Planning a cruise vacation is fun for most. Figuring out what to do, where to go, how long the cruise should be, and planning excursions on land. It's a blast. However, when people have dietary restrictions, it can be tricky to find the right cruise. Then, finding a cruise provider that also caters to your dietary intolerance can be even more challenging. I hope my story (affiliate) and what I found out during our Alaskan cruise help you find the right cruise line for your family.
Jump to:
- Key Takeaways
- Questions to ask the Cruise Representative about Dietary Restrictions.
- Plan, Plan, Plan
- Links to Cruise Lines that Explicitly Talk about their Passenger Dietary Restrictions policies.
- The Ultimate Cruise Packing List Everyone Needs
- What did we eat on my Royal Caribbean on our 7-day Alaska cruise?
- Bring snacks you can eat on the cruise
- GF Snack Packs
- FAQs about Cruise Vacation with Dietary Restrictions.
Key Takeaways
- Planning a cruise vacation with dietary restrictions can be challenging, but research helps.
- Ask cruise representatives about dietary accommodations, allergen information, and dining experiences.
- Notify the cruise line about dietary needs well in advance to ensure proper accommodations.
- Some cruise lines, such as Royal Caribbean and Disney, offer good options and resources for dietary restrictions.
- Bringing non-perishable snacks and purchasing bottled water on board enhances the cruise experience.
Questions to ask the Cruise Representative about Dietary Restrictions.
Before we went on our trip, we needed to ask some questions. Since I was on a cruise before, I know that the cruise ship would be pretty helpful through this process. But if you need help figuring out what to ask, I have divided the list into different stages throughout the planning process.
Before Booking/ During planning phase:
- What dietary accommodations do you offer (e.g., gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free, vegan, vegetarian, kosher, halal)?
- How far in advance do I need to notify you about dietary needs?
- Is there a specific form or process for submitting dietary restriction requests?
- Can you accommodate multiple dietary restrictions for the same guest?
- How can I get on the dietary restrictions list?
- How far in advance should I submit the dietary restrictions request?
About the dining experience:
- Are allergen-free or specialty diet menus available in the main dining room, buffet, and speciality restaurants?
- Can chefs modify menu items on request, or are there only set allergen-free options?
- Are ingredients and allergen information listed on menus or available upon request?
- Is there a dedicated team or dietary coordinator on board I can speak with?
For Severe Allergies:
- What protocols are in place to prevent cross-contamination in the kitchen?
- Can meals be prepared in a separate area for guests with severe allergies?
- Are staff strained in recognizing and responding to allergic reactions?
Beyond the Main Dining Room:
- Do room service, poolside grills, stores, and casual dining venues also accommodate dietary restrictions?
- Are specialty dining restaurants (steakhouse, sushi bar, etc) able to handle the same requests?
- What about excursion meals or onboard events like cocktail parties - are dietary needs covered there too?
The Kids and Families:
- Can the kids' club or children's dining areas accommodate allergies?
- Are allergen-safe (affiliate) snacks available throughout the day?
- Has the staff of the kids' group been trained on how to separate gluten-free, dairy-free-friendly food from other food?
Practical/Follow-up questions:
- What happens if my dietary needs aren't met onboard - who do I need to call?
- Can I bring my own specialty food items aboard?
- Do you offer any resources or guides for guests with dietary restrictions before the trip?
Modify any of these questions for your family's situation. And be sure to remind all the serving staff about your family's food intolerances and allergies. This will keep everyone aware of what your family can and can not eat.
Plan, Plan, Plan
After you get your questions answered, plan out each day and figure out what you will be doing and where you will be eating. This will give you some idea of what your family can eat. A little planning helps a lot for those, I'm hungry " moments, especially with younger children.
Start by writing out something like the table below. Include details like Days, activities, or off-ship excursions, and where to eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
| Days | Activities or Off-Ship Excursion | Where to eat? Breakfast | Where to eat? Lunch | Where to eat? Dinner |
| Day 1 | on the Ship, pool, game room, | in the main buffet area | Poolside bar | Main Dining Room |
Links to Cruise Lines that Explicitly Talk about their Passenger Dietary Restrictions policies.
