JustmeCindy Posted October 24, 2019 Report Posted October 24, 2019 Hi everyone, I’m hoping someone can help me out with a few questions regarding my son’s peanut allergy. We will be on the Serenade of the Seas for an 11 night southern Caribbean cruise this December and he does have his allergy on file with RC. I will definitely ask onboard, but as a starting point - Does anyone know if the desserts served are safe for those with a peanut allergy? (He is only allergy to peanuts, all other nuts are fine). And how about the ice cream? Soft serve and otherwise. Does anyone know if it’s peanut-free without the dreaded “may contain peanuts” warning that usually comes from whatever factory it’s processed in? Any other help or guidance with their menu would be much appreciated My son is grown now (20yrs old), always carries his Epipens, and won’t cry if he can’t have the desserts... But I still love the excitement in his eyes when he finds out certain things are safe Baked Alaska 1 Quote
WAAAYTOOO Posted October 24, 2019 Report Posted October 24, 2019 Welcome to the blog, JustmeCindy. I don’t have any idea about your question but I’m sure someone here has some experience. JustmeCindy 1 Quote
VinceC Posted October 24, 2019 Report Posted October 24, 2019 43 minutes ago, JustmeCindy said: Hi everyone, I’m hoping someone can help me out with a few questions regarding my son’s peanut allergy. We will be on the Serenade of the Seas for an 11 night southern Caribbean cruise this December and he does have his allergy on file with RC. I will definitely ask onboard, but as a starting point - Does anyone know if the desserts served are safe for those with a peanut allergy? (He is only allergy to peanuts, all other nuts are fine). And how about the ice cream? Soft serve and otherwise. Does anyone know if it’s peanut-free without the dreaded “may contain peanuts” warning that usually comes from whatever factory it’s processed in? Any other help or guidance with their menu would be much appreciated My son is grown now (20yrs old), always carries his Epipens, and won’t cry if he can’t have the desserts... But I still love the excitement in his eyes when he finds out certain things are safe Welcome to the Group JustMeCindy, I would suggest that every where there is food being served, I would contact the Head Waiter or someone on staff and let them know about the food allergy and if the need they will make someone separately for your son so he can enjoy his meals without any issue. The staff is very accommodating and helpful when it comes to these things. JustmeCindy and RWDW1204 2 Quote
AshleyDillo Posted October 24, 2019 Report Posted October 24, 2019 They will take a known food allergy very seriously but it is one of those things where you need to make sure that you ask. They do wonders at modifying dishes and menus to accompany all kinds of special dining needs. JustmeCindy, VinceC, RWDW1204 and 1 other 4 Quote
SPS Posted October 24, 2019 Report Posted October 24, 2019 @JustmeCindy Welcome! My wife has a gluten allergy, and I've posted here several time about just how helpful RCCL and it's staff are to accommodating food allergies and special dietary needs. I will link below. I think/hope you'll be quite pleased! Baked Alaska, JustmeCindy and VinceC 2 1 Quote
JustmeCindy Posted October 24, 2019 Author Report Posted October 24, 2019 Thanks for the warm welcome! We will be informing the head waiter, and anyone else who serves him, for sure It’s nice to know that we’ll be well taken care of. We were in Cuba for two weeks about 10 years ago, and it was nerve wracking! The language barrier was a big part of the problem, but I think the lack of understanding about how serious food allergies are was our biggest obstacle. We initially chose a cruise because of my own dietary restrictions (which I’m still trying to work through - but for now - no meat for me , and only a handful of things that I know won’t make me awfully sick), but I’m more concerned with my son because his can be deadly. Thanks so much for the reassurance!! We are SO excited! Quote
WAAAYTOOO Posted October 25, 2019 Report Posted October 25, 2019 Would it be appropriate to contact special_needs@rccl.com Quote
KWofPerth Posted October 25, 2019 Report Posted October 25, 2019 I have a peanut allergy, and have not had an issue onboard. That said, I didn't specifically advise any staff, as I know what foods carry a high risk and just avoid them. If I'm ever in doubt, that's when I ask. As for the "May contain traces of peanuts" , I just ignore that, as it's a legal a$$-covering phrase. Even packets of peanuts have been known to have it printed on the packet CFL 1 Quote
Grenadyr Posted October 25, 2019 Report Posted October 25, 2019 I contacted special needs due to a allergy I have. Here is the response they sent me... Quote Thank you for contacting the Access Department. Allergies are handled daily on all sailings. We have advised our ship staff of your dietary/allergy needs. Our galley has a separate preparation area away from the main production area to prepare meals for guests with allergies and to avoid cross-contamination of the meals. Our Food and Beverage Staff attend recurring training programs regarding allergy protocols. During the booking process, we ask that the guest choose a set dining time versus My Time Dining. This will provide the guests with a dedicated serving staff for the cruise. Once the guest is onboard, we ask them to visit the dining room, introduce themselves and speak with the dining staff to advise of the (Sunflower seeds, and Raw sunflower) allergy. Please advise the dining staff with your allergies at the table. Please be advised that we offer Gluten Free meals as a standard offering on our menus in the main dining room. We carry lactose free, soy, and almond milk onboard. When guests eat in the Windjammer, please ask for a manager so they can arrange to get a meal from the galley. This will avoid any cross contamination that may occur at the buffet. When eating in specialty restaurants or other food venues, it is important to advise our staff of the allergies. If we can be of further assistance, please contact us. WAAAYTOOO, JustmeCindy and VinceC 2 1 Quote
