Won't accomodate an allergy for Birthday package?

[DevCruise]

Originally Posted by Fydlstyx

I agree. Why not ask NCL to send ice cream (with no egg) or some other dessert item that is made without egg along with the birthday package?

This was my initial thought.

[cruisemainiac]

Originally Posted by Fydlstyx

I agree. Why not ask NCL to send ice cream (with no egg) or some other dessert item that is made without egg along with the birthday package?

I'm thinking Chocolate covered straberries!!! I would not try to bring a cake on board without making sure ahead of time that it won't be taken. Packaged food is OK, a cake may not be.

[dijid]

Originally Posted by DevCruise

In my opinion, there's a big difference between having to deal with something like this that somebody else planned and his own family planning something that they know he won't be able to participate in.

Thank you for expressing my thoughts much better than I could!

[dijid]

Originally Posted by cruisemainiac

I'm thinking Chocolate covered straberries!!! I would not try to bring a cake on board without making sure ahead of time that it won't be taken. Packaged food is OK, a cake may not be.

I wish I could do that. I'd do chocolate covered strawberries for everyone. But DS is also allergic to strawberries. Breaks out in horrible hives. He was never a huge fan of strawberries, so it wasn't nearly as big a deal as eggs. We're getting another round of allergy testing done soon because his doctor suspects he's developed some new allergies. Hopefully he won't be restricted any more on what he can eat.

We're on the Jade out of Civitavecchia, so even if we could bring a cake onboard, I can't imagine being able to order a cake to be picked up on our way to the ship.

I'll just bring my own decorations, send the kids out with DH while I unpack and decorate the room while he's not there. No one was expecting me to have a cake onboard (I was keeping it a surprise), so it's not like anyone will be disappointed (except me - who was looking forward to surprsing him/everyone.) Oh well.

[Karysa]

You get an A for effort. It seems out of your hands. Enjoy your wonderful European Vacation.

[GORDONCHICK]

Originally Posted by dijid

I wish I could do that. I'd do chocolate covered strawberries for everyone. But DS is also allergic to strawberries. Breaks out in horrible hives. He was never a huge fan of strawberries, so it wasn't nearly as big a deal as eggs. We're getting another round of allergy testing done soon because his doctor suspects he's developed some new allergies. Hopefully he won't be restricted any more on what he can eat.

We're on the Jade out of Civitavecchia, so even if we could bring a cake onboard, I can't imagine being able to order a cake to be picked up on our way to the ship.

I'll just bring my own decorations, send the kids out with DH while I unpack and decorate the room while he's not there. No one was expecting me to have a cake onboard (I was keeping it a surprise), so it's not like anyone will be disappointed (except me - who was looking forward to surprsing him/everyone.) Oh well.

Maybe celebrate before boarding? Local gelato maybe? I get what you are wanting to do, but you've got so many factors outside of your control that I don't think you're going to be able to pull it off. And if your son's allergies are indeed broadening, it will become more and more difficult.

[DMLyons]

Originally Posted by DevCruise

I'm just floored at that response considering how much they seem to bend over backwards in regards to food in the dining rooms concerning allergies.

Ditto. Okay...So first thought? Wonder if they would deliver an appropriate slice of cake for your son via room service and everyone can eat cake together?

DML

[mjkacmom]

My daughter has celiac, and NCL did a great job on our last cruise. I was told what kinds of gluten free products they carried (bread, pasta, pizza, waffles...), and they would also modify some meals (like keep the chicken unbreaded). However, I would never expect them to bake her a gf cake! I doubt they'd know how - as someone who doesn't deal with egg allergies, I wouldn't know how to make an egg free cake. I'm sure the birthday cakes are mass-produced.

Maybe because she is one of five kids, but she routinely gets something "special" when it's someone's birthday. She is the only one here eating gluten free. It's no biggie! She was diagnosed 4 years ago, at the age of 6.

[cruisewmn]

We didn't buy the birthday package, but the concierge was able to arrange a dairy free cake for my birthday in Le Bistro. It was amazingly delicious.

