Looking for 1st hand Vegan Not Vegetarian experience’s on RCCL??

Looking for those with 1st hand Vegan Not Vegetarian experience’s on RCCL?? Thanks!

Our request to RCCL Customer Service

Issue: Hi

I am Vegan (Plant based foods) but will also eat seafood prepared with plant based ingredients if no other options.

I have indicated my Vegan food preferences on my C&A profile.

We are Cruising on the Serenade of The Seas Mar 2017.

Could you please add this Info to our booking & ensure the Ship will also have a record of my request as we have Traditional Dining reservation @ 600pm & a Chops reservation as well

Thanks,

Karen XXXXXX

RCCL response

Dear Mrs. XXXXXXX:

Thank you for your email. We apologize for the delay in our response. As Platinum members of the Crown & Anchor Society, we value your patronage of Royal Caribbean International and appreciate this opportunity to respond to your inquiry.

I have placed a notation in your reservation. In response to your inquiry, we do not provide vegan meals of any kind. Vegan guests may speak with the Maitre'd on the first day and they will work with you to accommodate your needs.

For more information regarding your sailing, we encourage all guests to look at their Countdown to Cruise webpage (https://secure.royalcaribbean.com/beforeyouboard/getCountdownToCruise.do) until 72 hours prior to sailing as there is a wealth of information located here. You may access your Online Check-in, read up on your ports of call, check weather, get your cruise documentation, check your itinerary, and make Cruise Planner reservations for entertainment, specialty dining, shore excursions, and purchase beverage packages all from Countdown to Cruise. And the best part is you do not need to have a user name and password, just your reservation information.

Staying in touch and sharing your experiences with all of your friends and family at home or onboard has never been easier. Royal Caribbean International is proud to offer VOOM WiFi, the fastest internet at sea.

Voom WiFi gives guests the ability to stay connected just like they do at home. Now streaming videos and music, sharing vacation in real time on social media and video chatting with friends and family back home is as easy at sea as it is in your local coffee shop. For your convenience, our WiFi internet package is now available to reserve and purchase ahead of time in the Cruise Planner http://www.royalcaribbean.com/beforeyouboard/cruiseEnhancements.do, or by calling one of our Cruise Planner Specialists at 1-800-398-9819, option 3.

Be sure to check our Cruise Planner for any current promotional offers that may be available. These offers are for those who wish to take advantage of some pre cruise discounts. These promotional offers are generally available until 72 hours prior to the cruise departure date.

Mrs. XXXXXXX, thank you for choosing Royal Caribbean International. We look forward to welcoming you aboard the Serenade of the Seas in March.

Sincerely,

Royal Caribbean Customer Support

This thread posted recently has some info for you:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2444151

This thread posted recently has some info for you:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2444151

Thanks that was helpful:)...but we welcome any Vegans that can relate their onboard experience that may offer some advice for my vegan wife. Im still looking forward to my steak in Chops!:D

My wife is vegan and we have found that the windjammer provides her best option---there is usually a stir fry or pasta station where she can choose her ingredients and of course a salad bar also many veggies-----at chops she makes up a veggie plate from a selection of sides----soy milk is usually available at the drink station if you ask---for breakfast there is lots of fresh fruit, also usually baked beans, mushrooms, grits, potatoes or oatmeal....we are actually taking an all vegan cruise this fall to Norway

hope this helps

Paul

...but we welcome any Vegans that can relate their onboard experience that may offer some advice for my vegan wife.

What's her Vegan superpower? Just curious! :)

Not sure of cooking prep. But this was new on my last cruise. By the pasta station they now have toppings. Sautéed pepprts mushrooms zucchini etc. and different flavored oils with pesos and chilies. was very excited to see this. As a vegetarian added a lot of flavor to some bland cafeteria type food.

Some items I saw were listed vegan,vegetarian,gluten free In windjammer

I feel that was a B.S. response to send you such I saw the great care taken regarding gluten free diets.

Never understood the vegetarian/vegan eating fish thing. Has face ,beating heart.........[emoji226]

Sent from my iPad using Forums

You are right. As a vegetarian it is a pet peeve of mine when someone says they are a vegan or vegetarian but eat fish. This is why so much misinformation is out there. I should not have to constantly have to explain that I do not eat fish. Someone that eats fish is call a pescatarian. I do not understand if pescatarians do not know this or what. But they make it harder for the rest of us. I have not eaten fish, meat or poultry since I was a child. If I did not have an alternative I did not eat. It is not a when it is convenient lifestyle choice. As a matter of fact it can be pretty hard and inconvenient. Sorry to kind of rant but like I said it is a pet peeve.