JustmeCindy Posted October 25, 2019 Author Report Posted October 25, 2019 1 hour ago, KWofPerth said: I have a peanut allergy, and have not had an issue onboard. That said, I didn't specifically advise any staff, as I know what foods carry a high risk and just avoid them. If I'm ever in doubt, that's when I ask. As for the "May contain traces of peanuts" , I just ignore that, as it's a legal a$$-covering phrase. Even packets of peanuts have been known to have it printed on the packet Oh, I wish we could ignore the “may contain”! Unfortunately, he reacted pretty badly to something that had a warning on it, so we don’t take any chances. Glad to hear that you’ve been fine on the ship, thanks for the feedback! KWofPerth 1 Quote
JustmeCindy Posted October 25, 2019 Author Report Posted October 25, 2019 1 hour ago, Grenadyr said: I contacted special needs due to a allergy I have. Here is the response they sent me... Thanks so much for posting this! I’ll be emailing them soon, but it’s nice to get sneak peeks here so I know what to expect Quote
JustmeCindy Posted October 25, 2019 Author Report Posted October 25, 2019 2 hours ago, WAAAYTOOO said: Would it be appropriate to contact special_needs@rccl.com I’ll contact them for my son, for sure. I’m a bit more complicated, and I don’t even know what I’ll be able to eat by the time December hits - seems as though my diet is becoming more limited by the day... Hoping for some answers before we leave, but not counting on it. I’ve completely stumped my specialists! Anyway, at least I’ll be swimsuit ready?? Quote
ellcee Posted October 25, 2019 Report Posted October 25, 2019 9 hours ago, JustmeCindy said: I’ll contact them for my son, for sure. I’m a bit more complicated, and I don’t even know what I’ll be able to eat by the time December hits - seems as though my diet is becoming more limited by the day... Hoping for some answers before we leave, but not counting on it. I’ve completely stumped my specialists! Anyway, at least I’ll be swimsuit ready?? My first RC cruise I was having a ton of food issues and I let the wait staff know and they were super helpful. (weirdly enough those issues went away, who even knows what that means, I couldn't eat a piece of bread without getting sick and now I can). The waiter brought me the menu the night before to pick what I'd want. Family members cruised over the summer and the son has severe allergies to multiple foods. I told her what I knew, she contacted RC when she booked and made it clear to the waitstaff. She was VERY concerned. They had no problems and everyone came home safe and happy. JustmeCindy 1 Quote
JustmeCindy Posted October 26, 2019 Author Report Posted October 26, 2019 On 10/25/2019 at 6:17 AM, ellcee said: My first RC cruise I was having a ton of food issues and I let the wait staff know and they were super helpful. (weirdly enough those issues went away, who even knows what that means, I couldn't eat a piece of bread without getting sick and now I can). The waiter brought me the menu the night before to pick what I'd want. Family members cruised over the summer and the son has severe allergies to multiple foods. I told her what I knew, she contacted RC when she booked and made it clear to the waitstaff. She was VERY concerned. They had no problems and everyone came home safe and happy. That’s awesome. I’ll be sure to let the wait staff know about my issues then... I was just going to try to pick around what’s available (like I do in regular restaurants) but I guess I’ll be a bit self indulgent and let them help me Thanks for the advice. (Goodness, I hope my issue resolves itself like you! I miss enjoying food!) ellcee 1 Quote
bcarney Posted November 4, 2019 Report Posted November 4, 2019 My son is allergic to peanuts. In the MDR the head waiter comes over the night before with the following day's menu and goes over it with us, noting what dishes may have peanuts (very few, of course). We're on our own in the Windjammer, but basically just avoid the cookies and desserts and you'll be safe. The soft serve ice cream comes out of the machine and into the cone or bowl, so you don't have to worry about cross-contamination there either. RC takes allergies very seriously. You need not worry. JustmeCindy and WAAAYTOOO 2 Quote
antarec Posted November 5, 2019 Report Posted November 5, 2019 I'll add that at the Windjammer and looking to eat any type of stew based dish (typically any of the curry dishes) be sure to ask a waiter or server, they'll ask the head chef on duty. JustmeCindy 1 Quote
Beagle Posted November 17, 2019 Report Posted November 17, 2019 If you have booked your main dining or special dining ahead of time, the ingredient list can be checked ahead of time to clear / verify for documented allergens. And in the Windjammer, with advance notice, the staff can plate your son's food from the back of the kitchen (to avoid accidental cross contamination with tongs by guests). Same with the frozen desserts, the ingredient lists can be checked by staff if some communication is done ahead of time. I found RCI very careful with their menu ingredients. JustmeCindy and USCG Teacher 1 1 Quote
JustmeCindy Posted November 17, 2019 Author Report Posted November 17, 2019 Thanks everyone! Sounds like we have nothing to worry about Quote
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