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

[Minoushka]

I have ALWAYS been well treated because of my allergies by ALL cruise lines. I am totally surprised you were not . On Carnival Dream the Hostess took care of ALL my needs on Princess the head waiter made special not on the menu stuff ...DELICIOUS by the way

I advised my PVP but also told our waiter the first night ...never had a problem

HOWEVER the buffet needed some manouevering ...I could not eat a lot of stuff there but I did have other choices

Next time advise whoever and once on board just remind people..it should be OK

[hermitstyle]

I read your original thread:)

 

It looks like you have done enough cruises to maybe tour the galley?

 

If so you would understand that although the head chef and his assistance know fully about food allergies the cooks who speak little or no English in some cases are not even aware such allergies exist.

 

Certain food stuffs coming into contact with certain others is inevitable in such a small work area with so many different food stations with food preparations all going on at once and in bulk.

 

The head chef has an uphill battle to keep his kitchen in the fantastic state it is in so even people without food allergies dont get sick.

 

I do feel sorry for those who get sick from the food though.

 

If you have never done a galley tour try to do one.

Every piece of waste food and material has to be weighed,incinerated into bails and re weighed/tested at port for correct disposal approval,once wrong its a fine twice wrong the ship is held.

 

Its very hard for me to fault any kitchen staff on a cruise even though I have moaned about the eggs more than once:D

 

Den

As you can see yes, I've taken many Carnival cruises and have more booked. I have cruised with people who have different allergies and EVERY other time, did not have a problem with MDR staff (waiters, maitre d, head chef) because they did what Carnival had promised - came to our table, made sure allergens were corrected, etc. but this last sailing it was not done - which to me shows that Carnival dropped the ball for this particular sailing in my case as well as OPs case. And I'm sorry, a chef not knowing certain allergies exist? If that's the case, then there needs to be some retraining going on and Carnival is being completely negligent in that aspect.

[zqvol]

If you were to become ill merely as the result of a piece of bread touching you meat, you would realize that you are very much dependent upon the competency and accommodations of the chefs. Apparently your condition is not as serious as my sister and nephew's. You are fortunate.

 

 

I am sorry for your sister and nephews condition, BUT if it is as bad as you are saying in the quoted post, they had no business being on a cruise. It is impossible to accommodate those severe restrictions and as was suggested they really should have brought their own food. I realize that is a shame, but the problem is going to arise on every cruise that they attempt.

[Athankfulheart]

I just returned from a cruise with a friend (first timer) who has Crohns disease. She cannot have any gluten or dairy -- talk about complicated! She met with the hostess in our dining room and the hostess (Elona <sp>) was remarkable. She helped my friend choose menu options and even had some items completely re-made to suit her. She was able to have gluten free/dairy free melting cake too :) Before we left we did a lot of research both here and at the carnival website. I only saw glowing reviews from people with dietary restrictions. Hopefully your sister's bad experience was a rare fluke.

[spleenstomper]

I really just don't understand this post.

 

1) how many meals did the sister and nephew eat in the MDR?

 

2) did they order two meat/protein only dishes in the MDR?

 

3) when eating on the Lido deck, did she not make salads and add things like grilled chicken to it?

 

4) usually the regular menu has items that would be classified as gluten free anyway.

 

Something is strange... Either the were expecting something unrealistic or they somehow were lost in the shuffle and didn't do things like eat in the MDR. They may have gone to the wrong DR for breakfast... I believe only one Dining room is open for breakfast.

[geoherb]

Even if someone is so afraid of gluten that they don't want to take the chance that something prepared has touched a piece of bread, there are still plenty of options available in the buffet. On the Fantasy last month, there was always a selection of whole fresh fruit--apples, bananas, and oranges. I realize that someone might not want to eat just bananas and oranges for breakfast, but at least they would not go hungry.

[yesterdaystime]

Our experience was quite the opposite, in that Carnival bent over backwards to insure my 95 year old uncle had the right type of food. Each night the hostess came by our table to help him choose the next night's dinner. This also included her interface with the Steak House staff to let them know of his dietary needs. Everything was wonderful!:)

 

The crew and staff of the Legend were great!:)

[Anjanu]

I have a wheat allergy. I don't have the disease. Some people aren't aware (I certainly wasn't) that there is a buffet supervisor. I asked the pizza guy if they had gluten free pizza dough because I heard that they did. He phoned the buffet supervisor who came right away to talk with me and ordered gluten free pizza dough to be always available for me for pizza. Also, they had gluten free bread brought up to the deli so that I could have sandwiches.

