained to recognize emergencies and to tell the medical staff immediately. Staff use a special form to help them keep children with food allergies safe during meal times. To avoid allergic reactions, children cannot bring food or drinks into Celebrity’s youth programs and snacks are not served. They do serve the children lunch and dinner in their Oceanview Cafe. It is set up to handle food allergies and other dietary restrictions.
• Disney : Youth staff are trained and can use epinephrine auto-injectors. Parents or guardians must sign an authorization to allow the staff to give the medication. Disney asks that parents provide their child’s prescribed, unexpired auto-injector.
• Norwegian :  Youth staff are trained to contact the medical staff right away if a child has a reaction. They also keep epinephrine in the kids’ areas. Norwegian did not respond when asked if staff can give epinephrine.

What if my child has a reaction while on board?

Any ship with more than 100 passengers has to follow standards set by the American College of Emergency Physicians. This means there has to be at least one doctor on board and all clinic staff has to have at least three years of experience. The availability of stock epinephrine on board varies from ship to ship. Celebrity, Disney, Norwegian and Carnival all carry epinephrine on board. As with any trip, bring your own epinephrine and other medicine. Some ships are enormous and the infirmary may be on one of the lower floors of the ship. Emergency care could take several minutes to reach you. “Since each ship is different in size and configuration, we are unable to provide exact ‘response times’ to various emergencies,” said Bradley Norman, corporate communication specialist for Celebrity. “However, the response is only a few minutes at most and is generally much more rapid than that which can be expected by land-based staff.”

So carry your own or your child’s epinephrine with you at all times while moving around the ship. And don’t forget to carry epinephrine on offshore trips.

Can offshore excursions accommodate food allergies?

Cruises are a great way to experience international locations. But a ship’s food allergy policy will not apply at ports and during offshore trips.

Other countries may not have formal food allergy policies. You may not get accurate information about food ingredients. Be cautious when eating off the ship and research the country you are visiting ahead of time.

Also, the U.S. Department of Agriculture won’t allow cruise lines to give safe meals to take off the ship. You can usually choose from a variety of shore excursions that are short and don’t offer food. This will allow you to enjoy the port while giving you the chance to return to the ship for meals. Each cruise line has different policies on packing your own food from home. Norwegian lets you bring non-perishable food on board and on excursions. Disney will also allow you to bring sealed, non-perishable food on board as long as it is in its original packaging. Carnival and Celebrity do not.

USDA regulations will only allow you to take baby food and dry, non-perishable snacks off the ship at ports of call.

I’m ready to book a cruise. What do I do now?

Before you book a cruise, do your homework. Call the cruise line and ask questions:

• Ask about their specific food allergy policies, youth programs and medical policies. Policies can vary on each cruise line.
• Ask about bringing your own safe snacks on board.
• Once you choose the cruise line you are most comfortable with, ask your travel agent or cruise sales person who you need to talk to about your child’s allergies. With most major cruise lines, they will have you speak to a special department. They usually make sure your ship’s staff knows about your child’s allergies in advance.

Does my child need a passport?

If your cruise is a closed loop sailing, you may be able to travel with just a birth certificate. A closed loop sailing means you leave from and return to the same U.S. port.

However, if you have a medical emergency and need to be transferred to a hospital at one of the ports, you would not be able to reenter the U.S. without a passport. You would have to contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate at the port for help returning to the U.S. This could be a lengthy process. So in case of a medical emergency, it is a good idea to have passports for your entire family.

Cruising has become a popular family vacation option. Many families have safely cruised with children with food allergies. But before you book, do your research on individual cruise line policies to see which one is right for you. You might find cruising to be a great way for your family to have safe, allergy-free fun.

Things to remember:

• Take your child’s emergency medicine, including epinephrine auto-injectors and asthma medicine, and anything else they use on a regular basis.
• Take your emergency action plans.
• Pack your child’s medications in their original packaging with the pharmacy labels. You will have to go through customs and a security checkpoint at the port. You will also need proper labels if you fly to your port.
• Learn more about traveling with allergies and asthma .
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Comments (4).

Thanks! And feel free to start a thread on our Main Support Forum  about any questions or ideas you have, or to join in on our What's For Dinner thread . Corn and soy are EVERYWHERE, and it takes some creative thinking to come up with favorite treats.

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My allergies started to get serious 5 years ago. Soy is anaphylaxis and corn is rash and feeling sick for 3 to 4 days. I will definitely post my carnival cruise experience when I get back in march.

Welcome, Cindy! I'm especially interested in how it goes for you since my DD manages a corn allergy! How long have you been managing your food allergies?

I wanted to let you know that carnival cruise line allows prepackaged food brought on in your carry on. Also, 12 cans of liquid drinks per person. We leave for our trip next month with carnival and they told me with my corn and soy allergies they will pack me a lunch for going off the ship! I'm so excited to see how it goes!

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Cruising With Food Allergies

You’ve booked your cruise…or maybe you’ve got your first cruise contract. You’re excited and ready to go but you have a food allergy and are nervous. What should you look out for? It’s not just on the buffet… In this post we’re going to talk about cruising with food allergies, some of the top things that you can do to help manage your allergies on cruise ships and be safe, but also talking about how a cruise ship can accommodate your dietary restrictions.

Living with a food allergy means that you are already used to asking about which foods have your allergen in them, whether or not they are safe, and ‘when in doubt, leave it out’. You’ve probably looked at more delicious food that you’ve had to pass on simply because you didn’t know then you’d ever like to think about. I understand. After more cruises than I can count (both as a passenger and as crew) here are the things to watch out for when cruising with an allergy.

Disclosure: I am not a doctor or a medical professional. I do have a severe nut/peanut allergy and have been cruising for nearly 25 years including as a crew member. Contact a medical professional for advice for your specific situation. This information is provided only for entertainment and base-level informational purposes.

All views expressed are my own and do not necessarily represent those of my employer. Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a qualifying purchase I may receive a small commission at no expense to you.

How Can a Cruise Ship Accommodate My Dietary Restriction?

Cruise lines will work to accommodate your dietary restrictions by offering opportunities to order food ahead of time allowing the ship to make them in special areas free of cross contamination. They may also make specialty food for you and offer you separate menus.

And, while cruise lines have come a long way with accommodating different dietary restrictions, some of the responsibility for being safe while onboard a cruise is up to you. Here are some things to watch out for as well as things you can do – as well as how many cruise lines work to keep you safe while cruising with an allergy or dietary restriction.

Let Them Know You Have an Allergy Before You Go

If you have a food allergy you are probably used to advocating for yourself to some extent and are likely at minimum used to letting people know you have a food allergy. Going on a cruise is no different.

Before joining the cruise you will have various forms to fill in, let the cruise line know that you have a food allergy! Letting them know in advance is a great way to ensure that they are aware of your allergy. Having allergies on cruise ships is much more common place than it used to be so do not be worried about being a nuisance or difficult – I promise you are only one of many passengers with various allergies or dietary restrictions.

Once they know you have a food allergy upon check-in or once you are onboard you will most likely be made aware of who to speak with about your allergy. Whether that is the maitre’d, the dining room manager, or someone else. If you let the cruise line know ahead of time they are more likely to be able to accommodate your dietary restriction or allergy onboard the cruise ship.

If you are sailing as a crew member – you’ll have to do the same. Before you join a ship you have to fill out a lot of medical paperwork, during this stage it is good to let the cruise line know that you have a food allergy. While cruise lines will do their best to accommodate you, if you are applying to work as a pastry chef with a gluten allergy – it’s probably not a good fit. Let them know about your allergies ahead of time so they can make sure you have a safe working environment.

Onboard Lotions and Bath Products May Contain Allergens

This one may sound a bit far fetched to some, but there are a ton of bath products that contain allergens. I personally have a nut allergy and almond oil has become a very popular ingredient in bath products.

For instance, popular upscale cruise line Holland America Lin e uses Elemis bath products (ingredient list available through link). While these products are lovely their body lotion actually uses Sweet Almond Oil. Depending on your level of allergy this could create a variety of problems for you. From using it yourself and then touching something that you then eat to many surfaces on the ship being potential cross contamination hot spots to look out for – if they have the lotion in every lavatory onboard the ship is likely riddled with hands that have just a tiny bit of Sweet Almond Oil on them.

Most likely if you are practicing good hand hygiene yourself you would be fine. However, depending on the severity of your allergy it is worth being mindful and careful about which lotions and bath products you use. Freebie lotions and bath products onboard a cruise ship are great but be careful and don’t be afraid to ask for ingredient lists.

Note: my favorite bath products I’ve found at sea were on Seabourn. They have a partnership with Molton Brown and the products are divine .

Beware the Bar Snacks When Cruising with a Food Allergy

Peanuts or jars of nuts are a pretty common bar snack, and while they are becoming less and less common to see served up as a snack while flying, on cruise ships they are still a common snack to be handed out at a bar.

There are a whole bunch of cross contamination challenges with this. The good news is that cruise ship sanitation procedures have always been top-notch and with COVID they have been ramped up even more. This means that some concerns about someone sitting at the table before you and having eaten nuts might be partially mitigated.

And, remember, people can bring snacks around the ship. It’s also not uncommon for snacks like these to be served in show lounged.

A potential solution – bring wipes with you. Carry around a small stash of disinfecting wipes . If you go somewhere where you’re feeling a bit unsure as to either when it was previously wiped down or whether or not someone had eaten something with your allergen on it, wipe it down real quick.

These wipes are pocket sized and great for travel.

Crew Note: In crew areas food works a bit different but sometimes there are still bar snacks available. If you are onboard with a food allergy and are having issues being able to socialize with crew because of your food allergy, talk to Human Resources. Don’t go in saying “you have to change this”. Go in with a solution and not just a problem. On ships I worked in where they had served nuts in the bar I asked them to switch to either pretzels or Gold Fish crackers and they were happy to. The bar-tender themselves will likely not have the authority to make the switch so don’t be upset if they can’t make the change.

Also – as crew you can likely get some pocket wipes from the medical department if you feel you need them to work well in your area. I would at least ask before buying my own.

The Coffee Shop

Many cruise lines now feature specialty coffee shops. This is great! But, it is also potentially challenging for different allergy sufferers.

If you have a milk allergy ordering nearly anything beyond a black coffee would be a challenge – and even if you opted for almond milk you have to wonder if they cleaned the machine off in between uses.

And, if you have a nut allergy you have to wonder – did the person before me have a milk allergy and if so did they use almond milk and then did they clean off the machine in between?

There are some potential challenges here. Just be smart and keep an eye out for potential cross contamination hot spots. Most likely if you are to the age where you are ordering coffee you’ll know yourself and your allergy well enough to judge whether it will be safe for you. For young kids though with allergies it would be worth educating them as these coffee shops almost always make hot chocolate, too.

Ordering Dinner While Cruising With Food Allergies

There are a million challenges when it comes to eating food on a cruise ship if you have a food allergy. The good news is that none of them are insurmountable.

Food is a big part of cruising and the food tends to be delicious. How do you ensure that you have the most worry-free cruise you can? Being smart, asking the right questions, talking to the right people, and trusting your gut. Some cruise lines (like the dessert menu in the picture above) have even started listing common allergens next to the respective items. This is a huge step forward!

Now, there are a lot of different dining options available between cruise lines . There are specialty restaurants, the buffets, pool-side grills, the main dining room, and more. Right now we’re going to focus on the main dining room and specialty restaurants.

How Cruise Lines Accommodate Food Allergies and Dietary Restrictions At the Main Dining Room And Specialty Restaurants

For many cruise lines how they navigate passengers with food allergies ordering dinner is to have them order the food the night before. Now, if you are on a cruise line with a lot of different restaurants this might seem challenging as you might eat in a different restaurant every night.

Now, for the easiest and most seamless allergy dining experience I would recommend eating in the same dining room at the same table with the same server every night. That might not be realistic for you and it might hinder your whole vacation to do that. That’s fine, it’s just going to require a touch more effort.

If you know you are going to eat at a specialty restaurant I would stop in the day before and ask to speak to the dining room manager (or assistant manager) for that restaurant. Let them know you have a reservation for the next night and what your specific food allergy is. They might advise you to order right then and there so that they can specially prepare it for you or they might tell you that restaurant doesn’t use any of your allergy and you’ll be all set. Either way they’ll let you know what you can do that will provide the safest dining experience for you.

If you are eating in the main dining room your server will show you the menu for the next night and you will select what you would like to eat. This is part of why I find it easier to eat in the same restaurant every night.

Pro-tip: The fancier the cruise line the more accommodating and less to worry about. When I sailed on Seabourn we would sometimes go to multiple restaurants in a night and they were absolute professionals and ensured whatever I was eating was safe and would make special accommodations right there on the spot.

Top Tips for Navigating Eating at a Cruise Ship Buffet While Cruising With Food Allergies

The buffet is potentially the most challenging of locations to eat on a cruise ship…but it’s also the one where you get the most visual queues as to potential cross contamination risks.

While many cruise ships have moved to a crew-served buffet, the risk for cross contamination is still there. Allergies on cruise ships don’t take a break just because it’s on the famed buffet. From tongs used for multiple foods to ice cream scoops going between macadamia ice cream and your favorite chocolate chip cookie dough – there are a lot of risks.

You can navigate it though! Whatever your allergy is there is a way to make it work. Just like in the specialty restaurants and main dining rooms, there will be a manager for the buffet. Introduce yourself to them and let them know about your allergy. They may be able to provide you with some additional guidance but will also likely be a person that may have to check whether or not certain dishes are safe for you to eat.

When I worked onboard ships my position was pretty much only allowed to eat in the passenger buffet (long story but basically they wanted public facing crew positions to be in the passenger areas as much as possible). This meant years of navigating the buffet with a food allergy. I didn’t have the option to order food from the dining room and select my meal the day before. Let’s just say I am a cross-contamination czar.

Here are some things to be on the look-out for when navigating a cruise ship buffet with a food allergy:

The main line/section of the buffet.

This section of the buffet tends to be pretty good overall for allergies – assuming that there isn’t anything with your specific allergy on the line that night. Keep an eye out for tong usage in particular – are they using the same tongs in multiple dishes? If you see something with your allergen in it, it might be best to skip this section of the line all together.

However, sometimes in situations like this they will have small chicken pot pies or steaks or grilled chicken. Those are typically coming from areas with less cross contamination. Feel free to explain your food allergy and ask them to use a new set of tongs and get those specialty items that did not cross paths with the tongs that touched your allergens.

Salad Bars:

Who doesn’t love a good salad bar? A salad bar can be a great place to have a lighter lunch in preparation for the insanely delicious dinner you’re having. It can be a great way to up your intake of veggies and honestly sometimes I just crave a caesar salad.

Sometimes on salad bars they have nuts or other allergens – that could be cheese, dressings with dairy, or even the croutons (gluten) that go on my delicious caesar salads.

Most salad bars have separate tongs or scoops for the different ingredients so that is not usually as big of a risk for the salads. It is when the crew offer (oh so nicely) to mix it up for you that the real problem lies. If they are using tongs that touched your allergens to mix up your salad all of the careful effort to avoid cross contamination is for naught. If you don’t catch them in time and your allergy is severe enough that you’re worried about cross contamination – don’t feel like you have to take and eat the salad. It’s okay, just ask for a new one!

Sandwich/Pasta/Crepe/Other Specialty Stations:

Oh the joy of specialty stations. Both amazing and frustrating at the same time.

These stations can be amazing for allergy sufferers because you can often get them to use fresh utensils and cooking items while preparing your food. If it is specialty pasta ask that they either wash or get a new pan to cook the pasta in (potential allergens include the pine nuts from pesto, garlic, dairy, and, eh-hem, gluten).

If it is a specialty sandwich station see if they have things like peanut butter around. Maybe you have an egg allergy and you spot egg-salad on the sandwich station that day. Sometimes it’s best to just find something else to eat but sometimes they can accommodate you with fresh utensils, gloves, and more.

Oh dessert and all of the cookies I haven’t eaten. Some lines have started including signs saying “with nuts” and “without nuts” or “gluten free”. The challenge is with the storage and the cross contamination. If those nut and no nut cookies have the same tongs used then it’s a no go. Sometimes it is best to forgo the cookies altogether.

However, if you are really set on something – talk to the manager of that area. They might not be able to make your wish come true at that exact moment, but I bet there is a very good chance they could get you some cookies for later in the day or the next day.

Ice cream has many of the same challenges – if they’re using the same scooper between two types of ice cream and one has your allergen in it, the cross contamination risk is there. If you have a food allergy where cross contamination is an issue probably just get the soft serve. If it’s a brand new tub of ice cream with a brand new scoop though – get it!!! Embrace the opportunity and have three scoops.

Other desserts – this is when it’s helpful to know the person in charge. Ask them which of the desserts are safe for your allergy. Most likely they have pretty much the same desserts every week and they have a very good idea of what’s safe for you and what’s not.

Ordering Room Service While Cruising with Food Allergies

Oh room service. Such a beautiful and wonderful thing. Such a potentially challenging situation. Unlike on the buffet you have no idea what potential cross contamination risks there are, you also don’t get to talk to someone face to face and the person delivering it likely has no idea what ingredients are in the food.

This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get room service. If it’s included in your cruise enjoy and embrace that deliciousness and convenience. Just be smart about it. Ask the person taking your order on the phone about ingredients. If they seem knowledgable you are most likely fine. It might not be the time to try to order gluten free pasta or try to get peanut-free Thai food though. Maybe this is the time to be a bit more cautious.

Is Cruising With Food Allergies Worth It?

Absolutely!

One of the huge benefits of cruising is you have the same team of people throughout your cruise making sure you stay safe. If you have the same waiter each night you don’t have to keep explaining your allergy to them.

Another huge benefit is that you know that you will have a place to eat safely when exploring the world. If you have certain dietary restrictions some places you travel might have a lot more allergens prevalent. When cruising you have a place to go back to at the end of the day with delicious food that will accommodate your allergies and dietary restrictions.

Have you ever gone cruising with food allergies? What was your experience like? Any recommendations for our readers?

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• Family Cruises

Best Cruise Line for Food Allergies

By Pattycake28 , July 6, 2016 in Family Cruises

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Pattycake28

My husband and I have cruised on our own before but have never taken our daughter. We want to take her but she has some pretty specific food allergies. Anyone had a great experience with a cruise line that has dealt with allergies? I plan to bring a lot of her snacks and her soy milk with me but was hoping that the dining room or buffet would accommodate her. Her specific allergies are peanuts, milk and egg. TIA!

