katrina1122

8. Having a non threatening allergy to seafood but having to have every meal monitored by a manager.. Had to wait for almost an hour for a ham and egg sandwich in the MDR for breakfast. We were the only table seated in the Section.

I have celiac disease, which means if I eat gluten it could eventually lead to cancer. Unlike most with Gluten Issues, I react by itching violently from the least bit of cross contamination. I can't even feed my cats their dry food because it has gluten and it makes me itch to put my hand in the bag. I have not sailed any cruise line since my diagnosis, but I am 3 years in and have done many land vacations. I carry an epi-pen, activated charcoal & benedryl everywhere I go. 10 minutes into the smallest amount of cross contamination and I have a rash on my wrists that starts spreading.

I can't tell you how many meals I have sent back because it was not prepared safely. I'll gladly wait 45 minutes for a sandwich if I know that I'm not going to end up taking meds to counteract it.

I am also sailing with  my mother who is also celiac but has no symptoms at all, however she too could develop cancer from eating gluten. She doesn't know if she's been cross contaminated. She would agree, better slow and safe than fast and ignorant. I can't tell you how many waiters have asked if they should leave the butter off to make something gluten free. Butter is dairy, it has nothing to do with gluten. Being untrained is very common. 

I have indicated celiac on both of our bookings (i'm in an inside room, she's in haven suite), I've contacted the special needs department to fully explain our dietary restrictions. They have told us to meet with the Chef the day we board to discuss things even further and to add it to all of our dining reservations.

For some reason this was not portrayed to you, or you did not take the time to follow up. I'm sorry your sandwich was cold and took 45 minutes. This does seem a bit unacceptable, but cross contamination is a true and real thing for people, and while it may not affect you, their dietary restrictions cooking staff probably just assumes everyone must not have it in any way shape or form. This can simply lead to extra cleaning of surfaces, utensils, etc. For whatever reason you fell through the cracks, but this is really not a bad thing in the world of food allergies. Caution is always better. I know, I've been in the ER 6 times before we figured out how to order food that is 100% safe for me and how to stop a rash/itch from spreading quickly. If it does happen, I'm down for 2 or 3 days, sometimes longer because it can also trigger GI issues and migraine on the 2nd or 3rd day if it was bad. This would destroy a 7 day cruise. 

NCL was just acting in the best interest of anyone with a food allergy. Should they have been faster? Without being there I don't know, but I'd think yes. Am I happy they made sure your meal was safe? 100% yes because I don't want to use an Epi-Pen while on board next month.