How to Manage Food Allergies on a Cruise

If you have a food allergy, you’re likely well versed in the things you should do to avoid triggering an allergic reaction. On a cruise, there are additional precautions you can take to be prepared. We’ll go over common safety concerns for travelers with food allergies going on cruises and what you can do to be safer.

First things first, where do you start when you’re booking a cruise, and you or someone you are traveling with has a food allergy? Depending on the food allergy severity, you have several options to consider when booking a cruise. If the food allergy is mild, alerting ship staff prior to departure to help ensure you have meal options readily available might be all you feel is needed. However, with more severe allergies there are further precautions you can take.

Look for cruise lines that openly discuss their food allergy policies and have dedicated processes in place to manage those allergies. Some cruise lines only offer or guarantee the availability of allergen-free foods in certain restaurants onboard (typically the main dining area), while other cruise lines offer the flexibility of requesting allergen-friendly food at any dining location.

Before booking, check what training staff receives to understand and manage food allergies. Kitchen and dining staff are likely trained, but if you’re traveling with a child who has food allergies, it’s worth looking into the training of the staff who manage the children’s programs. 

Most importantly, when you do book, most cruise lines request a 30- to 90-day notice (or as soon as possible if booking last minute) of dietary restrictions, so that the ship can plan for necessary accommodations.

There’s a lot to consider when booking a cruise with a food allergy in mind, and we haven’t even scratched the surface when it comes to the concerns and questions that individuals and families traveling with food allergies might have. Our top suggestion, call and speak directly with the cruise line at their Guest Services number before you even book. Ask the important questions and don’t be afraid to request copies of policies or trainings used onboard.

Cruising can take you all over, and whether you’re spending the day in port or at sea, it’s important to have your medical essentials with you. While cruise staff may do whatever they can to help you get what you need, your best bet is to bring the necessities with you. Below is a list of items to consider bringing onboard your cruise ship:

Research and planning are great ways to set yourself up for success, but what can you do to manage your safety once you’re on board? Our number one piece of advice is communication. Below is a list of people you’ll want to make sure are informed about your food allergy along the way:

Travel companions – Whether you’re traveling with friends or family make sure your traveling companions are aware of your food allergy and give them a rundown on what to do if you experience an allergic reaction – including how to inject your EPIPEN if needed.

Chef and kitchen staff – Although staff should have the details of food allergies that were submitted before embarking, it never hurts to meet the staff and offer up a reminder in person.

Maître d’ and waitstaff – Communicate your allergy with dining staff, so they can monitor food that comes to your table as well.

Child program staff – If you’re dropping children with food allergies off at one of the many fun children’s programs, be sure and alert the staff of any food allergies in case a snack or treat is provided during that time.

Excursion coordinators – It’s important to remember that cruise ship allergy policies generally don’t apply on shore excursions. While the excursion coordinator likely can’t influence the food options in port, they can likely point you towards restaurants that may be better suited to manage a food allergy.

Even with all the precautions and preparation in place, it’s still possible that you’ll have an allergic reaction during your cruise vacation. While scary, remember that cruise staff (especially those working in dining areas) are very familiar with how to recognize and treat an allergic reaction. Once you administer your EPIPEN, be sure and seek treatment from the medical team on board even if your symptoms have started to subside. If you need assistance getting to the medical center, do not hesitate in asking a crew member for help. Once you’re at medical services, the onboard medical staff can help determine the next steps for your treatment and get you more care if needed.

Some cruise lines may be better equipped to manage your food allergies than others. Before booking, look through customer reviews to see what the experience was like for other travelers with food allergies. You can also call the cruise line’s special services number to see what accommodations can be offered and what safety measures they have in place to manage food-allergy information.

Below are a few popular cruise lines that have specific programs to help travelers with food allergies and dietary restrictions:

Carnival cruise ships are equipped with a Menu Mate program that allows guests to enter food allergies and then the program will sort all available food options into allergen-safe foods, foods that can be modified, and foods that should be avoided.

 Celebrity Cruises uses Dine Aware, a program to educate staff on food allergy and intolerance, and trains staff on how to help ensure the safety of guests with special dining needs.

Holland America has an app called “Navigator” where you can manage many aspects of your cruise, including providing food-allergy information and reviewing menus in advance.

No matter which cruise line you sail with, you deserve a happy, healthy and safe vacation. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, speak up and of course, have fun. Happy cruising!