I did some research and found that some cruise lines can help you plan your meals on trips. Please check out the cruise you are looking at and review its policies.
Keep in mind that if you have a restriction, you do need to notify them at least a few months before your trip so they can get your food on the ship and plan accordingly.
Royal Caribbean International
Since we used Royal Caribbean, I personally vouch that they offered several food options, and Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner were always available, so we could find food we enjoyed. They also posted whether the dishes had gluten or dairy on the labels (affiliate) displayed in front of the dishes.
They accommodate dietary needs, including: Food allergies, Gluten-free, Kosher, Low-fat, and Low-sodium. It is best to call them closer to your trip to find out what you need to fill out or submit so they can add your dietary needs to your account. That is what I did.
Our Story:
For dinner, there is a hostess who serves the sit-down dining room, and we didn't feel the need to do that. Well, by the last few days, they hunted us down, and the hostess wanted us to know what was wrong. She was very sweet. We just told her that we found everything in the buffet worked for both of us, so we didn't need to do the formal dining. She was concerned that we weren't eating because of food issues. We explained to her that it was nothing the staff did; we just wanted to stick to simple foods given our issues.
Norwegian Cruise Line
Special dietary requests should be submitted at least 45 days prior to sailing. Their site doesn't provide many details about their accommodations. But this link above will help get you started.
Virgin Voyages
Virgin Voyages also says that special dietary requests must be submitted at least 45 days prior to sailing. It also says their Crew Members are prohibited from storing, preparing, cooking, or reheating any food brought aboard our ships by Sailors.
Disney Cruise Line
Disney Cruise Line has an extensive website page about special dietary requests. And, it is very well organized. Disney has a form on this page that you can submit. Be sure to submit at least 5 weeks prior to your sail date.
Carnival
Guests with disabilities are where most of these cruises list dietary restrictions, and Carnival is no different. There are additional non-food allergies you can discuss with Carnival, which are listed on this page, such as Feather/Down Allergy, Latex Allergy, and Chemical/Fragrance Allergy. I've never seen that on other cruise lines' websites before.
I'm sure there are more cruise lines, but I just shared the top ones. If you want to learn how to pack for a cruise, please check out my post below.
The Ultimate Cruise Packing List Everyone Needs
Soon, we are going on a week-long cruise. We haven't been on a cruise in over 15 years. Wow, it's been a while. So, to prepare for the trip with my family (a total of 4 people), I started researching what to bring for this "relaxing cruise."
What did we eat on my Royal Caribbean on our 7-day Alaska cruise?
The Alaska cruise we went on departed from and returned to Seattle. It was called the ALASKA EXPERIENCE CRUISE on the Anthem of the Seas boat. You can check out the cruise itinerary using this link.
When we finally arrived on the boat, we were assigned a waiter for the main dinner times who tracked us to make sure we ate enough. We ended up using the Windjammer room, which had several theme nights, which made it easy for us to figure out what to eat.
Labeling their food was very clear. They shared and used phrases like gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan, which I was really happy about. So, we spent most of our time eating in the Windjammer area because of this. We just needed to inform each server at the other restaurants that we needed to have a gluten-free and dairy-free menu.
However, there was one time when my daughter had an issue with something she bought in the shops that contained gluten, and she didn't realize it. So, keep in mind that checking food labels (affiliate) in shops is still important.
Bring snacks you can eat on the cruise
Cruise ships have restrictions on bringing drinks on board with you. However, you can bring snacks with you. They need to be non-perishable, factory sealed, and in their original packaging. So, that is what we did. We bought snacks in Seattle to take with us and packed them in the luggage (affiliate) so we can easily store them in the room.
If you are going to be at the hotel a few days before departing on the cruise, you can order your assorted snacks from Amazon (affiliate) and have them delivered to a delivery location or at the hotel the day before you leave. This way, you will not have to carry the snacks with you on the plane. Be sure to contact the hotel to let them know the package is on the way, and see if they will accept it for you.
