royal caribbean cruises gluten free

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Royal caribbean group debuts free starlink high-speed, low-latency internet in juneau.

Pilot Program to Enhance Internet Connectivity in Southeast Alaska Community

JUNEAU, Alaska – August 29, 2024 – Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL) is partnering with Juneau-based, Alaska Native corporation Goldbelt Incorporated to kick-off a community-based program to bring Starlink high-speed internet to locals, cruise guests, and popular businesses in Juneau.

Locals and vacationers will soon be able to take advantage of the free service by logging on at participating businesses across downtown Juneau. Installation begins this week at the Goldbelt Tram Lower Terminal and will continue north on Franklin Street as the pilot program’s full range becomes active in the coming weeks. “Royal Caribbean Group greatly values its longstanding partnership with the City and Borough of Juneau. We are constantly striving to find innovative solutions to support our communities and enhance the travel experience for residents and cruise guests alike. Our new pilot program aims to alleviate internet congestion and provide additional bandwidth for locals, while providing internet connectivity for our guests from ship to shore,” said Preston Carnahan, Associate Vice President, West Coast Destination Royal Caribbean Group. “Goldbelt and the local business community have been key in bringing this pilot to life and we look forward to collaborating further to ensure the success of this program.”

“As Juneau’s Alaska Native Corporation, Goldbelt takes community feedback seriously. The number one complaint from this summer was a slow-down of internet speed during busy days downtown,” said McHugh Pierre, President and CEO, Goldbelt, Inc. “We are excited to collaborate with Royal Caribbean Group to explore a solution and add satellite internet capacity to town. This project will help locals and visitors have a better internet experience every day of the week.” As the first in the cruise industry to adopt Starlink, the world's first and largest satellite constellation using a low Earth orbit, in 2022, Royal Caribbean Group is now deploying Starlink high-speed, low-latency internet for residents of Juneau while also enhancing the digital experience for vacationers visiting the region. Access points and networking provided by Peplink, will help maximize coverage and improve accessibility with users seamlessly moving from location to location while remaining connected.

The pilot program will be monitored closely to assess its impact and effectiveness. Feedback from local businesses and their patrons will be invaluable in refining and potentially expanding the initiative to other destinations in the future.

Media Contact:

[email protected]

About Royal Caribbean Group

Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL) is a vacation industry leader with a global fleet of 68 ships across its five brands traveling to approximately 1,000 destinations. With a mission to deliver the best vacations responsibly, Royal Caribbean Group serves millions of guests each year through its portfolio of best-in-class brands, including Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea; and expanding portfolio of land-based vacation experiences through Perfect Day at CocoCay and Royal Beach Club collection. The company also owns 50% of a joint venture that operates TUI Cruises and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises. With a rich history of innovating, Royal Caribbean Group continually delivers exciting new products and guest experiences that help shape the future of leisure travel. Learn more at  www.royalcaribbeangroup.com  or  www.rclinvestor.com .

About Starlink

Starlink delivers high-speed, low-latency internet to users all over the world. As the world's first and largest satellite constellation using a low Earth orbit, Starlink delivers broadband internet capable of supporting streaming, online gaming, video calls and more.  Starlink is engineered and operated by SpaceX. As the world’s leading provider of launch services, SpaceX is leveraging its deep experience with both spacecraft and on-orbit operations to deploy the world’s most advanced broadband internet system.

About Goldbelt, Inc.

Founded in 1973 and officially incorporated in 1974, Goldbelt Incorporated is the urban corporation that represents the Juneau area. Goldbelt is an Alaska Native Corporation with a deep connection to both our ancestors and our children – we remember the stories and traditions of the past, while working to build a bright future for our shareholders in Southeast Alaska and beyond.

Which line has the best cruise burger? Here are TPG's top picks

There's no vacation more closely associated with food than a cruise, so what better time to indulge than when you've set sail? Despite the variety of cuisine on modern cruise ships , sometimes you just feel like comfort food in the way of a big ol' greasy burger.

From standard hamburgers and cheeseburgers to meatless selections, I've combed the seven seas to find the best of the best cruise ship burgers. And I'm not talking about your average, wilted "sitting by the pool deck under a heat lamp for 30 minutes" options. (They have their place, too, of course. It's just not in this article.)

Here are my picks for some of the best cruise burgers.

For more cruise guides, news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

The Burger, MSC Cruises

Where to find it: The MSC Yacht Club's Ocean House restaurant , found on private island Ocean Cay

Cost: Free for passengers staying in MSC's Yacht Club

TPG Take: Billed as "a signature blend of fresh Angus chuck, short ribs, grilled brisket meat patty, red onion jam [and] Monterey Jack cheese," this burger, exclusive to MSC Cruises ' Ocean House restaurant, is one of my absolute favorites. Stacked high with lettuce, tomato and, in my case, ketchup and mayo, it's a tall order — literally.

However, the taste is what makes it truly impressive. Bursting with just the right amount of flavor, the burger is perfectly complemented by the cheese and onion jam. It also comes with fries, but with how tasty The Burger is, they're really just a garnish.

TPG rating: 5/5

American Diner Cheeseburger, Norwegian Cruise Line

Where to find it: American Diner on Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Encore , Norwegian Escape, Norwegian Getaway and Norwegian Joy

Cost: $12 or free with a dining package redemption

TPG take: The American Diner Cheeseburger, available at the '50s-style, extra-fee eatery on six of Norwegian Cruise Line 's newest ships, looks like what you'd expect from any respectable greasy spoon restaurant. It's topped with cheddar cheese and piled high with lettuce, tomato, pickles and raw red onions on a toasted bun. The patty is made from a blend of chuck, brisket and short rib meats, and though that sounds scrumptious, the burger was surprisingly lacking in flavor. I was sad that I paid $12 for it, as I've had better burgers for free at the pool deck grills on other ships. Go with the Carolina pulled pork slider appetizer instead.

TPG rating: 3/5

Impossible Burger, Virgin Voyages

Where to find it: Razzle Dazzle, a veggie-forward restaurant that's included for all passengers on a complimentary basis on all of Virgin Voyages ' ships

TPG take: Kudos to Virgin Voyages for its massive effort to cater to vegetarians and cruisers on a gluten-free diet. The line's ships offer several varieties of beef burgers at the Burger Bar stand in The Galley food court. However, I'm giving a shoutout to the Impossible Burger, found in Razzle Dazzle, a "new American" eatery on board. The tasty plant-based patty is topped with poblano salsa, paprika, vegan mayonnaise and avocado and served on a bun with either fries or a salad. As a regular meat-eater, I was impressed. Although I could tell that it wasn't meat, the flavor was amazing and satisfied my burger craving in a way that pleasantly surprised me.

TPG rating: 4/5

The Original, Royal Caribbean

Where to find it: On all of Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class and Freedom Class ships , plus Adventure of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas and Navigator of the Seas

Cost: There is a $12.99 cover charge for as many menu items as you'd like (unless you have a dining package, in which case it's free). Soda and milkshakes cost extra.

TPG Take: Yeah, we know you can visit Johnny Rockets just as easily on land as you can on one of Royal Caribbean 's ships. Still, there's something novel about stopping in for a delicious burger, some onion rings or fries, and a shake while you're at sea. My favorite burger option is The Original — a simple, classic take featuring a quarter-pound beef patty, lettuce, tomato, chopped onion, relish, pickles, mustard and mayonnaise. It's delicious and just greasy enough to make you feel like you've properly indulged.

The SDG Burger, Princess Cruises

Where to find it: The Salty Dog Gastropub on Crown Princess, Discovery Princess , Emerald Princess and Ruby Princess

Cost: A cover charge of $14.99 allows you to choose two menu items plus a dessert. Beverages cost extra.

TPG Take: The SDG Burger (which stands for Salty Dog Grill Burger) is a rib-eye and short rib patty with pork belly, Gruyere cheese, kimchi beer-battered jalapenos and charred onion aioli on a brioche bun. I had high hopes, but what I received was a burger so greasy that the bun was wet and soggy. The pork belly was undercooked, rubbery and excessively fatty. The flavor was decent, which saved it from being a total loss, netting this burger a lower but still passable rating.

