BEWARE IF YOU HAVE ANY FOOD ALLERGIES!!! Carnival was not accommodating at ALL when i

[RelaxNCruz]

BEWARE IF YOU HAVE ANY FOOD ALLERGIES!!! Carnival was not accommodating at ALL when it came to serving my sister and nephew both with Celiac Disease (and who become quite ill when they ingest any foods containing gluten). This was despite previous notice made to Carnival about their needs, and repeated notification of their needs during their recent cruise. Beware beware beware!!

[serene56]

did you meet with the Maitre de when you first got onboard?

 

did you have any discussions with the waiters that served your meals?

 

what effort did you put into making sure you did not get served meals that you were not supposed to receive?

[RelaxNCruz]

It was my sister, not me, but the answers are yes, yes, and yes. Her family made it very clear what their constraints were, as did their travel agent, they were told in advance there would be no issues, and when they made further inquiries at dining establishments outside of the dining room (including room service), they were essentially told too bad, we can make no accommodation for you because we were not aware of your needs ahead of time, and oh, by the way, you should have brought the food you could eat with you if it is such a big deal.

 

I am totally outraged by her story, and wanted to pass it on to others who may have similar food allergies so they are forewarned about Carnival's way of dealing with such situations.

[Illinoisgal]

Celiacs isnt an allergy but an autoimmune disease fyi :)

[RelaxNCruz]

You are correct, and by the way there is no 's' -- it is celiac disease. Doesn't change the lousy way Carnival handled the situation. Totally inexcusable.

[tamirpr]

Sorry your sister had a bad experience.

 

I have a severe shellfish allergy and have had a totally complete opposite experience each of the eight times I've cruised with Carnival. Every night a hostess, other than my waiter, would come by the table to verify my order with me. The maitre'd has also stopped by several times to make sure everything was okay.

 

On the buffet it's more up to me to make a judgement call, but in the dining room and steakhouse, they have been more than accommodating. This is very surprising to me your sister had such a bad experience.

[Waterloomarc]

Odd to hear. I've cruised with people with food issues on each of my cruises (admittedly 4 is hardly a statistically significant sample!) and Carnival has been quite accommodating. They would bring the next day's list of possibilities each night at dinner. Granted this required eating in the mdr but given the nature of the other venues and number of guests not an unreasonable restriction. Sorry to hear of her trouble.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[tamirpr]

I see you've never even cruised Carnival before. Were you not on the cruise with her? Is it possible that the story you're hearing isn't quite accurate and slanted? I'm not saying you're not reporting what you've been told. It's just not what I have experienced on eight different ships. Is it possible the TA didn't relay her dietary restrictions? Did she mention it to her waiter or the maitre'd? Just trying to figure it out.

[RelaxNCruz]

On Carnival's website they boast about having gluten free pancakes and other goodies at the buffet. When the buffet chefs were questioned about this they replied that they could not accommodate the request because they had not been told of the request in advance. Mind you, my sister's family's needs were made known to the travel agent and to the cruise line well in advance, which Carnival admitted, but they still refused to take action to correct the situation during the cruise. Their advertisements were part of the reason my sister's family chose Carnival! They spoke with the Maitre D' on the first night and believed that their needs would be addressed satisfactorily. They were sorely disappointed.

[cuyahoga11]

It was my sister, not me, but the answers are yes, yes, and yes. Her family made it very clear what their constraints were, as did their travel agent, they were told in advance there would be no issues, and when they made further inquiries at dining establishments outside of the dining room (including room service), they were essentially told too bad, we can make no accommodation for you because we were not aware of your needs ahead of time, and oh, by the way, you should have brought the food you could eat with you if it is such a big deal.

 

I am totally outraged by her story, and wanted to pass it on to others who may have similar food allergies so they are forewarned about Carnival's way of dealing with such situations.

 

Are you saying they took care of her constraints in the MDR but not at the buffett or room service?

[tamirpr]

On Carnival's website they boast about having gluten free pancakes and other goodies at the buffet. When the buffet chefs were questioned about this they replied that they could not accommodate the request because they had not been told of the request in advance. Mind you, my sister's family's needs were made known to the travel agent and to the cruise line well in advance, which Carnival admitted, but they still refused to take action to correct the situation during the cruise. Their advertisements were part of the reason my sister's family chose Carnival!