[DevCruise]

Originally Posted by mjkacmom

My daughter has celiac, and NCL did a great job on our last cruise. I was told what kinds of gluten free products they carried (bread, pasta, pizza, waffles...), and they would also modify some meals (like keep the chicken unbreaded). However, I would never expect them to bake her a gf cake! I doubt they'd know how - as someone who doesn't deal with egg allergies, I wouldn't know how to make an egg free cake. I'm sure the birthday cakes are mass-produced.

But it doesn't necessarily have to be a cake. The NCL person could have said something like "I'm sorry, but we don't have the ability to do an egg-free cake, however, we could provide your son _____ instead."

[roger001]

You must run into this occasionally. If they can't do it, then they can't do it. "Oh, ok, thanks anyhow. We'll just go with a plan B". And then just do something else fun. Lots of options out there in addition to a cake. As someone else said, maybe the cakes are purchased already prepared from a contractor. Or...well...who knows. But for me, I'd just not worry about it and have something else. This is a fun thing...not a stress thing.

[DMLyons]

Originally Posted by DevCruise

But it doesn't necessarily have to be a cake. The NCL person could have said something like "I'm sorry, but we don't have the ability to do an egg-free cake, however, we could provide your son _____ instead."

True enough. But I'm sure they have SOMETHING he can eat aboard that will be a treat. Whatever it is, I'd get it from room service and all eat together. Good luck!

DML

[HokiePoq]

Originally Posted by dijid

He deals with this all the time when we go out and with the school cafeteria. (The school does not allow a packed lunch or other food to be brought in. It's considered unsafe/unhygenic and not healthy.) That's why for private celebrations, dinners, etc. I make the dessert so that he can eat it.

That would be really hard, I'd think. I'm glad the children I taught could bring something in to substitute for things that would be unhealthy and even deadly for them. Hard to understand why they wouldn't make medical exceptions. Perhaps the laws in your country are different from the US.
I hope you can find something that works for everyone.
Have a great cruise.

[dijid]

Originally Posted by HokiePoq

That would be really hard, I'd think. I'm glad the children I taught could bring something in to substitute for things that would be unhealthy and even deadly for them. Hard to understand why they wouldn't make medical exceptions. Perhaps the laws in your country are different from the US.
I hope you can find something that works for everyone.
Have a great cruise.

Oh, there is an alternative available - take him home for lunch everyday. Included in the cost of lunch is insurance to cover him during the lunch period. We have to buy school insurance, but it doesnt' cover lunchtime. So if I'm not buying the lunch, he isn't insured to be there, so he can't be there. Clear as mud? It's just one of many examples of that famous French beauracracy. It could be worse - my neighbor's daughter was refused admission to a public preschool because she has a peanut allergy.

It's a crapshoot on whether they'll accomodate an allergy here. He went on a 5 day class trip last year and we had pages of paperwork filled out by a doctor about his allergies and they accomodated him without issue. This year, it was a 3 day camping trip, and as they were on the bus going to the camp, a teacher called me frantic because the camp had just notified them that they wouldn't accomodate any allergies. Fortunately, there was a teacher who wasn't on the bus who was going to join them later that morning that was able to take some food to him.

Honestly, an egg allergy is much easier to deal with than a deadly peanut allergy or celiac's disease. Vegan recipes are available for just about anything I might want to make.

[Riksha]

I feel for you. We have multiple allergies in our household and it's hard to cover each of us off - we are truly the nightmare family when it comes to dining.

I ordered the bday package on our first cruise (NCL) and got the same response - this was years ago - the bday cake was standard, I think it was a vanilla strawberry. At least the bday husband could eat it.

However, the person I was dealing with was very helpful and we were able to have an assortment of other items that worked for each of us. It ended up being a bday buffet of sorts but everyone got a little something celebratory to eat.

Try calling again and talking over some options, I'm sure they can find something from all the things available on the ship that will work. We've always been so satisfied with how accomodating and careful NCL is with looking after us. I completely understand why you don't feel right stuffing your face with cake while your son watches - sometimes people don't understand if they haven't been in that situation - of course you are teaching your child to live with allergies and deal with situations that come his way - however, you also want him to be able to participate in special family moments and feel included.

One more thing - make sure you fill out the medical form and talk to the maitre 'd once you've settled in. They'll go over the following day's dinner menu with you.

Happy sails!