Frankly, I was majorly disappointed to find The Ernesto — a delicious burger that used to be served at the Salty Dog Gastropub — is no longer on the menu since Princess parted ways with chef Ernesto Uchimura.

The Ringer, Carnival Cruise Line

Where to find it: Guys Burger Joint on all Carnival ships except Carnival Luminosa

TPG take: Although Guy's Burger Joint — a burger counter found on Carnival Cruise Line ships in partnership with Food Network star Guy Fieri — is located poolside on most vessels, it does not serve your average pool grill burgers. Choose from one of five different meat-based gut-busters or a veggie burger on request. My favorite is The Ringer: a cheeseburger with lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, Guy's signature donkey sauce, brown sugar barbecue sauce and a giant onion ring. It also comes with a side of phenomenal fries.

The best part? It won't cost you a penny extra.

Bottom line

Of all of these options, my favorite is Carnival's The Ringer. It's simple, delicious and free, which makes it more accessible (unlike my second favorite, MSC's The Burger, which you have to book a suite to enjoy).

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• 5 ways cruise lines are nickel-and-diming worse than ever
• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• Top ways cruisers waste money
• The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin

Inspiration for Your Gluten-Free Journey

Celiac Cruise: The BEST Way to Cruise Gluten-Free!

Relaxed. Carefree. Normal. Flexible. Delicious. Amazing. All words that describe being on a Celiac Cruise!

What is a Celiac Cruise?

A Celiac Cruise is a dedicated gluten-free experience at sea with fellow celiacs and those who love and support us.

On large Royal Caribbean Cruises, this means your safe, gluten-free food is cooked in a dedicated kitchen.

For smaller river cruises in Europe, there is ZERO gluten on the ship. Yes, you read that correctly. Celiac Cruise charters an entire AmaWaterways ship for its 100% gluten-free sailings on the rivers of Europe.

My family just took our first Celiac Cruise on Royal Caribbean International to Alaska . We loved it so much that we booked another Celiac Cruise while on the ship.

Beginnings of Celiac Cruise

This blog, Go Gluten Freely, was born out of my desire to travel, celebrate, and live fully after my daughter’s and my celiac diagnoses… and  to inspire and encourage you on your own adventures .

Similarly, Celiac Cruise started with the dream of a mom, Maureen Basye, whose son, Peter, was diagnosed with celiac disease, followed by her husband’s diagnosis. 

Like many of us, unwillingly thrust into navigating this journey she didn’t ask for nor want, Maureen found the challenges of traveling with celiac disease overwhelming and far from ideal.

Out of that struggle, she had this fabulous (and crazy) idea that those with celiac disease could have a safe gluten-free experience without the worry and burden that typically accompanies gluten-free travel.

She took that dream to her friend Connie Saunders, the CEO of Total Travel and Events, and the Celiac Cruise was born. 

Imagine, a dedicated gluten-free kitchen, a travel posse of about 200 travelers who “get it” and make you feel normal, no asking questions, no vetting ingredients, no over-planning, and no worry. That is a Celiac Cruise.

22 Reasons You’ll Love a Celiac Cruise

• Dedicated gluten-free kitchen and dining room  on Royal Caribbean Celiac Cruises. For river cruises,  the entire ship  is gluten-free.
• Everything is vetted by an expert . Celiac Cruise has a representative from Boston Children’s Hospital Celiac Center on the ship training the food and beverage staff and checking every ingredient the week before your cruise. She’s behind the bar and in the belly of the ship reading labels, so you don’t have to!
• Rare gluten-free finds : churros, fried chicken, freshly-made corn dogs, cheesecake, donuts, danishes, calamari, fried fish, schnitzel, French onion soup…. and a wide selection of desserts that aren’t just sorbet. There were plenty of healthy options, but these treats stand out as foods we can’t normally have or don’t make at home.

• Your food is ready to eat, right away . No waiting around for a specially prepared meal. No watching your family eat from the buffet and dig into dessert by the time your safe food is served. Your entire party shows up at the gluten-free dining room together, and your food is ready to go at the buffet. For dinner service, all of the entrees are served at the same time. 
• Welcome Aboard Cake . Celiacs finally get to participate in this cruising tradition. So grab a slice of cake or one of the seven other desserts (that’s how many I counted at our Welcome Aboard Lunch) and enjoy a sweet start to your cruise!
• Extended hours in the gluten-free dining room . You’ll never go hungry! From the Welcome Aboard Lunch to Debarkment Day Breakfast, the dedicated dining room is open for every meal plus a late-night snack. Hours vary by cruise, but we had generously long dining hours. Extra early and late hours were added for long port days.
• Variety at every meal . This is expected by your average cruiser, but not necessarily by those of us with celiac disease. It’s such a treat (and a bit overwhelming, in a good way) to have so many choices.
• Flexibility and Spontaneity.  No pre-ordering the night before. Who knows what you’ll want to eat tomorrow for dinner?! On a Celiac Cruise, you get to be normal. Decide what you are craving in the moment.

• Social opportunities  to connect with other celiacs: coffee & conversation, pub crawl, meet & greet for tweens/teens, kids’ craft, family bumper cars, and a family scavenger hunt.
• Carefree vacation . You don’t need to plan, think about food, worry about getting sick, or ask questions while eating in the dedicated dining room.  This is an indescribably worry-free, gluten-free cruise vacation experience.
• Details are covered . Play-doh is removed from the kids’ area. Gluten-free ice cream cones are by the pool, and the staff is trained to change gloves when you request the gluten-free cone. Even the straws on our cruise were confirmed safe at the time of sailing.
• Additional vetted food and beverage options throughout the ship . While the dedicated dining room is the safest, the Celiac Cruise team trains all food and beverage crew members. There were other offerings throughout the ship from Sorrento’s Pizza to every bar on board.
• Pre-trip planning guidance . The Celiac Cruise team provides a packing list and a pre-trip webinar to answer all of your questions. 
• Group rate for pre-cruise and post-cruise hotel stays . I was not aware of the hotel group rate until the pre-trip webinar, by which time all of the room blocks were booked. Oops! But, now  you  know, so you can take advantage of this benefit. In Seattle, Celiac Cruise had blocks of rooms at hotels in various price ranges and locations, from downtown to the airport. 
• A Facebook group for each cruise , so you can get to know fellow gluten-free travelers in advance.
• Embarkation port tips and tricks. For Seattle, we were given a one-pager with recommendations for popular gluten-free restaurants. For some European pre-cruise nights, such as in Paris, the Celiac Cruise is able to coordinate a dedicated kitchen at the hotel for breakfast. 
• An educational session . On the Alaskan Celiac Cruise, we heard an informative presentation from Schar Dietician, Meghan Donnelly. Takeaways : eat more plants, veggies should take up half your plate, eat the rainbow, and eat a fruit or veggie with every meal and snack. While most of us weren’t perfectly implementing Meghan’s advice on the cruise, it was excellent information to take home.

• Swag . We received a welcome backpack with Celiac Cruise shirts and lanyards to hold our sea passes and identify us as Celiac Cruisers to all crew members.
• Prepackaged snacks . In our swag bags were a couple of Kind bars and prepackaged Schar goodies (which were also available throughout the cruise). Pack extra prepackaged snacks for any day-long excursions and for your flights. Once you are off the ship, you are back in the real world.
• Sushi-making class ! Cruise ships often offer cooking classes that aren’t especially suitable for those of us with celiac disease, from sushi making to cupcake decorating. On the Celiac Cruise, guests had the option to sign up for a completely gluten-free sushi-making experience (extra cost).
• Gluten-free beer from Holidaily , made from gluten-free grains, was available all over the ship and Stephanie Bernier, a Holidaily representative sailed with us.

• Cruising for a Cause . The Celiac Cruise includes an opportunity to give back. During Meghan’s Schar presentation, she shared that according to Boston Children’s Hospital,  up to 24% of celiac patients experienced food insecurity since 2020 . On our cruise, Holidaily donated all of the beer for a ticketed beer-tasting event. The proceeds went to Boston Children’s Hospital to help those facing celiac disease and food insecurity. There is a Cruising for a Cause component to every Celiac Cruise.  Learn more .

