Cruising with food allergy

Cruising is a popular choice for many people. There are steps you can take to prepare and reduce the risk of an allergic reaction if you or someone you care for has food allergy and would like to go on a cruise.

The main message is to plan ahead and do your research.

Before booking

• Do your research about the cruise line and the countries you may be travelling to. Each company is different so look around for what is best for you.
• Check out the cruise company website. You may need to use the search function within the website to find information on food allergy.
• Contact the cruise company for more information.
• Things to consider:
  • Dining options onboard and during shore trips.
  • Are you able to bring food from home? Storage and reheating options.
  • Allergy training and awareness of staff.
  • Emergency and medical assistance on board.
  • Rules about food in the countries you are visiting.
  • Allergy management in kids clubs and during activities.

When booking

Tell the person making your booking about your food allergy. Ask if there is any paperwork that needs to be done and sent to the cruise company before the cruise. Find out the date that this needs to be done by.

Ask again about food options and what you will need to do. Confirm if you can take food from home, and if you can take your own food for shore trips when the cruise ship stops at different countries or islands.

Ask who you will need to inform about the food allergy once you board the ship, for example staff in charge of meals and dining, medical staff.

Preparing in advance

Documents

• Fill out and return any documentation required by the cruise company.
• Have an up to date ASCIA Action Plan and take copies.
• Ask your doctor to complete an ASCIA Travel Plan for people at risk of anaphylaxis. The travel plan is used with your ASCIA Action Plan for Anaphylaxis. Like the ASCIA Action Plan for Anaphylaxis, the Travel plan is a medical document and is signed by your doctor or nurse practitioner. It states that you need to carry an adrenaline (epinephrine) device (such as Anapen®, EpiPen®), and your own food.
• You could also consider taking a letter from your doctor/allergy specialist that lists your medical history and all prescribed medications. This can be useful if you need medical care whilst you are on holiday.

Medication

• Take more than needed. See What to pack.
• Check the expiry dates of all your medications and ensure it is after your return date. If it expires before you return, it is best to get new prescriptions and medications which will last the time of your travel.

Travel insurance

Some travel insurance policies do not automatically include people at risk of anaphylaxis. Make sure you ask questions about this and take out a policy that protects you in case of an anaphylaxis.

See our Checklist for Travel Insurance.

Anaphylaxis training

Before you go on holiday, you may wish to do the ASCIA etraining for the community, refresher course, or watch the A&AA videos.

Preparing for an allergic reaction doesn’t mean it will happen, but you might manage it better if it does.

ASCIA Action Plan and medications

• Take at least two adrenaline (epinephrine) devices (such as Anapen® or EpiPen®). More if you can.
• Take copies of your ASCIA Action Plan for Anaphylaxis and ASCIA Travel Plan for People at Risk of Anaphylaxis. Keep a copy with your adrenaline devices and give a copy to the ship medical centre/hospital and childcare.
• Pack an adrenaline injector training device if you think you will need to teach others how to use it. For example, onboard child care workers or new friends of your teen (mark the trainer and keep separate from the real adrenaline device).
• Pack your medication prescriptions, as well as enough medication to last for the entire time you are cruising.
• People at risk of anaphylaxis flying interstate or overseas to or from their cruise should travel with their adrenaline device in their carry-on luggage. See our Air travel with food allergy page.

Appropriate food and snacks

• Be sure to check what you are allowed to take on board with the cruise company as there are customs laws and other rules about what can be taken on and off the cruise ship.
• Cruise cabins often have a small refrigerator so you may be able to take appropriate snacks for both on the cruise and shore trips.
• Don’t forget containers with lids to store snacks.

Communicate with staff

• Make sure you talk with any staff who you were told you should discuss your allergy with when booking the cruise.
• Visit the ship hospital/medical centre and share a copy of the ASCIA Action Plan.
• Speak to the person in charge of food and drinks (Maitre’D) soon after boarding.
  • Tell them about the food allergy and talk through what needs to be done to reduce risk.
  • Ask them to check that the food allergy is recorded in any electronic systems or accounts.
  • They may ask you to always eat at the same restaurant on the ship, at a set time, on a set table with the same wait staff.
  • Discuss the menu and how to plan meals to avoid your allergens.
  • Some cruise ships offer a tour of the kitchen (called a galley). It may help you to see how the kitchen manages food allergy meals and requests.
• Ask if you can take food packed by kitchen staff or yourself when going on shore trips. This is safer than buying food at new places.

At mealtimes

• Do the same things you should do when eating out anywhere.
• Always tell staff about your food allergy at every meal. It is a good idea to use an A&AA Chef Card.
• Ask if the appropriate allergen free meal can be brought out separately.
• Eat in the dining room which serves meals as they are ordered. You may be able to get the next day’s menu and order 24 hours ahead. Don’t eat at the buffet as the risk of cross contamination is very high.
• You may be able to have members of your party eat at the buffet and have the allergen-free meal brought to your table directly from the kitchen.
• Always have your adrenaline device and ASCIA Action Plan with you when eating or drinking.

Be prepared in case of an allergic reaction

• Have an adrenaline device and ASCIA Action Plan quickly and easily available at all times. If in the pool or participating in an activity, have a shady place close by to keep your emergency medical kit containing your adrenaline devices. Try and keep it in the same place each time and let others know where it is.
• Make a family plan so everyone knows what to do if an allergic reaction happens. Discuss this soon after boarding the cruise ship.
• Find out how to get emergency medical help while on board.
• Find out emergency numbers for any planned day trips on land.

Children and teenagers

• If you have a child attending kids club or teen club:
  • Tell the staff including the supervisor about their food allergy.
  • Take an adrenaline device and a copy of the ASCIA Action Plan for Anaphylaxis and explain how to use it. Show them the list of signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction including anaphylaxis and what actions to take.
  • Take an adrenaline device trainer and show childcare staff how and when to use it.
  • Discuss food options if the child is going to be eating while at the kids club. You may wish to provide their own food.
  • Be sure to take the buzzer given to you by the kids club, with you everywhere you go so you can be contacted quickly.
• Teenagers without adult supervision:
  • Remind them to take their adrenaline device and ASCIA Action Plan with them and where to keep it if doing activities.
  • Talk through scenarios and how to get help.
  • Discuss good food choices, telling staff about their food allergy and remind them that foods or drink may have hidden food allergens. You may wish to have a rule that they don’t eat or drink without you there.
  • Decide who else should be aware of their allergies and what they should know. This is a good time for your teenager to talk with others about their allergies.
• Babysitters:
  • See our babysitters and food allergy page.

Shore trips

• When booking a trip, tell staff about your allergy.
• If the trip includes meals, discuss how this is catered for and if the cruise staff can notify the restaurant in advance.
• At the restaurant, tell staff about your food allergies. If you have a tour guide, they may be able to interpret if language is difficult.
• Use translated chef cards, phrases and ASCIA First Aid Plan for Anaphylaxis.
• You may prefer to take your own food or a pack lunch from the ship if this is an option.
• If this is not possible, you may wish to eat a big breakfast on the cruise ship and come back on board for lunch or afternoon tea.
• Always carry your adrenaline devices, ASCIA Action Plan.