Gluten-Free Cruising
Dining Options
What comes to mind when you think of going on a cruise? The activities on the ship? The excursion? The destinations? Memories you will make? While these all play a factor in which ship we choose, the duration of our cruise, and which adventures we can enjoy with the kids, I also consider what food I will be able to eat. When we visit hotels, resorts, or stay in an Airbnb, I am able to research the area in advance for gluten-free restaurants. This is not the case when on a cruise ship.
Although there is an ample amount of food and places to eat on the ship for everyone to enjoy, finding gluten-free items can be challenging. Before we went on your cruise, I sent an email stating my allergies and which cabin we were staying in while on our trip (this was a suggestion the company makes.) It helps them during the scheduled dinning so they can let the waiter know which table maybe allergies. We did not choose a formal dining option because kids can be unpredictable while on vacation. For the majority of our meals, we at in the large dining room with the buffet. At first, I was reluctant and unsure which items were safe, then I discovered the gluten-free area. I was instantly at ease and even spoke the ship’s head chef. He stated the food labeled gluten-free was made on the boat in a designated area in the kitchen, which is why they can mark these items as gluten-free.
Aside from the designated gluten-free area, there was a fruit and salad bar, seafood area, and breakfast was just as enjoyable. The options were fantastic, and I was impressed with the care they took to make sure the choices were safe to eat. I also enjoyed the Vitality Cafe. This cafe focuses on healthy food options for breakfast and lunch. They have an assortment of wraps, fresh fruit, smoothies, and yogurts. It is a light option for lunch; a pick me up after a morning workout or a beautiful place to visit to have breakfast. Although it does not have too many gluten-free options, you can have your Starbucks fix as well. On Harmoney of the Seas, they strategically placed Starbucks in the kids’ area for a great parent pick me up.
There are also different restaurants on the ship with different options of cuisine. These include Isumi for sushi lovers, Wonderland, where the chefs use their imagination to create unique dishes, Sabor Mexican restaurant with authentic flavors and many more options. There are also options for kids such as Johnny Rockets, Fish and Ships, and Sorrento’s Pizza, which stays open late to curve those late-night munchies. Cruising tip, check to see which restaurants are included in your trip and which ones will add to your vacation. You can also purchase a dining package ahead of time and make reservations on the Royal Caribbean app (I suggest downloading on your phone before your trip).
Drink Packages
What I also enjoy about cruising is the drink packages. There are about four different options, and I highly recommend purchasing one or more options which best fit your family needs. We always opt for the deluxe drink package. The deluxe package includes all adults drink beverages, sodas, water bottles, juices, coffees, and more. It has other perks, such as saving a certain percentage on bottles of wine purchased on the ship. When you buy this option, you receive a special cup to use on the boat at one of the many Coca Cola freestyle machines to help stay hydrated, or in our case, you can give it to the kids to use.
The drink packages cost between $12.99 (the classics soda package) up to $89.00 (deluxe drink package) per day. Although this may seem expensive upfront to purchase, a typical adult beverage can cost $10.00- 12.00 per drink, not to mention the water bottles during your vacation. Investing in a drink package gives everyone different options during the day, and the kids can have a little fun mixing drinks in their one cup at the freestyle machines free the parents from consistently getting drinks.
There are other options as well, such as the refreshment package. This package does not include adult beverages, however, you are still able to enjoy the other perks such as mocktails, freshly squeezed juice, specialty coffees, and more. The packages are an excellent option for older kids who would like more than just the classic soda package. The classic soda package includes the special cup for kids to use at any freestyle Coca Cola machines. For those looking for something else, Royal Caribbean also offers water packages. This package has 12 or 24 pack water bottles delivered to your stateroom. Purchasing drinks separately on the ship will add up quickly. No matter which package you choose, it will be a great addition to your trip. and can become pricey.
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32 Comments
Jennifer
It’s good that there’s a dedicated area.
Taquia
Thanks for sharing this information! We have only cruises with Carnival and Disney, but would like to try Royal Caribbean.
Carey M
We are wanting to take a Disney cruise!
Leeanne
This is awesome. I’m so glad to know that cruises are making sure there are more options for gluten-free dining. Our 12 yr old has celiac disease and she does not want to eat a salad. I love that they have an entire area for gluten-free food.
Carey M
She would have many options to choose from and might even find something new she likes. Its tough traveling with food allergies but I would not hesitate cruising again.
Tricia Snow
I always say I am going to eat healthy on the cruise. Thes are great tips for those who need to stay gluten-free. It is not easy!
Carey M
Its very easy to eat healthy on cruises. It just the personal discipline once you see all they amazing cuisine.
kmf
That’s so awesome you can find gluten-free items and that this cruise line even had a special area to prepare the food…provides such peace of mind.
Carey M
It really did and it tasted great!
Sara
I love that places are making an effort to accommodate those with food allergies, that way everyone can enjoy going places while knowing they are safe.
Carey M
It made our vacation so much more enjoyable.
melissa
It looks like they had many wonderful gluten-free food options! Our youngest had a dairy intolerance when we went on our cruise and I was impressed with how accommodating and helpful everyone was!
Carey M
I’m glad you and your family were able to travel safely and still enjoy your vacations. Its wonderful how the cruise industry is understanding different dietary needs.
Lisa Manderino
I would be thinking about the food too! That is the best part of a cruise! so they have dietary needs section!
Carey M
I have always the loved the different foods on cruises. Its the best way to step out of your comfort zone
Leigh
I’ve always heard cruises are incredibly accommodating to special diets. It’s great to know that’s really the case!
Carey M
Royal Caribbean takes it food allergies seriously. It was great not having second guess my selections.
Stacey Billingsley
What a great resource for those who eat gluten-free! I hope I can take a cruise one day. They look so fun!
Carey M
I hope you are able to as well. Its once of your favorite vacations as a family!
Eva Keller
This is good to know because one of my sorority sisters has celiac disease and had to go gluten free suddenly and it took a lot of work to basically re-structure all of her eating habits and learn what she could and couldn’t eat.
Carey M
It takes a lot of research to fully understand what you can and can’t eat since gluten is in almost every food. It was a great feeling knowing I could still explore new food.
Missy
Thank you for your suggestion to send an email stating the allergies and which cabin we were staying in. We usually avoid places that have set menus because of our dietary needs. Good to know the cruises are will to work with you.
Carey M
I am not a big a fan of set menus either since you can’t really make adjustments. They cruise had many options and took great care of keeping things seperated.
Cindy
Good that they offer gluten free options! I’m gluten free and vegan. Do they have vegan options as well?
Carey M
They have fruit, fresh veggies, smoothies in the cafe, an array of vegan items for breakfast, and desserts. The different restaurants are a great place to try because they can cook your order more tailored to your diet. I did not ask about spacifically about vegan options. They did have different curry options and one was eggplant. I know curry dishes can vary depending on the ingredents so I would ask if you do cruise.
Barbara
Great to know!
Cindy Mailhot
I see many more gluten free options when cruising now. Years ago it was much harder to find options.
Carey M
I agree!
Michele
I knew they offered gluten free but I had no idea that there was also a separate area. Awesome!
Carey M
Yes. I was very impressed with them keeping the gluten free food seperated.
heather J jandrue
With more and more people diagnosed with food allergies, it is great to see the cruise industry stepping up.
Carey M
It was so wonderulf to see so many options.