 

Does she have the name of the person with the Special Needs department she spoke with prior to the cruise? I would definitely be calling them and letting them know what happened. Special Needs is usually very good and has a gluten-free menu. It should have been gone over the night before with them in the MDR before the next night's meal.

 

Of course, if they're trying to do all this at the buffet, then I can see how it would be a problem.

[iowagirl411]

If you read the Op's 2nd post, it appears that she is complaining about venues other than the main dining room. I don't think these other venues (deli, Mongolian, room service, etc.) are set up to accommodate special diets - nor have they ever been - nor should they be.

 

Many cruisers with special need over the years have discussed making their own careful choices at the buffett.

[sharecruises]

It was my sister, not me, but the answers are yes, yes, and yes. Her family made it very clear what their constraints were, as did their travel agent, they were told in advance there would be no issues, and when they made further inquiries at dining establishments outside of the dining room (including room service), they were essentially told too bad, we can make no accommodation for you because we were not aware of your needs ahead of time, and oh, by the way, you should have brought the food you could eat with you if it is such a big deal.

 

I am totally outraged by her story, and wanted to pass it on to others who may have similar food allergies so they are forewarned about Carnival's way of dealing with such situations.

 

Key words here : OUTSIDE THE DINING ROOM

 

You know..ships are not perfect, they do have special needs, can arrange ahead...but IF a person is highly allergic (or in your sister's case intolerant) the DINING ROOM IS THE BEST PLACE FOR THEM TO EAT

 

I have traveled with several people who need gluten free diets and they were great in the dining room..and they were able to use their own heads and ate from salad bar, carved meats etc in the buffet or else eat in the dining room

 

Most people with this condition know this and can order a salad from room service...or go up to the pizza and get a caesar salad without croutons for instance 24/7

 

They even make some "breads" and desserts special for them in the dining room.. they said they were good

 

I did cruise with a lady who had a BUNCH of allergies....and on a 3 night cruise they pretty much told her that the dining room was where they could be sure her needs would be accomodated. I think the ships do a good job but maybe you can find a resort geared to food intolerances that does a better job.

 

 

However...the ship is NOT totally geared to this or other allergies, so people need to use their heads. If very sensitive, go to the main dining room and they will truly work with you

[RelaxNCruz]

Apparently on this cruise the buffet was the only location open for breakfast. She did, in fact, contact Carnival about her bad experience and requested compensation as she and her son had very few food options available during their cruise. Here is their response:

 

Thank you for contacting us following your recent cruise on the Carnival Sensation. We were concerned with the poor impression you were left regarding your special dietary requirements. Carnival values its guests with special needs and makes every effort to accommodate their requests. As stated on our website, we do offer a variety of foods at any given time, and it is our hope that by working closely with our maitre d? or hostess on the first night of sailing, our guests are able to choose from a variety of options onboard. Nevertheless, we regret your disappointment in this regard. We appreciate your having taken the time to send us your comments. As part of our ongoing process to improve our product, your feedback has been shared with the relevant department managers for their disposition. While I wish I had better news, we cannot honor your request for compensation. Please don't let what happened this time around tarnish your entire opinion of us.

Sincerely,

Andrea Reyes

Guest Care Specialist

Carnival Cruise Lines | 3655 NW 87th Avenue | Miami, FL 33178 |

800-929-6400

 

So basically, thanks for spending tons of money with us, sorry you weren't able to eat, come back soon! Really??? Dream on!

[QLUVS2CRUZ]

Did your sister leave it up to the travel agent to contact the special needs department at Carnival? Because that may not have happened. The TA may have just called Carnival and let them know, but the information didn't get to the correct department. I know when I've called the special needs department to get accommodation, I had to provide a doctor's note, and once I did that, the special needs department took care of me.

 

I would first find out from the TA who they talked to, and if it wasn't someone specifically in the special needs dept, then the right people were not informed of the situation. (Even though it would have been nice if whoever was talked to could have passed the TA to the right area.)

 

I'm sorry your sister had a bad experience.

[beerman2]

Just off the Victory and we were seated in a booth next to a women who had some issues with her diet/menu items.

 

EVERY NIGHT the assistant maitre'd ? would come to her table and explain what she could order. Took several minutes and she NEVER RUSHED and LISTENED/ EXPLAINED what the lady could/would order.

