Navigating Your First Cruise as a Coeliac: My Gluten-Free Adventure at Sea

Aug 30, 2024

Ahoy, fellow Coeliacs and adventure seekers! This week, I’m setting sail into new waters—literally. I’m about to embark on my first-ever cruise, and like many of you, my excitement is tinged with a bit of concern about how to stay gluten-free while on board. But fear not, I’m here to share my tips, experiences, and a few surprises I’ve encountered while preparing for this journey. Whether you’re a seasoned cruiser or a first-timer like me, I hope my experience will help you navigate your own gluten-free adventure at sea. When I return, I’ll update you on how it all went.

Planning Ahead: Setting the Course for a Gluten-Free Experience

When you live with Coeliac disease, planning is everything. Before I even packed my bags, I contacted the cruise company—P&O Cruises, in my case—to let them know about my dietary needs. I was pleasantly surprised by how accommodating they were! They appreciated being informed in advance and assured me they could make specific arrangements to ensure my cruise would be as gluten-free and worry-free as possible.

One of the first things they mentioned was that they could swap out the biscuits and chocolates in my room with gluten-free options. How thoughtful is that? And it doesn’t stop there. Since we’ve splurged on a suite, they also promised that the afternoon canapés served in our room would be safe for me to enjoy.

As for dining, I was reassured that their menus cater to a wide range of dietary needs, including gluten-free. They even have designated safe areas in their kitchens to avoid cross-contamination—a huge relief! I don’t know if this level of care is unique to P&O Cruises, but it’s certainly given me confidence that I’ll be well-fed and safe on board. I hope other cruise lines offer the same peace of mind for their Coeliac guests.

Buffet Worries? A La Carte to the Rescue!

Now, let’s talk about dining—specifically, avoiding the potential pitfalls of buffet dining. As many of you know, buffets can be a minefield when it comes to cross-contamination. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve worried about what those tongs were previously used for or whether crumbs from gluten-containing foods have found their way into supposedly safe dishes.

Researching Ports of Call: Finding Safe Havens on Shore

But the journey doesn’t end at the ship’s edge. As any seasoned traveller knows, eating safely while exploring new destinations requires some homework. I’ve been busy researching the ports we’ll be visiting, and I’ve found Pinterest to be a surprisingly useful resource. Many travelers share their gluten-free dining experiences on their blogs, and Pinterest makes it easy to find these gems. From traditional eateries to hidden cafes, I’ve already got a list of places where I know I can eat safely.

Of course, not every local delicacy will be my cup of tea—pickled herrings, anyone? But at least I won’t go hungry, and I can avoid the stress of last-minute searches for safe food.

Tap Into Social Media: Join the Cruise Community

One of the best tips I can offer is to join Facebook or other social media groups that are specifically for the cruise or ship you’ll be travelling on. I’ve found these groups to be invaluable for gathering information and learning from other people’s experiences. Many members share their gluten-free dining stories, tips, and even photos, which can be incredibly reassuring. Plus, it’s a great way to connect with fellow cruisers before you even step on board. From what I’ve seen, the majority of these experiences are positive, which is a great confidence booster!

My Top Tips for a Gluten-Free Cruise

Here are a few more tips I’ve picked up along the way, which I hope will help you when you set sail:

Notify the Cruise Line Early: The earlier you inform the cruise company about your dietary needs, the better they can accommodate you. This also gives you peace of mind, knowing they’re prepared to keep you safe.
Book A La Carte Dining: Avoid the potential risks of buffet dining by booking restaurants with a la carte menus. This allows for better communication with the kitchen staff and a more controlled environment to ensure your meal is gluten-free.
Pack Your Own Snacks: Even though the ship will have gluten-free options, it’s always a good idea to bring along some of your favourite snacks. This is especially handy for excursions where you might not have easy access to safe food.
Research Ports of Call: Use resources like Pinterest and gluten-free travel blogs to research the places you’ll visit. Knowing where you can eat safely ahead of time means more time enjoying the sights and less time stressing about food.
Join Cruise-Specific Social Media Groups: Facebook and other social media platforms have groups dedicated to specific cruises or ships. These are treasure troves of information, where you can learn from others’ experiences and get tips on how to navigate gluten-free dining on your cruise.
Communicate Clearly: When dining on board or in port, don’t hesitate to communicate your needs clearly. Whether it’s asking about ingredients or explaining cross-contamination risks, being proactive can prevent accidental gluten exposure.
Consider Dining Times: If you’re worried about cross-contamination, consider eating during less busy times. Fewer people in the dining area can mean more attention to detail from the kitchen staff.

Join the Conversation: Share Your Gluten-Free Cruising Tips

As I prepare to set sail, I’d love to hear from you! Have you cruised gluten-free before? What was your experience like? Do you have any tips or advice to share with fellow Coeliacs? Let’s start a conversation in the comments, and together we can make sure that no one has to miss out on the joys of cruising—gluten-free and worry-free.