Gluten-Free Dining on a Royal Caribbean Celiac Cruise

Many years ago, I went on my first cruise and received some sage cruising advice from an experienced cruiser, “ Eat what you want, but always take the stairs .”

I have followed that advice on every cruise since, and it is especially good advice on a Celiac Cruise!

As we walk through the gluten-free options on our Celiac Cruise, keep in mind that the logistics can vary by cruise ship.

Some sailings allow for more formal dinners. Others are more casual. On some cruises, there is a dedicated space in the Windjammer. While on other ships (including Ovation of the Seas) there is a dedicated dining room. In all cases, the focus is on safe gluten-free food.

Dedicated Gluten-Free Dining Room: Solarium Bistro

On the Ovation of the Seas, Celiac Cruise offers gluten-free meals in the Solarium Bistro, a private dining room reserved just for Celiac Cruise guests. Here’s what you’ll find in the gluten-free private dining room:

Welcome Aboard Lunch

At our Welcome Aboard Lunch, which was a buffet, Miss E (my daughter) asked me how a buffet works. All of her previous buffet experiences had consisted of asking for a chef and waiting a long time for our food to be prepared safely in the back. 

Walking right in, grabbing a plate, and immediately having food to eat was unreal!

A “Welcome Aboard Cake”, Caesar salad with croutons, and a huge selection of entrees, sides, and desserts were all waiting for excited celiac cruisers to dig in.

Breakfast Buffet

Service consisted of a wide selection of gluten-free items that were similar every morning: bread, lox bagels, eggs, omelets, bacon, sausage, yogurt, fruit, pancakes, waffles, Chex cereal, and pastries, including muffins, donuts, and danishes.

There were slight variations in the daily offerings. Caramel donuts, raspberry danishes, and blueberry muffins transitioned to sprinkled donuts, blueberry danishes, chocolate muffins, and so on.

Lunch Buffet

The salad bar and a few daily sandwich options were staples at lunch. There was a fresh selection of entrees for everyone, from vegetarians to meat lovers, and always a great selection of side dishes.

Hybrid Dinner

Dinner was a bit of a hybrid between buffet and table service.

We were seated by a host(ess), placed our drink and entree orders with the server, and then helped ourselves to salads, sides, and desserts from the buffet.

We consistently saw fish, steak, chicken, pasta, and vegetarian options at each meal. Some sides were fairly constant, like salads, certain vegetables, and mashed potatoes, while others would pop up once or twice, such as French onion soup or calamari.

Late Night Snacks

Late Night Snacks were a highlight, if you could still manage to eat at 10 pm.

Each night was a different theme. Mexican Night brought churros, nachos, and quesadillas.

American Night had mac & cheese, chicken wings, blueberry crumble and according to Miss E “the best corn dog (she’s) ever had”. They were battered and fried on-site with a sweet crust that was crispy on the outside and soft and fluffy inside, the perfect complement to the salty hot dog.

Other nights were British, Asian, Subs, International, and Pizza.

Somehow delicious  nachos and churros appeared several times , and the vegan nachos that showed up one night were amazing!

So. Many. Desserts. There was a new selection of dessert choices at every lunch, dinner, and late-night snack.

Some families would take a few to share and everyone would get a bite. Other guests, in full cruise style, would each try a couple (or more) every meal. Whichever style suits you, your sweet tooth will be completely satisfied on a Celiac Cruise.

Here’s just a sampling of the many desserts we saw in the Solarium Bistro over the course of a week: churros, cheesecake, Boston cream pie, matcha passion fruit cake, tiramisu, warm apple crumble, cappuccino chocolate cake, and banh flan.

Chef Jay, a Corporate Pastry Chef who always travels with the Celiac Cruise on the Royal Caribbean bookings has risen to the challenge of delighting gluten-free cruisers!

Other Dietary Restrictions

Additional allergies and dietary restrictions were accommodated on the cruise.

There were signs throughout the buffet noting: contains dairy, dairy free, contains nuts, vegan, no sugar added, and contains egg. There were no oat products.

The servers started each evening’s dinner order by asking if we had any additional food allergies.

Prior to sailing, Celiac Cruise provides advance notice to Royal Caribbean of any additional special diets for your party.

Kid-Friendly Options

Kid-fare was ubiquitous. Burgers, hot dogs, French fries, pizza, spaghetti, mac & cheese, and grilled cheese frequently appeared on the menu and at the buffet.

In addition to Holidaily’s 100% gluten-free beer (not gluten-removed beer), the Celiac Cruise brought Chopin gluten-free Vodka on board.

All mixers and straws were vetted and gluten-free.

We skipped the popular Royal Caribbean drink package, as our drinks of choice are primarily Arnold Palmers and sparkling water. We mostly stuck to included drinks or purchased beverages one-off. 

Debarkation Breakfast

On the last morning of your cruise, Celiac Cruise will take good care of you with a filling Debarkation Breakfast, and then the magic is over… until the next cruise!

Shared Venues with Gluten-Free Dining Options

Cafe promenade.

Gluten-free sandwiches were prepared in the gluten-free kitchen, wrapped in plastic, and stored separately in the Cafe Promenade.

Sorrentos Pizza

Sorrentos Pizza had gluten-free pizza made in a gluten-free oven, with crusts prepared offsite and separate dedicated toppings.

The Dog House

In the Seaplex (large sport/activity area) you could buy hot dogs with gluten-free buns stored and heated separately.

Poolside Soft Serve Ice Cream with Gluten-Free Cones

This popular treat always seemed to generate a line next to the pool. It was wonderful for celiac cruisers to have access to gluten-free cones, rather than the usual ice-cream-in-a-cup option.

Non-Dedicated Dining Rooms

• Main Dining Room
• Specialty Restaurants (for a fee)
• Windjammer Buffet : Ask a chef to make safe food in the back, due to cross-contact with gluten on the buffet line.

To be clear, you can eat in these non-dedicated dining rooms, but there is certainly no need to. Nothing trumps a dedicated gluten-free dining room, so we personally opted to skip these non-dedicated dining rooms on the Celaic Cruise, in favor of the ease and safety of the Solarium Bistro.

Keep in mind, that once you are outside the dedicated gluten-free space, you will need to self-advocate. However, you’ll receive the usual Royal Caribbean allergy protocols . Plus, all Royal Caribbean kitchen staff has been trained by the Celiac Cruise team prior to sailing, so celiac awareness is heightened.

Coastal Kitchen

Suite guests have access to dine in the Coastal Kitchen. It is a quiet, full-service, dining room, with a wall of windows.

The server said they could make almost anything gluten-free.

Once again, Miss E and I could not find anything compelling enough to leave the fabulous, dedicated gluten-free dining room. The gluten-eaters in my family dined there one night, and my husband said the food in our Celiac Cruise dining room was better.

Are There Downsides to Booking a Celiac Cruise?

Not, really. But there are a few things you should know in advance.

Limited Sailing Dates & Locations (and Most Sell Out)

This is the primary complaint I hear about Celiac Cruise, “the sailings don’t match my schedule”.

Celiac Cruise is still in its infancy, but growing fast. Currently, there are about six sailings a year, and Connie said she would love to get that number up to 10. 

All signs point to hitting her goal quickly. Every sailing for 2023 was completely booked. Two Greek Isles Cruises for 2024 sold out in 21 days, and have a waitlist of 200 people. 

Tip! If you see a cruise you want, book right away.

This demand and growth means Celiac Cruise can add more sailings to the lineup. The more cruises offered, the more likely you’ll find one to fit your schedule and dream destination. Keep an eye on the Celiac Cruise website as new sailings are added.

The Total Travel Team Is Busy

This is a good problem!

When Celiac Cruise announces new cruises, Total Travel agents are slammed, so pack your patience. Fill out your online request form and give them a few days to get through all of the registrations from so many excited celiacs. A Total Travel agent will get back to you!

Email is the best way to communicate with Total Travel. The team travels on each Celiac Cruise journey, in addition to scouting trips and training the crew the week prior to each journey. Plus, they love cruising personally. All of that means they are often relying on ship wifi.

Once on board, it is all hands on deck and the service is face-to-face and personal. 