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http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2111008

See response #7 from a couple whose DGD had severe allergies to MANY things - she did fine! :)

I am very encouraged as DH and I are taking our multi-generational family on a Christmas cruise and SIL has "Alpha-gal" a life threatening allergy to all mammalian products (contact with or ingestion) so eating out with him is super challenging. But after reading the remarks on this thread (above) I am confident that he will be well taken care of on HAL, and we will all have a wonderful Christmas cruise!

Good luck to you!

Queen of Oakville

We've dealt with peanut allergies.

Based on my experience, Carnival and Royal are the worst at handling allergies. Others, however, have cited a favorable experience on Royal. I personally, on Royal, had a reaction to almonds (in the apple parcels lined with almond paste) despite telling the server I had a nut allergy. A friend's daughter with a nut reaction, had a reaction to bread on Royal. On Royal, my son is very limited as all their chocolate used on board is labelled, "may contain". On carnival, I have clearly see nuts on the dessert items, (like nuts in brownies or carrot cake) but have been told "there are no nuts in anything".

Based on my experience, Celebrity is the VERY best at handling allergies. We even dined in the buffet without problems. As soon as you tell someone in the buffet area that you have an allergy, they will call the maitre'd who will make sure you are taken care off.

Thanks for the responses! I will have to look at HAL and Celebrity.

We've never any issue on Carnival. We sail Carnival several times a year.

We travel with a group that combined has allergies to nuts, treenuts, shellfish, egg whites, chocolate, MSG and liquid dairy. Only had issues with 'user' error, no issues with Carnival. If you have a nut allergy, know that Carnival classifies seeds as nuts.

If you have an odd allergy contact Special Needs before your cruise. If you have a 'normal' allergy no need to do so.

https://www.carnival.com/about-carnival/special-needs/dietary-needs.aspx

See the Hostess when the Maitre 'd has hours. Hours will be in the FunTmes, usually starting around 1pm. The hostess will take that night's order. Each night the hostess or your waiter will bring you the next day's MDR menu-breakfast, brunch/lunch and dinner. If deciding between two entrees, order both. For brunch don't hesitate to order a breakfast and lunch if you want to eat both meals in the MDR.

For room service, they cannot make special for you but they can tell you the ingredients. No special area so there is always the possibility of contamination

Buffet is a minefield. Ask the Hostess or the Head Lido Chef or the Food and Beverage crew in the officer whites. DO NOT ask the line cooks. They mean well but do not know the full recipes. Cross contamination is always a possibility.

Onshore--- we bring allergy cards. I made our own but you can buy some at selectwisely.com.

You can only bring off commercially prepared food. We bring cereal bars, boxes of cereal, bottled water, hard candy etc.

Many ports will check. Some will do a physical search, others use dogs. You do not want the cute Labrador to sit next to you. I've had them alert on my Lemonheads.

Kids clubs have a form to fill out. There are some snacks served at times. The younger kids meet up at the dinner buffet certain nights. Ask the counselors what's on the menu.

At dinner your waiter will have your order and confirm it with you. The only issue we've ever had was DD food came out quicker than mine did.

If you have ATD, an order slip will be generated and given to your waiter as you are seated. For breakfast/lunch/brunch you'll have to remind the hostess staff that you have a special order until they recognize you

NCL has slats been great with dd's celiac - I think all lines have special kitchens.

We've dealt with peanut allergies.       Based on my experience, Celebrity is the VERY best at handling allergies. We even dined in the buffet without problems. As soon as you tell someone in the buffet area that you have an allergy, they will call the maitre'd who will make sure you are taken care off.

I think with any line it can be hit or miss. We had an excellent and a not good experience with Celebrity. The first time they bent over backwards. Sending food to our room, making special things, giving us his cell to contact anywhere about her food, etc. The second time were begging for the assist maitre'd to come over to discuss dinner the next night. He kept telling us he couldn't do anything that has been done they year before (basic requests). We would be the last table to leave dinner with two young frustrated children. Food would finally come out cooked with allergens. Buffet was excellent, but MDR was so bad we stopped eating there. I personally think it was just the particular asset Maitre'd because everyone else was fabulous.

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Albom Adventures

Capturing the essence of travel through photography

Inspiring travel through photography

Cruising with Food Allergies: Azamara’s Epic Fail

Let’s face it, cruising and culinary excellence intertwine so tightly that many people wonder if it’s possible to do one without the other. However, cruising with food allergies can be scary.

Many brands do it well, but even within that, sometimes things go wrong. The cruise line’s integrity is defined by what happens next. 

Our recent cruise on the Azamara Quest is one of epic failures on both counts. It was surprising and disappointing as we have sailed successfully with Azamara prior to my diagnosis.

We chose it again for its focus on destinations, including longer port times, several overnight stays, and small ships that dock closer to the cities. Plus, the regular food was excellent.

How Azamara handles special dietary requirements

As a travel blogger already in love with the brand, I agreed to write an article in exchange for unlimited internet. Once onboard, “How the ship handles food allergies” was the suggested and agreed-upon topic.

After all, the food was delicious in the past, and my food allergies are common: gluten-free and lactose-free, plus no onions, garlic, or pulses. A head waiter even told me there was another passenger on board with all of the same issues plus one more (no coriander).

I ordered my cruise meals a night in advance, so the chef had plenty of time to prepare. My successful allergy-free meals were outstanding, and the pastry chef deserves a round of applause. Unfortunately, I was served foods I was allergic to on 5 out of 15 days.

For me, it was only 67% allergy-free food days, which, in my opinion, is not good enough. 

Gluten-free cruising: Epic failure

If a picture is worth a thousand words, these two are priceless:

• Cake : One evening, the sous-chef brought me this “special cake” from the kitchen. After I had eaten a piece, he returned, “I’m sorry, I was wrong; that cake has gluten. Do you want something else?”
• Truffles : Every night, Azamara leaves sweet treats at turndown service, which I was told are allergy safe. After I questioned our room steward for the third time, he clarified with this note. (I cannot eat either, so having one of each separately is a failure.)

Onion-free cruising: Another failure

Allergy-free meals are custom-made. I often waited up to an hour for my main. To my surprise, I found rather big pieces of onion in my food on more than one occasion.

No allergy and gluten-free cruise resolution offered

There were meetings, discussions, and requests. My request was only a plan of action I could share in this article to reassure readers that this won’t happen to them. Instead, the reply from the parent company, Royal Caribbean, can best be described only as embarrassing. 

After spelling my name incorrectly, they opted to send all communications only to the wholesaler used by my travel agent. Rather than offering a resolution, I was given a discount on a future cruise. And to my total shock, the letter stated that we had been “ advised  the ship couldn’t meet all of [our] needs .” 

Of course, this is not how I remember it. After all, if the ship had told me they couldn’t manage my common food allergies , why did they suggest I write an article on how Azamara handles food allergies?

And, more importantly, what good is a discount for a future cruise on a ship that admits they can’t meet my simple food allergies , thus leaving me “chained” to my toilet doing things too disgusting to discuss here, on multiple occasions?

Note: While my last two emails to Azamara have gone unanswered, should a plan of action be forwarded to me, I will add it here.

Update : Five weeks after disembarking, I shared this article with Azamara’s CEO. Within days my primary contact finally replied, “ . . . my sincere apologies at your expectations not being met whilst on board , with the few dietary requirements we spoke of Onion etc. . . .I absolutely understand this was not the experience I personally had promised. . . ” Clearly, this is not the plan of action I requested. Therefore, I cannot comfortably change my recommendations.

Tips for cruising with food allergies and intolerances

If you have food allergies, intolerances, or sensitivities, here are our best tips regardless of which cruise line you choose.

• Do research before you go.
• Notify the cruise line of your allergies before you sail.
• Once onboard, and long before your first meal, sit down with the maître d’ and possibly the head chef and make sure they fully understand your needs.
• Question everything served to you. Trust no one. And if you are still suspicious after the waiter assures you it is fine, send him back to the kitchen to be extra sure. He is neither the one who prepared your meal nor the one who will be sick for hours or even days. 
• Bring “safe” backup foods, just in case.
• Carry more medicines and EpiPens than you could imagine needing. 
• Know how to contact your own medical team, as once sick, you may not want to trust anyone on the ship. 
• If it all fails anyway, use the larger bathroom in the spa, as you will be in there for a while, and the tiny one in your cabin will get claustrophobic. Don’t feel guilty about it; remember, it is the ship that sent you to the toilet.

And don’t miss our general tips for enjoying your cruise .

Note: these tips are not a guarantee of success, as I followed them and still had a failure. Having a working relationship with Royal Caribbean in the past, I went through my contact, who had assured me that even booking late, the food was no problem. I followed her written procedure for notifying the cruise line of my food allergies, yet it still went wrong. 

It wasn’t all bad

As stated earlier, the pastry chef was amazing. He created lactose and gluten-free cruise treats for me in the main dining room nightly. Three of my favourites are across the top, the middle made for me on the night of the ship’s chocolate buffet.

And there was plenty of other great cruise food too, like this salmon. Just too many failures.

Our conclusion

If it is a good fit, you can get a great deal on an Azamara cruise here .

However, our bottom line: while I love the Azamara staff, the general first-class treatment, the enrichment programmes, and the long port times, at this time, I cannot in good conscious recommend Azamara to people with food allergies or intolerances . It does beg the question of perhaps they don’t want us either, as there was at least one officer on board who knew the topic of this article from the beginning. 

Save for later

If you want to refer back to this article or see if there are any updates, please save it for later on Pinterest.

What do you think is the best cruise line for food allergies?

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Disclaimer: I agreed to write an article for Albom Adventures in exchange for unlimited internet during our cruise. The agreed-upon topic of this article is, “How Azamara handles food allergies”. Upgraded to VIP status, we had additional perks. However, I paid my full fare for the cruise. The opinions expressed in this article are my own.

About Rhonda Albom

Capturing the essence of travel through photography, Rhonda Albom is the primary author and photographer at Albom Adventures. She is an American expat based in New Zealand. She travels the world with her husband.

Reader Interactions

Peter Stephens

May 1, 2020 at 1:20 am

hi. I have more or less exactly same allergies as you (gluten-free, dairy-free and no onions!). My experiences on cruises post diagnosis in 2014 has been limited to Cunard (multiple times) and Silversea (once)…my experiences have been mixed to say the least. That said Silversea had fewer slip-ups….but overall I wasnt satisfied or happy that the cruise lines had handled the issue adequately (not at all – shoddy really!).

I had been thinking about Azamara as a possible future alternative to Silversea (only when it becomes safe again of course!), but now Im not so sure!!

I’d welcome any thoughts you had – feel free to mail me direct.

February 18, 2020 at 9:37 am

Thank you so much for posting a “real” experience review, with photos. I’m sure you have encouraged Azamara Quest to significantly improve their kitchen staff communications. They are very clear about needing 40 days advance notice about special dietary needs and carefully told me today that they will not promise to have/or not have peanut butter on board. I will e-mail Azama my allergy, this will put them on notice. Even so, it is my responsibility, at each meal, to confirm what is safe.

December 8, 2019 at 5:06 am

Good on you for publishing this! So many people shy away from publishing negative experiences. I’m lucky to not have any food allergies, but this will be so useful to those who do.

December 7, 2019 at 6:49 pm

Super frustrating they couldn’t meet your allergy needs. You’d think if you’e paying that much to go on a cruise, they could get a better handle on food allergies. Thank goodness for the pastry chef!

December 7, 2019 at 1:01 am

I have food intolerances and generally cook at home, so I would ha e to be extra careful when going on a cruise like this!

December 6, 2019 at 7:34 pm

Such a shame that they weren’t able to accommodate you and your food allergies for all of the days that you were on board. Especially since you know that they were able to as they did it for some of the days. Definitely something to keep in mind for the future!

Tania Muthusamy

December 6, 2019 at 7:33 pm

How frustrating for you, after you gave them explicit instructions on what you can’t eat. It’s very strange that they knew the topic of your article and lead you to believe that they could cater for you when that was not the case. I appreciate your honest review of the Azamara Cruise. I like your tip to bring back up food/snacks.

Rhonda Albom

December 6, 2019 at 8:32 pm

I do wonder if the kitchen were told the agreed-upon article topic, or just that I was a VIP. However, it’s really irrelevant, everyone onboard should expect to eat safe food, and if the kitchen does mess up, passengers should expect to be treated with respect, not the way I was by RCC corporate’s customer service.

December 8, 2019 at 8:50 pm

This is really upsetting. Thank you for your honest reporting. I hope the company provides new training for the staff so that service and attitudes improve for future travellers.

December 6, 2019 at 3:28 am

So sad to read this post… What a fail… The fact that they wanted you to write about this topic, is even more suprising, you should think they are specialized in allergies…

Gavin Ayling

December 19, 2019 at 10:16 am

It’s so funny, because I just came back from a Regent Seven Seas cruise where they were super careful, and never made a mistake.

December 6, 2019 at 2:00 am

I am sorry to hear what happened to you. Thanks for sharing the tips. I can use them. I am allergic to shellfish. It’s easier to handle than yours. But I can imagine it would be annoying if I have to take the allergy meds every day. Cause I’d be spending the holiday in the room sleeping.

December 5, 2019 at 10:18 am

What a shame they couldn’t meet your dietary and allergy needs. Such a disappointment for such a reputable company, and their lack of response and solution is appalling. Sorry about your experience but thanks for being honest about it so we can make an informed purchasing decision.

December 21, 2019 at 4:22 am

This article proves they are *not* reputable . . . I won’t use them. Never.

December 5, 2019 at 6:25 am

I can’t imagine how difficult that experience was for you! I don’t have any food allergies but it made me realize how much you have to plan for those types of events!

Linda Walcroft

December 4, 2019 at 6:06 pm

I have multiple food allergies and was unhappy with a Royal Caribbean cruise, but my experience was not as dangerous as yours. I observed cross-contamination at a salad bar and made them start over, but otherwise, my food was safe. My unhappiness lay with how repetitive it was: meat and a plain baked potato plus a plain veggie every night. They did not even have sweet potatoes for variety. No dessert, but I expect that because I have to restrict sugar and most fruit burns my gums. They had plain rice at lunch and I had that every single day with a serving of lettuce and a hamburger patty. Every breakfast was the same too. There was nothing available from room service that met my needs. The coffee was nasty bitter! Fortunately I brought a lot of snacks, but even so I lost four pounds that week.

I will not cruise again unless I can afford a Disney cruise. I have heard good things about how they handle allergies.

Are you on any food allergy groups on FB?

December 5, 2019 at 9:31 am

Azamara is owned by Royal Caribbean, so perhaps it is a company-wide process problem. I am sorry you also had a bad time with your food allergies. As for FB groups, I am in several in New Zealand where we currently live. Please share my article in all your groups, as other’s with food allergies really need to know.

We have seen Princess handle food allergies perfectly, and have sailed with them multiple times.

December 4, 2019 at 3:09 am

My husband, his daughter and grandson are all celiac. Another family member is also and recently took a cruise where he was “glutened” and had to miss an excursion.

My husband I recently took a tour of France and the tour guide was aware of everyone’s allergies and attempted to ensure that the included meals met the requirements. However we were in one hotel restaurant and when the salad came the waiter said “oh you can’t have this there’s nuts????” Another time the server thought tomatoes couldn’t be on a gluten free plate!

December 19, 2019 at 10:17 am

Which is doubly bad because France is in the EU and subject to the regulation that requires restaurants to identify whether food is gluten free or not: https://ec.europa.eu/food/safety/labelling_nutrition/special_groups_food/gluten_en

December 4, 2019 at 12:06 am

Sounds like the cruise line blew their image on this one. My food allergies are a long list and I eat a lot of salads out always saying no onion, croutons, cheese. Getting dairy-free, wheat-free, nut-free, etc. is a pain and I always look for simple foods like broiled chicken or steak with NO sauces.

December 4, 2019 at 8:35 am

At one point I sat down (again) with the hotel director and Food and Beverage manager and told him I would like plain, simple foods, a piece of protein, rice, and steamed veg. He told me that culinary excellence is part of cruising and assured me they could do it right.

December 3, 2019 at 6:44 am

Wow, what am absolute nightmare by all accounts. I’ve got lactose intolerant and ceoliac (sp?) friends and they’ve experienced similar in regualr restaurants. That people think just a small amount, or using the same contaminated spoon or knife to serve things with won’t affect them. I’m a veggie, but that’s a dietry choice and although i don’t want meat anywhr near my food, if i accicently eat it, it wont make me sick, although the thought of it would make me ill. I find it bizarre how some people just dont get it :/

December 2, 2019 at 9:36 am

Wow, that is actually a safety hazard. It’s one thing if a company is clear with guests that they cannot accommodation specifications like this, so you can plan accordingly. But if they insist they can and then don’t deliver, that could be a real health issue depending on what your reaction to the food is. Pretty messed up.

Lyanna Soria

December 2, 2019 at 9:10 am

That sounds like it should have been a wonderful cruise to be on, but those food mistakes are pretty bad. It’s good to have those quite helpful tips, especially for those who have food allergies as well.

December 2, 2019 at 8:18 am

Omg, that is a horrible experience. It is so important for any restaurant, hotel or cruise ship to be able to handle food allergies. Thank you for sharing your experience with us and being real about it!

December 2, 2019 at 11:45 am

Wow! That’s crazy – so sorry you had to go through that 🙁 but thanks fir sharing

Heidi Driver

December 2, 2019 at 5:06 am

So glad you wrote this article . My son has celiac and exposure to gluten flattens him for about 18 hours stomach cramps and diarrhea.You cannot spot gluten in a meal like you can an onion. We definitely need more awareness of the health risks of dietary restrictions . We are extremely nervous to eat out at all.

December 2, 2019 at 2:50 am

Omg, what a huge failure of Azamara! They agreed with you about writing an article on cruising with food allergies and how Azamara respects the special dietery needs of their passengers and then they completey failed! What a disaster.

They have ruined your vacation and their reputation.

Stay well, Rhonda

December 2, 2019 at 2:09 am

It’s a shame you didn’t like the food. On pictures it looks delicious, specially the deserts x

December 21, 2019 at 4:25 am

Jeez! Being poisoned is *not* disliking food! W!T!F!?