 

This was on the Fascination and now which ever ship I sail on, I ask to see the buffet supervisor who is always located at the buffet on the first day.

[MsTabbyKats]

Nothing that my sister said is dubious or wrong that is exactly what happened. They wer stole ahead of time, We chose not to eat int the dining room, which I'm learning may have been a mistake. However whe. We some to the chef at the lido deck he said if he had known ahead of time, he would have been able to accommodate us, as far as meet touching bread......have you ever had a restaurant prepare a hamburger only to take the bun ogpff...calling it gf? Do you have celiac?

 

I believe this is the OP's sister...confirming that SHE chose to eat on the Lido...and the Lido chef said he would have done something if he knew ahead of time.

 

Apparently there was some sort of miscommunication/language barrier.....and the sister expected every venue to cater to her needs.

[Essiesmom]

I expect they either went to the wrong dining room for breakfast, or wanted to eat too early, or too late.

I don't put a lot of trust in accounts/complaints that are second hand. EM

[DeltaDawn99]

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

 

I'm sorry to hear she had a bad experience.

 

We were just on the Sensation last week - 16 of us and my nephew has a peanut allergy and we were extremely pleased with pretty much everything. And we ate in the MDR for breakfast every day of our cruise, so I can't imagine why it wasn't open for her cruise.

[sharecruises]

The MDR is open for breakfast every day..

 

we still have NOT heard which ship/sailing date all this happened on??

[gilboman]

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!

 

 

Bye..

[lillian marie]

My 5 year old has done 7 CCL cruises and will be with us on a 7 day in May. She also has many food allergies. They provided a gluten free bread each night and I'd order her food with a staff member in the dining room the day before. On the 1st day I go after boarding to the dining room and speak with the staff. Her food is ordered for that night then. The food in the dining room for the entire cruise is made for her safely specifically for her food needs. She has allergies where we must use a prescription epi pen because her throat will swell shut. We cruise 3-4 times a yr. and I've never had a problem. Actually the dining room staff on all of the cruises on many different ships has always been superb. On the Lido deck I am careful on what we allow her to eat and I often bring special cereal that she can eat from home. She can always have an apple, pear or banana without skin for snack. I always list her allergies for camp carnavel and she does not attend the food events. I am sorry to hear that the op had a bad experience with her family's food allergies. Our experiences on many cruises have always been wonderful.

[spleenstomper]

This has become clear to me that this is passenger error.

 

1) Main dining room is open every morning for breakfast.

 

2) sister spoke with the dining room staff who told them it would be no problem.

 

3) they never went back to the main dining room.

 

4) they want compensation for "lack of choices" after stating they never went to the main dining room.

 

this seems to be a communication problem-- either CCL people didn't explain where to go for gluten free to the OP sister, or OP sister doesn't speak english as a first language and it was lost in translation.

 

1) CCL has gluten free in the main dining room. guests should go to the dining room on day one and inform the staff.

 

2) one main dining room is open every morning for breakfast.

 

3) the gluten free pancakes are in the main dining room.

 

4) little roaming faeries don't fly around the ship looking to bestow gluten free

foods on deserving people. GF people need to seek out the GF foods. (sorry, had to throw that in since OP's sister wants compensation even though she never made it to the MDR to eat). carnival is not required to find the GF pax and make them eat.

[Trytorelax]

If the other venues are not intended or expected to be set up for specialty diets than why when I spoke to the head chef did he say that if he had known ahead of time he would have been able to accommodate us?

[Trytorelax]

There is no way this is passenger error! If they knew that theMDR was the best option than someone should have told us that!! We were first time cruisers...what did we know? All we got was apologies all around. I want compensation because their brochure falsely advertised the availability of gf food. Why didn't it say available in the MDR if that was the case? Simple enough to do! THAT is what is called serving the customer...I'm not taing about a little faerie I'm talking about informayption that is available. What about a flyer for specialty diets? What about when I spoke to the hostess, if she had actually explained the entire situation? I'm asking for compensation because we weren't afforded the same luxuries on a luxury cruise that everyone else was. Why should we be treated sub normally?

