If you have an allergy or special dietary requirement, knowing exactly what’s on your plate is important. Here at Vision Cruise we know that our passengers don’t want to spend their holiday worrying, so we have put together a small guide to what each cruise line provides when it comes to allergies and special dietary requirements.

Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean bake gluten-free bread on board – however passengers must talk to their Maître d’ on the first day of the cruise to discuss which meals will be appropriate for them. Guests who need non-perishable, dry gluten-free food are allowed to bring their own food on-board. Talking to the Maître d’ will help guests determine which meals are lactose and dairy free. Royal Caribbean do offer kosher meals however they must be requested in advance and prior to cruise embarkation. They also offer halal meat in order to meet all passenger requirements.

P&O

Contacting the customer contact centre before your cruise will allow you to request gluten-free meals whilst on-board. The chefs on-board can prepare gluten-free bread, rolls, separate sauces and gravies. P&O can offer dairy and lactose free meals, passengers must call the P&O customer contact centre and make them aware of the requirement. P&O do provide for passengers requiring kosher meals. They also provide a very limited amount of halal food which is available upon request.

Celebrity Cruises

Any item on-board can be modified to minimize or remove harmful ingredients. Talking to the Head Waiter on the first night will allow guests to make their dietary requirements aware to the ship staff so special meals can be provided. Celebrity Cruises say they will do their best to provide guests with delicious dairy and lactose alternatives on-board. However dietary requirements must be made aware on booking so the ship can be prepared with alternative options. Kosher meals are available on-board however must be ordered prior to sailing: 90 days prior for European sailings, 45 days prior for North America sailings and 100 days prior for Asia/Australia sailings – so it’s best to mention these requirements when booking. At the moment, halal meals are not available.

Norwegian Cruise Line

NCL do cater for passengers who have a gluten-free diet, however they request you make this requirement aware to them no less than two months before sailing. Requests for dairy and lactose free meals must be made upon booking and at least 2 months before embarkation. Kosher and halal meals are also available on request two months before you board your cruise.

Carnival Cruises

Carnival cruises offer gluten-free pasta, bread, cake and pancakes on-board. Arrangements must be made in advanced with the head waiter and hostess – this will allow the necessary amount of time to prepare the food. Carnival ships do offer soy milk for those passengers who cannot consume lactose or dairy. Kosher meals must be requested two weeks prior to sailing.

Fred Olsen

Fred Olsen do cater for gluten-free, dairy-free and lactose-free diets however these must be made aware at time of booking. They also cater for halal and kosher diets, if you require this it must also be made aware when booking.

MSC

Guests with allergies, intolerance’s or requirements are asked to inform MSC by filling out the Special Needs Form and then further confirming these at reception when on-board. MSC staff will be happy to help you choose meals to meet your requirements. All ships carry a limited selection of pre-packaged gluten-free products on-board.  Pre-prepared kosher meals are available in the main on-board restaurants and reception must be contacted on-board to request halal meals.

Princess Cruises

Low-sodium, low-fat and low-sugar diets are provided for on-board Princess. Any other dietary requirement must be made aware in writing and received by MSC 35 days prior to departure.

General Allergies

All major cruise lines do their best to cater for anyone with allergies or intolerance’s to peanuts, seafood and wheat – however they ask for this to be made aware at the time of booking. It is also important to talk to the Maître d’ when on-board so they can advise you on what food you will be able to eat and to ensure all staff are aware of your needs.

Diabetic Foods

Fred Olsen specify that they do make diabetic desserts, however the majority of cruise lines do have low-sugar options available.