special diets

[bakcd]

After 6 cruises on HAL, we are thinking of giving Celebrity a try. Has anyone had experience with special diets on Celebrity? I need to follow a gluten (wheat) free diet. Would I need to have all meals in the dining room or would I be able to eat safely at the buffet? Would I be able to order room service without - ie. sandwich w/o bread?

[yfraser]

Hi Bakcd...

 

I have followed a gluten-free diet for some time now (14+years)... first if you haven't already contact your travel agent or Celebrity, please do and notify them of your gluten intolerance.

 

Second, I always travel with some of my own gluten-free products... i.e. cookies (for afternoon tea), muffins and donuts (for those last minute breakfasts when you have to leave the ship while in port)... etc. Thus, I am never without that emergency snack.

 

Third, generally eating in the buffet I find easier as I can pick and choose what is gluten-free from what may have been contaminated with gluten. At dinner in the restaurant you may have to insist a number of times that you are not looking for a spice-free, lactose-free diet... but only a gluten-free diet. If you have a description of what you can (dairy, spices etc) and cannot eat (i.e. wheat flour, malt, oats, barley, rye etc) it may help the waiter and chef each day with your meals.

 

Fourth, I have been served glutened meals (I could tell by the light breading etc) in the past when I have been assured that there isn't any gluten... after questioning the waiter they checked one more time with the chef and indeed I was right.. apology extended and a new meal serve (deglutenized). So be absolutely sure... never assume they got it right.

 

Fifth... have a great time... although there have been mess ups... eventually they get it right!

 

Good luck...

[lilreckster]

Last January My husband and I traveled on the Constellation to the Caribbean.My TA faxed Special Services 30 days prior(you'll find this in the back of the catalog)that I needed a gluten free diet. I took a photo copy of the request with me and checked with the maitre'd. He had received it and informed me that I could have gluten free bread and that my waiter or he would bring me the menu for the next day's dinner upon the conclusion of that day's dinner. (I told him I was only concerned with dinner since I'd "buffet it for breakfast and lunch since I only eat fruit and salads at that time) I then could discuss the possibilities of my next meal. My husband liked the idea because he got a sneak peak at the next day's choices. I was so very impressed with the service and the trip was made even better by not worrying about meals. I even got a special dessert one evening. So....we'll be going again in January. Carmela