[combatboots2jimmychoos]

There is no way this is passenger error! If they knew that theMDR was the best option than someone should have told us that!! We were first time cruisers...what did we know? All we got was apologies all around. I want compensation because their brochure falsely advertised the availability of gf food. Why didn't it say available in the MDR if that was the case? Simple enough to do! THAT is what is called serving the customer...I'm not taing about a little faerie I'm talking about informayption that is available. What about a flyer for specialty diets? What about when I spoke to the hostess, if she had actually explained the entire situation? I'm asking for compensation because we weren't afforded the same luxuries on a luxury cruise that everyone else was. Why should we be treated sub normally?

 

Why didn't you go to guest services if you didn't find suitable food choices to speak to someone about this if it was such an issue on board? You can't ask someone to fix a situation AFTER THE FACT. That's like going to a restaurant, eating, then leaving and writing the company asking for a refund because the food wasn't good.

[sharecruises]

There is no way this is passenger error! If they knew that theMDR was the best option than someone should have told us that!! We were first time cruisers...what did we know? All we got was apologies all around. I want compensation because their brochure falsely advertised the availability of gf food. Why didn't it say available in the MDR if that was the case? Simple enough to do! THAT is what is called serving the customer...I'm not taing about a little faerie I'm talking about informayption that is available. What about a flyer for specialty diets? What about when I spoke to the hostess, if she had actually explained the entire situation? I'm asking for compensation because we weren't afforded the same luxuries on a luxury cruise that everyone else was. Why should we be treated sub normally?

 

Well you probably will not get it. Care to explain why the "MDR was not open">> when it is open every day on all the ships??

 

Sorry you have this problem but you know you have it, so it is really up to you to be proactive. I have cruised with people with gluten allergies and it is no problem

 

how do you exist in the real world?? Most restaurants are not set up for "gluten free">> but people with this condition can usually just eat meat/poultry/fish/eggs/vegetables/fruit whatever, no gravy or breading etc.

 

There is nothing that claims this is a gluten free paradise or an "allergy" cruise....I do think they may have some special groups that do their own thing, I know I saw a "vegan" cruise boarding a ship as I was getting off (MSC)...they were bringing in their own chefs, having their own events, menus, cooking lessons, all vegan/organic....

 

I would think there may be an "allergy/gluten free" cruise you could try (will cost 2 or more x more)....

 

however....sorry to say but I think Carnival tries too hard to please...IMHO they should just tell people that Chef table is at their own risk, won't be changed....and that IF they have special needs they will be taken care of in the main dining room

 

Tell me..are you able to get this sort of anytime/anywhere/anything service at Disney World or All Inclusives or just regular resorts?? I highly doubt it

 

I am still waiting to hear what ship it was where the MDR was "never open for breakfast"

[combatboots2jimmychoos]

I'd like to know what you and your son actually ate if you couldn't find appropriate choices anywhere?

[sfo2008]

This has become clear to me that this is passenger error.

 

1) Main dining room is open every morning for breakfast.

 

2) sister spoke with the dining room staff who told them it would be no problem.

 

3) they never went back to the main dining room.

 

4) they want compensation for "lack of choices" after stating they never went to the main dining room.

 

this seems to be a communication problem-- either CCL people didn't explain where to go for gluten free to the OP sister, or OP sister doesn't speak english as a first language and it was lost in translation.

 

1) CCL has gluten free in the main dining room. guests should go to the dining room on day one and inform the staff.

 

2) one main dining room is open every morning for breakfast.

 

3) the gluten free pancakes are in the main dining room.

 

4) little roaming faeries don't fly around the ship looking to bestow gluten free foods on deserving people. GF people need to seek out the GF foods. (sorry, had to throw that in since OP's sister wants compensation even though she never made it to the MDR to eat). carnival is not required to find the GF pax and make them eat.

 

Amen.

 

I will just add my voice to the chorus of folks saying Carnival will go above and beyond if told in advance. Ditto for Princess. We've cruised with someone who was on a high protein (and very low carb) diet who also had a citrus allergy. It was impressive how above and beyond they went to make sure our friend had a good experience. In fact our friend with the allergy commented one of the reasons she loves cruising is how hard the cruise lines work to accomodate her dietary needs.