For the river cruises, there’s no way around it. A European river cruise is simply a luxury purchase. However, Celiac Cruise pricing is transparent and in line with the industry. There are a range of available cabins in different price ranges.

Sea/ocean cruises are a different story. Celiac Cruise sailings on Royal Caribbean give you significantly more budget flexibility . From Royal Suite Class on a Greek Isles cruise (splurge) to an inside cabin on a 5-day Bahamas cruise (affordable), you’ll see options for every budget.

Note that there may be a slight premium for booking on Royal Caribbean through Celiac Cruise.

Connie, from Celiac Cruise and Total Travel, let me know that our next cruise could cost about $50-100 more per person when it was transferred to the Celiac Cruise block. 

As it turned out, we saved money when the “Next Cruise” offer we booked on board was transferred to Celiac Cruise and Total Travel. The cost went down by almost $150 total when Connie found us a better cabin configuration for less money.

Tips to Save Money on a Celiac Cruise with Royal Caribbean

Book Your Cruise Early

You’ll have the best choice of rooms, and most likely the best prices, which can go up dramatically as you get closer to the pay-in-full date. Prices can change, but you can adjust the price downward if it drops .

Book Excursions Early

Same as with room choices. Popular excursions fill up. You’ll have a spot reserved, but can get a lower price if you notice a Royal Caribbean sale.

Consider Outside Excursion Companies

Depending on the port, your comfort level, and the price difference, you may want to book privately. One of our port excursions would have been double the cost if booked through Royal Caribbean.

However, booking directly with Royal Caribbean can provide extra peace of mind, as the ship will wait for you or connect you to the next port if your excursion is delayed.

If booking outside companies, choose tour providers with a large number of excellent reviews and a guarantee to get you to the ship or transfer you to the next port. Many are the same vendors that Royal Caribbean uses and are adept at getting guests back to the ship on time.

Watch for Black Friday Deals

Royal Caribbean offers deals on cruises, beverage packages, excursions, internet, and the Key (Royal Caribbean’s VIP program with onboard benefits). Snag these items on sale!

Sign up for Crown & Anchor

Crown & Anchor is Royal Caribbean’s loyalty program. After one cruise, you’ll automatically be a gold member, giving you a slight discount on things like drinks, ice cream, internet, and laundry.

Eat Your Meals on the Ship

Not only will you save money by sticking to the food already included in the price of your cruise, but you’ll also avoid worrying about finding safe, gluten-free meals in port.

Many excursions are only a few hours long, so you can easily eat a hearty breakfast, head out on your morning excursion, enjoy a wonderful lunch back on board, go off the ship for your afternoon excursion, and be on the ship for dinner or a late-night snack.

Of course, if your dream excursion is 9 hours long with no safe food in sight, just go! Bring along a few gluten-free snacks. Cruise ships and ports generally allow sealed, prepackaged products on and off the ship. Note, your bag will be screened getting back on the ship at each port, and ports in Mexico will likely have food-sniffing dogs.

Book a “Next Cruise”

Take advantage of Royal Caribbean’s Next Cruise program to book your next Celiac Cruise while you’re on a current sailing. You’ll receive special benefits including a reduced deposit and onboard credit.

Bottom Line: Highly Recommend!

My family has traveled a lot over nearly a decade with celiac disease. We have gotten very good at it. Still, there is a certain amount of unavoidable work and mental burden.

On a Celiac Cruise, the entire burden is lifted while on the ship. It’s next-level gluten-free cruising.

If a Celiac Cruise matches your budget and schedule, book one!

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What about those that also have lactose issues?…Are items with lactose clearly noted?

This is a good question, David. I did not ask about lactose specifically, but it is fairly common for individuals who need gluten-free to also need dairy-free. So, it was definitely on the radar of Royal Caribbean and the Celiac Cruise team. There were signs on the buffet stating “dairy-free” or “contains dairy”. When the waitstaff took our dinner order, they always asked if we had any other dietary needs in addition to gluten-free. Also, when you register for the Celiac Cruise, they ask about other special diets for each person in your party.

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Royal Caribbean's Special Dietary Options: Lactose and Gluten-Free Dishes Offer More Choices

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GLUTEN FREE GUIDE: Royal Caribbean Cruises

It’s not news by now, but eons ago in late May I took  a four day Royal Caribbean cruise  to the Bahamas and southern Florida with some of my friends from college, right after our graduation. This week I’m hoping to give you a little series on the ins and outs of the trip…but hey, it’s me we’re talking about so how about we start off with food? Eating  gluten free on a Royal Caribbean Cruise  to be specific…

I’ve been on a couple cruises before (one to the Mediterranean and one to Alaska), but they were long before I had to start eating gluten free three years ago. I felt prepared to hop on the cruise ship, but I kept having nightmares of being stranded at sea with nothing to eat but lettuce . As someone who strives to live her life by the mantra NO CARB LEFT BEHIND , you can see why I was so concerned.

My only qualm about gluten free dining on Royal Caribbean was the buffet breakfast . Obviously buffets are not as safe, regarding cross contamination, but this one was also so crowded that I never even attempted to ask staff about gluten free replacements (who knows, maybe I left some waffle carbs behind). This didn’t deter me much though, as there were fruit and eggs and coffee and bacon and I was pretty much set with that.

Happy Monday to everyone, and keep your eyes here this week as I write about other aspects of our trip… up next is Nassau!

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I was on the same cruise and am also gluten free. It was my fourth cruise with Royal Caribbean and I have always enjoyed safe and delicious food with this cruise line. I always eat breakfast in the dining room, avoiding the buffet. Made to order and safe.

Happy travels

Hi Lynn! Thanks so much for leaving a comment! That’s a really good idea to eat in the dining room, I bet it was a lot more peaceful. Will have to do that if I’m on another Royal Caribbean cruise soon!

Thanks for this! It was very helpful.

I’m nervous about excursion days. Should we bring something from the ship (cold pizza, fruit and cheese…)?

That is a good idea! I usually bring some collapsible tupperware with me when I travel for that reason.

Hi Sarah I am headed on a cruise next year and was wondering what Gf options are like for kids.Is there gluten free waffles and pancakes and stuff like that for breakfast and is there child friendly food for lunch and dinner like pizza and burgers and maybe chicken nuggets and fries thanks

When I went there were not gluten free waffles but there were some options in the buffet. There was gluten free pizza available in the evenings. But I would reach out to Royal Caribbean directly to confirm what the options are next year and on your specific boat/route. I don’t know the details myself. But after speaking to multiple celiacs and my own experience I do think that RC is the best celiac safe cruise option. There’s also one called Celiac Cruise that is mega gluten free friendly but it’s much more expensive.

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Families and individuals who are gluten-free due to Celiac disease or gluten sensitivity know that travel can be a burden and at times, scary—if you choose to travel at all.

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• Royal Caribbean International

Gluten free food on Royal Caribbean Cruises

By amberjohn , September 28, 2021 in Royal Caribbean International

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Does anyone know if there are Gluten free options in the complimentary restaurants?

Do they have a Gluten free pizza?

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1 hour ago, amberjohn said: Does anyone know if there are Gluten free options in the complimentary restaurants? Do they have a Gluten free pizza?   thanks

Yes, there are gluten-free options.  Also make sure to put down on your reservation that you would prefer gluten-free meals.  Your waiter in the main dining room will confirm that with you and help you to make the right choices.  There is also a gluten-free section in the Windjammer Cafe, too.  There is gluten-free pizza at Sorrento's, but it's nothing special.  

21 minutes ago, Teeara said: Yes, there are gluten-free options.  Also make sure to put down on your reservation that you would prefer gluten-free meals.  Your waiter in the main dining room will confirm that with you and help you to make the right choices.  There is also a gluten-free section in the Windjammer Cafe, too.  There is gluten-free pizza at Sorrento's, but it's nothing special.  

smokeybandit

My wife is gluten free and of all the GF pizza she's had, the RC version isn't the best but definitely is not the worst.

Be sure to ask for GF bread in the MDR.

You didn't mention which ship you are sailing, but most of the ships are very helpful with GF diets.