Liliane Fawzy

December 1, 2019 at 5:45 pm

I definitely appreciate what a tough situation travelling with allergies must be – I travel with friends who dietary restrictions (halal, strict vegetarian etc.) and it can be so hard for people to take their restrictions seriously. It’s unfortunate and hopefully this article puts some pressure on the cruise line to put some measures into place to prevent this from happening to other guests.

December 1, 2019 at 6:01 am

Hi Rhonda – that seems just ‘horrid’ – and amazing after they’d agreed you could write an article on food allergies and their cruise-ship … certainly not a good advert. I hope things ease up – and that doctor’s appointment goes well. Take care and cheers Hilary

December 1, 2019 at 5:37 am

What a sad tale! Having a holiday ruined through no fault of your own must have felt so frustrating. I’m lucky that my food allergies make it very easy for me to avoid the allergen (eggs). Having things hidden in food that you had been expressly told would not be there would have to make you feel so helpless and angry! Shame on them.

December 1, 2019 at 5:10 am

I think you handled this very professionally considering the ramifications of the wrong foods being served to you so often. I have only one food allergy (strawberries) that is easy to avoid, but I can’t imagine doing everything I could to avoid it and still getting it for most of my meals. Hopefully this will be a wake-up call to them to pay more attention to food allergies in the future.

Marion Halliday (Red Nomad OZ)

November 30, 2019 at 11:54 pm

You’d think that food preparation professionals would know about allergies and be able to respond appropriately when notified whether they’re working on board a ship or anywhere else – allergies aren’t uncommon! Bummer that you got caught in the middle of their incompetence, but hopefully your post will give them a wake up call!

Jenn - The Solivagant Soul

November 30, 2019 at 8:35 pm

I could not stop laughing about the truffles. One is gluten free and the other one is lactose free? hahaha. Just fantastic. As someone who is extremely lactose free, I always travel with lactase pills around, since even butter gives me a reaction. It is an inconvinient, but I prefer to have one pill with suspicious meals than the consequences that come afterwards. Have you consider this?

November 30, 2019 at 8:54 pm

I have an appointment with my doctor this week as we only just returned home from travel. That is one of the questions I will be asking. And, he left that note after the third time I asked him to confirm that I could eat those truffles. Epic failure.

November 30, 2019 at 8:01 pm

Hey Rhonda! That food really looks amazing, but I can realte to the fact that its really hard to find alternative foods sometimes. My husband is allergic to lactos, and that can be truly difficult at times.

Paroma Chakravarty

November 30, 2019 at 3:50 pm

I thought cruises would definitely cater to food allergies given so many and such diverse clientele. So disappointing to know that they were pretty careless when it came to accommodating food allergies and yet wanted you to write about it!

November 30, 2019 at 3:52 pm

To be fair, they wanted me to write about it before they were so careless. I assume they thought it would be a success and a happy story.

Blairvillanueva

December 2, 2019 at 5:02 am

Their foods looks amazing, and I’m sorry you didn’t enjoy your cruising with these so much food fail. Having allergies is not what everyone wants. I guess they (staffs) need more specific instructions and constant reminders.

November 30, 2019 at 1:19 pm

The fact that the brand wanted you to write about their allergy-sensitive cuisine and then to fail this way is crazy. Imagine for people who aren’t media who suffer?!! Well written despite your experience – glad you were able to turn it around and share tips for others who might face this!

November 30, 2019 at 12:45 pm

Oh this is a nightmare that I hope on my cruise with HAL next year that they are more careful. I have been with APT on 3 river cruises and mostly was looked after. Im gluten free peanut free and fish free and legume free. Once I was told I would only be able to have the salad. a bit of lettuce tomato was my main meal. A cruise up the Rhone saw me so sick from something that I was given. They then upped their game. Unfortunately I spent a morning in my room/bathroom toilet. Fast forward to this year and did a cruise with Scenic on the Douro. I was well fed at every meal and more. Couldn’t fault them. Im so sorry that they failed you so many times, however good that you have written about it.

Paul Pietrangelo

November 30, 2019 at 11:41 am

I feel so bad for you Rhonda but what really drove me was the fact that they knew your allergies way ahead of time. That’s uncalled for. I’ve only had one difficulty and dinner and even that one wasn’t really a problem. I hope you that you are treated much better then this last one. Was there an excuse for why they weren’t doing what they were suppose to do? I’d like to know the excuse. I’m leaving soon in January with my next cruise and I’ve already arranged for a 12 day cruise in 2021 to two places that I never visited before, Grenada and St. Vincent & Grenadine. I’m looking forward to that cruise. See ya my friend.

Cruisin Paul

November 30, 2019 at 8:29 am

Wow that’s so disappointing because if you have those things the consequence is getting sick! And then it kind of ruins your vacation (or has the potential too, right?). Thanks for your honest review and feedback. Hopefully Azamara Quest uses this opportunity to improve.

November 30, 2019 at 7:30 am

The food look amazing, but it is a bummer that you got food allergies as I cannot fathom how it might feel to be restricted and be super conscious when you try a new or an unknown food especially when you travel abroad. It is still so inspiring that you came out of your shell and trying different food. I haven’t been cruising yet but it sure looks a great exposure.

November 30, 2019 at 3:57 am

As we start travelling more and more and further and further some of these things you start thinking should be the basics and catering for travellers with food allergies should not be a problem. But surely reading your post this does make me think . I guess it is helpful these days to do more research through the internet and reviews to get a better understanding if you are allergic and travelling. I hope they learn from their mistakes and try and make it a better experience. Thanks for sharing

November 30, 2019 at 12:21 am

Thank you for being so honest with us! I’ve never been on a cruise but if I go, I would expect it to be perfect indeed…

November 29, 2019 at 10:02 pm

I’m so sorry you had to go through such a hard time at the cruise. For someone who gets sea sick, it would be even worse if the kitchen cannot serve me allergy-free food

November 29, 2019 at 8:39 pm

The term allergy is is used here. I think you should be using the word intolerance instead. There is a difference. It is horrible to spend time in the bathroom when you have eaten something you are intolerant to, but mostly it won’t be life threatening. An actual allergy can kill you. These days many people avoid food that makes them feel ill, and most meal producers understand this, (usually with a caveat). If you have an intolerance one small piece of onion will not generally affect you too badly. However one peanut for someone with a nut allergy could kill them. There are huge differences between how food premises approach allergies/intolerance and I think the individual with the requirements for specific food needs to understand this and take much more responsibility for checking what they are putting in their mouth. Please note, I am writing this as a person who suffers from IBS , which is probably what most people with intolerance to food has.

December 1, 2019 at 4:13 pm

You are somewhat correct, we have both allergies and intolerances. However, suggesting that the ship can decide which we have, and take fewer precautions because they chose intolerance, is exactly how they do kill people. We chose the word allergy on this page to cover our more severe issues, rather than clarifying which are which, as that would be cumbersome, boring, and not necessary for the readers. Once the ship assures a passenger that there will be no onions in their food, and reconfirms when it is served, I don’t see how you can suggest it is the passenger’s responsibility to pick through each individual strand of food to search for the ship’s mistakes.

Elaine Gell

December 2, 2019 at 6:39 am

I am glad you have made this comment. My 4 year old grand daughter is allergic to eggs and dairy. If she has anything with these in she would go into anaphylactic shock so we all carry jex pens. So there is a huge difference between being intolerent and being allergic. When she was recently on a Royal Caribbean cruise she had her own chef which quite frankly is amazing service and my son and daughter in law would not hesitate to recommend this cruise line for anybody who suffers from food allergies.

December 4, 2019 at 5:54 pm

No, the difference between allergies and intolerances is not that simple. You can have an allergy show up on a skin prick test even when your reaction is not life-threatening. Anaphylaxis is actually much rarer than other allergic reactions, which can include rash, swollen gums, coughing, and yes, digestive symptoms. Consider hay fever and poison ivy: both allergies.

December 21, 2019 at 7:56 am

Celiac kills people. One is not better, or less serious than another.

An intolerance is considered to be milder than either of the others (celiac or allergy), but no less uncomfortable.

I wan’t die from my gluten and potato intolerances, but they sure would ruin a vacation.

Please don’t judge other people’s health problems. You don’t know.

Lyn @ aholeinmyshoe

November 29, 2019 at 8:27 pm

We have been on many cruises and so much about a cruise is the wonderful food. It is terrible to think that someone with allergies cannot have confidence in knowing they can also enjoy their love of cruising for risk of being ill… or worse! And then to get such an apethetic response does not instill confidence. Seems they don’t understand the difference between food allergy and food preference.

November 29, 2019 at 7:11 pm

Wow! Thanks so much for your honesty while writing this article. Even though I myself to not have allergies, it made for an interesting read nevertheless! Wishing you better luck on whatever cruise company you use next!

Aditi Sharma

November 29, 2019 at 5:35 pm

Being served foods your were allergic too several times on this cruise was truly an epic failure on part Azamara. Really sorry to hear about your experience and I appreciate the helpful tips you’ve included in the post.

November 29, 2019 at 11:52 am

The food all looks yummy to me, sorry it made you so sick. Food allergies can definitely ruin a fun vacation.

November 29, 2019 at 10:10 am

Ah, allergies on a cruise – that sucks since those cruises are so much about food. Strange that they are not more guest oriented – it’s an expensive trip, after all….

Jane Dempster-Smith

November 29, 2019 at 9:55 am

Interesting article about how cruise ships handle food allergies. I am a vegetarian and often have issues with airline food, even though I advise them in advance, sometimes the meal request does not make it on board and I am left with cheese and crackers, all that is left. A usual response well just take the meat out! I am sorry to hear of the issues and I hope that your article helps others and alerts the cruise industry to be more aware.

Nicola Quinn

November 29, 2019 at 9:40 am

That’s terrible! I’m so sorry that happened to you!

November 29, 2019 at 8:07 am

Bless your heart, Rhonda, I didn’t you have so many food allergies. I’m only allergic to strawberries and still feel I’m deprived of so many delicious deserts that have strawberries in them. It’s great that the cook tried to accommodate you and created some special dishes. Too bad you didn’t have a 100% allergy free experience. It’s terrible to have food allergies!

Sarah Winton

November 29, 2019 at 7:53 am

That’s terrible. I don’t have any allergies, I’m very lucky. I can’t imagine dealing with that!

Fransic Verso

November 29, 2019 at 7:29 am

Sorry to hear about your unfortunate experience. I hope you can manage to go on a nice cruising.

November 29, 2019 at 7:16 am

Oh god sounds like you went through a tough time ! I am glad there were no severe reactions !

November 29, 2019 at 9:39 am

Well, I am not dead if that’s what you mean, but all night cramping and expelling in the bathroom pretty much sucks.

Farah Al Zadjaly

November 29, 2019 at 6:08 am

Wooow this is an amazing cruise, but messing up the food like that is insane.

November 30, 2019 at 6:11 pm

I am sorry to hear about your experience. Azamara should have taken it into consideration. Given the vast clientele they cater to they should have been careful. Even after informing them about your dietary requirements they goof up. Moreover they even wanted you to post a blog on it.

November 30, 2019 at 6:52 pm

They suggested the blog topic on the first sea day, they probably thought it was all going to be okay.

November 29, 2019 at 4:26 am

I was worried that you’d been served a slug in your pad Thai after seeing the photo so I was almost relieved to discover it was only an onion! It must be so tricky for you to travel with all these allergies and how terribly disappointing to be so organised about telling the cruise line about your dietary requirements only for them to fail you so badly.

November 29, 2019 at 9:38 am

Actually, a slug would have made me less sick than an onion.

November 29, 2019 at 3:38 am

Sorry this happened to you. Not right at all. I’m not a fan of cruises but you should get what you pay for.

Have a fabulous day, Rhonda. ♥

Linda (LD Holland)

November 29, 2019 at 3:18 am

Luckily we have no major food allergies. So we have not had an issue. But I am sure it must be a challenge. We have been on cruise lines that seem to be very focused on this challenge. So sad to hear that on your Azamara cruise you had foods you were allergic to on 5 of 15 days. Not great when they acknowledged your allergies! Always sad when the customer recovery is bad too! Some good tips in this article. Especially about carrying extra EpiPens. And you will need good travel insurance if you have to pay ship prices for them.

November 29, 2019 at 2:47 am

The food looks amazing, it is unfortunate that they weren’t attentive to your needs! Food allergies is so serious, they should have been a lot more caring. I am sorry you went through this.

November 28, 2019 at 10:45 pm

Sorry to hear about your bad experience… This is a classic way how a beautiful vacation can fail… You were lucky that they had amazing deserts which you could gorge on

November 28, 2019 at 9:08 pm

Oh wow! I can’t believe that they were so blasé about the whole thing! That’s appalling

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Dining at Sea: Best Cruises For Dietary Accommodations

Have you ever wanted to cruise but were unsure whether your dietary needs could be accommodated? While prior research makes your trip less stressful, knowing which cruise lines cater to a variety of dietary needs can be difficult. In this blog, we’ll explore cruise lines that offer a variety of accommodations for those with dietary restrictions.

To learn more about dietary accommodations onboard, keep reading ! 

Disney Cruise Line

Photo by Disney Cruise Line

Disney Cruise Line caters to various  dietary needs , from egg allergies and vegetarian options to Halal and Kosher meals. The cruise line will do its best to accommodate  allergies  that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) consider common (e.g. egg or tree nut allergies) as well as those that the FDA does not consider common (e.g. lactose intolerance and gluten allergies). However, these services cannot be guaranteed and the cruise line requests that any guest needing special dietary accommodations complete the   special services form , at least 3 days before your departure date, to ensure that the cruise line can accommodate passenger needs. For  Halal and Kosher meals , the cruise line requests at least 5 weeks’ advance notice to ensure availability. When onboard, inform the dining team when in any of the dining halls, even if you noted a request before boarding the cruise, because they can direct you to the meal options that accommodate your dietary needs. Please visit   Disney Cruise Line , for more information. 

MSC Cruises

Photo by MSC Cruises

MSC Cruises strives to accommodate a variety of   dietary needs , from gluten-free meals to Kosher and Halal products. The cruise line provides  gluten-free meals  on all of their ships, but this accommodation is based upon availability. The cruise line advises guests to check  the availability of gluten-free meals when booking. There are a limited number of pre-packaged gluten-free snacks (e.g. muffins, biscuits, croissants etc) available onboard several of the ships, but the availability of these snacks is not guaranteed. The cruise line requests that guests with food intolerances and/ or allergies complete the   Special Needs Form , and once onboard, confirm with the reception guest services and/ or with their Maître d’hôtel. For those requiring   Kosher meals , it is best to request this service at least 3 weeks prior to the departure date, but the kosher meals may  be available onboard for a slight fee. As for those requiring   Halal meals  (poultry, lamb, and beef), these should be requested at least 2 months before departure to ensure availability. For more information, please visit   MSC Cruises .

Royal Caribbean International Cruise Line 

Photo by Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean  is dedicated to catering for the dietary needs of all their guests. The cruise line accommodates   dietary restrictions   ranging from vegetarian food options to low-fat and sodium options.   Vegetarian meals  are available in all dining halls without needing to be requested prior to departure while vegan meals are available upon request at the Main Dining Hall. Other special dietary requirements such as  lactose free meals or Kosher   meals are available but must be requested at least 45 days (90 days for European and Asia cruises) before departure to ensure availability.

 To submit a request for dietary accommodations, guests can contact their travel advisor to ensure that the information is included in the reservation details. Additionally, guests can email   with information about their names, booking number, ship name and sail date, so that the cruise line can add it to the reservation and accommodate passengers’ needs. Guests who book online at royalcaribbean.com, can add their special requests to the ‘update personal information’ section on the website. Please visit  Royal Caribbean  for more information.

Carnival Cruise Line

Photo by Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival Cruise Line caters to a variety of dietary needs , from vegetarian meals, to low-sugar and gluten-free options. The cruise line chefs will provide meals to accommodate dietary restrictions, but informs guests that these meals may take longer to prepare as they are made fresh. There are a variety of gluten-free options that are available upon request, such as gluten- free pizza, pasta, hamburger buns, and cakes. Additionally, the yogurt and frozen desserts are gluten-free. Once on board, the cruise line requests that guests with special dietary needs speak to the head server or dining room host as soon as possible so that they can adequately prepare the meals for the duration of the cruise. For those requiring   Kosher meals , the cruise line requires at least  2 weeks’ notice. As for allergies, the cruise line will ask guests about allergy restrictions when onboard. For more information about dietary options, please contact   Carnival Cruise Line .

Seabourn Cruise Line

Photo by Seabourn

Seabourn strives to accommodate the  dietary needs  of all its passengers, but to do so, they request guests inform the cruise line at least six weeks before departure. Guests are encouraged to complete the   Special Requirements Information Form  if they have any severe or life-threatening allergies, as well as any other dietary requests. Furthermore, Seabourn also encourages its guests to take advantage of the ‘My Seabourn’ feature so that you can add your dietary requirements to your reservation. For more information about dietary options, please visit   Seabourn .

As you can see, there are many cruise lines that cater to a variety of dietary restrictions. Wherever you go, and whatever cruise line you choose, know that there will be accommodations for you. What are you waiting for? Sail away and journey the seven seas today!

By Kashaf Rashid 

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Best cruise food: These are the 6 cruise lines with the best food at sea

My mouth is watering just thinking about writing this story. As I sit here and recap all the lines I think are worthy of inclusion under the title of "best cruise line food," it's apparent how much cruise ship meals have evolved.

In the early days of cruising, travelers could only choose between set seating in the main dining room or a trip to the buffet for a more casual experience. These days, passengers are spoiled for choice, with some of the world's largest vessels offering dozens of options each.

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Among the staggering number of cuisines are pizza and burgers, sushi, steak, Italian, French, Indian, Mexican, Asian-fusion and diner fare, to name a few. Toss in partnerships with big names like Thomas Keller, Jacques Pepin, Matt Lambert and Guy Fieri, and you've got a recipe for dining success.

Nearly everyone who cruises looks forward to the food. Whether your palate is completely unsophisticated, or you're searching for a highbrow epicurean experience, this list rounds up the best cruise lines for food.

Note: These are my favorite cruise lines for food, listed in alphabetical order.

