<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>> CRUISING GLUTEN-FREE, AGAIN! Since we had such a wonderful vacation last summer cruising to Alaska, we again booked a 12-day cruise with Holland America to countries in Scandinavia and Baltic region, the "Russian Rhapsody" trip. I wrote directly to ship services in Miami with my request for a gluten-free diet with specific details. I followed up with a phone call to the representative and she said she had my information and would fax it to the ship. Fortunately, we had a direct flight to London's Gatwick airport. However, we waited 21/2 hours for the bus to take us to the port at Harwich. Unfortunately, the bus was not adequately air conditioned and the seating was very cramped, even for me. We couldn't wait to get on the ship. We were able to eat lunch on the ship right after boarding, and I chose from the regular menu in the dining room. I then had an appointment with the director of food services and head chef. They seemed to understand the gluten-free diet. They made fresh gluten-free bread for me right on the ship, although it had more sugar in it than I was used to! The head chef also showed me some of the labels of the brands they usually use, like Hellmann's mayonnaise. I was able to choose my next night's meal that first night. My diet was connected to the table number and supervisor. I was disappointed to discover the next morning that no gluten-free cereal was available; I had to choose an omelette (eggbeaters) every day with GF bread. It took me a couple of days of asking too many questions to realize that I should also choose my lunch meal a day in advance. The food service people tried very hard to accommodate my needs. I enjoyed steak, a lot of grilled fish, pork medallions, seafood appetizers, cheese, fresh vegetables, plenty of good fruit, and ice cream! We were surprised and pleased that so many people abroad speak English. The tour guides were fluent in English and imparted their knowledge about the history, places, and art in their countries. They were wonderful ambassadors for their country and people. We had only one day of rain in Oslo, Norway. Because of the rain and fog we couldn't see the mountains and fjords on our route. Weather for the rest of the trip was party cloudy or sunny; actually, the further north we traveled, the hotter it became. We should have brought more short sleeves! We visited ports in Arhus, Denmark; Warnemunde, Germany; Stockholm, Sweden; Helsinki, Finland; St. Petersburg, Russia; Muuga (Tallinn), Estonia; ending in Copenhagen, Denmark. We took the all-day tour to Berlin from Warnemunde; this trip necessitated a 3-hour train trip both ways, which facilitated nice nap time. I was repulsed by all the excessive graffiti along the train route and in Berlin. A bus took us around the east and west sides of Berlin, a stop at Check Point Charlie Museum, the Berlin wall (much thinner than expected), the Charlottenburg Castle (former home of Frederick the Great), a bombed-out, partly renovated church, the Brandenburg Gate, and other sites. The guide was very forthcoming in terms of telling the historical background. I could ask in advance for the ship to provide a gluten-free "box lunch" for our all-day trips. At a couple of the tour buffets, I was able to ask about the ingredients and thickeners, so I was able to eat a lot of the lunch provided, rather than the box lunch. The ship's chef needs a little more education in the box lunch department. I was given a package of Kraft's cheese food with bread sticks - definitely not GF. But there was a slab of GF bread with several fruits and some crackers. I did not starve. The highlight was seeing St. Petersburg. We chose all-day tours to the Peterhof and Pushkin (Catherine) Palaces; then next day to the Hermitage Museum (Winter Palace) and Peter and Paul Fortress on the Neva River. The first night in St. Petersburg we donned formal clothes to go to the Yusupov Palace (where Rasputin was killed) for a tour and then a private opera concert in the palace's theater. This our was very special! Our schedule in St. Petersburg was full, my feet got very tired, my whole body was tired, but the bus breaks in between the sights gave me respite. We wanted to see everything we possibly could because no telling if or when we might be back. We were fortunate to travel with good friends, both of us who were celebrating their 35th wedding anniversary! We rejoiced together in style! We chose different day tours, but dined together with another congenial family from MN in the dining room. The evenings were generally spent going to a movie (with popcorn provided) and a show. This cruise had more soloists rather than cast shows, which we liked better than mostly cast shows. We enjoyed a banjo player, pianist (both show-type and classical music), a ventriloquist, and a female comedian-singer. Cruising is the way to go to see the best places, get knowledgeable tour guides, get special dietary treatment, good entertainment, and time for relaxation. I definitely would recommend Holland America line. Bob and Ruth Levy ([log in to unmask]) are in the planning stages or organizing a gluten-free Alaskan cruise May or June of 2000. I am sure Bob will ask for even more gluten-free items be provided for a group. You have a real treat in store on this cruise to Alaska - great scenery, great GF food, and instant friends with whom to share the activities. Don't miss it! Janet in Houston Celiacs Helping Celiacs [log in to unmask]