The menus for MDR and specialty restaurants will code which items are GF, but if you talk to your waiter or Maitre d'Hotel, you'll find they can accommodate your needs, especially if you plan a day ahead with them.

Windjammer has a gluten-free section, with a variety of options offered for breakfast and lunch. GF bread and rolls are by request and there are usually 3 or more options for dessert, plus daily ice cream. If you want pasta, inquire at the pasta bar and it will be cooked to order.

MDR will offer GF rolls and bread, as well as pancakes and french toast.

Nightly  snack is available at Sorrento's--they make your pizza to order.

DH has celiac, and has never failed to have great choices from Royal ships. Enjoy!

18 hours ago, amberjohn said: Does anyone know if there are Gluten free options in the complimentary restaurants? Do they have a Gluten free pizza?   thanks

Our DD has Celiac and we've done RCCL and Disney.  Both cruise lines have been wonderful.  But each handle it differently.  First question, are you GF for Celiac or for preference?  If Celiac make sure to fill out the special services forms in advance.  For Celiac our pre-Covid strategy has always been to meet with the Windjammer manager on embarkation day.  They would introduce us to the head Chef and take us on a mini tour telling us what is OK to take directly from the buffet and what they could do in the back.  Plan some extra time for dining since some things have to be specialty made.  MDR is chaotic the first night, but after that they know the routine.  We would pre-order dinner the night before.  Overall the crew really went above and beyond to make sure things were safe and she never went hungry!  A memorable example, one day my DD got very sad that she couldn't eat the ice cream from the soft serve machine.  We went into the Windjammer, saw our usual contact, he reiterated that we should not go anywhere near the soft serve machine.  He told us to give him a few minutes and he came back with a big sundae in a bowl for her that he took everything fresh from the supply room!

21 hours ago, amberjohn said: Does anyone know if there are Gluten free options in the complimentary restaurants? Do they have a Gluten free pizza?   thanks

Everyone, thanks for all your help.

As most have indicated, give the company a heads up prior to departing. My wife is gluten intolerant and on the first night the staff discussed the options with her. She would also order the next evenings meal the night before so they could prepare it. We did a Galley tour and were shown the area that they have for special orders, so we were very impressed. My wife can stomach some items and when we order something that had some gluten in it the staff were quick to point this out, but happy for us to continue after we informed them it was OK. things like the bread were a little bland, but you get that pretty much everywhere, and there were plenty of options at WJ. Just talk to your waiters, they are generally pretty good with this.

Fill out this form and send it to RC.  https://www.royalcaribbean.com/resources/guest-special-needs   They like to know if people need special foods.  Some of the GF food is made in the GF kitchen but the bread is brought in.  

My husband is Celiac and had no trouble finding something to eat on our cruises. The Head Waiter would give him the next nights menu and he would make his selection. The waiter and asst waiter were also very good  at making sure that he got the correct food. He always had gluten free bread. They really catered to him.

You should have no worries.

15 hours ago, Heymarco said: All fresh fruit and vegetables are gluten-free. Cheers!

Might be different now in the Windjammer because the staff is doing the serving.  But unfortunately much of the fruit and vegetables are subject to cross contamination.

SoccerMom#3

Thanks for all the tips.  This is our first cruise since my daughter was diagnosed with Celiac so knowing GF options and procedures is very helpful.

My sister and I were on the Mariner recently and she eats GF. Talk to the head waiter on the first night. They were very  accommodating with her meals. They even have gluten-free bread but you have to ask for it.  They even made her a gluten-free dessert each night. 

• 1 year later...

DannyDisneyFreak

On 9/28/2021 at 10:51 PM, Case1096 said: Our DD has Celiac and we've done RCCL and Disney.  Both cruise lines have been wonderful.  But each handle it differently.  First question, are you GF for Celiac or for preference?  If Celiac make sure to fill out the special services forms in advance.  For Celiac our pre-Covid strategy has always been to meet with the Windjammer manager on embarkation day.  They would introduce us to the head Chef and take us on a mini tour telling us what is OK to take directly from the buffet and what they could do in the back.  Plan some extra time for dining since some things have to be specialty made.  MDR is chaotic the first night, but after that they know the routine.  We would pre-order dinner the night before.  Overall the crew really went above and beyond to make sure things were safe and she never went hungry!  A memorable example, one day my DD got very sad that she couldn't eat the ice cream from the soft serve machine.  We went into the Windjammer, saw our usual contact, he reiterated that we should not go anywhere near the soft serve machine.  He told us to give him a few minutes and he came back with a big sundae in a bowl for her that he took everything fresh from the supply room!

What is the special services form and when do you get it?

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Home » 10 Best Cruise Lines for Gluten Free Food

10 Best Cruise Lines for Gluten Free Food

Last updated on March 7th, 2024 at 01:23 pm

A quick background…

A Gluten-free diet excludes the protein gluten, which includes the exclusion of wheat, rye, and barley. The diet has been known to aid people who are diagnosed with celiac disease in managing its symptoms.

This form of diet has become widely popular among people who aren’t diagnosed with a gluten-related medical condition. It has been claimed that going through this nutritional regime improves health, aids in weight loss, and increases energy, although more research is still needed.

People who adhere to gluten-free diets ( like Keto for example ) and who would like to go on a cruise have to go through the extra burden of meal planning, restaurant research, and preparing packed food and items from their kitchens.

There is good news for those people as all cruise lines, without exception, now offer gluten-free meals.

All a prospective cruiser has to do is to make the request in advance and give the cruise line notification prior to their sail date.  Notifying a cruise line of an incoming gluten-free cruiser (or cruisers, as is more usually the case) gives them ample time to order larger quantities of gluten-free ingredients.

This allows the cruise line plenty of time to lay in the amounts necessary and ensure that all requests are met.

For those who are interested in taking a gluten-free cruise, we have listed below 10 of the best cruise lines for gluten-free food.

1. Royal Caribbean

The Royal Caribbean menu is incredibly helpful for those who are trying to avoid gluten. Amazingly, every night they provide at least one (on most occasions several) gluten-free appetizer, a main dish, and dessert. They offer gluten-free sandwiches, pastries, and pizzas from separate cooking areas to avoid cross-contamination.

Be sure to contact your travel advisor, Certified Vacation Planner, or the cruise line directly and request that the gluten-free remark be noted in your reservation details.

If your reservation is made online through royalcaribbean.com, add your request to the “update personal information.” section.

To cover all your bases, you may also send an email request to [email protected] ; be sure to include in your e-mail the guests’ names, booking number, ship name, and sail date, then your email will receive an automated response.

If you want to experience the ultimate in a gluten-free vacation cruise, Royal Caribbean and AMAWaterways have partnered to offer Celiac Cruise . Offering cruises around the world, this offers a worry-free experience.

Traveling can be a challenging undertaking that can make staying at home the best, but not the most fun, option.

Now the whole family can experience new places and make lasting memories without the anxiety that accompanies menu options that may or may not be truly gluten-free. You can explore places like the Caribbean, Greece, Alaska, the Danube River and Amsterdam.

AUTHOR NOTES (2023)

In 2019 we were seated with a guest who was recently diagnosed with Celiac disease. She communicated clearly with the waiter and the assistant at each meal. Each interaction was respectful and they went above and beyond to provide a safe dining experience.

However, recently we were made aware that Royal Caribbean’s new menu as of January 2023, isn’t offering Gluten-Free options as freely as it did in the past. Long-time cruisers who sailed RCL for over 20 years have not been happy with the Gluten-Free options.

2. Carnival Cruise Line

Since Carnival has a large fleet of ships and is noted for being a famous commercial cruise line, they are adequately stocked all the time for gluten-free cruisers.

Without exception, all of Carnival’s cruise ships serve gluten-free bread, different kinds of pasta, pizzas, and desserts.  They also have a well-known restaurant called Guy’s Burger Joints, where you can get bun less burgers and French fries as gluten-free options.

In the Main Dining Room, the evening meal will have a “featured gluten-free” menu that includes an appetizer, entree and dessert. In the past, although Carnival offered gluten-free options, the icons and notes on the menus were not consistent. 

The dedicated gluten-free menus will take the guesswork out of ordering. Just make sure to ask your waiter for the menu. Carnival also offers Menu Mate, which is a food ingredient program that helps accommodate guests that have food allergies.

