Gluten Free Travel Blog

Gluten Free Travel: GF Dining on Cruise Ships Has Come a Long Way

If your idea of the perfect vacation is a cruise with multiple ports-of-call, you're in luck...cruises are fast becoming one of the better options for gluten-free travelers. Most of the big cruise lines have policies in place to serve people with special dietary needs. If you've never cruised and have been hesitant for one reason or another, consider this...cruise vacations are mostly inclusive (excursions and alcoholic beverages are usually extra, as are spa treatments), and it gives you the opportunity to visit many destinations, while only unpacking once!

On our website, GlutenFreeTravelSite, we have links to many of the cruise lines and their GF policies on our Travel Resources page. Most cruise lines recommend noting your gluten-free needs at the time you — or your travel agent — makes the reservation. It’s a good idea to meet with the Maitre d’ upon arrival on your first day on the ship, too. That should enable you to articulate any preferences to the chef — and find out a bit more about the GF options on board. Some cruise lines may even tell you more about the gluten-free staples they stock on their ships when you first make your reservation — and they might also take specific requests for favorite brands. It doesn’t hurt to ask — you are a paying guest, and you have chosen their cruise line. It is in their interest to make you happy!

It is definitely worth mentioning, however, that many cruise lines don’t seem to be very consistent in satisfying their gluten-free guests. It can vary from ship to ship, region to region — and may have a lot to do with the knowledge of the particular Executive Chef in charge. We have received many reviews of cruise lines on GlutenFreeTravelSite. Most can be found on our Caribbean page of reviews. Generally, the ratings are favorable, with the higher-end lines like Celebrity getting the best ratings. One parting bit of wisdom: Take a bag of non-perishable food like crackers, snack bars, cereal, and even your favorite bread. That way, if you're disappointed in the selection or brands of GF food offered, you'll have a back-up!

Have YOU taken a cruise recently? On what line? Were you pleased -- or disappointed? Please share your comments below -- and then perhaps take a few minutes to submit a more detailed review on our website so other Celiacs searching for feedback will benefit from your feedback! 

Have a comment on today's post? If so, leave it below and you'll receive one entry into our giveaway of a $25 P.F. Chang's gift card, to be selected at random from all entries received by May 18, 2012, the last day of our Blog hop. Each person is allowed one entry/comment per day for each of the 10 days of posts (May 7-11 and May 14-18), for a total of 10 entries on THIS Blog. You have the same opportunity for entering a total of 10 times for the giveaways on the other 9 Blogs listed below. The giveaway is limited to U.S. residents who are 18 years or older. The Giveaway begins May 7, 2012, and ends at 11:59 pm Eastern Time on May 18, 2012. No purchse is necessary. Odds of winning are based on the number of entries. The winner will be randomly chosen and contacted by email. The winner will have 48 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond, a new winner will be randomly chosen. 

Would you like to get more great gluten-free tips on baking, dining out, and kitchen tips? Check out today's posts from other Blog Hop participants: 

Getting Started - Linda at The Gluten-Free Homemaker 
Resources – Wendy at Celiacs in the House
Eating Out – Heather at Gluten-Free Cat
Frugal Tips – Janelle at Gluten Freely Frugal
Cooking – Carrie at Ginger Lemon Girl
Baking – Jules at Jules Gluten Free
Kids – Lynn at Lynn’s Recipe Adventures
Lunch Boxes – Tessa at Tessa the Domestic Diva
Shopping – Laura at Gluten Free Pantry

 

 

Gluten Free Travel: Cruising Gluten-Free on the Celebrity Summit

I'm constantly amazed at how the reviews of CRUISES that gluten-free travelers submit to our website, GlutenFreeTravelSite, are so varied.** Some people rave about the care that goes into preparing their meals -- and the gluten-free choices available -- while others leave the cruise sorely disappointed. That's why, this month, we chose to showcase a particularly positive review of one cruise line -- Celebrity -- as our Featured Review of the Month on GlutenFreeTravelSite. Celebrity is one line that has gotten consistently positive reviews on our site, and this month's featured reviewer (who is an avid traveler and also happens to be the National Secretary of the Canadian Celiac Association) has actually had TWO successful cruises on one of their ships...the Celebrity Summit. 

His first cruise with his wife was a European cruise back in 2008 for their honeymoon. Their more recent cruise on the same ship -- the Celeberity Summit -- involved a Caribbean itinerary of "island hopping." This Celiac traveler could not have spoken more highly of the treatment he received on board. "I was taken aback by the staff's genuine concern for my needs and remarkable ability to cater to the Gluten-Free diet." He said he "ate like a King" while on board, and his wife, who is a vegetarian, received equally impressive treatment. You can read more details about the wonderful food they were served in this month's Featured Review.