Carnival Cruise Line

Warning: I'm about to make a lofty and controversial claim. Carnival Cruise Line has the best all-around food of any mainstream cruise line. The food quality is even more surprising because its fares are some of the industry's lowest.

In addition to a pleasant variety of cuisine in its ships' onboard buffets, passengers will find delicious options on the main dining room menus daily. (One of the best-kept secrets is the line's Indian cuisine. If you don't see it on the menu, ask.)

Sure, Carnival has added-fee dining in the way of steak and seafood, but in terms of free fare, Carnival has the most impressive array of alternative dining options for which you won't have to shell out anything extra. In particular, I give special nods to Guy's Burger Joint by Guy Fieri; the BlueIguana Cantina, which offers Mexican food; Big Chicken, Shaquille O'Neal's chicken eatery; and Pizza Pirate or Pizzeria del Capitano (depending on the ship), which are renowned for their simply drool-worthy pies.

However, if you're in the mood for a splurge, you can't go wrong with a visit to Emeril's Bistro, which serves New Orleans-style a la carte items in partnership with chef Emeril Lagasse; Rudi's Seagrill, a seafood restaurant that's the brainchild of chef Rudi Sodamin; or Bonsai Teppanyaki.

Holland America Line

Perhaps I shouldn't be surprised that Carnival's sister brand Holland America is also tops when it comes to offering some of the best cruise dining. The line largely shies away from the flashy bells and whistles of other cruise lines. (You won't find zip lines or roller coasters on board.) Instead, its focus is on providing solid core amenities like a wide variety of truly talented musicians and, of course, food that stands out.

Everything I've ever eaten in the main dining room has been utterly delectable, and you absolutely can't beat grilled cheese sandwiches or pea soup from the complimentary Grand Dutch Cafe on the line's newest ships.

Chef Rudi Sodamin's quirky but tasty creations also make an appearance at the Sel de Mer seafood restaurant, where you can try steak, seafood, fish, duck and lamb dishes, as well as vegetarian options. The whimsical food faces you'll see on your plates are an added bonus. Meanwhile, Pinnacle Grill has some of the best steaks I've ever eaten on a ship (or on land, for that matter), and if you enjoy Asian cuisine, Tamarind is definitively worth the extra cost.

Further, HAL's food isn't just tasty; it's fresh and fairly sourced, too. The line has worked with James Beard Award-winning chef and Culinary Council member Ethan Stowell to create a series of special menu items for its Alaska voyages. The dishes use sustainable and certified Alaskan seafood sourced through a partnership with the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute and certification by Responsible Fisheries Management.

Oceania Cruises

Upscale cruise line Oceania packs a ton of restaurants onto its small ships, but you won't find a bad option in the bunch. Whether you value dining variety and tasty meals or you truly are a food snob, Oceania will surely come through with a win. How could it not with Jacques Pepin and Giada De Laurentiis contributing to the menus? Even better, all but the fanciest wine-paired special meals are included in the fares.

The line's smallest ships offer two specialty dining venues — a steakhouse and an Italian restaurant — in addition to the Grand Dining Room, with its expansive international menus, and the Terrace Café, a high-end buffet serving sushi, French cheeses and gourmet ice cream. Its largest vessels feature four reservations-only restaurants, adding in French, American and pan-Asian, depending on the ship.

Oceania puts just as much attention to detail — and deliciousness — into its smaller venues. Waves Grill on the pool deck goes beyond cheeseburgers to salmon sandwiches and Wagyu beef burgers. Its afternoon tea is a marquee event, with waiters wheeling carts of goodies through the observation lounge. On Vista , you can start your day on a high note at Aquamar with multiple types of avocado toast and freshly made juices blended with therapeutic spices. Its evening pizzeria is not to be missed, not only for the Italian-style pies but for the enticing burrata menu.

Finally, real gourmands looking for the ultimate dining experience can pay extra for wine-paired dinners that rival the most luxurious feast you've had on land — or a more expensive cruise line. Oceania puts so much stock in these meals that the line has built intimate dining rooms into its ships, reserved exclusively for these foodie events.

Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours

To me, truly great food balances top-notch ingredients, impeccable flavors and creative presentation in such a way that makes even the pickiest of eaters happy. Too often, I've found myself at chichi restaurants that use weird ingredients (read: animal organs I wouldn't touch with a 10-foot pole), focus on looks over taste or make portions so tiny that they leave my stomach rumbling. Of all the lines I've sailed, luxury brand Scenic checks all the right boxes — a balance of the former with none of the latter.

From simple foods like eggs at breakfast in the buffet to the absolutely next-level chef's table I experienced on expedition ship Scenic Eclipse — a vessel with an impressive number of dining options given its size — the food was tasty and well-prepared.

But that doesn't mean it wasn't creative. For example, the chef's table offered up candied foie gras (or, in my case, candied date) lollipops and cured meat made to look like cigars with ash — but it wasn't a case of form over function. The flavors were spot-on, and substitutions were available for picky eaters like me and a vegetarian travel companion.

Somewhere in between the no-reservations buffet and the invitation-only chef's table lie equally impressive reservation-required options like Koko's Sushi (don't miss the homemade cotton candy), Night Market teppanyaki and French restaurant Lumiere, which somehow managed to win over even this notoriously anti-French-cuisine cruiser.

Seabourn Cruise Line

Luxury brand Seabourn Cruise Line serves outstanding food in all of its venues, including The Restaurant main dining room and The Colonnade buffet, both of which switch up their menus each day. Even the cafe found at the central hub of Seabourn Square — part lounge, part customer service area — is excellent, as are nightly casual menu options, served outdoors on most ships.

Beyond that, the line's small-ish vessels don't have a ton of additional options, but what they lack in number, they make up for in sheer quality.

A prime example is Earth and Ocean, a dinner experience at The Patio (found at The Grill on some ships), served alfresco. Enjoy a selection of both land and sea options bursting with flavor and served with flare. Examples might include Belgian endive salad, prosciutto-wrapped asparagus, rib-eye steak, seafood bouillabaisse, baked Camembert and a salted caramel gelato sundae. Whatever you do, don't miss the homemade breadsticks.

Also, look for the new Mediterranean restaurant Solis debuting on ships this year.

Another luxurious standout is Seabourn's popular "caviar in the surf" event, held once per cruise. Waiters wade into the water at a beach while passengers are ashore and serve caviar and other accompaniments from trays. (On cold-weather voyages, the event is set up on tables on one of the outer decks instead.) Note that you can also order free caviar at any time of day if a craving strikes.

Virgin Voyages

When Virgin Voyages debuted, it did away with the traditional main dining room experience and, instead, added nearly a dozen restaurants that rival the ambience, quality and creativity of any upscale eatery on land. It also eschewed the idea of a traditional cruise buffet and replaced it with a food court. Additionally, it has gone out of its way to cater to dietary restrictions, with plenty of choices for vegetarians, vegans and cruisers who are gluten-free.

All of the options are included in the price — except for a new dinner theater experience on Resilient Lady — which represents a terrific value without sacrificing quality. Having partnered with famed chefs — including Matt Lambert of New York's The Musket Room; Sohui Kim of Insa, The Good Fork and Gage & Tollner in New York; and Silvana Salcido Esparza of Barrio Café in Phoenix — the line offers cuisine that runs the gamut from Mexican, Italian and steak selections to Korean barbecue, vegetarian-focused fare and even molecular gastronomy.

As for the line's new dinner theater option, it's not just a feast for the eyes. The food is fabulous, too, featuring intriguing dishes with an Indian flare that are seasoned just right.

Feeling like something more casual? Passengers can enjoy nearly round-the-clock personal pizzas, happy hour mezze platters, ice cream scoops and diner snacks like soft pretzels, hot dogs and candy — all complimentary. For something casual but more substantial, they can head to The Galley, a collection of food court-style counters serving diner grub, noodle bowls, paninis, salads, tacos, grab-and-go sushi and desserts, among other bites.

Have more cruise questions? TPG has answers:

• Banned items: What not to pack for a cruise
• Man overboard: Why do people fall off cruise ships?
• What is baked Alaska, and why is it paraded around cruise ships?
• What are the largest cruise ships in the world?
• What is a gentleman host on a cruise?
• What is the Jones Act, and how does it affect cruise ships?
• What is a lido deck on a cruise ship?
• What's a cruise cabin guarantee, and will it save you money?
• What's the difference between a cruise concierge and a butler?

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Special Dietary Requests

Common Allergy-Friendly Requests Less Common Allergy-Friendly or Intolerance Requests How to Request a Special Dietary Meal Participating Locations Storing and Handling Personal Food Items and Medications

Common Allergy-Friendly Requests

At our table-service restaurants, we will do our best to accommodate you if you need meals prepared without an ingredient that is one of the allergies the Food and Drug Administration considers most common.

Examples include, but are not limited to:

Less Common Allergy-Friendly or Intolerance Requests

Examples include, but are not limited to food:

• Made without gluten
• Made without lactose
• Made without corn
• Made without MSG

Any additional dietary requests, including those which are severe or life-threatening, may be requested through the Special Services form prior to your cruise.

How to Request a Special Dietary Meal

Dietary special requests are available with no additional charge through the Special Requests application under My Reservations .

Guests may submit their requests up to 3 days prior to embarkation. However, if you do require either kosher or halal meals, we do ask that your request be submitted at least 5 weeks prior to your sail date.

Please note: Kosher for Passover meal requests must be submitted 10 weeks in advance in order to be accommodated.

Dietary requests notated on your reservation will not be automatically applied at our quick-service meal locations or through in-room dining. Once on board the ship, please be sure to:

• Visit the Onboard Dining Session offered on Embarkation Day.
• Notify the dining team while ordering at any of our dining venues, even if you previously indicated it during the reservation process.

We strive to use reasonable efforts in our food sourcing, preparation and handling procedures to avoid the introduction of the named allergens into your menu choices. While we take steps to prevent cross-contact, we do not have separate allergy-friendly kitchens and are unable to guarantee that a menu item is completely free of allergens.

Please also note that our allergy-friendly offerings are reliant on supplier ingredient labels, and we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the contents of each food item. Allergen advisory statements (e.g., "may contain") are not regulated and therefore not taken into consideration when developing allergy-friendly meals. It is ultimately up to the Guest’s discretion to make an informed choice based upon their individual dietary needs.

Participating Locations

Keep in mind, while our quick-service and in-room dining locations take reasonable efforts to accommodate dietary needs, we cannot guarantee that they will be able to meet all requests. We welcome you to dine at our Main Dining and adult-exclusive locations—which offer more resources to help guide you toward an appropriate meal.

Storing and Handling Personal Food Items and Medications

Crew Members are prohibited from storing, preparing, cooking or reheating any food brought aboard our ships by Guests. Please review our guidelines concerning bringing your own food and ice chests on board.

Dining on a Disney Cruise with food allergies

Check out these great sections about Disney Cruises with food allergies.

• Restaurants at a glance
• Dining times for dinner
• Ordering meals
• Food safety
• Special order cakes
• Other restaurant tips
• Suggestions for the Disney Cruise Line (send us yours as you send us your reviews)
• Port Adventures Food – what to do
• Restaurant Menus
• Fish Extenders
• Extensive list of general tips for traveling on the Disney Cruise Line with food allergies , supplied by a reader. We used this to plan our trip.
• NEW! Our Canadian friend, Jennifer, is back with another great Disney Dream food allergy review .
• A Disney Cruise food allergy review , submitted by a reader.

The following was graciously contributed by a reader, Jennifer from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

• If using a travel agent, inform them of your allergies and request them to put an allergy flag on your file.
• If you booked the trip on your own, call or e-mail Disney Cruise Line (DCL) and inform them of your allergies so they can flag your file.
• The details, disclaimers, and information the DCL staff will give you on the phone or e-mail may look daunting, saying you can only eat in the dining rooms, but you’ll find the crew on the ship far more accommodating and in tune with your needs.
• For kids, bring an allergy action plan with a photo for the counsellors in the kid’s club.
• Pack a few allergy-free snacks in your luggage for those day trips off the ship.
• Pack some shampoo, conditioner, soap, etc. in case the stuff in your stateroom isn’t allergy friendly.
• Pack at least two epinephrine auto-injectors and keep them with you at all times.
• Look at the Navigator (the newsletter/schedule for the day) and note when and where to go to change dining assignments or make reservations for the adult-only restaurants.  You should visit one of these places to verify that your allergies have been noted on your reservation.  You can also talk to the dining representatives there to discuss options available to you or ask any questions you may have.
• For lunch on embarkation day, head to the sit-down restaurant open for dining.  They may try to divert you to the buffet on the pool deck, but the sit-down place is better able to handle allergies this day.  (It’s a buffet too, just in a restaurant.)  Tell the person who seats you that you have allergies and would like to speak to a chef.  The chef will review your allergies and preferences and make you something safe and to your liking.  It may take a while, so be prepared to wait…
• Beware of any treats in your room, they may not be safe. Check the labels on the shampoos and soaps and things too.  As far as I can tell, housekeeping does not have access to the allergy flags.  Sad but true.  You can ask your stateroom attendant not to bring food items or shampoos into your room, or ask for them to remove certain items.
• The wonderful thing about rotational (and traditional) dining is that you get the same servers every evening, which means you don’t have to tell them about your allergies over and over again.  Yay!
• Your servers should already be aware of your allergies.  Eerily, they will even know who is who and any allergies before you even meet them!  On your first evening, your head server will come to your table to introduce themselves and explain the allergy ordering process.  The servers will take your order on pink cards.  On the cards is a place to write the person’s name, table number, allergies, and their order.
• Every evening, you will be asked to place your order(s) for the next day (breakfast, lunch, and/or supper).  This will ensure they make your items without allergens or make modifications if necessary.  If you order ahead of time, your food will come to the table much faster than if you didn’t.  It also allows you to order things that aren’t on the menu or things that would require significant modification to meet your needs.
• They can modify things so that they do not contain your allergens. For instance, cream soups can be specially made without cream for those allergic or sensitive to dairy. If you really want something, don’t be afraid to ask. (They will get creative. The chefs I talked to were all genuinely concerned and wanted me to enjoy everything I ate…)  They can even make things not on the menu, or get things from the crew mess.  (They have great curries down there!)
• There are some allergy-friendly foods not on the usual menus.  They vary by sailing and by ship, but we’ve regularly seen dinner rolls, waffles, pancakes and chocolate cake that are all free of gluten, egg, dairy, peanut, and nuts!  Ask the head server for details.  That is, if they don’t offer them to you first.
• Silk soy milk is used onboard.  Rice milk should also be available.  This is in the dining rooms only, but if you’re really polite and ask someone at the buffet they may get you some from the galley.
• Tofutti or Rice Dream ice cream should be available in the dining rooms.  Sadly, neither was safe for nut allergies when we were onboard.
• Always double check the ingredients for everything brought to your table, including the breads and pastries.  Confirm that everything has been checked for allergies.
• When dining in the dining rooms for lunch and breakfast, the person checking you in will print off a card that has your allergies listed on it. Remind the servers that there are allergies and they will bring the head waiter over to your table to take your order on the pink tickets. That is, if you didn’t pre-order your meal the night before.
• If you are not convinced that your servers or chefs understand you completely go to Guest Services  immediately and express your concern. They will take your report very seriously and either change your servers or your table.
• Disney only guarantees allergy-friendly food in the dining rooms, but buffets and quick service places have been really good to us and my relatives with multiple food allergies who cruise with them far more often than we do.
• At the buffets you can tell the person handing out plates that you have allergies and need to speak to the chef. The chef will take you through the line and tell you what is safe. They can then go to the kitchen and get you the items you request, ensuring no cross contamination.  If nothing is safe or appealing to your appetite, they may make you something simple.
• For the quick service places on the pool deck, you can ask for ingredients on everything. If they don’t have the list, they can find out. You may want to bring your Wave phone with you the first day or two so chefs can call you back about quick service ingredients.
• Like the restaurants, the chefs at the buffets will go out of their way to make sure you have allergy-friendly food to eat.  I was fortunate to get to know two chefs at the buffets who told me how compassionate they are towards people with allergies and how they can only imagine how difficult it must be.  We talked about the challenges allergies bring and how the staff have been great at making accommodations.  One chef told me how he gave a whole bag of special dinner rolls to a girl with milk and wheat allergies to take back to their room and use for the week.  He did this because he couldn’t guarantee that they would be available the whole week and wanted to make sure she had enough to eat.  Another chef baked me a heaping plate full of allergy-free cookies that I could take back to my room and keep for the duration of the cruise.  He knew that I couldn’t eat any of the desserts at the buffet or snacks in the shops and wanted to fill that gap.  I didn’t ask for it; he just did it (twice, actually).  I was over the moon.  (And the kids at the table next to me had eyes as wide as saucers and asked their mum how they could get a big plate of cookies like that!)
• On Castaway Cay (pronounced KEY) they can bring a special allergy-friendly meal to the restaurant on the island for you. Otherwise, you’ll have to go back to the ship to eat. Talk to your head server the night before for options.
• The DCL staff are only human, and mistakes do happen.  Their policies are thorough and comforting.  However, reactions happen, it’s just a fact of life with allergies.  Be prepared and bring your epinephrine auto-injector everywhere.
• If you have the unfortunate experience of a reaction, find the nearest cast member (staff) and let them know you need a doctor right away. All phones have the emergency number written on them as well. A doctor will come to you faster than you can get to the medical clinic.
• For mild reactions: the onboard shops, Guest Services (if the shops are closed), and the medical centre all have Benadryl available upon request.
• Oh, where to store your auto-injectors whilst swimming… there aren’t any lifeguard chairs to clip them to or cupboards to store them in.  We opted to wrap them in a towel with our stuff on a beach chair in the shade.  This kept them cool, out of the sun, and close at hand.
• The kids clubs have a system for young kids with allergies.  The computer will prompt the staff to request or return an auto-injector when you check in or check out your child.  They will issue a coloured wrist band to kids with allergies whose parents have requested that the club not feed their child anything.  If you know there will be an activity with food (i.e. baking cookies or lunch, per the Navigator), it may be a good idea not to send your kid to the kid’s club at that time.  Or, if you do, talk to the counsellors at how they can keep your child safe.

Thank you, Jennifer, for this great information!