Staff enters dietary restrictions into a software program that sorts through all options and displays those items which are allergen-free for the guest. You can find a Menu Mate tablet on display near the Lido buffet stations. 

Gluten-free beer is also available onboard Carnival’s cruise ships, and if you request ahead of time, the chefs can bake you a gluten-free cake.

3. Cunard Line

A cruise line committed to providing deluxe accommodations on the seas, the Cunard team oversees dietary specifications in a professional manner.

All of the ships in the line employ specialist head waiters and chefs to manage special dietary requests, and they’ll coordinate with you about the options available.

Gluten-free breads are available throughout meal times, and sauces are whipped up separately to meet dietary requirements. On top of this, gluten-free kinds of pasta, biscuits, cookies, and cereals are provided throughout the cruise.

To ensure you receive gluten-free service aboard your Cunard cruise, you are required to inform your operator at the time of booking and confirm the request at the purser’s desk when you board the ship.

4. Holland America Cruises

They made dining for cruisers with Celiac disease or gluten sensitivities more convenient by marking food items without gluten with the symbol of wheat next to their descriptions. Customers can also request gluten-free buns in their Dive-In burgers.

For your special dietary needs that require assistance, you may contact Holland America Cruises Ship Services at least three weeks prior to your departure at 1–800–541–1576.

5. Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian offers a handful of gluten-free options onboard as part of their regular menu, including pre-packaged cookies & toast. But with advanced notice, they can prepare gluten-free pastries, pasta, and even pancakes.

Gluten-free dessert options include ice cream, souffle, and creme brulee. Always coordinate with your head waiter, and Norwegian Cruise Line will pull out all the stops whenever possible.

6. Princess Cruises

They offer a variety of gluten-free products such as bread, cereal, spaghetti, and macaroni. They have created a special gluten-free mix that they use to make cookies, cakes, muffins, pancakes, and pizza crust. Princess Cruise will accommodate guests with any special dietary needs.

Like any other cruise line, it is crucial to notify them in advance, at least 35 to 65 days in writing, depending on the particular cruise you’ll be booking.

Another perk of booking a balcony cabin or above, by giving them a head’s up, you can order a deluxe balcony breakfast or dinner (for a fee,) and they will include items such as gluten-free muffins, French toast, pancakes or kinds of pasta.

7. Disney Cruises

Disney theme parks have earned a successful reputation when it comes to accommodating special dietary needs, and Disney cruises did not fall far from the tree.

Simply make a note of your gluten intolerance or any other nutritional restrictions when booking your trip.

Onboard Disney Cruises, they sell their famous gluten-free popcorn, grab one and take it to the cabin for a snack.

During breakfast, you will not be limited with their pastry spread such as muffins, toast & pancakes. To keep up with their awesomeness, they also prepare gluten-free donuts. You can wrap up your dinner with gluten-free desserts.

8. Seabourn Cruise Line

Famous for providing luxurious cruises, Seabourn Cruise Lines guarantees your gluten-free needs are met by arranging a variety of gluten-free pastries, and even breadsticks.

All menu items are provided with a clear gluten-free label. Chefs are fully equipped to make any menu item as long as requests are made in advance.  You can specify your gluten-free needs on Seabourn’s pre-cruise online portal prior to cruising.

9. Azamara Cruises

Though Azamara is a small cruise line, they can provide the necessary accommodations for gluten-free cruisers.  Specify your gluten-free orders the night before, they can make pancakes, waffles, and other items.

You can enjoy gluten-free dinners, particularly in their 2 specialty restaurants, Aqualina and Prime C. They offer a choice of whole-grain dinner rolls, hamburger & hot dog buns, various gluten-free pasta, risotto, rice noodles, some soups, gluten-free soy sauce, pancakes, waffles, plain bagels, muffins & cookies.

If you are planning to book a suite, expect the butler to drop by with coffee and tea along with the most delicious gluten-free scones, jelly, and whipped cream

10. Regent Seven Seas Cruise Line

A luxury cruise line, Regent Seven Seas goes above and beyond in making a gluten-free alternative for almost any item on the menu.  In addition to all the gluten-free staples such as bread and various kinds of pasta, Regent goes the extra mile in ensuring that you don’t miss out on delicious dishes.

For instance, at Regent’s Chocoholics high-tea service, offer an entire gluten-free menu, consisting of finger sandwiches and gluten-free desserts such as meringue and fruit tart.

Additionally, MSC Cruise Lines

Another cruise line that caters to its passengers gluten free needs, is MSC. MSC has partnered with the Italian Celiac Association to create an extensive gluten-free menu.

These options are available for breakfast, lunch and dinner at all of the restaurants onboard the Preziosa, Fantasia, Orchestra, Poesia, Musica, Splendida, Magnifica and Divina. 

MSC follows strict regulations when preparing their gluten-free menus onboard, and all gluten-free products are stored in designated areas and one kitchen on each ship is reserved exclusively for the preparation of gluten-free dishes. 

Head over to Adventures of a Gluten Free Globetrekker , which is a gluten free travel blog. On this website, there are posted MSC’s gluten free breakfast, lunch and dinner menus.  There are also gluten-free lunches that you can get packed for shore days. 

Communication is Key to a Successful Gluten-Free Cruise

Cruise lines are very good about going above and beyond when it comes to meeting the requirements of guests with special needs .

The most important element in the success of a cruise with a Gluten-Free diet is communication. Communicate with the cruise line and your wait staff. Always be kind, courteous, and respectful and you will be sure to have a great gluten-free cruise!

This page contains affiliate links for which we may receive financial compensation when a purchase has been made through one of our affiliate partners.

About Jonathon Hyjek

Jonathon is the tech guy behind CruiseportAdvisor.com. When he's not stuck in front of his computer, Jonathon enjoys travel & cruising (even after being on a cruise ship that caught fire - a story for another day!)

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Will I be able to find gluten free and vegetarian meal options on Perfect Day at CocoCay? What if I have other dietary needs?

You’ll find gluten free and vegetarian options available at all of the island’s dining venues, as well as options to suit most dietary needs.

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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.

It’s good that there’s a dedicated area.

Thanks for sharing this information! We have only cruises with Carnival and Disney, but would like to try Royal Caribbean.

We are wanting to take a Disney cruise!

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.

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!

Its very easy to eat healthy on cruises. It just the personal discipline once you see all they amazing cuisine.

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.

It really did and it tasted great!

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.

It made our vacation so much more enjoyable.

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!

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!

I have always the loved the different foods on cruises. Its the best way to step out of your comfort zone

I’ve always heard cruises are incredibly accommodating to special diets. It’s great to know that’s really the case!

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!

I hope you are able to as well. Its once of your favorite vacations as a family!

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.

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.

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.

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.

Good that they offer gluten free options! I’m gluten free and vegan. Do they have vegan options as well?

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.

Great to know!

Cindy Mailhot

I see many more gluten free options when cruising now. Years ago it was much harder to find options.

I knew they offered gluten free but I had no idea that there was also a separate area. Awesome!

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.

It was so wonderulf to see so many options.

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Celtic Celiac

A+ Gluten Free Cruise Experience on Royal Caribbean’s Freedom of the Seas

Posted on January 1, 2017 Author Celtic Celiac 2 Comments

Boarding the ship

First off, let me admit that sometimes I am a TOTAL slacker when it comes to posting larger reviews. For that I do apologize, but sometimes life gets the best of you and 2016 was one hell of a year full of my own health issues, family deaths, and more. I’ve had this post sitting unfinished in my queue since April of this year, but it just kept getting pushed back for editing and completion. I decided to take today, the first day of 2017, to try tying up some loose ends and completed it. I hope you forgive me dear reader…

Last January my husband and I took our first cruise on Royal Caribbean’s Freedom of the Seas . At that time the ship was departing from Fort Lauderdale Florida, making stops in Labadee Haiti, Falmouth Jamaica, Grand Cayman Island, and Cozumel Mexico. The ship that does this route has since switched to Oasis of the Seas, however the same restaurants exist on each ship. Let’s start with the bottom line: Regardless of which ship you take Royal Caribbean is bound to be a great experience if you are gluten free:

This sign greets you in the main buffet area on the first day.