I'm currently writing a blog post based on our two experiences as vegans on RC. Would be interested in hearing how the OP or his wife, rather, got on :)

For anyone else coming to this thread, I'd say yes, they cater - just not too well. You won't go hungry but food won't be exciting and desserts are non-existent. Unless you want fruit, berries or sorbet. We had a fab time on Princess last summer and got cake, pudding, cobblers, apple pie etc so it IS possible to get good vegan food.

Oceania, HAL and Costa are meant to have separate vegetarian & vegan menus with proper desserts but I haven't tried any of those three - yet ;)

Here's another vote for the vegan/vegetarian food on Princess. I took a cruise with my sisters on Princess last year and ate very well. Great disappointment to return to Royal Caribbean. Limited choices, no imagination.

Not sure of cooking prep. But this was new on my last cruise. By the pasta station they now have toppings. Sautéed pepprts mushrooms zucchini etc. and different flavored oils with pesos and chilies. was very excited to see this. As a vegetarian added a lot of flavor to some bland cafeteria type food.

Some items I saw were listed vegan,vegetarian,gluten free In windjammer

 

I feel that was a B.S. response to send you such I saw the great care taken regarding gluten free diets.

 

Never understood the vegetarian/vegan eating fish thing. Has face ,beating heart.........[emoji226]

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

When it's people who are gluten free by choice, then fair enough, but people who have a medical allergy to gluten are a different ball game.

Looking for those with 1st hand Vegan Not Vegetarian experience’s on RCCL?? Thanks!

 

Our request to RCCL Customer Service

Issue: Hi

I am Vegan (Plant based foods) but will also eat seafood prepared with plant based ingredients if no other options.

I have indicated my Vegan food preferences on my C&A profile.

We are Cruising on the Serenade of The Seas Mar 2017.

Could you please add this Info to our booking & ensure the Ship will also have a record of my request as we have Traditional Dining reservation @ 600pm & a Chops reservation as well

Thanks,

Karen XXXXXX

 

RCCL response

Dear Mrs. XXXXXXX:

 

Thank you for your email. We apologize for the delay in our response. As Platinum members of the Crown & Anchor Society, we value your patronage of Royal Caribbean International and appreciate this opportunity to respond to your inquiry.

 

I have placed a notation in your reservation. In response to your inquiry, we do not provide vegan meals of any kind. Vegan guests may speak with the Maitre'd on the first day and they will work with you to accommodate your needs.

 

For more information regarding your sailing, we encourage all guests to look at their Countdown to Cruise webpage (https://secure.royalcaribbean.com/beforeyouboard/getCountdownToCruise.do) until 72 hours prior to sailing as there is a wealth of information located here. You may access your Online Check-in, read up on your ports of call, check weather, get your cruise documentation, check your itinerary, and make Cruise Planner reservations for entertainment, specialty dining, shore excursions, and purchase beverage packages all from Countdown to Cruise. And the best part is you do not need to have a user name and password, just your reservation information.

 

Staying in touch and sharing your experiences with all of your friends and family at home or onboard has never been easier. Royal Caribbean International is proud to offer VOOM WiFi, the fastest internet at sea.

 

Voom WiFi gives guests the ability to stay connected just like they do at home. Now streaming videos and music, sharing vacation in real time on social media and video chatting with friends and family back home is as easy at sea as it is in your local coffee shop. For your convenience, our WiFi internet package is now available to reserve and purchase ahead of time in the Cruise Planner http://www.royalcaribbean.com/beforeyouboard/cruiseEnhancements.do, or by calling one of our Cruise Planner Specialists at 1-800-398-9819, option 3.

 

Be sure to check our Cruise Planner for any current promotional offers that may be available. These offers are for those who wish to take advantage of some pre cruise discounts. These promotional offers are generally available until 72 hours prior to the cruise departure date.

 

Mrs. XXXXXXX, thank you for choosing Royal Caribbean International. We look forward to welcoming you aboard the Serenade of the Seas in March.

 

Sincerely,

Royal Caribbean Customer Support

Hi,

My husband and I are both Vegans and have cruised with RCCL quite a few times as we are Diamond Members. It is very difficult cruising and eating 100% Vegan. The waiters are as helpful as they can be but most of the time they don't really understand. We usually just tell them we don't eat meat or any dairy (including cheese). Apparently, a lot of folks don't know cheese is dairy. Same goes for eggs, lol. Anyway, they do their best. It is easier in the Windjammer because you can build your own meals. We just look at it like it is vacation so we aren't going to stress about it. For example, If it is obvious then we won't have it but we don't ask for all of the ingredients. It's just a week. Btw, this is just our way of dealing with this. We are headed on another cruise in September on the Allure of the Seas and plan to have a great time!