Another DCL food allergy experience, from a friend. DCL was able to accommodate their son’s peanut allergy. Additionally, the head chef contacted them personally as they were coming into port in Key West, so that he could acquire any special requests they might have for specific food items. That’s the Disney Experience!

Disney Cruise Medical staff and training for food allergies

We spoke to Disney Cruise Lines about the medical staff available onboard the ships. We were told there are several doctors, medically trained staff and medical facilities on board. Anyone requiring an EpiPen should be in good hands for additional treatment.

Additionally, all of the staff in the children’s areas are fully trained to use an EpiPen.

Anyone considering a Disney Cruise with food allergies should call and discuss their allergies with DCL to determine their own level of comfort.

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Guests With Disabilities

• Dietary Needs

FACILITIES AND SERVICES FOR GUESTS WITH DISABILITIES

At Carnival, we're dedicated to offering a fun and memorable cruise experience to all our guests. Our team of trained crew members provides attentive service and our ships have a variety of accessible features to ensure our guests with disabilities have a relaxing and enjoyable cruise. We are working on additional modifications to our ships and services to further enhance the guest experience. Look for updates to this page periodically for more details.

While we provide attentive service, we do not provide one-on-one personal care assistance, and all guests must be able to provide such care for themselves (e.g., performing personal tasks such as eating, dressing, toileting, bathing, and getting around the ship). Once on board, our crew will not provide any assistance with such personal tasks.

General Access

We've made substantial modifications to our ships, to help make them easier to navigate. Our ships feature accessible elevators at each elevator bank, equipped with both tactile controls within reach of guests who use wheelchairs and audible signals for guests who are blind or have limited vision.

Accessible routes are available throughout most areas of the ship and signs are posted to assist you in locating these pathways. Accessible tables are available in the dining venues of each ship. In addition to the main dining rooms, each ship offers a variety of accessible dining options within Lido Deck casual dining areas and other restaurant venues. 24-hour room service is also available for all our guests. Pool lifts are available on Carnival Celebration, Carnival Firenze, Carnival Freedom, Carnival Horizon, Carnival Jubilee, Carnival Miracle, Carnival Panorama, Carnival Paradise, Carnival Pride, Carnival Radiance, Carnival Sunrise, Carnival Venezia, Carnival Vista, and Mardi Gras, all of which have a 300 pound weight limit.

For each ship, diagrams of accessible routes, accessible staterooms*, and accessible public restrooms are available below. Use our accessible PDF deck plans to locate accessible rooms, while the interactive deck plans allow you to easily get more details about a particular room, including dimensions, when you search by room number.

* Carnival Celebration, Carnival Jubilee, Mardi Gras – Not all staterooms can accommodate scooters. If you are traveling with a scooter on one of these ships, please review your ship’s PDF accessible deck plan and confirm the stateroom you have selected accommodates your needs.

If you need general information about accessibility before you cruise, or have an ADA complaint, please call our Guest Access team at 1-800-438-6744 ext.70025, or 1800 072 670 ext. 70025 if calling from Australia. You can also email us at [email protected] . All post-cruise ADA concerns will be responded to within 30 days. Carnival's designated ADA Responsibility Officer is Clarisa Stollenwerck, Vice President, Guest Operations.

ACCESSIBLE STATEROOMS

Our ships have specially designed staterooms for guests using wheelchairs, or those who have mobility limitations and could benefit from the features of an accessible stateroom. We request our guests to acknowledge the need for the accessible stateroom by completing this Mobility Questionnaire , or one will be sent to you once the reservation has been secured and you have notified Carnival that you, or the person you are securing the stateroom for, requires the accessibility features of the stateroom.

If an accessible stateroom is booked by a guest who does not need the accessibility features in the stateroom, they may at any time be moved to a non-accessible stateroom in order to accommodate a guest with a disability.

We have four classifications of staterooms:

Fully Accessible Cabins (FAC) : These staterooms are designed for use by guests with highly limited mobility or no mobility, who require the regular use of a wheelchair, scooter or other similar assistive devices. FAC contain accessible elements including turning space, accessible routes throughout the stateroom and an accessible bathroom. Additionally, the bathrooms contain grab bars and shower seats † .

Fully Accessible Cabins – Single Side Approach (FAC-SSA) : These staterooms are designed for use by guests with highly limited or no mobility, who require the regular use of a wheelchair, scooter or other similar assistive devices. FAC–SSA are a type of FAC that provide an accessible route and clear floor space on only one side of the bed, in staterooms configured to provide only one bed. In a stateroom configured to provide two beds, the clear floor space will be between the beds, with one side of each bed getting an accessible route. Additionally, these staterooms have an accessible bathroom that contains grab bars and shower seats † .

Ambulatory Accessible Cabins (AAC) †† : These staterooms are designed for use by guests with mobility limitations, who do not require the regular use of a wheelchair, scooter, or other similar assistive devices. For example, AAC are ideal for guests who only use an assistive device (like a cane or a walker) for traversing longer distances, and who may benefit from certain accessible features like grab bars, to assist with balance. Please keep in mind this type of stateroom has a step going into the bathroom and balcony (if applicable).

Standard Cabins †† : These staterooms have an entry doorway measuring approximately 22" (55.9 cm), an 8" (20.3 cm) lip into the cabin bathroom, a 4" (10.2 cm) lip into the shower stall and a 7" (17.8 cm) lip to the balcony (if applicable). If an accessible stateroom is booked by a guest who does not need the accessibility features in the stateroom, they may at any time be moved to a non-accessible stateroom in order to accommodate a guest with a disability.

As with all Carnival reservations, staterooms within each category are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Therefore, it is advisable to reserve the appropriate stateroom in advance. If an accessible stateroom is booked by a guest who does not need the accessibility features in the stateroom, they may at any time be moved to a non-accessible stateroom in order to accommodate a guest with a disability.

† For cabins on Carnival Liberty and Carnival Glory that do not have a shower seat, a shower stool is available on request.

†† Carnival Celebration ® , Carnival Jubilee ™ , Mardi Gras ® – Not all staterooms can accommodate scooters. If you are traveling with a scooter on one of these ships, please review your ship’s PDF accessible deck plan and confirm the stateroom you have selected accommodates your needs.

PERSONAL MOBILITY DEVICES (WHEELCHAIRS/SCOOTERS/SEGWAYS)

We strongly encourage guests to inform us if they are traveling with wheelchairs/scooters at the time of booking, or as soon as the need is known, to ensure they have a stateroom that best accommodates their needs.

Due to safety considerations, mobility devices cannot be stored in corridors or public areas. In order to purchase a standard stateroom † , mobility devices must be able to fit through its 22" (55.9 cm) wide entry doorway, and must fold and collapse so when stored, allows for safe exit from the stateroom. Guests who bring scooters that are larger than 21" (53.34 cm) wide, or travel with multiple scooters in the same stateroom, must purchase a fully accessible stateroom with a wider doorway (32”, 81.3 cm), or rent a smaller scooter appropriately suited for their stateroom. Guests may be required to have their scooters sized at the time of check-in to ensure it fits in the stateroom. Scooters that do not fit in the stateroom will not be allowed on board. Should a guest be unable to make alternate arrangements to rent a smaller scooter or travel without it, he/she will be denied boarding and no compensation will be provided.

If bringing a scooter, please bring one that can collapse or fold so that it may be stored in the closet or underneath the vanity area. Once on board, guests may contact their room steward for assistance.

Only mobility devices operated with gel, dry cell, absorbed glass mat, or lithium-ion batteries will be allowed on board. Batteries must be charged in the guest's stateroom and for this reason, we recommend guests travel with a scooter that has removable batteries.

Guests must drive at a safe speed to ensure their own safety and the safety of others on board. Raised door thresholds are present throughout the ship, which need to be traversed with care. Careful attention must be paid when backing in and out of elevators as they are often in close proximity to the staircase and may be narrow and difficult to navigate.

Mobility devices cannot be left unattended in any venue area unless the guest is temporarily away attending an event and, the device is parked in an area that allows all guests safe exit from the venue. When in public areas, guests must maintain their device clear of any exits or fire doors and ensure it does not obstruct any fire or safety equipment.

Guests bringing a Segway must store it in their stateroom for use at ports of call only.

RENTAL SERVICES

AIRPORT TRANSFERS

North America Departures: For transportation from the airport to the cruise port, a hydraulic lift transfer is available for guests with mobility limitations. This service must be requested in advance. Hydraulic lifts have a maximum weight limit of 500 pounds (226 kg), including wheelchair/scooter and guest. Standard airport transfer charges apply; there is no additional cost for the lift. If you require this service, please let us know no later than 14 days prior to sailing. After booking your cruise, you can reserve your hydraulic lift transfer online, by accessing the Manage My Cruise page or by calling the Guest Services Contact Center at 1-800-438-6744 ext. 70025 or 1800-072-670 ext. 70025 if calling from Australia.

• Barcelona: +34 606-289-559
• Lisbon (Portugal): +351 917 630 855
• London (Dover): +44 798-988-1258
• Rome (Civitavecchia): +39 064-202-0498

WHEELCHAIR ASSISTANCE

Each terminal has a limited supply of wheelchairs used to transport guests on and off the ship, so we are unable to loan you our wheelchairs for the duration of the cruise. If you need wheelchair assistance for boarding the ship, please contact one of our representatives once you arrive at the cruise terminal. Assistance will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis. For assistance with debarkation, instructions on where to meet will be provided the last evening of your cruise.

Please note, all wheelchairs have a maximum guest weight limit of 325 pounds. For safety reasons, we are unable to provide wheelchair assistance to those who exceed the maximum weight limit and we reserve the right to deny assistance if the weight presents operational or safety concerns.

GOING ASHORE

Carnival is committed to accommodating its guests with disabilities so they can fully, yet safely, enjoy the ports of call. Guests wishing to disembark the vessel on their mobility device must be able to safely navigate the angle of the gangway while the ship is docked in port.

At certain ports of call, water shuttles are required to transport guests between the ship and shore. Whether guests with mobility limitations can board a water shuttle is subject to numerous factors, including weather and tidal conditions, which may affect the transfer from one moving vessel to another. Also, facilities in ports vary and, therefore, certain water shuttles may not be accessible to individuals using wheelchairs, scooters and other mobility devices. While the sea and wind conditions may be acceptable to safely board the water shuttle, fluctuations in the weather may make re-boarding to return to the ship dangerous. The final determination of whether any guest may board a water shuttle is made by the captain. Safety restrictions prohibit crew from carrying individuals on or off water shuttles.

In the event you are unable to go ashore, our shipboard team will have activities and entertainment for you to enjoy.

Ports Requiring Water Shuttles

* Limited availability of accessible water shuttles

** No accessible water shuttles available

*** Water shuttles sometimes required; varies by sailing. Based on local availability, accessible water shuttles may not be available.

If you require additional information or need assistance to ensure you have the best accommodations for your needs, please call our Guest Access team at 1-800-438-6744 ext.70025 or 1800 072 670 ext. 70025 if calling from Australia. You can also email us at [email protected] . All post-cruise ADA concerns will be responded to within 30 days. Carnival's designated ADA Responsibility Officer is Clarisa Stollenwerck, Vice President, Guest Operations.

Carnival makes available to all guests who require them a visual-tactile, cabin alert system that notifies room occupants of a door knock, a telephone call, the alarm clock, or a smoke-detection event. A TTY (teletypewriter) is also available to communicate with Guest Services, 24 hours a day.

A safety briefing video with open captions is televised in all staterooms throughout the cruise. Carnival-created TV content has closed captions. Additionally, when available through our service provider, closed captions are offered for certain in-stateroom TV programs and movies. Should you require closed captioning for our outdoor movies, please contact our Guest Services team once on board. Other important information can be found in the Fun Times (our daily newsletter).

Assistive listening headsets are available to amplify the sounds of live, onboard performances in our main show room. You may request them at Guest Services once on board.

Deaf or hard of hearing guests who use sign language as their primary means of communication may request a sign language interpreter. Sign language interpreters can be requested, on a shared basis, for cruises departing from and returning to a U.S port for the purpose of interpreting our main production shows, port and shopping presentations, and other major organized activities.

Please inform the Guest Access Department at the time of booking, or at your earliest possible convenience, if you need a sign language interpreter. A form will be sent to you, which must be completed and returned to us for the request to be processed. We will always make reasonable efforts to obtain a sign language interpreter at the time of the request. Since interpreters are subject to availability, a 60-day notice is strongly encouraged whenever possible. We are unable to take requests for a specific interpreter.

If you need general information about accessibility before you cruise, or have an ADA complaint, please call our Guest Access team at 1-800-438-6744 ext.70025 or 1800 072 670 ext. 70025 if calling from Australia. You can also email us at [email protected] . All post-cruise ADA concerns will be responded to within 30 days. Carnival's designated ADA Responsibility Officer is Clarisa Stollenwerck, Vice President, Guest Operations.

Braille signage, indicating stateroom numbers and public room names, is available on board our ships. The only Braille format document available, absent advance request, is our in-cabin 'Good to Know' Information Sheet.

Large print format is available for our daily newsletter (the Carnival Fun Times), dining room menus, and shore excursion information. We ask that you request large-print items prior to sailing, so we can have them ready for you upon arrival. Please send your request to [email protected] or you may call our Guest Access team at 1-800-438-6744 ext. 70025 or 1800 072 670 ext. 70025 if calling from Australia. We also provide an audible format of our Carnival Fun Times. Additional requests for large print information or alternate formats may be made at the Guest Services desk, once on board; however, there may be a delay if not requested prior to sailing.

Dining rooms menus can be provided in an electronic PDF file, readable via screen-reading software. Our dining team will also be happy to review the menu with you in detail. You can also access information directly on your phone via the Carnival HubApp.

Specific computers in the internet café are equipped with screen-reader software.

If you need assistance with the safety briefing or require an orientation of the ship’s layout, please contact Guest Services once on board. While we provide attentive service, we do not provide sighted guide services throughout your cruise.

Service dogs are welcome on board. For specific details and requirements, please click on the Service Dogs tab.

If you need general information about accessibility before you cruise, or have an ADA complaint, please call our Guest Access team at 1-800-438-6744 ext. 70025 or 1800 072 670 ext. 70025 if calling from Australia. You can also email us at [email protected] . All post-cruise ADA concerns will be responded to within 30 days. Carnival's designated ADA Responsibility Officer is Clarisa Stollenwerck, Vice President, Guest Operations.

Carnival works with parents or guardians to include children within the designated age ranges in the available youth programs. Each child's needs are assessed, on a case-by-case basis, to determine how she or he can be accommodated and integrated in the program to have a fully and equally enjoyable experience. Youth Programs rules and regulations still apply to all children, in terms of age policy, illness, hours of operation and acceptable conduct (unruly behavior) while in the program.

In order to participate in Carnival Youth Program activities, the parent/guardian will need to register their child for the program. When registering the child, the staff will work with the parents to determine what special assistance will help aid the Youth Staff in how to best serve the child while participating in the activities. Parents/guardians may choose to have their child move down one age group as an accommodation. No child who is 18 years or older can participate in Youth Programs. Carnival does not provide one-on-one attention, but the parent or assigned helper may stay and participate in the activities with the child.

Staff members are not to change diapers of children who are older than 5 years old and/or exceeding the diaper weight requirement due to the diaper changing table procedure and safety of child. Due to safety concerns, staff, and crew, cannot lift or carry guests.

Medical care consent is required to participate in youth programs. In the event your child requires regular medication while attending a Youth Programs activity, a parent/guardian must return to administer that medication. The Youth Staff will not administer any medication and/or needles to child participating in a Youth Programs activity, with the exception of epi-pens. Only epi-pens, self-using inhalers, self-administered diabetic testing equipment, self-administered insulin and glucose tablets are permitted in Youth Programs.

Supervised lunch with Youth Staff is scheduled for children ages 2-11, during port days only. Supervised dinner with Youth Staff is scheduled nightly (except embarkation night) for children ages 2-11. Since the Youth Staff is not able to provide one-on-one assistance, children will need to be able to feed themselves. In the event a child needs to be fed, the adult responsible for the child may remain with him/her during dinner or bring the child to activities following the dinner service. Special diets cannot be accommodated for meals served in Youth Programs. Kid’s menus are subject to change based on availability.

Carnival is the first cruise line to be certified “sensory inclusive” by KultureCity ® , a leading nonprofit for individuals with sensory and invisible disabilities (such as Autism, ADHD, Down Syndrome, PTSD, etc.). If a child with a sensory or cognitive need is cruising, you can meet with Guest Services to discuss any special accommodations. Youth Staff have different resources on hand to help soothe, calm and entertain children participating in our Youth Programs, such as weighted vests, conversation cards, sensory games and other aids.

“WE DEDICATE THIS TO ABSOLUTELY EVERYONE.”

KULTURECITY AWARDED CARNIVAL

THE 2022 HUMAN HIGHLIGHT AWARD

FIND OUT MORE

Carnival is the first cruise line to be certified "sensory inclusive" by KultureCity , a leading nonprofit dedicated to accessibility and inclusion for individuals with sensory and invisible disabilities.

All of Carnival’s guest-facing crew have been trained to understand and help guests with sensory/cognitive needs. The Guest Services and Youth Staff are ready to assist adults, youth and children with sensory-related questions or issues relating to conditions such as Autism, ADHD, Down Syndrome, PTSD, etc. KultureCity Sensory Bags can be checked out for the duration of the cruise (on a complimentary and first-come, first-served basis) by visiting Guest Services or one of our Youth programs. Each bag contains items to help calm, relax and manage sensory overload, and include comfortable noise-canceling headphones, fidget tools, a visual feeling thermometer, and a KultureCity VIP lanyard, to help the staff easily identify a guest.

These measures have been proven to be helpful to guests in a variety of venues including stadiums, arenas, amusement parks, and now Carnival ships!

Informational videos designed to create greater awareness among all guests, and featuring actor Christopher Gorham, a member of the KultureCity board of directors, are playing in our in-stateroom televisions.

If a guest with a sensory or cognitive need is cruising, the family should meet with Guest Services once they are on board to discuss any special accommodations, including a private safety briefing.

Youth staff has different resources on-hand to help soothe, calm and entertain children participating in our youth programs: such as weighted vests, conversation cards, sensory games, and other aids.