They have their stuff TOGETHER; they train their staff well, the food is flavorful, there are plenty of options, and everyone is beyond friendly. Here is what we experienced on this ship:

Included options

There are a variety of food options included in your cruise price with Royal Caribbean, including a main dining room, buffet, and pizza joint all of which cater to gluten free needs. The main dining room of this ship is a bit overwhelming. At three stories tall it is abuzz with chatter and dining noise during meal times, which included breakfast and dinner. It is mind-boggling to think of how many people are in that large room at once…

At breakfast only one level is open, so if you come with a smaller party you are seated with strangers.

The Salmon Eggs Benedict

Gluten free items for breakfast were denoted on the menu itself and included things like toast, pancakes, lox omelette, fresh fruit platters, eggs Benedict with salmon, yogurt, and more. There is also a breakfast buffet which you can pick and choose from as well, which seemed to have more limited options than the standard menu.

Dinner in the main dining room is like a well oiled machine, a machine not broken by the potential ‘kink’ of a gluten free order. Choose My Time dining for dinner if you want to eat whenever you want, although we learned reservations are essential if you don’t want to dine super later AND want your gluten free food ready when you arrive. You are assigned a dinner floor on your badge, and each section of that floor has designated staff. If gluten free I recommend sitting in the same section each time you have dinner in the main dining hall, this way your servers come to know your needs and can better accommodate. We met with our waiter, Keron, the second night we were there and explained our dietary needs. From then on each night we dined in the main dining room we were given the menu for the next day to review. Anything that could not be modified was crossed out, and anything safe was clearly noted. We were able to make our selections for the following night in advance so they could modify things as needed and we could feel secure in what we ordered.

While there were several days that the menu repeated our options seemed almost limitless, and there was very little that could not be modified. During our trip we were able to eat such things as: garlic soup, escargot, bay scallops in a butter and Parmesan sauce, strawberry gazpacho, shrimp cocktail, salmon, Chilean sea bass, Caesar salads, poached pear and arugula salads, eggplant Parmesan, tiger shrimp, chocolate flourless cake, strawberries with ice creams, creme brûlée, pudding and more. What’s even better is that we could order as many options as we wanted, so we spent many hours lounging and dining in the main dining room. While everything was stellar, I particularly loved the presentation of the desserts:

Dessert in the Main Dining Room

Despite the hustle and bustle of the main dining room the staff really know how to make you feel like the center of attention. By the end of the trip we felt like true friends with Keron and his staff. I give them A LOT of credit for working such long days and still maintaining a smile.

In addition to the main dining room, you can choose to eat at the Windjammer Buffet which is open for all meals. The Windjammer is the only restaurant open when the ship is prepping to leave port on your first day, so it was our first dining experience aboard the ship. The manager walked us through the buffet, outlining what was safe and what to avoid. Interestingly, the buffet has a gluten free section. For each meal there are a few options available in this section including pancakes, toast and French Toast in the mornings and Pasta and breads for lunch and dinner. Other options are also available throughout the buffet such as potato wedges, salsas, tacos, Mexican rice, sushi, and several types of dessert such as crustless cheesecake and different flavors of mousse. The Windjammer was our go to for breakfasts many of the days we were there, and for midday lunch or snacks. However, the staff is not as knowledgeable or on point as in the main dining room. But your plates from the buffet did look like this, and you could bring food anywhere on the ship to eat, which made for catching some great sunsets:

Grab food from the buffet and enjoy it at the top of the ship for a sunset dinner.

The final included option was Sorrento’s , the pizza shop. Minus the desserts I 100% think you should avoid this option unless you are in a bind. We tried pizza from there twice because it stays open late night; one time it had no cheese, and the other time it was hard as a rock. As a New Yorker this gluten free pizza was definitely a disappointment. However, they do have great gluten free desserts that you can quickly grab and eat while on the move as they came in tiny cups. We were able to get many a pudding, mousse, and panna cotta to enjoy.

Specialty  Dining 

The Tres Amigos Margarita from Sabor

The ship has several add on restaurants, and snack stands, that you can partake in if you want to send a bit of extra cash; We tried two of these. First was Sabor , their Mexican inspired restaurant. For a 25$ ‘cover charge’ per person you can eat any and all the food on the menu (for yourself or sharing). For starters your tortilla chips will be modified because the standard ones they supply are fried in a non-dedicated frier. Instead, you are supplied with hard shell corn tacos to enjoy with your complimentary salsa and the homemade guacamole, made table side, if you choose to splurge. If you go for other Platos Chiquitos (appetizers) everything except the Calamari is gluten free. The red snapper and mango Ceviche was tropical and on point. For dinner, avoid the Tortilla dishes and instead go straight for the Platos Fuertes.  We had the Pan Seared Red Snapper and the Jalapeno-Garlic Tiger Shrimp which were both great. To round things out try the Tres Amigos Margaritas (including standard, ice berry, and pineapple carrot flavors) and finish with the Flan. Perhaps avoid the espresso creme Brûlée which I found way too flavorful, unless coffee is your thing…

Scallops on the Half Shell at Giovanni’s

The second specialty restaurant we tried was Giovanni’s Table , their Italian restaurant. The bonus of Giovanni’s is they have a view, unlike Sabor. Even at night it is great knowing the vast ocean is just outside the window while you dine. Upon our arrival for the reservation the manager came out to greet us and discuss our dietary needs, offering us a complimentary gluten free bread with olive oil and balsamic glaze dipping sauces. He and the staff were incredibly helpful. Gluten Free items are identified on the menu, and there are a variety of options from Insalata Caprese per Due, Insalata alla Cesare, or Scallops on the Shell for appetizers, to Fishermen’s Stew for a soup dish or Risotto ai Fungi Trifolati  (mushroom Risotto) for an entree. For dessert we had Cherry vanilla custard, berries and flourless chocolate cake. Everything was ogle worthy, as each dish was well presented and as picturesque as it was delicious.

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The Coastline of Haiti

I’ll conclude by recommending that you FULLY take advantage of the cruising opportunity, since we all know experiences go beyond the food we can and cannot eat. Enjoy the recreational activities on the boat, book yourself an excursion for each destination  if that’s your thing, lounge in the pool or hot tub during a windy night, and enjoy the sites and sounds of the boat as well as the destination.  We got to experience a protest in Haiti (which prevented us from getting off the boat but showed me the conflict these resident’s face on a daily basis), rode ATVs in Cozumel through the jungle and got splattered in mud,  climbed a rock wall on a boat (on a boat!), played trivia with strangers who gave us marital advice on how to stay together forever, departed Jamaica as the sun set and watched the sky overhead light up with brilliant color like I’ve never seen before, watched several performances on different nights of plays and ice skating skits, did a photo scavenger hunt of the entire ship which has us laughing and out of breath, and so much more. This was an experience of a life time that I will never forget. The food is only part of the journey, although having that available does make it all the better. 

2 thoughts on “ A+ Gluten Free Cruise Experience on Royal Caribbean’s Freedom of the Seas ”

Thank you so much for this. I am Celiac myself and planning a cruise with Freedom of the Seas, but wasn’t sure if finding gluten free food would be too much of an issue. This really helps me!

I’m glad I could help! Enjoy your cruise.

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Celiac Cruise is back in 2022

Nothing throws a wrench in the relaxation part of your vacation plans quite like gluten. Except maybe a pandemic! While we aren’t encouraging you to hop on a cruise right now, we’d like to give you some exciting news. First: there’s a full-fledged celiac-friendly cruise coming soon! Second: though they had to postpone their 2020-2021 cruises due to the pandemic, they are now scheduled to set sail March 2022!

About Celiac Cruise

Celiac Cruise was founded in 2018 by Maureen Basye, former speech pathologist turned celiac travel consultant, and Connie Saunders, founder of Total Travel and Events and longtime travel coordinator. It all started after Maureen’s son, husband, mother-in-law, and sister-in-law were all diagnosed with celiac disease. She realized during this time that celiac impacted more than just diet, it impacted travel plans and, in some cases, the will to travel at all. And so, she decided to team up with Connie, with the goal of making cruises safe and fun for people with celiac disease and their families, and to provide a unique opportunity to truly let go and relax.