GF Snack Packs
GLUTEN FREE and VEGAN (DAIRY, SOY and FIG FREE) Healthy Snacks Care Package (20Ct)-Premium
Buy Now →(affiliate)
Buy bottled water
Additional information that you may want to know is about bottled water. Most, if not all, cruise liners will allow you to buy bottled water prior to arriving on the ships. It's a great idea to do this so you have water in your room. It worked for us, and we used almost all the bottled water. We purchased 6 1-liter or 2-liter water bottles (affiliate) per person, so that is 12 or 24 1-liter bottles per room for 2 people.
No liquor can be brought on the ship
But liquor is not permitted for guests to bring on board. However, you can purchase beverage plans before boarding the ship. They usually give you a discount too. Visit each cruise provider to get more information.
FAQs about Cruise Vacation with Dietary Restrictions.
If you need some more information, please read the FAQs below.
Before booking, ask about the types of dietary accommodations offered (gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free, vegan, kosher, halal, etc.). Getting these answers early helps you choose the right cruise line for your family.
Most cruise lines require notification well before your sail date. For example, Norwegian Cruise Line and Virgin Voyages require special dietary requests at least 45 days prior to sailing, while Disney Cruise Line asks for submissions at least 5 weeks before your sail date.
Royal Caribbean recommends calling closer to your trip to submit your dietary needs. Always check with your specific cruise line for their exact timeline.
Several major cruise lines accommodate dietary restrictions. Royal Caribbean International offers options for food allergies, gluten-free, kosher, low-fat, and low-sodium diets.
Disney Cruise Line has an extensive special dietary requests page with a submission form. Norwegian Cruise Line and Virgin Voyages also accept special dietary requests.
Carnival lists dietary restrictions under its guests with disabilities section and also addresses non-food allergies, such as feather/down, latex, and chemical/fragrance allergies.
Yes, most cruise ships allow you to bring non-perishable, factory-sealed snacks in their original packaging. This is especially helpful for guests with dietary restrictions.
You can pack snacks in your luggage or even order them from Amazon and have them delivered to your hotel before you depart. However, cruise lines generally do not allow guests to bring liquor on board.
Royal Caribbean clearly labels its food with phrases like gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan on the signs displayed in front of dishes, particularly in buffet areas like the Windjammer.
This makes it easier for guests with dietary restrictions to identify safe food options. You can also inform servers at other restaurants that you need a gluten-free menu.
If your dietary needs are not being met onboard, contact the dining coordinator or speak with your assigned waiter.
On Royal Caribbean, for example, a waiter is assigned to track your main dinner times and ensure you are eating enough. You should also ask about the escalation process before your trip so you know exactly who to contact if an issue arises.
This varies by cruise line, so it is an important question to ask before booking.
Ask whether the kids' club or children's dining areas can accommodate specific allergies, if allergen-safe snacks are available throughout the day, and whether kids' club staff have been trained to separate allergen-friendly foods from other foods.
Yes, most cruise lines allow you to purchase bottled water before boarding, and it is delivered to your room.
This is a convenient option, especially for guests with dietary sensitivities. A good estimate is about 6 one-liter or two-liter bottles per person for a week-long cruise.
Many cruise ships can accommodate dietary restrictions beyond the main dining room, including room service, poolside grills, casual dining venues, and specialty restaurants like steakhouses and sushi bars.
However, accommodations may vary, so be sure to ask your cruise line specifically about each dining venue and inform the servers about your dietary needs at every meal.
Create a simple day-by-day meal plan that includes your activities, off-ship excursions, and where you plan to eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
This helps you identify which dining venues will work for your dietary needs and prepares you for those hungry moments, especially when traveling with younger children.
Planning ahead reduces stress and ensures you always have a safe eating option.
I hope this cruise vacation with dietary restrictions post helps you and your family have a stress-free cruise vacation. We were able to find things to eat and enjoy the trip, as well as the different excursions and activities. If you haven't been on a cruise, feel free to check out my What to Take on a Cruise post listed above for help in planning your trip.
Now it's your turn. Please leave a comment below on your favorite tips for going on a family cruise. I would love to hear from you.
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