[sfo2008]

There is no way this is passenger error! If they knew that theMDR was the best option than someone should have told us that!! We were first time cruisers...what did we know? All we got was apologies all around. I want compensation because their brochure falsely advertised the availability of gf food. Why didn't it say available in the MDR if that was the case? Simple enough to do! THAT is what is called serving the customer...I'm not taing about a little faerie I'm talking about informayption that is available. What about a flyer for specialty diets? What about when I spoke to the hostess, if she had actually explained the entire situation? I'm asking for compensation because we weren't afforded the same luxuries on a luxury cruise that everyone else was. Why should we be treated sub normally?

 

Perhaps they felt they made the process clear and you misunderstood?

 

Also, to be clear you _are_ asking to be treated special. You had the full range of (luxury) food choices available as everyone else. And then despite the fact that Carnival was able and willing to provide you with special gluten free food, and the fact that you knew they would do so, you managed to not take advantage of it. Somehow from that you've concluded that you were treated subnormally? Qua?

 

At the point that you decided to go to the Lido deck/buffet for your meals why not try to find a supervisor there? Or reach out to the hotel or food and beverage manager? If you had, you might not have gotten pancakes at the buffet, but you likely WOULD have gotten help after just one "wrong" meal.

[RelaxNCruz]

There is no way this is passenger error! If they knew that theMDR was the best option than someone should have told us that!! We were first time cruisers...what did we know? All we got was apologies all around. I want compensation because their brochure falsely advertised the availability of gf food. Why didn't it say available in the MDR if that was the case? Simple enough to do! THAT is what is called serving the customer...I'm not taing about a little faerie I'm talking about informayption that is available. What about a flyer for specialty diets? What about when I spoke to the hostess, if she had actually explained the entire situation? I'm asking for compensation because we weren't afforded the same luxuries on a luxury cruise that everyone else was. Why should we be treated sub normally?

 

Hey Sis! Glad you showed up!! These Carnival beasties are questioning the veracity of my claims on your behalf!! Hmph! At least now they are hearing directly from you, and I don't believe they have had the nerve to accuse you of lying, at least not yet. Interesting to hear people claim they know something when they clearly do not (but you will find that all over cruisecritic - just ask MDH!)

 

THANK YOU to all of you whom have offered suggestions for ways to handle this situation in the future, and to those who have provided ideas for how MDS can address the situation to her satisfaction with Carnival.

 

To those of you who have jumped all over me, it seems apparent that you never learned effective social skills. What more can I say?

 

.... actually I do have more to say. KARMA baby.... what goes around comes around, and I can only wish that you get a taste of your own behavior from someone of the same gene pool soon. Maybe you won't be so quick to judge next time, and maybe you'll learn to be more tolerant of people who may be different than you without finding the need to criticize them. Isn't there a commandment about that somewhere??? If not, there should be. :p:p:p

[katiel53]

OP,

I think your family is looking for something and accepting no responsibility. First of all, the MDR is open every morning, so if your sister didn't get there, then it's her fault, not Carnival's.

 

Having said that, the MDR is not going to advise gluten free breakfasts. Nor is the buffet. This, to me, sounds like someone not taking responsibility and blaming the cruiseline because SHE had to make a decision. I am allergic, not sensitive, but highly allergic to shrimp. I ask all the time does this contain shrimp???? Why is that so hard to ask if the food contains gluten? If the person she was asking didn't know, then she has a choice to ask the person to check or assume it does and move on.

 

I think she is looking for some financial compensation because no one kissed her foot and she would have to ask or make decisions that I am sure she has to do everyday.

 

No sympathy here. It's HER responsibility to take care of herself as the rest of us do. Also, I have to say Carnival is NOT a luxury cruise, no matter how you figure it! It's a budget line, and I am not saying that to be snarky as we cruise Carnival a lot, but to expect what a luxury line offers to a budget line is definitely comparing apples to potatoes.

[Tbay-eh]

I have read almost every post and re posts - opinion and counter opinions, suggestions and anti/pro suggestions and have come to the conclusion that we have to agree to disagree. Not being gluten intolorent etc I can only depend on what people are saying but there is so much food and food choices I cannot see that this would be an issue on the Lido. The MDR will work with you on all your choices so again I cannot see this as an issue. They have to work with soooooo many people, with sooooo many allergies and soooo many issues - if a mistake is made forgive them already and move on.