So if you're considering a cruise, Celebrity may be "just what the doctor ordered" for some R&R -- and a true "vacation from worry" where the staff will take good care of your GF needs. Celebrity recommends you let them know of your GF diet (and any other dietary restrictions) when booking your cruise. They will then have you fill out a "special needs" form prior to the trip. A "special needs" representative will even contact you for more details, if needed. Once on board, you'll meet with the dining staff the first night of the cruise. For more information, call Celebrity's Special Needs department at 1-866-592-7225 or email them at SpecialNeeds@celebrity.com.

If you would like more help planning your cruise --as well as booking flights to and from the cruise's departure location -- I'd recommend contacting Lesley Hayden, a travel agent with Travel Leaders agency. She has personally helped our family -- as well as many GlutenFreeTravelSite clients -- book successful gluten-free trips over the past several years. And she'll often be able to find you better deals than you would on your own -- saving you money AND time! Her number is 1-800-487-6110, and her email is lhayden@travelleaders.com.

Bon voyage!

** Most reviews of cruises submitted to our website can be found on our Caribbean page.

Gluten Free Travel-US Organizes Gluten Free Trips and Customized Itineraries for Individuals

It's so nice to see companies finally catering to gluten-free travelers, and nowhere is it more important than in the planning stages of a trip. While sites like GlutenFreeTravelSite are a great starting point for gathering ideas about where to stay, shop, and dine when traveling, sometimes you want to go a step further and have someone handle the research and planning for you, including contacting your hotels and restaurants in advance of your trip to ensure the chef understands your needs. And sometimes you just want someone to plan the whole trip, including pointing you towards the best accommodations when traveling domestically or abroad.

That's exactly what GlutenFreeTravelSite's new Site Advertiser, Gluten Free Travel-US does. They'll take care of all your travel needs and ensure your gluten-free expectations are met -- and even surpassed. Since owner Ellen Morse is gluten and dairy free, she is acutely aware of the challenges faced by the traveler with food allergies. She has been creating customized worldwide itineraries for travelers for 14 years. Now, with the services of Estelle Chandler, gluten free consultant and chef, she is able to extend her expertise to the gluten free traveler.

Gluten Free Travel-Us plans "gluten-free friendly" cruises and trips to destinations around the world. They also are happy to plan individual, customized itineraries that allow gluten-free travelers to choose their travel dates, itineraries, and companions. Whether it’s a family trip, destination wedding, or honeymoon, Gluten Free Travel-Us will attend to every detail, including ensuring all your meals are gluten-free. Check out Gluten Free Travel-US for all the latest in 2012 itineraries. Be sure to join the mailing list to hear about the latest itineraries. They'll take good care of all GlutenFreeTravelSite clients!

 

GlutenFreeTravelSite Updates Its Celiac Resources Page With More Helpful Information and Links for Gluten Free Dining and Travel

We just finished expanding and updating our Resources page on GlutenFreeTravelSite, and we think you'll like the result. It's a treasure trove of links to helpful sites and products that make living gluten-free -- and especially traveling and dining out -- easier and more enjoyable.

You'll find links to all the major Celiac associations, both U.S.-based and international, including direct links to their pages with local chapter contact information. This is helpful to have when planning a trip, since a quick call to the local support group at your destination can often yield great advice. I'd especially recommend doing this when traveling internationally.

Our Resources page also contains a complete guide to Cruising gluten-free, with contact information and the gluten-free policies of all major cruise lines included. Fortunately, most cruise ships now have at least basic gluten-free foods available, and some cruise lines go the extra mile to make their GF guests feel special with all sorts of wonderful GF treats. If a cruise vacation is something you're considering, you can also visit our Caribbean page of reviews, which contains user-submitted reviews of all the major cruise lines.

Other helpful sections of our Resources page include information on handy travel guidebooks...recommended resorts...requesting GF meals on airlines...grocery guides and GF product listings...our favorite Blogs...and a link to a great source for gluten-free groceries (if you sign up for their emails, you'll get regular offers to save 10% on your order). 

Tell us what you think -- and feel free to share any other resources you consult for gluten-free dining and travel!

 

Gluten-Free Alaska Cruise Aboard Holland America's Zaandam

We just got word that NIght and Day Travel and Cruises in Portland (an affiliate of Sun Connections Travel and Cruises) is organizing a Gluten-Free Alaskan cruise on Holland American's Zaandam. This one-week cruise, departing Seattle on August 27, stops in Juneau, Glacier Bay, Sitka, Ketchikan, and Victoria. It's a fundraiser to benefit GIG of the Portland Metro area. 

While the entire cruise is not "gluten free," they are holding 20 cabins for this organized gluten-free group. (And it goes without saying that you may travel with non-GF family and friends.) Each gluten-free cruiser will receive a questionnaire in advance of the trip in order to communicate menu requests (gluten-free waffles, muffins, pancakes, etc.). That way, the chef on board will be sure he has adequate supplies for the week. Gluten-free meals will be offered in the main dining room (buffet dining will have gluten-free options as well, but there is always the potential for cross contamination). For more info, call travel agent Barbara Pugh at 971-255-1420/888-655-4850 or email her at barbara@sunconnections.com