“There are cruise lines that already have an understanding [of gluten-free safety] but you still have this sort of ‘blinking light’ in your head that you have to worry and be on guard, and that’s just not vacation. That’s not relaxing and kicking back,” Maureen explained. “Innately, you don’t trust people [to prepare safe food] when you have celiac disease and the last thing you want is to get sick on vacation.”

Because Maureen understands celiac disease on a personal level and is passionate about providing safe travel opportunities for people with celiac, it’s easy to trust and truly let go when you’re traveling with Celiac Cruise. The work Maureen and Connie put into planning every single detail with the cruise lines they’re partnered with is proof of their commitment to safety. Celiac Cruise is partnered with Royal Caribbean and AmaWaterways and is endorsed by Celiac Disease Foundation and Dr. Schär.

Read more about Maureen’s story .

What to Expect on Celiac Cruise

Although typical Royal Caribbean cruises can already accommodate individual gluten-free (and other allergen-free) diners with advance notice, Maureen and Connie arranged for an entire deck to be designated gluten-free. This means every meal served on that deck is gluten-free, and the galley (kitchen) on that deck as well as the dining rooms are dedicated gluten-free. They’ve even re-routed room service for the Celiac Cruise guests to come directly from the dedicated gluten-free kitchen.

Maureen and Connie cruised with Royal Caribbean at least three times prior to the launch of the first official celiac cruise in January 2020, in order to ensure everything went smoothly. They assisted in countless training sessions with everyone from kitchen staff to dishwashers to bartenders and more. The chefs re-wrote their menus to be fully gluten-free on the designated deck, they ensured each cocktail mixer was gluten-free at the bar, and they even removed Play-Doh (which contains wheat) from the children’s play area for the duration of the cruise. Their initial cruise, which sold out months in advance, went off without a hitch – 512 guests and not a single person got glutened!

Read more about what to expect on Celiac Cruise

Planning Your Cruise

If you haven’t traveled since your diagnosis or if you’re looking for a real escape from worry to relax after the pandemic subsides, a trip with Celiac Cruise sounds like a great opportunity to meet others with celiac disease, create memories to last a lifetime, and put the feeling of being ‘free’ into gluten-free travel!

Right now, it’s only a $100 per person refundable deposit to hold your spot, with final payment due no later than December 1, 2021. This gives you time to plan ahead while still offering a risk-free commitment during these uncertain times.

Find out more about Celiac Cruise, check for new cruise destinations, and book your trip at celiaccruise.com .

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Gluten-Free Cruises: Royal Caribbean Grandeur of the Seas

August 29, 2017 by Kari @ The Savory Celiac 2 Comments

We love to travel. We have cruised probably 5 or 6 times, in different parts of the world, and on many different cruise lines. Believe me, I feel lucky.

In June 2017, we traveled with my husband’s parents and his sister and her family on Royal Caribbean Grandeur of the Seas to New England and Canada. We had a great trip! Lots of seafood!

This was my first cruise since my Celiac diagnosis in March and everything was all still so new to me. We started our preparation by calling Royal Caribbean so that my account was noted that I needed gluten-free options. This is basically just so that they know what kind of food to have available on the ship. Grandeur of the Seas is a smaller ship with much less space and staff than some of the other ginormous ships they have now, so things may be different on other lines.

Here are my other main tips for cruising gluten-free!

Befriend your head waiter.

This is so so so important. If I can suggest you do only one thing, befriend your head waiter (it’ll be the same person for your whole trip). He/she is the one in charge of putting orders in and overseeing that it is prepared correctly for your needs. It’s always good to have someone on your side, someone you feel comfortable asking questions of, and someone that you trust has your safety in mind.

Ask questions and make sure you know what you’re getting. The first night on the ship, I pre-ordered my lunch option for the following day in the dining room. Turns out it was just so that the kitchen would be prepared for gluten-free food that may be ordered at lunch, not that it would necessarily be ready for me when I arrived. Of course we had a different waiter at lunch who had no idea what I was talking about. Well, my lunch came out just a cold turkey burger on a dry, crumbly, gluten-free bun. That was it. No french fries, no nothing. I was so disappointed.

Why didn’t anybody tell me that I needed to order exactly what I wanted?? Well, probably because I didn’t think to ask about it. One of the head waiters asked about our lunch on the way out and I actually started crying because I was so worried that was how it was going to go the rest of the 9 days on the ship. I learned my lesson then and I made sure to ask my head waiter lots of questions from then on!

Eat the majority of your meals in the main dining room.

If possible, eat most of your meals in the dining room. We ate breakfast and dinner in the dining room every single day. They had gluten-free french toast, pancakes and bread available for breakfast for me every single day. So I had an omelet with bacon and french toast every day. It was great. We were typically in port for lunch and eating off the ship, but even on our sea days I just felt more comfortable in the dining room. You just do what you feel most comfortable with.

Don’t eat the food directly from the buffet lines.

The buffet on our ship did have gluten-free items identified on the signage. However, I wouldn’t touch that food with a 10-foot pole. Well, maybe the salad bar if I was desperate. Maybe. The gluten-free options in the buffet were limited on our ship. And I also don’t trust the other passengers to use the correct utensils when serving themselves on a buffet.  Once you befriend your dining room waiter or a chef from the buffet, you will be able to go through the buffet line and tell them what you’d like to eat. They will then go back to the kitchen and prepare your meal with fresh food and using safe utensils to avoid cross-contamination.

As mentioned above with befriending the your head waiter, also find a chef in the buffet area that you can get to know (your head waiter may also be available and working in the buffet for breakfast or lunch). They are there to make your experience 100%. Everyone always seemed extremely willing to help me. Also, these chefs in the buffet are able to prepare you whatever you’d like. I sought out one of the chefs in the buffet with a tall chef’s hat on – I thought that looked official. He was so helpful! I told him about my Celiac and he said “What do you want? A hamburger? A pizza? I’ll go back to the kitchen and make you anything you’d like!” It turns out this guy was the head chef for the specialty restaurants on the ship so I picked a good one!

Pack snacks.

Pack some gluten-free food and snacks so you have those available in case you don’t have immediate access to food on the ship or if you’re at port and on excursions and you need food fast. I packed things like beef jerky, Lara bars, oatmeal packets, dried fruit, crackers and shelf-stable cheese, small peanut butter packets, gluten-free pretzels, chocolate bars (for those sweet cravings!), etc.

Have fun! Be cautious, obviously, but trust your gut (is that a pun?) and don’t eat anything you don’t feel confident and comfortable eating.

A couple last important details:

• Be aware that you will have to tell your head waiter what you want for lunch/dinner the next day in the dining room. I understand that it’s hard to know what you’re going to feel like eating 24 hours from now, but that’s how they can make sure that they have safe food ready for you.
• VERY IMPORTANT for all of my dessert lovers out there, like myself. Some cruise lines used to have a flourless chocolate cake as their “signature” dessert and it would be available every night. Grandeur of the Seas didn’t have that option so my dessert choices were basically creme brûlée, ice cream or sorbet every night. That got old quick. I finally told my head waiter that I was really needing something chocolate-y. Sure enough, the next two nights he brought out a delicious gluten-free chocolate cake. He asked them to prepare some chocolate cake special for me!
• If you want something just ask!! I really wanted french fries one night but was told that they would have to fry them separately (which they were totally willing to do). Our head waiter, Glen, had french fries ready for me every night for the rest of the trip!

Here are some photos of our food experience on Grandeur of the Seas:

I will also work on a post about my food experiences off of the ship! We had great celiac-friendly food in every port we were in! This was a great vacation to beautiful New England and Canada and I can’t wait to experience the gluten-free cuisine on other ships/cruise lines!

Reader Interactions

March 29, 2019 at 2:14 am

Just returned from a cruise on this ship….wonderful food. They offered great service..I will cruise again

March 29, 2019 at 2:29 pm

That is so great to hear!! I’m glad you had a nice vacation (with plentiful and tasty food). I am going on an MSC cruise this summer so hopefully good food there, too!!

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