Carnival Cruise Line and KultureCity share a heartfelt commitment to acceptance and inclusivity. Working together, all guests can be the truest versions of themselves onboard a Carnival cruise ship.

MEDICAL CARE

In the event a guest requires medical attention while on board, our ships have medical facilities and staff to assist 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  In case of a serious medical emergency, where more comprehensive facilities are required, guests are referred to shoreside medical facilities. Our Medical Center cannot supply or refill prescriptions.

We strongly encourage guests to carry a copy of their medical records (e.g., a list of medical conditions, allergies, names, and medication dosages as well as the name and contact information of their physician).

For guests who are traveling with injectable medication and need a Sharps disposal container, please contact the Medical Center or the onboard Housekeeping staff. Some ships have staterooms equipped with mini-bars designed to maintain the temperature of beverages. Mini-bars are not to be used to store medications that have specific temperature requirements. Portable medi-coolers are available in limited quantities, and on a first-come, first-served basis with a refundable rental deposit required. If a cooler is not available, our Medical Center can assist guests with refrigeration needs (accessible during operating hours of the Medical Center only) or you may bring your own personal-size cooler for this purpose. Ships equipped with mini-bars are:

There are significant risks associated with undergoing dialysis during a cruise. Guests should be aware that our ships do not have kidney specialists or dialysis equipment and supplies available on board and our medical staff are not trained to perform dialysis.

We highly recommend that guests have been stable on their home dialysis treatments for a period of at least 12 months prior to sailing.

Considerations prior to cruising

Guests requiring peritoneal or hemodialysis, travel on our ships at their own risk. Guests traveling while on dialysis should consult with their nephrologist and provide them a copy of our risk acknowledgement letter prior to making any travel arrangements.

The ship does not carry a nephrologist onboard and timely availability of this specialty may be severely limited during the port visits. Any necessary medical care required by a specialist nephrologist will not be available while the ship is at sea.

Ships do not have back-up battery support for dialysis related equipment. In the event of a power outage on board, dialysis equipment requiring electricity may not be functional.

The risks to the guest who misses a scheduled dialysis treatment are very serious. The guest assumes additional risks when a ship is unable to make a scheduled port of call for operational reasons.

Among the many recognized risks dialysis patients may experience include pericarditis, cardiac tamponade, congestive heart failure, anemia, hemorrhage and death. Risks associated with peritoneal dialysis include infection, obstruction of the catheter, hemoperitoneum and metabolic complications. Recognized risks associated with hemodialysis include low blood pressure, bleeding, infection, clotting of the vascular access, and seizures.

Guests should be aware that charges apply for treatment in the ship’s medical center, which must be paid before disembarkation. An itemized bill will be provided which can be submitted to the guest’s travel or health insurance. Typically, standard trip travel interruption insurance does not cover medical costs.

We strongly suggest that guests contact their own health insurance to determine their benefits for medical providers outside of the United States, as well as available air-ambulance and repatriation benefits. Travelers are advised to purchase travel health insurance with defined out-of-country treatment and repatriation benefits, even if this coverage might be redundant.

Arrangements

Guests are expected to make all arrangements regarding dialysis, whether self-administered on board or at a shore side facility, and therefore take full responsibility for their arrangements, equipment and supplies.

For security reasons, the Guest Access Department must be advised of the type of supplies the guest is taking to the ship, the quantities of each, and the name of the medical/vendor supply company the guest will be using to transport supplies, no later than two weeks prior to sailing, in order for the ship’s security access systems to be updated. If a guest will be bringing their own supplies, it is important that they be hand-carried. Guests should not pack these supplies with their checked-in luggage.

The electrical outlets on all the ships are compatible with U.S. household standards: 110 volts/60 cycles, while our Australia-based ships offer one 230 volt/50 cycle powerpoint per cabin. If there are specific requirements for machinery (such as water intake), these must be communicated to the Guest Access Department as soon as possible. Medical waste receptacles can be provided for disposal of bio-hazardous waste.

Prior to the ship sailing, the guest must verify that all supplies and equipment are on board the ship and any equipment is fully functional in the stateroom. Failure to do so will prevent the guest from sailing. In the case of certain medical complications that cannot be treated onboard, you may be required to be disembarked to a medical facility ashore. The patient will be responsible for all medical expenses both on board and ashore.

If, after considering this information, a guest plans to sail with us while undergoing dialysis, they must send a fit to sail clearance letter from their nephrologist and a signed risk acknowledgement letter by e-mail to [email protected] . Failure to submit this form, along with the fit to sail letter from their nephrologist, 5 weeks prior to sailing will result in full cancellation with penalties.

The Medical Center is equipped with oxygen for emergency use ONLY. If you require the use of oxygen during your cruise, you must arrange for an adequate supply to be delivered to the ship on your sailing date. Please contact Guest Services once on board for proper storage of your oxygen. Guests are responsible for the pickup and delivery of their own oxygen. Please have your medical supply company contact us, otherwise port clearance may not be granted.

If you choose to bring your own personal supply of oxygen, you must hand carry it with you. Packing oxygen cylinders and/or tanks in your checked luggage is strictly prohibited, as is putting them through security x-ray machines. Please hand-carry your oxygen machines (BiPAP, CPAP, Concentrator, Nebulizer, etc.) and not place them in your checked luggage.

* Guests who use oxygen or depend on hemodialysis are welcome to cruise if sailing on itineraries of 15 nights or less.

Carnival can provide our guests with meals suited to the following special dietary needs: vegetarian, low-cholesterol, low-fat, low-carbohydrate, low-sugar, and gluten-free. Our chefs will make every effort to fulfill your requests, and will gladly prepare freshly-made options that meet your dietary needs. Once on board, we ask you speak with the headwaiter or dining room host in advance, so they can assist in planning your daily meals in the dining room. This will allow us the necessary time to prepare foods, as requested, in a timely manner.

Gluten-free pizza dough, pasta, bread for deli sandwiches, and hamburgers buns, as well as cake are available upon request. Plus, our frozen desserts and yogurt are gluten-free. All items are freshly prepared and may take a little longer than regular menu items. Gluten-free alcoholic beverages are available for your enjoyment on our U.S.-based ships.

Guests who require a different dining time than they chose when booking can change once on board the ship. Guests will be accommodated on a first-come, first-served basis.

Food Allergies

Our ships* are equipped with Menu Mate™ food ingredient program fleetwide to accommodate guests with food allergies. Easily operated on touch-screen tablets at food venues, the Menu Mate food ingredient program is powered by award-winning CertiStar software to mitigate the risks of allergic reactions. The new program is the first of its kind among major cruise lines. Our staff will ask guests about food allergies and enter any restrictions into the program. The software will then sort through all available options and display which items are allergen-free, which options can be modified to exclude the specified allergen and which selections should be avoided. If preferred, guests can also use the Menu Mate designated tablet themselves to enter in their own allergy/dietary information and then order from the options curated to meet their needs. Guests will also be able to find a Menu Mate tablet on display near the Lido buffet stations as well.

* Currently not available on Carnival Splendor ®

Other Dietary Needs

Although we do not have dietitians on board, we can offer assistance with simple requests such as the method of preparation of menu items. Diet requirements need to be arranged with the head waiter on the first night of the cruise. If dining in the Lido Restaurant, the guest should discuss requirements with senior dining staff.

If you need general information about accessibility before you cruise, or have an ADA complaint, please call our Guest Access team at 1-800-438-6744 ext. 70025 , or 1800 072 670 ext. 70025 if calling from Australia. You can also email us at [email protected] . All post-cruise ADA concerns will be responded to within 30 days. Carnival's designated ADA Responsibility Officer is Clarisa Stollenwerck, Vice President, Guest Operations.

The only dogs Carnival permits aboard our ships are working service dogs, which are legally defined and individually trained to meet disability-related needs by performing tasks like guiding a blind person, alerting a deaf person, pulling wheelchairs, alerting and protecting a person who is having a seizure, or performing other special tasks. Working service dogs are not pets.

Pets, or service dogs in training, are not allowed aboard. Emotional support dogs, which are not recognized by the US Department of Justice, are also not permitted on Carnival ships.

If you are traveling with a working service dog that meets the requirements described above, please review the following policies and procedures:

• Carnival is not responsible for limitations imposed on working service dogs by entities or shore excursion providers in foreign ports of call.
• Note that many of the ports you may visit will only accept annual rabies vaccinations and do not recognize three-year rabies vaccination.
• Mexican ports require service dogs to have received an ecto-parasite and endo-parasite treatment no more than 15 days prior to arrival to port and this information should be included in the dog’s health certificate. If you have any questions, please consult with your veterinarian.
• If your itinerary includes a visit to Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos Islands requires service dogs to travel with the necessary documentation (including an import license) regardless of whether or not the service dog will disembark in Grand Turk. Grand Turk also has breed restrictions as per their Dogs Control Ordinance 2014. No import license shall be issued for the restricted breeds. Any restricted breed service dog, or any service dog without all the proper documentation, will not be able to board the ship at embarkation.
• You must hand-carry (not packed in your baggage) all required documents, along with your working service dog’s current vaccination records. You will be asked to submit these records once aboard.

So that we may provide you with the additional information you will need in order to sail with your working service dog, please email our Guest Access Department at [email protected] , or call 1-800-438-6744 ext. 70025 or 1800 072 670 ext. 70025 if calling from Australia.

Facilities, services and accessibility across ports of call vary significantly and accessibility may not be available for shore excursions or in certain ports of call due to limited infrastructure and other factors. We want our guests with mobility limitations to be able to enjoy their time ashore, and where possible, we will do our best to secure accessible tours, but options may be limited or non-existent altogether. Facilities, services and transportation equipment outside the United States may not be required to be ADA compliant. Carnival is not responsible for accessibility in foreign ports of call or for restrictions imposed by shore excursion providers that are not owned by Carnival. Additionally, numerous factors including weather, tidal conditions, and other safety concerns can impact the ability for an accessible tour to be safely operated. In the event an accessible tour is deemed unsafe to operate in full or for an individual guest, a full refund for the tour will be extended.  

Detailed information is provided in the shore excursions section of carnival.com and carnival.com .au indicating the approximate amount of physical activity anticipated for the excursion, as well as which tours are wheelchair accessible. Carnival has a wide variety of onboard activities during every port stop, should guests decide not to disembark.

ACTIVITY LEVEL FOR SHORE EXCURSIONS

Guests can select the shore excursions best suited to their abilities, and we have added descriptions that provide a general idea of the level of activity to expect on each tour:

• Easy – May include relaxing or walking short distances over relatively level terrain. Comfortable shoes may be recommended.
• Moderate – May involve varying amounts of activity (long walks, rough terrain, basic water play). May not be recommended for guests with physical limitations. Comfortable, sturdy shoes are recommended.
• Difficult – Involves physical exertion for an extended period of time; can involve swimming and/or rough, uneven or steep terrain.
• Extreme – Involves intense physical exertion for an extended period of time.

We strongly recommend accessible shore excursions be pre-arranged prior to your cruise. However, if you need assistance once on board, please visit our Shore Excursions Desk and specify your accommodations needed. Accessible tours are available in certain destinations only, and our shore excursion staff can provide you with suggestions. Motor coaches and other forms of transportation may require you to climb 2 to 3 steps. Most, but not all motor coaches, can accommodate collapsible wheelchairs. Where available, we require a minimum of 24-hour notice for accessible transportation to be arranged. Vehicles, ramps and lifts may vary depending upon the port and availability. For safety reasons, staff is not able to lift guests into or out of vehicles. Specific dietary requirements cannot be guaranteed on shore excursions.

Shore excursion providers operating within the U.S. and its territories are responsible for providing effective communication. Tours operating in foreign ports may not provide auxiliary aids and services, depending on local law and availability. In non-U.S. ports where guided narrated tours are available but the operator does not provide an interpreter, and the interpreter provided by Carnival Cruise Line elects to participate in the excursion, we will make every attempt to secure a complimentary tour ticket for the interpreter. However, if we are unable to do so, you may purchase the tour for the interpreter or forgo interpreter’s services. Please notify us in advance so we can coordinate the necessary accommodation.

Carnival is not responsible for limitations imposed on working service dogs by independent entities or shore excursion providers in foreign ports of call.

If you have additional questions specifically regarding an accessible tour that is offered, you may email our shore excursion team at [email protected] .

Hello everyone! You're welcome here.

We are proud to welcome guests with disabilities aboard our ships and have worked hard to make sure carnival.com works well for visitors of all levels of ability. This means that however you access the Internet (whether using assistive technologies like screen readers, screen magnifiers or keyboard navigation, etc.), you can expect our website to give you the best experience possible, following best practices and stringent WCAG 2.0 AA standards as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Contact us if you have any questions or concerns.

If you have any issues accessing carnival.com using assistive technologies, we'd like to hear about it! You can contact us via email at [email protected] . When writing to us about your issue, please include pertinent information that will help us replicate the issue, including the device, web browser, and accessibility software you're using, plus the specific address (URL) of page(s) on carnival.com that aren't working as expected for you.

Do you have accessible routes on your ships?

Accessible routes are available throughout most areas of the ship and signs are posted to assist you in locating these pathways. Accessible tables are available in the dining venues of each ship. In addition to the main dining rooms, each ship offers a variety of accessible dining options within Lido Deck casual dining areas and other restaurant venues. 24-hour room service is also available for all of our guests.

For each ship, diagrams of accessible routes, accessible staterooms, and accessible public restrooms are available.

Please see our Accessibility Aboard section for more details and deck plans.

Do you have accessible staterooms on your ships?

We have three classifications of accessible staterooms. In order to determine which type of accessible stateroom meets your needs, please review the features of each type listed below.

Fully Accessible Cabins (FAC): These staterooms are designed for use by guests with highly limited mobility, who require the regular use of a wheelchair, scooter or other similar assistive device. Fully Accessible Cabins contain accessible elements including turning space, accessible routes throughout the stateroom and an accessible bathroom. Additionally, the bathrooms contain grab bars and shower seats.

Fully Accessible Cabins – Single Side Approach (FAC-SSA): These staterooms are designed for use by guests with highly limited or no mobility, who require the regular use of a wheelchair, scooter or other similar assistive device. Fully Accessible Cabins – Single Side Approach are a type of FAC that provide an accessible route and clear floor space on only one side of the bed, in staterooms configured to provide only one bed. In a stateroom configured to provide two beds, the clear floor space will be between the beds, with one side of each bed getting an accessible route. Additionally, these staterooms have an accessible bathroom that contains grab bars and shower seats.

Ambulatory Accessible Cabins (AAC): These staterooms are designed for use by guests with mobility limitations, who do not require the regular use of a wheelchair, scooter, or other similar assistive device. For example, Ambulatory Accessible Cabins are ideal for guests who only use an assistive device (like a cane or a walker) for traversing longer distances, and who may benefit from certain accessible features, like grab bars, to assist with balance. This type of stateroom has a step in the bathroom and balcony (if applicable).

If you require additional information or need assistance to ensure you have the best accommodations for your needs, please call our Guest Access team at 1-800-438-6744, ext. 70025 or 1800 072 670 ext. 70025 if calling from Australia. You may also email us at [email protected] .

How do I know if I'm reserving the correct type of accessible cabin (FAC, FAC-SSA, or AAC)?

Selecting the best type of accessible cabin is based on the guest's level of mobility.

Guests with highly limited or no mobility, who require the regular use of a wheelchair, scooter or other similar assistive device would benefit from the features of either a Fully Accessible Cabin (FAC) or a Fully Accessible Cabin – Single Side Approach (FAC-SSA) .

Guests with mobility limitations who do not require the regular use of a wheelchair, scooter, or other similar assistive device would benefit from the features of an Ambulatory Accessible Cabin , which include grab bars. This type of stateroom has a step into the bathroom and balcony (if applicable).

If you require additional information or need assistance to ensure you have the best accommodations for your needs, please call our Guest Access team at 1-800-438-6744 ext. 70025 or 1800 072 670 ext. 70025 if calling from Australia. You may also email us at [email protected] .

How can I be sure to receive an accessible stateroom?

As with all Carnival reservations, staterooms are based on availability within each category and are assigned on a first come, first serve basis. Therefore, it is advisable to reserve an accessible stateroom in advance. Please review all the information that is sent to you to ensure the stateroom you selected meets your needs.

What assistance do you provide guests with mobility limitations getting on and off the ship?

Wheelchair assistance is available at home ports for getting on and off the ship.

Do you rent wheelchairs or scooters for use on board?

Guests who require the regular use of a wheelchair/scooter or other mobility device are encouraged to bring their own or rent from our preferred vendor, Scootaround, if they are sailing from a US port.

Wheelchairs on board are for emergency use only and are limited in size and quantity.

Do you provide accessible transfers from the airport to the cruise port?

For guests with mobility limitations who wish to purchase our transfer services to and from the airport, a hydraulic lift transfer service is available and needs to be requested no later than 14 days prior to sailing.

Hydraulic lifts have a maximum weight limit of 500 pounds (226 kg), including wheelchair/scooter and guest. Standard airport transfer charges apply; there is no additional cost for the lift.

After booking your cruise, you can reserve your hydraulic lift transfer online, by accessing the Manage My Cruise page or by calling the Guest Services Contact Center at 1-800-438-6744 ext. 70025 or 1800 072 670 ext. 70025 if calling from Australia.

What are the requirements for bringing a personal mobility device on board?

Due to safety considerations, devices cannot be stored in corridors or public areas. In order to purchase a standard stateroom, devices must be able to fit in its 22" (55.9 cm) wide entry doorway, and when stored, must allow for safe exit from the stateroom.

Guests, who bring scooters that are larger than 21"  (53.3 cm) wide, or travel with multiple scooters in the same stateroom, must purchase a fully accessible stateroom with a wider doorway (32" or 82.3 cm), or rent a smaller scooter appropriately suited for their stateroom.

Guests may be required to have their scooters sized at the time of check-in to ensure it fits in the stateroom. Scooters that do not fit in the stateroom will not be allowed on board. Should a guest be unable to make alternate arrangements to rent a smaller scooter or travel without it, he/she will be denied boarding and no compensation will be provided.

Guests must be prepared to collapse their device so it can be safely stored in a way that allows for safe exit from their stateroom. If bringing a scooter, please bring one that can collapse or fold so that it may be stored in the closet or underneath the vanity area. Once on board, guests may contact their room steward for assistance.