 

So yes Carnival does pay attention in the dining room if a problem is brought to their attention.

[RelaxNCruz]

QLUVS2CRUZ - I'll pass your suggestions on to my sister -- not sure who she contacted at Carnival but it's worth trying again! :-)

[serene56]

Apparently on this cruise the buffet was the only location open for breakfast. She did, in fact, contact Carnival about her bad experience and requested co:

!

 

 

what ship was this?

 

I thought the MDR was opened for breakfast every day on every ship/

 

Closed for lunch on port days.

[QLUVS2CRUZ]

QLUVS2CRUZ - I'll pass your suggestions on to my sister -- not sure who she contacted at Carnival but it's worth trying again! :-)

 

At first I was surprised I had to get a doctor's note, but then I guess I understand it...if everyone called saying they needed something special but didn't really need it, it would get out of control. So I just hope the TA really did contact special needs for your sister. Sounds like the TA is the first place to start, rather than with Carnival.

[combatboots2jimmychoos]

Apparently on this cruise the buffet was the only location open for breakfast.

 

What ship and sail date was this that the MDR wasn't ever open for breakfast?

 

In my opinion, breakfast is probably the easiest meal to eat gluten free at the Buffet if this was the case, eggs (omelets), sausage, bacon, fruit and hash browns- all gluten free. The only breakfast items they wouldn't ever eat was oatmeal, grits, and pastries.....I don't have celiac but I do eat gluten free and never had a problem picking appropriate menu items in the MDR or buffet.

[shof515]

I would first find out from the TA who they talked to, and if it wasn't someone specifically in the special needs dept, then the right people were not informed of the situation. (Even though it would have been nice if whoever was talked to could have passed the TA to the right area.).

 

I agree with this statement. The TA is only in charge for the booking and for customer service. Any specially needs should be directly communicate with the cruise line

 

edit: if i remember correctly, breakfast in the MDR is only open on port days and not sea days. it could be the other way around, not sure

[RelaxNCruz]

QLUVS2CRUZ - she did start with the TA who referred her to Carnival. No luck in reaching resolution either place.

 

Jimmy - apparently not - was a 4-day cruise last month.

[pcvtmom]

Sorry your sister had a bad experience. Perhaps the correct folks were not notified. I have cruised Carnival with my nephew, who has a severe nut allergy. His mother has always contacted them ahead of time, with his special requirements. On all three previous cruises, the assistant maitre' d came by in order to arrange the NEXT night's meal ahead of time. He was also advised about any buffet selections which contained nuts. They were so very careful, and easy to work with! He is cruising with us again this summer, and I hope for another stellar experience.

[Justsyd]

I have a long list of allergens, and Carnival has always accomodated me. When I book I alert them, then I fill out the forms, then when I board I head straight to the MDR to discuss my allergies.

 

On my cruises they have made me anything that I've wanted to eat, and when the MDR was closed, they hand made me something every day on Lido. The key to this is that I would pre-order every night.

 

It sounds like your sister didn't follow all of the steps, and should have filled out the forms before the cruise, and checked in with the MDR when she boarded.

[sharecruises]

I agree with this statement. The TA is only in charge for the booking and for customer service. Any specially needs should be directly communicate with the cruise line

 

edit: if i remember correctly, breakfast in the MDR is only open on port days and not sea days. it could be the other way around, not sure

 

Requested compensation?? LOL good luck with that

 

I am sure...it is "the other way around">> dining room open every day for breakfast. Open on sea days for lunch....so what ship was this??

 

Anyhow...with gluten free....there is NO reason they could not eat in dining room...they could have eggs, bacon, sausage, fruits and more

 

 

as for travel agent..yes they can/will call special needs...cruiser can call special needs...but gluten free is not some "rare" condition or anything, they have people with this condition on every sailing....they can easily accomodate them on board IN THE DINING ROOM

IF you walked on the ship without notifiying special needs they will still accomodate gluten free...I saw it done for a lady who didn't let them know in advance.

 

People who need this sort of diet also are able to eat out on a regular basis, they just pretty much eat "low carb"/Atkins....they "know" enough to avoid obvious :gluten: items and also avoid things that may have flour etc in them (gravy, sauces, breading etc)

 

No they don't have gluten free breads on room service but they can and will have them in dining room

 

Requested compensation?? For what??