Gluten-free meals on board a cruise

Once you are on the ship: who to talk to, dining room vs buffet, pre-ordering, port days and snacks for celiac cruisers.

Not booked yet? Read what to ask a cruise line before booking.

On day one

1. Who is my contact for allergies (maître d', head waiter, allergen head waiter)?
2. How do I pre-order the next day's meals, and by what time?
3. Can I keep the same table and waiter all week?
4. How do port days, excursions with meals and late-night snacks work for me?

On board

1. Day one: meet the maître d' or head waiter. Many lines (Carnival, MSC, Cunard, P&O, Princess, Holland America) ask you to confirm your needs with dining management on the first day.
2. Eat in the main dining room. Royal Caribbean, MSC, Cunard and P&O all say it is best equipped for special diets. Specialty restaurants may not adapt their menus.
3. Ask how to pre-order the next day's meals and by what time.
4. Treat the buffet with caution. Shared utensils and self-service carry a cross-contact risk. Ask a chef or manager to serve you from the kitchen.
5. Quick-service and room service vary. Some lines exclude them from allergy accommodations. Ask each time.

Port days and excursions

• Excursions with included meals are often buffet-style: ask the shore-excursion desk before you book how the meal handles gluten-free.
• Carry sealed snacks and a dietary card in the local language.

Based on cruise lines' official dietary pages (see each cruise line page) and on reports shared through our form.

Back home?

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