I wouldn't worry too much by the cut-n-paste reply from customer services about not catering for vegans - RCCL do :) It is true in the sense that there is no existing vegan menu, but occasionally vegetarian options are 'accidentally vegan' or can be made do by omitting the non-vegan ingredient. If not, on our two cruises with RC as vegans, the maitre 'd would come up with alternative dishes with the kitchen and each night we would pre-order next evening's meal. Buffet is ok for lunch pick & mixing items but I would definitely recommend dining in the MDR. Please see my blog post on this : https://vegancruiser.co.uk/royal-caribbean/cruise-vegan-royal-caribbean/

Rgds, Sanna Vegancruiser

I wouldn't worry too much by the cut-n-paste reply from customer services about not catering for vegans - RCCL do :) It is true in the sense that there is no existing vegan menu, but occasionally vegetarian options are 'accidentally vegan' or can be made do by omitting the non-vegan ingredient. If not, on our two cruises with RC as vegans, the maitre 'd would come up with alternative dishes with the kitchen and each night we would pre-order next evening's meal. Buffet is ok for lunch pick & mixing items but I would definitely recommend dining in the MDR. Please see my blog post on this : https://vegancruiser.co.uk/royal-caribbean/cruise-vegan-royal-caribbean/

 

 

Rgds, Sanna Vegancruiser

Just popped over and read your post, and also your Princess cruises post too. I love your blog! We're vegetarians in our house, but we're dabbling in veganism (i.e., 3 out of 7 meals per week are vegan). I'll be following your blog closely from now on.

Thanks Ginger, glad you liked my cruise musings ;)

When it's people who are gluten free by choice, then fair enough, but people who have a medical allergy to gluten are a different ball game.

Exactly, my husband and I are now vegan for that same reason people claim they are allergic to gluten. Having known a few people with celiac disease, their symptoms are less severe than what my husband and I experienced eating animal products. Going vegan has eliminated MANY health problems the more serious issues being IBS, insomnia, depression, migraines and joint pain. Why shouldn't we get the same care in our dietary needs. After all, technically speaking wouldn't we be having an allergic reaction to animal products?

You are right. As a vegetarian it is a pet peeve of mine when someone says they are a vegan or vegetarian but eat fish. This is why so much misinformation is out there. I should not have to constantly have to explain that I do not eat fish. Someone that eats fish is call a pescatarian. I do not understand if pescatarians do not know this or what. But they make it harder for the rest of us. I have not eaten fish, meat or poultry since I was a child. If I did not have an alternative I did not eat. It is not a when it is convenient lifestyle choice. As a matter of fact it can be pretty hard and inconvenient. Sorry to kind of rant but like I said it is a pet peeve.

I agree with you. People can keep to whatever diet they want but if they eat fish then they should not refer to themselves as vegan. Causes a lot of confusion.

My wife and sister are vegetarians. The limited choice available doesn't always appeal so the lack of attention cruise lines give to cater for vegetarians and vegans does frustrate me. Yes we can always find something on board to eat but that is not the point.

Hi,

My husband and I are both Vegans and have cruised with RCCL quite a few times as we are Diamond Members. It is very difficult cruising and eating 100% Vegan. The waiters are as helpful as they can be but most of the time they don't really understand. We usually just tell them we don't eat meat or any dairy (including cheese). Apparently, a lot of folks don't know cheese is dairy. Same goes for eggs, lol. Anyway, they do their best. It is easier in the Windjammer because you can build your own meals. We just look at it like it is vacation so we aren't going to stress about it. For example, If it is obvious then we won't have it but we don't ask for all of the ingredients. It's just a week. Btw, this is just our way of dealing with this. We are headed on another cruise in September on the Allure of the Seas and plan to have a great time!

Vegetarian members of my family also often come across problems. Some servers think vegetarians eat fish. Others don't appreciate that cheese is often not vegetarians as it is made with meat derivatives. Same applies to a lot of deserts. We have learnt to adapt.

Windjammer is generally good and offers a good fall back when the MDR menu fails.

I find it curious that RC doesn't seem to offer a separate veggie menu, normally there is one or two dishes on the menu each night (MDR). So many other cruise lines have separate veggie menus, do... incl their sister brand Celebrity.

I too found Windjammer better on most days than the MDR though in both cases lack of vegan dessert is disappointing. It is not hard to make a crumble (cobbler) without butter or a cake without egg.

