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Listmates,

I want to thank each and every one who responded; your combined information is extremely helpful, and I feel more comfortable now about
how I need to approach the situation.  Due to my extreme restrictions - GF,DF,SoyF, with egg allergy, chocolate, strawberries, etc, etc; corn on limited basis, and needing to stay low oxalate, this will be an adventure!  Glutino breakfast bars are the only bar I can tolerate, and can't depend on many of those.  But since I do not eat high carb items such as bread, rolls, pancakes, the other requests should be easier for the staff to accommodate. I am expecting my physician letter in the next mail, and will fax my letter and food list to Princess, as well as having multiple copies with me.  Below are the comments received, so they will be available for others in the archives.  Thanking you again...JJ

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When we went on a Holland cruise, I didnt contact them ahead because I dont eat bread products and didn't want my diet limited to just the specialty things they would have like rolls, frozen waffles, etc as I wanted to be able to eat the fresh fish dishes, etc that were on the menus.  Also, most people stated that the GF free items are only available in the main dining room, and we usually ate our breakfast at the buffet on deck,(I took my own energy bars to add to the fruit and yogurt options available)  and lunches either on the excursions or on deck.  I didn't want to get dressed to go inside.  If doing it again I might contact the cruise line and just say that I would appreciate at least being able to find out what is in the dishes when they are prepared, so that I could make informed decisions on what to order.  Also, if you take any excursions, and the cruise line provides boxed lunches for the one you choose, this would be where you want to make sure that it contains no gluten items ahead of time.  Maybe ask for some extra fresh fruit and veggies or something to replace the roll in the sandwich, and have the cold cuts or cheese wrapped separately. 

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      We have cruised 5 times since my diagnosis. 4 on Royal Caribbean and once on Golden Princess 3 years ago.  I also have other allergies such as Corn, tomato, beef, soy, etc.  And I can say that the first day is the most challenging for food going through the explaining.  Our travel agent faxes the cruise line the Quick Start Guide for Gluten Free and then I also type up a list of what I can eat.  I then carry this with me to dining on the first night and they take it to the chef.  I have had the best food ever on the cruises.  I don't do sauces or spices well, get everything pretty plain except for olive oil & lemon.  I actually carry on an unopened small spray bottle of Braggs for my salad and keep it in the fridge in our room and bring it to dinner in my purse.    


      On Princess we went to the open dining and explained the situation, asked if we could have the same table each night and promised to be there at 5:30 each night and they put us at a table by a window with the same servers the entire cruise and it was wonderful  Each night you get the menu for the next night and place your order and it works very well.  The head waiter will come over and check and I had no complaints with Princess or RC.  As far as shore excurisions, I would deal with Princess on that. They have a GF menu and be sure your dietary restrictions are faxed in and on your reservation.  In my luggage I carry protein bars and some food and put a copy of the Quick Start Guide for CD in each luggage piece to go through customs....we go to Caribbean.   Never had a problem.


      Breakfast is a challenge so pretty much fruit and cooked rice if they had it, plus I have my ANDI protein bars I carry at all times.  They are made by the Autism Network and are GF, as well as many other allergans free.  I am sure you can get the fish without any sauce if you request it in advance.

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      I have taken 8 Princess Cruises.  I am only GF but I found them VERY knowledgeable and cooperative.  I did find however, that it was easier to do a regular dining room sitting rather than an anytime.  That way, both your maitre d" and your waiter are the same people every night and are aware of your dietary restrictions and can plan for you ahead of time.  They give you the menu for the following night, at the night before dinner.  You select what you would like to eat and they adapt it to your specific needs.  Your servers are very careful that you get what you ordered.  With the open dining time, it is catch as catch can and leaves room for error.  I have never gotten ill nor have had a prolem.  Have fun!  It is a wonderful trip.

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      Our experience with a salmon feast of this type was that the sauce had  
      soy sauce in it and nothing else on the buffet line was gluten free. I  
      finally convinced the man cooking the salmon to just cook some without  
      sauce, but it took about 20 minutes of refusing to leave his side  
      before he would do it.

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      We cruised on the Dawn Princess San Francisco-Alaska-San Francisco last fall, and it was wonderful. However, the food was not quite as easy as we had hoped from Lin's post.

      First day: get yourself on the ship as early as you can and go see the maitre' d, he holds a sort of "office hours" then. Anytime dining is not a good idea for you, you need to work consistently with the same waiter who can learn your needs and help you out. Get assigned "your" waiter first thing, meet him/her, and ask to review the menu for the next meal. 

      You can bring some GF items with you, and doing so will make your life easier. Last time I brought GF bagels and English muffins for my celiac kid and self, next time I will also bring his favorite cereal. The kitchen would toast our items in a dedicated unit, and bring them out to us on plates with butter, etc. If you eat dairy, ask for yogurt and fresh fruit for breakfast, or most of the breakfast meats were safe (my son is also soy allergic) 


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