Megan Lavin recently took her family on a six-night cruise off the coast of Mexico. They enjoyed snorkeling, fishing, cruise activities and fun in the sun. But for this family with multiple food allergies, the cruise also meant – 27 meals to navigate.
So how did they manage that? Megan started with loads of research. She compared cruise lines for food options and allergy awareness. As well, she joined a Facebook group offering tips to those interested in a cruise with food allergies. Ultimately, she picked a cruise with Carnival Cruise Line*.
As she describes in the video, there were a few disappointments related to her older son’s allergies to dairy and gluten. But mostly, he ate like a king. And both her sons with food allergies cruised reaction-free.
“We had a blast,” sums up Megan in this episode of the Megan’s Minute video series.
So why did Megan opt for a cruise? She wanted her children to experience travel beyond the United States. However, she was concerned about finding safe restaurants and the language barrier. With a cruise, she notes: “We could eat safely on the ship, then pop in and out of the ports without having to eat there.”
Of course, as a veteran allergy mom, Megan also packed along allergy-friendly granola bars and other snacks, just in case of hunger pangs.
Cruise’s Food Allergy Benefits
When it came to the cruise and eating with food allergies, a special advantage on this cruise was that families get the same dining room server all week-long. So the Lavins’ waiter became familiar with their special diet requirements.
Megan’s older son is a seafood fan. One night “he loved the salmon so much – he asked for them to make for him again,” she says. “That would have been very expensive at a restaurant,” notes the blogger known for the AllergyAwesomeness.com website. But since the cruise is all-inclusive, there was zero extra charge.
Cruise Tips Megan Covers:
• Picking a cruise line for food allergy-friendliness.
• Eating on ship only, packing for excursions.
• Meeting the challenge of dairy and #gluten avoidance.
• Lunch: how to manage buffet-only eating.
• Managing dinners and breakfasts well.
• Safety prep, including insurance.
In the end, the trip was a resounding success. “There’s something magical being away from home, unplugged and being altogether, all day every day,” says Megan. “Some special family memories happen.”
*This article and video are not sponsored. We mention the cruise line for information only.
Megan’s Minute Series
Join Allergic Living monthly for a new installment of Megan’s Minute with Megan Lavin, the creator of the Allergy Awesomeness blog, which features great Top-9 free recipes and articles. Follow her on Instagram and Facebook.Some previous Megan’s Minute videos:
Visiting LEGOLAND with Food Allergies
Making Awesome Maple Glaze Cookies
Packing Easy Lunches with Food Allergies
Eating Out Safely with Allergies
Self-Carrying Epinephrine at School: Why It Matters
How to Plan Meals with Food Allergies
Going to Birthday Parties
How to Hire a Babysitter
See more of the series on Allergic Living’s Youtube channel or Instagram page.