I know RC are fab for young cruisers and their ships are top notch for fun - but vegan catering is disappointing considering what land-based restaurant chains can offer. I find I can dine ok on RC (like on many other ships) but I need to use HappyCow app when in port to find me some vegan cake/ice cream etc ;)

I find it curious that RC doesn't seem to offer a separate veggie menu, normally there is one or two dishes on the menu each night (MDR). So many other cruise lines have separate veggie menus, do... incl their sister brand Celebrity.

 

I too found Windjammer better on most days than the MDR though in both cases lack of vegan dessert is disappointing. It is not hard to make a crumble (cobbler) without butter or a cake without egg.

 

I know RC are fab for young cruisers and their ships are top notch for fun - but vegan catering is disappointing considering what land-based restaurant chains can offer. I find I can dine ok on RC (like on many other ships) but I need to use HappyCow app when in port to find me some vegan cake/ice cream etc ;)

Although I am not vegetarian or vegan, I definitely sympathise. I clearly remember being shocked on my last cruise at what a poor deal vegetarian and vegan cruisers were getting in the MDR. I remember there only being one vegetarian main course on the menu each evening. What happens if it's something you don't like? Go hungry? Leave and go to the Windjammer and be denied (for those who enjoy it) the MDR experience? Surely it shouldn't be too hard to provide at least two options. After all, not only are there many more vegetarian and vegan cruisers these days but also these dishes can be eaten and enjoyed by everyone. I have, on several occasions, chosen the vegetarian option because it sounded better than any of the "omnivore" ones on offer that particular evening.

While not on the menu many have reported that there are always a couple different curry dishes available in the MDR..just ask your waiter.

Although I am not vegetarian or vegan, I definitely sympathise. I clearly remember being shocked on my last cruise at what a poor deal vegetarian and vegan cruisers were getting in the MDR. I remember there only being one vegetarian main course on the menu each evening. What happens if it's something you don't like? Go hungry? Leave and go to the Windjammer and be denied (for those who enjoy it) the MDR experience? Surely it shouldn't be too hard to provide at least two options. After all, not only are there many more vegetarian and vegan cruisers these days but also these dishes can be eaten and enjoyed by everyone. I have, on several occasions, chosen the vegetarian option because it sounded better than any of the "omnivore" ones on offer that particular evening.

Indeed. On my last RC cruise there was a day when there was nothing on the menu that could've been easily veganised and I didn't fancy the chef's suggestion either. I asked if it was possible to have a curry and indeed, I did.

Presuming it might've been one of the many crew vegetarian/vegan curries as many crew are fron India/Pakistan. My chickpea curry, various relishes, rice and poppadums were the envy of the diners around me. One gentleman especially was in a mood for a curry and wondered what secret menu I had because he hadn't seen one listed.

Though, once I said my chickpea curry was the vegan option he suddenly looked a little less interested.

But yes, vegan food can be eaten by anyone. It won't take away from the omni/pescatarian passenger. I mean, who would turn down an Oreo cookie? They're vegan. Put delicious vegan options on ships and people will eat them.. for wanting a lighter dish or for allergen reasons (no egg or dairy).

So frustrating when people say they are Vegan, but then say they eat fish etc. You are Not Vegan. It's why Waiters and Chefs feel it necessary to have to spend time sorting out exactly what their customer means when the say they are "Vegan".

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Hi

I saw in your post below that you had another cruise on the Allure in Sept 2017. How did the vegan diet go? I am cruising on the Symphony of the Seas June 2017 and wonder what to expect on the bigger ships.

Thanks!

Hi,

My husband and I are both Vegans and have cruised with RCCL quite a few times as we are Diamond Members. It is very difficult cruising and eating 100% Vegan. The waiters are as helpful as they can be but most of the time they don't really understand. We usually just tell them we don't eat meat or any dairy (including cheese). Apparently, a lot of folks don't know cheese is dairy. Same goes for eggs, lol. Anyway, they do their best. It is easier in the Windjammer because you can build your own meals. We just look at it like it is vacation so we aren't going to stress about it. For example, If it is obvious then we won't have it but we don't ask for all of the ingredients. It's just a week. Btw, this is just our way of dealing with this. We are headed on another cruise in September on the Allure of the Seas and plan to have a great time!

On our last cruise, a person in our group was vegan. We noted on our cruise planner and our waiter knew about our request the 1st night without even asking. Our head waiter would tell the veganarian the chef's options for the evening. They were well taken care of and had plenty of options to eat.

If you are eating in the MDR and are trying to eat plant based, vegetarian be sure to get a set dining time so you have the same head waiter and servers-----it makes it so much easier on all concerned

Paul