The ships have very knowledgeable staff; both cooks and waiters know their menus inside-out and so are in the best place to advise you. They're eager to please and want your return custom, which is fantastic for you as they'll put great effort into ensuring you're satisfied with your experience. They want you to feel conformable just as much as you do.
Below, we've listed our top tips for dining onboard cruise ships and have then signposted you to the best companies to book with for peace of mind that you'll have a stress-free trip.
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Dining tips
- Ensure your make your dietary requirements clear when booking your cruise so that the staff on board are fully prepared for your arrival.
- The main dining room is your go to. They will be most prepared to cook your gluten-free meal every night.
- During your first meal, speak to your waiter and clarify that you have an allergy, not an intolerance. They may suggest that your pre-order your food each night for the next day so that you can both be confident that you'll getting a great meal.
- If you plan to dine in a speciality restaurant, go and speak to the staff the night before to pre-order.
- Speak to the chef before picking food from the buffet. They will be extremely knowledgeable about the foods that are safe to eat.
- If you're concerned about cross contamination, head to the buffet early. You could also ask for the chef to make you a plate if you'd prefer.
- Many of the take away food venues will also have a gluten free option so always ask.
- When you find some gluten free snack options, such as bread rolls or pastries, take a few for the day, especially if you're heading on an excursion where it can be tricky to find alternatives.
- Overall, we have found that the best gluten free options and service are provided by the premium and luxury cruise lines. You'll be able to find food on all ships, but those that cost more are far more likely to go above and beyond your expectations.
Top cruise lines for gluten-free options
The cruise lines below cater well to those with celiac disease and we've heard plenty of first hand reports that staff on board work hard to make eating as easy as possible. We've listed some of the key information for each company below so that you know what to expect.
Celebrity Cruises
- Celebrity's menus have a gluten-free symbol to make choices easy.
- You have the same waiter each night to build that trusting relationship.
- That's an option of gluten free picnics to help take the stress out of excursions.
Disney
- Diners rotate restaurants each night, but you will keep the same server - great for those with celiac disease to ensure staff know individual requirements.
- Disney Wish has a separate allergy menu whilst the other ships display the allergens clearly on the main menu.
- Disney chefs are known to be extremely accommodating so it's fine to order off menu or see if something can be tweaked to make it gluten-free.
- The premium restaurants are known for offering great gluten-free meals, especially Remy and Palo.
- You can ask chefs at the buffet to make a fresh batch of your favourite just to be sure that's not been cross-contamination.
- Look out for the popcorn stands near the theatres - a great gluten-free snack!
Princess
- All Princess guests are sent a dietary requirement form before boarding to ensure all staff are aware of customer needs.
- Your nightly server will be consistent and ready to pre-order your dinner each night.
- Staff are eager to please and happy to adapt the menu to your preferences.
- The kitchens are all set up with designated areas for storage and preparation, so you can rest assured that the food is safe to eat.
- The selection of gluten-free desserts is a stand out detail, with great patisserie available anytime of day too.
Royal Caribbean
- There's separate preparation areas for customers with allergies and Royal Caribbean staff receive regular training to ensure excellent awareness and practices from all.
- You're encouraged to chat with your waiter each night. They can talk you through the menu and make adjustments for the next night. They can also take breakfast and lunch orders for the next day.
- Due to the previous point, you're best to use Traditional dining (instead of My Time dining) to ensure the same waiter each night.
- There's a whole gluten-free section on the Windjammer buffet.
- Sorrento’s pizza do a gluten-free base for all-day, inclusive snacking.
Seabourn
- There's a dedicated area of the kitchen to prepare food safely on all Seabourn ships.
- You'll receive a tailored menu each day for the next night with plenty of options, including main menu modifications.
- The bread onboard is said to be very good and comes in plenty of forms: slices, buns, baguettes and bread sticks.
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