Guests wishing to disembark the vessel on their device must also be able to safely navigate the angle of the gangway while the ship is docked in port. Additionally, if the ship is calling on a water shuttle port, the captain will make a determination as to whether guests may disembark with their device, given prevailing maritime conditions and water shuttle limitations.

Mobility devices cannot be left unattended in any venue area unless the guest is temporarily away attending an event, and the device is parked in an area that allows all guests safe exit from the venue. When in public areas, guests must maintain their device clear of any exits or fire doors and ensure it does not obstruct any fire or safety equipment.

Where can I store my personal mobility device?

Due to safety considerations, devices can only be stored inside their stateroom. Devices cannot be stored in corridors or public areas.

In order to purchase a standard stateroom, devices must be able to fit in its 22" (5.3 cm) wide entry doorway, and when stored, must allow for safe exit from the stateroom. Guests who bring scooters that are larger than 21" wide, or travel with multiple scooters in the same stateroom, must purchase a fully accessible stateroom with a wider doorway (32" or 81.3 cm) or rent a smaller scooter appropriately suited for their stateroom.

Guests must be prepared to collapse their device so it can be safely stored in a way that allows for safe exit from their stateroom. If bringing a scooter, please bring one that can collapse or fold so that it may be stored in the closet or underneath the vanity area.

What if my personal mobility device does not fit through my stateroom door?

What are the requirements for guests traveling alone with disabilities.

We do not require that a guest with a disability travel with another person as a condition for traveling on our ships. However, we do not provide one-on-one personal care assistance, and all guests must be able to provide such care for themselves (e.g., performing personal tasks such as eating, dressing, toileting, bathing, and getting around the ship). Once on board, our crew will not provide any assistance with such personal tasks.

Do you provide wheelchair push assistance onboard?

Personal wheelchair push assistance service is not provided while on board or in ports of call.

Are personal mobility devices allowed to go ashore in ports of call?

Guests wishing to disembark the vessel on their device must be able to safely navigate the angle of the gangway while the ship is docked in port. Additionally, if the ship is calling on a water shuttle port, the captain will make a determination as to whether guests may disembark with their device, given prevailing maritime conditions and water shuttle limitations.

Are the ports of call accessible for those with mobility limitations?

Facilities across ports of call vary significantly and accessibility may not be available in certain ports of call due to limited infrastructure and other factors. Facilities, services and transportation equipment in non-U.S. ports may not be required to be ADA compliant. In the event you are unable to disembark, Carnival has a wide variety of onboard activities during every port stop should guests decide not to disembark.

Are accessible shore excursions available?

We want our guests with mobility limitations to be able to enjoy their time ashore, and where possible, we will do our best to secure accessible tours, but options may be limited or non-existent altogether.

Detailed information is provided in the shore excursions section of carnival.com, indicating the approximate amount of physical activity anticipated for the excursion, as well as which tours are wheelchair accessible.

Are service dogs allowed on board?

Carnival is happy to welcome working service dogs on board. Service dogs are legally defined and individually trained to meet disability-related needs by performing tasks like guiding a blind person, alerting a deaf person, pulling wheelchairs, alerting and protecting a person who is having a seizure, or performing other special tasks. Service dogs are not pets.

Please see our Service Animal section for more details about our service animal policies.

What are the requirements for traveling with a working service dog?

What type of relief area will my service dog have on board.

A relief area in a non-guest traffic area of the ship using Second Nature Dog Litter will be set up on board by our team.

Should you prefer another material, we ask that you bring it along and provide the Guest Access Department with this information, pre-cruise.

What happens if my service dog is not allowed to disembark at a port of call?

Are emotional support dogs allowed on board.

Emotional support dogs, which are not recognized by the US Department of Justice, are not permitted on Carnival ships. Pets, or service dogs in training, are also not allowed aboard. We do, however, welcome working service dogs, which are legally defined and individually trained to meet disability-related needs by performing tasks like guiding a blind person, alerting a deaf person, pulling wheelchairs, alerting and protecting a person who is having a seizure, or performing other special tasks.

Do you provide Braille formatted material on board?

Do you provide large print formatted material on board.

Large print format is available for our daily newsletter (the Carnival Fun Times), dining room menus, and shore excursion information.

We ask that you request large print items prior to sailing so we can have them ready for you upon arrival. Please send your request to [email protected] or you may call our Guest Access team at 1-800-438-6744, ext. 70025 or 1800 072 670 ext. 70025 if calling from Australia.

Additional requests for large print information or alternate formats may be made at the Guest Services desk, once on board; however, there may be a delay if not requested prior to sailing.

Dining rooms menus can be provided in an electronic PDF file readable via screen reading software. Our dining team will also be happy to review the menu with you in detail.

You can also access information directly on your phone via the Carnival HubApp.

Do you provide alert systems for guests who are deaf or hard of hearing?

Carnival makes available to all guests who require them a visual-tactile, cabin alert system that notifies room occupants of a door knock, a telephone call, the alarm clock, or a smoke-detection event. A TTY (teletypewriter) is also available to communicate with Guest Services, 24 hours a day. Please notify us in advance should you need an alert system for your stateroom.

Do you have closed captions?

A safety briefing video with open captions is televised in all staterooms throughout the cruise.

Carnival-created TV content has closed captions. Additionally, when available through our service provider, closed captions are offered for certain in- stateroom TV programs and movies. Should you require closed captioning for our outdoor movies, please contact our Guest Services team once on board.

Do you offer assisted audio devices in the Main Lounge?

Do you offer sign language interpreter services.

Guests who are deaf or hard of hearing, who use sign language as their primary means of communication may request a sign language interpreter. Sign language interpreters can be requested, on a shared basis, for cruises departing from and returning to a U.S port for the purpose of interpreting our main production shows, port and shopping presentations, and other major organized activities.

Do you accommodate food allergies?

We ask that you please inform the Maître d' directly as well as your dining team of any food allergies and special preparation you may require to accommodate your allergy. Please discuss this the first evening of your cruise.

Although there are a number of options at our various restaurants, special dietary and food requests can be accommodated in our main dining rooms only.

Can I bring my own pre-packaged food or drinks in order to accommodate a food allergy or specific dietary need?

Due to concerns for food safety and contamination prevention, any food items brought on board must be pre-packaged and unopened. Homemade items or pre-cooked foods are not allowed. We are unable to provide food preparation, refrigeration or storage for personal food or beverage items.

Due to medical needs, guests may bring pre-packaged, frozen meals and certain beverages (Ensure, etc.). However, we need to know in advance to coordinate boarding of the pre-approved items. If pre-approval is not provided, prohibited items will be confiscated on embarkation day.

Please contact our Guest Access department so we can discuss your plans in advance. The Guest Access team can be reached by phone at 1-800-438-6744, ext. 70025, 1800 072 670 ext. 70025 if calling from Australia or via email at [email protected] .

Can I bring a blender to make my own food to accommodate a food allergy or specific dietary need?

Please contact our Guest Access team in advance of your cruise to discuss an accommodation. We do not allow professional industrial grade blenders due to the high voltage. However, we can permit (with approval) items such as a NutriBullet and Magic Bullet. If pre-approval is not provided, prohibited items will be confiscated on embarkation day.

Do you offer gluten-free food and drink options?

Can children with disabilities participate in youth program activities.

Carnival works with parents or guardians to include all children within the designated age ranges in the available youth programs.

Each child's needs are assessed, on a case-by-case basis, to determine how she or he can be accommodated and integrated in the program to have a fully and equally enjoyable experience.

In order to participate in Carnival youth program activities, the parent or guardian will need to register their child for the program. When registering the child, the staff will work with the parents to determine what special assistance will help aid the youth staff in how to best serve the child while participating in the activities. Parents may choose to have their child move down one age group as an accommodation to a disability. No child who is 18 years can participate in youth programs.

Youth programs rules and regulations still apply to all children, in terms of age policy, illness, hours of operation and acceptable conduct (unruly behavior) while in the program.

Does Carnival provide one-on-one attention for children with disabilities?

Carnival does not provide one-on-one attention, but the parent or assigned helper may stay and participate in the activities with the child. Due to safety concerns, staff and crew cannot lift or carry guests. Parents of children who are unable to feed themselves should remain with the child during meal times. Special diets cannot be accommodated for meals served in Carnival youth programs. Kids' menus are subject to change based on availability.

What do you offer for individuals with sensory and invisible disabilities?

All of Carnival's guest-facing crew have been trained to understand and help guests with sensory/cognitive needs. The Guest Services and Youth Staff are ready to assist adults, youth and children with sensory-related questions or issues relating to conditions such as Autism, ADHD, Down Syndrome, PTSD, etc. KultureCity Sensory Bags can be checked out for the duration of the cruise (on a complimentary and first-come, first-served basis) by visiting Guest Services or one of our Youth programs. Each bag contains items to help calm, relax and manage sensory overload, and include comfortable noise- canceling headphones, fidget tools, a visual feeling thermometer, and a KultureCity VIP lanyard, to help the staff easily identify a guest.

Do you offer oxygen for purchase?

If you require the use of oxygen during your cruise, you must arrange for an adequate supply to be delivered to the ship on your sailing date. The Medical Center is equipped with oxygen for emergency use ONLY.

Please contact Guest Services once on board for proper storage of your oxygen. Guests are responsible for the pickup and delivery of their own oxygen. Please have your medical supply company contact us, otherwise port clearance may not be granted.

If you choose to bring your own personal supply of oxygen, you must hand- carry it with you. Packing oxygen cylinders and/or tanks in your checked luggage is strictly prohibited, as is putting them through security x-ray machines. Please hand-carry your oxygen machines (BiPAP, CPAP, Concentrator, Nebulizer, etc.) and not place them in your checked luggage.

Do you offer CPAP machine for rental?

You must bring your own equipment on board for personal use. Please hand- carry these items and do not place them in your checked luggage.

Do you offer distilled water?

Carnival carries distilled water which can be purchased either pre-cruise if you are sailing from a US port, or once on board. For pre-purchase, please contact our Fun Shops department at 1-800-522-7648 ext. 70039, Monday-Sunday from 9:00am-9:00pm ET. For purchase on board, please contact Room Service. Should you wish to bring your own distilled water with you, it must be hand-carried along with your CPAP machine.

Do you offer extension cords?

It is recommended that you bring your own extension cord to accommodate your equipment comfortably.

There is one electrical outlet in each stateroom located in the area of the desk/vanity. The outlet is equipped with a 3-prong 110 volt (North America Grounded) and a 220 volt (Europe/German-Style). Our Australia-based sips offer one Australian powerpoint in each stateroom.

Do you offer sharps disposal containers?

For guests who are traveling with injectable medication and need a sharps disposal container, please contact the Medical Center or the onboard Housekeeping staff.

Do you offer storage for medication?

A small, personal-sized cooler no larger than 12" x 12" x 12" (30.5 cm x 30.5 cm x 30.5 cm) for the purpose of housing medications is permitted as carry-on luggage.

Portable medi-coolers are available in limited quantities, and on a first come, first serve basis with a refundable rental deposit required. If a cooler is not available, our Medical Center can assist guests with refrigeration needs (accessible during operating hours of the Medical Center only).

Some ships have staterooms equipped with mini-bars designed to maintain the temperature of beverages only. Mini-bars are not to be used to store medications that have specific temperature requirements.

Who can I contact for accessibility related concerns or questions?

We strongly suggest you communicate any needs to our team before you cruise so that we can do our best to meet any accommodations. If you need general information about accessibility, please call our Guest Access team at 1-800-438-6744 ext.70025, 1800 072 670 ext. 70025 if calling from Australia, or email us at [email protected] .

Once on board, you can request to speak to the Guest Services Manager.

I sailed on Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas. These were my 8 favorite amenities on the world's largest cruise ship.

• Royal Caribbean invited me to spend three complimentary nights on its new Icon of the Seas  in January.
• My eight favorite amenities included the waterpark and jazz bar.
• I've yet to see most of the amenities on my list on other cruise ships.

There's a reason Royal Caribbean's new mega-cruise ship is only operating seven-night sailings .

The 1,196-foot-long, 20-deck Icon of the Seas is packed with bars, restaurants, and things to do. Any shorter of an itinerary, and you might not have time to experience all it has to offer.

If you're a frequent cruiser — especially with Royal Caribbean — amenities like the mini-golf course and water playground may not seem exciting.

But of all the activities the new world's largest cruise ship has to offer, my eight favorites are, for the most part, ones I've yet to see on another vessel.

Take a look at what made the cut.

1. The six-slide waterpark

It wouldn't be a roundup of Icon of the Seas' best amenities without a mention of its waterpark.

Plenty of family-friendly cruise ships have waterslides, but few have six — or even one that requires a multi-person raft.

However, if you don't like the feeling of your stomach dropping, I'd advise skipping the 46-foot-tall drop slide.

2. The adult-only suspended infinity pool

The 7,600-guest Icon of the Seas has seven pools and nine hot tubs. As a kid-fearing adult, I loved the grown-ups-only suspended infinity pool.

I spent my time there perched at one of its in-water loungers, contently splashing my legs around the water, wondering if I actually hated cruises.

While I would've preferred a quieter atmosphere (the DJ did not, in fact, play smooth jazz), the pool's views, day beds, and lack of screaming children were hard to beat.

3. The Crown’s Edge thrill 'ride'

There's no need to grab coffee before harnessing up for the part-zipling, part-agility Crown's Edge course. You'll be jolted awake when the floor drops from beneath your feet, leaving you dangling 154 feet above the ocean before the zipline kicks in.

Unfortunately, it comes with two costs: $49 and a spike of anxiety.

4. The 'Wizard of Oz' and 'Aqua Action!' shows

If you hate cruise shows, Icon of the Seas could make you change your mind.

The ship's riff on Broadway-approved "Wizard of Oz" — 16-piece live orchestra and flying bed included — delighted me, a hater of most musicals.

For something less traditional, the semi-circle AquaDome theater hosts a compelling multi-disciplinary swim, dive, and aerial show reminiscent of Cirque du Soleil.

It's the first show-at-sea I've seen with a waterfall and nine-foot-tall robotic arms, and so far, it's one of my favorites.

5. The live jazz bar

Ya like jazz? So do I.

Icon of the Seas has plenty of live music venues — including rowdy karaoke and dueling pianos bars, if that counts. But if you're a jazz fan or looking for a peaceful nightcap, none of these options will top the live music at Lou's Jazz 'n Blues.

6. The customizable Mediterranean-style wrap at the five-stall food hall

The mega-ship's food hall wasn't nearly as diverse or exciting as the one on Norwegian Prima .

But compared to the rest of my mediocre meals on Icon of the Seas — including dinner at a specialty restaurant — my complimentary pork pita wrap from the food hall's Mediterranean-inspired stall was admittedly pretty decent.

The Cava -like meal was balanced, succulent, and filling. Ending it with a strawberry nutella crepe from one of the vendors didn't hurt either.

7. The Pearl Café with sweeping ocean views

Everyone takes a picture inside the Pearl . But few people know that the best part about the glittering structure isn't what's inside it — it's what's behind it: the Pearl Café.

Admittedly, the food wasn't standout.

But it's 2024. In this era, we don't dine for food. We dine for vibes . And the Pearl Café was definitely "serving" (even with its mediocre sandwiches).

At first glance, I had snubbed the dining and lounge area as a rip-off of a generic airport coffee shop. But during my three days on Icon, I returned to the centrally located space more often than expected. It turns out it's a great place to get some work done.

8. The lounging pods that tower above passerbys

Speaking of vibes, if you're looking for a secluded place to drink (as in, not the swim-up pool bar), few will top the Overlook Pods, perched just behind the AquaDome.

If you want to feel like you're drinking in a nest atop a tree, bring your coffee-infused cocktail from nearby Rye and Bean to one of the elevated pods. .

Just don't drink too much. What goes up must come down. And to get down from the pods, you'll have to take the stairs.

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9 Cruise Lines With the Best Food

T aking a cruise vacation transports you to coveted destinations in places around the world. For many people, though, it's all about the culinary experience, especially for those who return time and again to dine at their favorite onboard venues – many of which rival the best restaurants you'll find on land. While most cruise lines still offer all-you-can-eat buffet-style venues, some also feature next-level culinary experiences with world-renowned chefs at the helm, menus curated by Michelin-starred chefs, and immersive food and beverage programs.

If you're a foodie looking for the cruise lines with the best food, U.S. News has compiled this list of cruise lines focused on delivering an extraordinary dining experience, based on expert opinion and reviews. We've also highlighted two of the venues on each line that receive accolades for outstanding food and service.

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Luxury cruise lines

Oceania cruises.

Oceania Cruises' culinary program has long been regarded as one of the best of any cruise line – and the company has even trademarked the term "The Finest Cuisine at Sea." Jacques Pépin, the renowned French master chef, has been the executive culinary director since 2003; he has inspired the menus and cuisine on board the line's seven small luxury ships since that time, including the newest vessel, Vista . Oceania is also committed to sourcing the best ingredients from destinations around the world. In addition, the line has a high ratio of culinary staff to guests, and the ship's galleys are outfitted with equipment you'd typically see in Michelin-starred restaurants.

Guests can book exclusive Culinary Discovery Tours on two of the ships, Marina and Riviera . Hone your culinary skills or learn to prepare new types of cuisine at The Culinary Center, found on Marina, Riviera and Vista. You'll also find special wine-tasting and Champagne events in partnership with La Reserve by Wine Spectator. In addition, the line has just announced its first Culinary Masters' Cruise featuring Oceania's two French master chefs aboard Marina in October 2024.

Most of the dining venues are complimentary on Oceania Cruises (except for Privée and La Reserve), and options run the gamut from French and Asian cuisine to Italian fare and steakhouse specialties. There are also new culinary concepts on board Vista – including Ember, which features American classics, as well as Aquamar Kitchen, a venue focused on healthy Mediterranean-inspired cuisine.

Here are two of Oceania's best restaurants:

• Red Ginger: Red Ginger's colorful red and gold interiors, designed with feng shui in mind, draw guests in when they enter the restaurant, but it's the bold Asian flavors that keep them coming back for more. With Vietnamese, Thai and Japanese specialties to choose from, diners will enjoy selections such as caramelized tiger prawns, crispy ginger calamari, red and green curries, and bulgogi rib-eye steak. Red Ginger is available on Marina, Riviera, Sirena and Vista.
• Toscana: The hearty cuisine inspired by Tuscan and northern Italian flavors at Toscana is served on Versace china that's custom designed for the restaurant. Diners should come with an appetite to enjoy several courses before the main event, including a hot or cold antipasti or soup, a selection of pastas, and a classic version of Caesar salad prepared tableside. Traditional main dish favorites include osso buco alla Milanese, veal scaloppini, lobster fra diavolo and Dover sole. Toscana is available on Regatta, Insignia, Nautica, Marina, Riviera and Vista.

Book an  Oceania Cruises  itinerary on GoToSea, a service of U.S. News.

Silversea Cruises

Silversea is another cruise line known for its culinary excellence. Guests will find a selection of international venues featuring Italian, Asian and French cuisine on board the line's fleet of 12 ships.

S.A.L.T., an immersive dining experience that stands for "Sea and Land Taste," is available on Silver Nova , Silver Moon and Silver Dawn . The S.A.L.T. program was created by Adam Sachs, former editor-in-chief of Saveur magazine and three-time James Beard journalism award winner. The innovative program invites guests to experience the destination and local food culture through on-board hands-on activities, including making local recipes in the S.A.L.T. Lab. You can also attend cooking demonstrations and lectures, or book in-depth culinary excursions to working organic farms, Sicilian pasticcerias (where you'll learn how to make pastries) and vineyards in destinations around the world.

The all-inclusive luxury line's restaurant venues are complimentary with the following exceptions: French fine dining restaurant La Dame; the S.A.L.T. Chef's Table experience available on Silver Nova; Seishin Restaurant, which serves Asian fusion dishes on Silver Spirit; and Kaiseki, the Japanese, sushi and teppanyaki venue available on five Silversea ships.

These are two standout dining venues on Silversea:

• S.A.L.T. Kitchen: S.A.L.T. Kitchen's menu changes daily inspired by the destination, but diners will also find a "Voyage" menu that reflects the influences from the overall region of the itinerary. The daily "Terrain" menu in Italy might include dishes likes prawns cooked in a cherry tomato sauce with garlic, white wine and parsley or a classic risotto with clams topped with a pan-fried filet of sole. The "Voyage" menu on an Eastern Mediterranean sailing would feature dishes from Greece, Croatia and Italy. The immersive dining experience is available on Silver Ray, Moon, Dawn and Nova.
• La Dame: The curated menu at La Dame was created by Silversea's top chefs and is served in an elegant contemporary space with white-glove table service. The cuisine pays homage to classic French gastronomy along with modern techniques and flair. Guests can expect to dine on traditional French dishes such as seared duck foie gras, French onion soup, lobster bisque, Dover sole and souffles for dessert. La Dame is available on all the line's ships, except for Silver Origin.

Find a  Silversea Cruise  on GoToSea.

Explora Journeys

MSC Group's new luxury brand, Explora Journeys, features a top-notch culinary program with a team of international chefs at the helm. Acclaimed chef Franck Garanger, the line's head of culinary, has been recognized as a French master chef since 2008; he has also overseen the culinary programs for both Silversea and Oceania cruises before joining Explora.

According to Garanger, Explora Journeys has one of the highest chef-to-guest ratios and food costs of any cruise line, which is why you'll see offerings like freshly shucked oysters on the half shell, ceviche, free range and organic chicken, made-to-order grilled fish, and other freshly prepared items in Emporium Marketplace, Explora's globally inspired all-day dining venue. There's also a large focus on plant-based dishes, wellness and healthy menu selections in venues across the ship.

The first of six 922-guest superyacht-style vessels, Explora I, offers guests a choice of six restaurant venues, including the French-inspired Fil Rouge; Marble & Co. Grill, an elegant European steakhouse; and Med Yacht Club, which features delightful Mediterranean cuisine. Guests will also enjoy boutique international and regional wines; try a glass of Moët & Chandon, Explora's "house" Champagne.

During your "journey," you can also attend cooking classes at the Chef's Kitchen, a private dining and culinary school with lead enrichment chef Jean-Louis Dumonet at the helm. Another world-class chef, Dumonet received the distinction of becoming a French master chef in 1994 and has had a very successful culinary career, including achieving his first Michelin star at age 28.

Explore these standouts in Explora's culinary program:

• Sakura: This beautiful Pan-Asian restaurant is open for lunch and dinner. The bright and airy design features cherry blossoms suspended from the ceilings and Asian-inspired decor. The authentic dining experience also boasts an open kitchen and a sushi bar with many ingredients sourced from Japan, and the venue has outdoor seating and indoor tables with floor-to-ceiling ocean views. Begin your evening with an Asian-inspired cocktail and a starter of crispy duck leg confit, wagyu beef tataki or soft-shell crab tempura. Main dish highlights include a miso black cod fillet, 72-hour slow-cooked short rib beef panang and an addictive lobster pad Thai.
• Anthology: The innovative concept at Anthology "is imagined as a unique culinary stage showcasing global cooking talents and cuisines, provenance and rare ingredients along with wines by highly coveted winemakers." The tasting menus are curated by a rotation of top chefs that changes throughout the year. The first chef who opened the new ship, Mauro Uliassi, has a three-Michelin-starred restaurant in the coastal town of Senigallia, Italy. The second chef (through April 2024) is Swedish-born Emma Bengtsson, executive chef at the two-Michelin-starred Aquavit in New York. Anthology is the only dining venue on Explora I that comes at an additional cost. There's also an optional wine pairing.

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Regent Seven Seas

Regent Seven Seas' culinary program, "Epicurean Indulgence," features top-notch dining experiences on board the luxury line's six ships. Guests will also find educational hands-on cooking classes in the Culinary Arts Kitchen and Epicurean Explorer tours focused on the wines, spirits and regional foods in destinations around the world. Regents' all-inclusive cruise fares include as many as seven dining venues (depending on the ship), that feature French, Italian, Pan-Asian and steakhouse restaurants as well as 24-hour in-suite room service. You can also enjoy fine wines and spirits in all the restaurants, bar and lounges.

Regent Seven Seas boasts a variety of excellent restaurants, but here are two top options:

• Pacific Rim: The entrance to Pacific Rim is just as impressive as its food with the floor-to-ceiling bronze Tibetan Buddhist prayer wheel that sits just outside the venue. Inside, your evening experience in this beautiful zen-like space begins with a signature cocktail and a difficult decision of which Thai, Japanese, Korean, Chinese or Vietnamese dishes to order for dinner. Begin your meal with a selection of sushi and sashimi, then sample pork and shrimp siu mai or thom kha gai soup. For a main dish, don't miss elevated dishes like miso black cod, Canadian lobster tempura or aromatic duck.
• Compass Rose: Compass Rose is the largest specialty restaurant on Regent's ships, and you'll find the elegant venue across the fleet. The menu features classic favorites and dishes that are always available, including foie gras, escargot, Alaskan crab salad, black Angus cuts of beef, New Zealand lamb chops and a daily choice of pasta. The additional chef's gourmet menu changes daily. If you prefer lighter fare, choose one of the healthy Serene Spa & Wellness selections. Guests can also customize their dining preferences and order from any of the menus.

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Viking's nine 930-guest and adults-only ocean-going ships offer destination-focused dining highlighting regional cuisine and local specialties. In addition, cruisers will find their favorite classic dishes (some with a twist), such as a Norwegian baby shrimp cocktail, beef tenderloin and linguine with clams in The Restaurant, Viking's main dining venue.

Other dining options include an open kitchen and international fare at World Café, which also has a large alfresco dining area called Aquavit Terrace. For more casual fare, head to Mamsen's, a favorite spot for Norwegian specialties, or stop by the Pool Grill, where you'll find made-to-order burgers and light bites. All of these venues – plus two specialty restaurants, Manfredi's and The Chef's Table – are included in the cruise fare.

Guests on board Viking's ships are also treated to a daily afternoon tea in the Wintergarden, a Scandinavian-inspired, light-filled space located next to the main pool. If you're interested in learning more about destination-focused cuisine, reserve a spot in one of the hands-on cooking classes at The Kitchen Table to learn how to prepare some of the local dishes. These special excursions and culinary classes begin with a visit to a local market and end with an evening of cooking (or watching the dinner preparation) – plus multiple courses of food and wine pairings. There is a fee for the class.

The two specialty restaurants provide an exceptional experience with Viking :

• Manfredi's: Plan to make a reservation at Manfredi's, Viking's Italian restaurant. It features an impressive menu of Italian specialties, including dishes with influence from Tuscany and Rome. Start the evening with a selection of antipasti for two and pasta e fagioli or crème of porcini soup. Then, choose between traditional offerings like osso bucco alla Milanese, rosemary parmesan-crusted lamb or the Tuscan favorite dish bistecca Fiorentina (Florentine-style steak). There are also wonderful fresh pasta dishes and several types of risotto.
• The Chef's Table: The Chef's Table menu changes several times throughout the cruise, allowing guests to sample a variety of multicourse tasting menus that highlight international and regional specialties. The beautiful venue is perfect for a special evening and a "food journey" where you'll savor a selection of Asian, Norwegian, French or other cuisines paired with wines by the ship's master sommelier.

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Mainstream cruise lines

Holland america line.

Holland America's master chef and creative culinary artist, Rudi Sodamin, has been with the line for around 20 years. He also heads up the Culinary Council, a group of well-known chefs who will be on board for culinary cruises scheduled throughout the year. During these special voyages, guests can attend cooking demonstrations and coffee chats and make reservations for exclusive chef-hosted dinners and events throughout the cruise.

Holland America also has a new initiative with Fresh Fish Ambassador, chef and TV personality Masaharu Morimoto (you'll recognize him from "Iron Chef"). The Global Fresh Fish program affords the line the ability to source more than 80 varieties of fresh fish in destinations around the world. In addition, you'll find certified sustainable Alaskan seafood on the menu during Alaska cruises .

Wine aficionados can look for wine tastings and wine blending sessions on board the ship and excursions to wine regions ashore, some in partnership with Food & Wine magazine. Rudi's Sel De Mer is an excellent choice for a fine dining evening, but the French brasserie-inspired venue is only available on three ships.

Here are two of Holland America's top specialty restaurants:

• Pinnacle Grill: Pinnacle Grill, an upscale steakhouse, is a specialty restaurant (with an additional fee) that's available on all of the line's 11 ships. It's a favorite spot for couples to enjoy a romantic evening and features classic dishes like shrimp cocktail, jumbo lump crab cakes, lobster bisque, filet mignon, surf and turf, and grilled lamb chops. Seafood lovers will also find Alaskan king salmon and halibut. Be sure to save room for a twist on a timeless dessert – the not-so-classic baked Alaska with Ben & Jerry's Cherry Garcia ice cream.
• Tamarind: Tamarind's elegant atmosphere and flavorful Pan-Asian cuisine make this another top pick for Holland American cruisers. The specialty restaurant is available on four ships (for an additional fee) and features dishes from Thailand, Japan, Indonesia and other Asian countries. Appetizers include specialties like crispy duck with a steamed bao bun, shrimp tempura and Chinese five-spice baby back ribs. For the main course, choose from several types of curries, sample Mongolian barbecue lamb chops, or feast on wok-seared shrimp and lobster. Plan to come early to Tamarind Bar to enjoy a cocktail such as a saketini while watching the sunset over the ocean.

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Disney Cruise Line

Disney Cruise Line offers excellent family-friendly dining options with over-the-top Disney- and movie-themed venues with live character performances and shows. The ships also have upscale adults-only lounges, bars and restaurants that are perfect for a romantic date night. Disney Cruise Line 's unique rotational family dining concept allows guests to experience three different restaurants while having the same dedicated servers every one of those evenings, so the service is personalized throughout your voyage.

Guests on board Disney Wish can dine in the fictional kingdom of Arendelle at Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure. The "Frozen"-themed evening includes Nordic-inspired dishes, musical performances by the characters and even singalongs for the audience. On Disney Wonder , guests are treated to a night filled with New Orleans-style jazz and street parties plus Southern-influenced fare at Tiana's Place. You can also meet Princess Tiana from Disney's animated feature "The Princess and the Frog."

Other top dining venues on Disney Cruise Line include:

Palo: This adults-only Venetian-inspired venue is an upscale spot ideal for a quiet evening without the kids (who will be very happy to spend time at the onboard kids club). The fine dining experience features northern Italian cuisine and floor-to-ceiling windows offering views from nearly every perspective. The specialty restaurant also serves brunch on longer cruises. The prix fixe (or "prezzo fisso") menu includes four courses, or you can opt to choose from the regular menu with a selection of appetizers, salads, pizza, pasta and main dishes that are individually priced. Guests will find Palo on Disney Magic, Wonder, Dream and Fantasy.

On Disney Wish, there's an updated version of the dining concept, Palo Steakhouse. The modern steakhouse and Italian restaurant – inspired by Cogsworth, the enchanted clock from "Beauty and the Beast" – offers cuts of Australian wagyu, Japanese Kobe and Miyazaki beef as well as delightful Italian cuisine and spectacular ocean views. Be sure to splurge on a cocktail at The Rose before dinner if you're dining at Palo Steakhouse. Note that meals at Palo and Palo Steakhouse come with an additional charge.

Remy: The exquisite dining experience at Remy is a collaboration between French chef Arnaud Lallement from l'Assiette Champenoise (a three-Michelin-starred restaurant in France) and Walt Disney World Resort 's chef Scott Hunnel from the renowned restaurant Victoria & Albert's. Your leisurely evening of fine wines and a tasting menu of French fare begins with a signature Taittinger Champagne cocktail prepared tableside.

Special touches in the "Ratatouille"-inspired venue include Frette linens, Christofle silverware, exclusive Bernadaud china made for Remy, Riedel glassware, tableside international cheese service and decanting stations for wines. A Champagne brunch is served on sea days and select port days. There is an additional charge to dine at the restaurant, which is available on Disney Dream and Fantasy.

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Virgin Voyages

Virgin Voyages' creative approach to cruising can be found in nearly every aspect of the line's three ships, including its adults-only vibe and fresh approach to dining. Virgin Voyages does not have a traditional main dining room – and there's no onboard buffet or large dining halls. What you will find is more than 20 eateries with menus created by Michelin-starred chefs that are included in the cruise fare. These smaller and more intimate venues include The Galley, a food court-style spot for casual and grab-and-go fare like bento boxes, tacos, salads, sushi, burgers, noodle bowls and desserts.

Meat lovers and vegetarians will love the veggie-forward dishes and indulgent pork or chicken specialties at boldly designed Razzle Dazzle. At Extra Virgin, sample trattoria-style Italian fare like crispy artichokes, seafood pasta, grilled Mediterranean sea bass and a special tableside preparation of affogato for dessert. For a Korean barbecue experience, head over to Gunbae, a fun spot where your evening begins with a shot of soju – Korea's national drink and the best-selling liquor in the world. The Wake is the largest venue on board and the closest restaurant to a main dining room; it sits at the back of the ship and features a raw bar in addition to a selection of steaks and seafood (some offerings come with an upcharge).

There are many excellent options for dinner, but these are two cruiser-favorite venues:

• The Test Kitchen: Inspired by Auguste Escoffier's "Ma Cuisine," The Test Kitchen is a favorite spot for its laboratory-like eatery and cooking school. The interior decor features metal furniture, beakers and test tubes to get diners in the mood for the exploratory culinary evening. Menus at this innovative venue are presented as a list of ingredients, and guests get to watch the chef combine the selected ingredients of the day for the six-course tasting menu. The upscale experience takes about 2.5 hours. Wine, beer or cocktail pairings come at an additional fee.
• Pink Agave: Virgin's stylish Mexican dining venue, Pink Agave, was inspired by the vibrant streets of Mexico City – and the restaurant features what the line calls the most extensive selection of mezcal and tequila at sea. The menu offerings include small, medium and large plates plus desserts. To begin the evening, order a few small bites to share, including esquites (a grilled corn dish) and aguachile, which is a ceviche made with raw tuna, avocado and jicama. Then, for the main course, choose between options like roasted duck or chicken, achiote marinated pork, or a vegetarian stuffed poblano pepper.

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Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity's selection and quality of restaurant venues – and attentive service – have made the line a favorite for food-focused cruisers for many years. If you're sailing on one of the Celebrity Edge-class ships ( Ascent , Beyond , Apex or Edge ), you'll have up to 32 restaurants to choose from with globally inspired menus created by Michelin-starred chef Cornelius Gallagher.

You can also look for special culinary cruises and onboard events designed in partnership with renowned Michelin-star French chef Daniel Boulud, the line's global culinary brand ambassador. Some of the onboard programs include wine-blending classes, whiskey and scotch tastings, mixology classes, and food and wine pairing workshops.

With so many complimentary dining and specialty options on Celebrity ships (making it hard to choose where to dine), here are two of the unique experiences not to be missed:

• Le Voyage by Daniel Boulud: Daniel Boulud's first signature restaurant at sea is inspired by the chef's global travels. The interior of the specialty restaurant, designed by the Parisian architect-design team of Jouin Manku, is as much of an experience as the meal with its intimate decor and banquette seating. Guests can choose between a standard dinner menu, a regular five-course tasting menu or a plant-based tasting menu. Le Voyage is available on the new Celebrity Ascent and Celebrity Beyond and costs an additional fee.
• Le Petit Chef: The innovative and fantastical 3D dining experience at Le Petit Chef is one of the most unique ways to spend an evening at sea. The immersive meal, which is either served in the quirky Qsine restaurant or Le Grand Bistro, depending on the ship, will delight cruisers of all ages, especially younger children. The tiny, animated chef (think about the size of your hand) entertains guests while preparing each dish. You may see him firing up a grill to sear a steak, picking fresh vegetables from a garden or even going on a fishing adventure in search of lobster. After each dish is prepared by "the chef," waiters will arrive with the actual dish. The 1.5-hour-long experience is an additional cost.

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Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Gwen Pratesi has been an avid cruiser since her early 20s. She has sailed on nearly every type of cruise ship built, including the newest megaships, paddle-wheelers on the Mississippi River, and an 18-stateroom river ship on the Mekong River in Vietnam and Cambodia. She has also cruised on a traditional masted sailing ship and on a small luxury expedition vessel in Antarctica crossing the notorious Drake Passage twice. She covers the travel and culinary industries for major publications including U.S. News & World Report.

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