allergic to milk protein how is this handled?

[cruisewithbaby]

Both of my children are intollerant to milk protein and allergic to milk. Never have to deal with this on a cruise before. I will notify NCL before we cruise but any ideas how they handle this? They can't have things like butter/margarine but can have olive oil and we usually substitue water or apple sauce when cooking but that's at home. So even things like veggies is an issue on a cruise if they cook in butter. They are pretty much Vegan but have chicken/meat/fish if cooked plain.

[LadyShiva]

We've cruised on the Pearl and the Spirit, and they haven't killed my husband yet. ;)

 

Notify your server at every meal, and ask for a chef consult. We've had chefs walk us around the buffet and walk us through the menus. They point out what DH could and couldn't eat, and were happy to modify foods to suit him (if he had the patience).

 

If your kids drink soy milk, you might need to request "soya milk" from a server (that's what it was called on the Spirit.)

 

Oh, and desserts... They'll get a fabulous choice of jell-o flavors... and that's about it except for fruit. :(

[barbaragrace]

My oldest daughter was VERY allergic to milk protein (casein) years ago and I would pack her milk and even a cooler of soy yogurt. Better safe than sorry.

[cruisewithbaby]

Thanks. Right now son is on formula and hoping he outgrows it in the next year and we can give him milk on sailing . Daughter will be 3 on trip and she knows what makes her tummy hurt so she is pretty good about not taking things without asking its just how it's prepared and not letting family feed her if i am not around, they try to give herilk chocolate etc all the time....thats a sop box for another day. sShe alsO won't drink any soy etc milk or yOgurt so she gets her calcium from oj fortified with calcium which I'm sure isn't the kind on a ship.

[cruisewithbaby]

Barbara, can I ask when she outgrew it?

[noche_caliente]

Hi there! We have the same issue. My son was allergic to dairy/beef/soy and outgrew it at 3. He's 7 now and has no allergies - he's been retested and everything came up negative, including the environmental allergens after 3 years of shots. My daughter who just turned 2 is allergic to dairy/beef/soy/chocolate/banana, and is outgrowing them as well. We've been doing a dairy trial with her recently using baked dairy, and so far so good!

Both my my kids have primarily a gastrointestinal response, so we've been lucky in that regard. My husband has an anaphylactic allergy to tree nuts, and has always been fine on our past cruises, however this will be our first cruise on NCL. I don't anticipate any problems this go-round either.

Anyway, we've contacted them about the allergies, and this is what I received in return. I hope it helps you. I've left the contact info in it so that you can get in touch with them as well.

~K

 

Good Day,

 

 

Thank you for contacting the Access Desk.

 

Please be advised that we are able to provide assistance for guests with food allergies. The information provided, has been documented and forwarded to our onboard dining and medical staff.

Upon embarkation, we ask that you meet with the Restaurant Manager to further discuss your food allergies/dietary needs.

 

Please see attached guest special request form, complete the form and return prior to your cruise by email or fax.

 

Have a wonderful time on your cruise!

 

The guest and treating physician should consider the following carefully before any cruise:

1) There is no Allergist available on the ship.

 

2) Medical conditions, when unstable and poorly controlled, are potentially life threatening, especially without back up.

 

3) These conditions should first be stabilized prior to embarking on a cruise, where a Guest may be at sea for several days without any immediate hospital and or specialist back up.

 

4) Prior to any travel, we strongly suggest that Guests contact their own Health Insurance carrier to determine what benefits they carry… particularly their benefits for Medical Providers outside of the United States, as well as available Air-Ambulance and Repatriation benefits. In fact, for short trips, any traveler is well advised to purchase Travel Health Insurance with defined out-of country Treatment and Repatriation benefits… even if this coverage might be redundant.

 

However, we cannot assure anyone that foods can be guaranteed to be 100% safe from contamination with food allergens. We can, and will, make every effort to continue to provide our Guests with the support that they require to experience and safe and uneventful voyage, as evidenced by the correspondence currently taking place!

 

 

 

 

Sharon Hinds| Access Coordinator

1 800-327-9020 ext 7402 | fax 305 468-2171

shinds@ncl.com

Norwegian Cruise Line ®

7665 Corporate Center Drive | Miami FL 33126

NCL Guest Letter and Special Request Information form (2011-2012).pdf

[LadyShiva]

Cruisewithbaby, neither DH or I outgrew our milk allergy; it's just less acute than when we were diagnosed as infants. He can survive a milk exposure without his throat closing completely now, but he's not going to eat cheese in this lifetime.

 

Remember green stuff like spinach and broccoli also have calcium, and Flintstones vitamins also help. DH does drink soy milk as his major calcium source, though.

 

Dealing with serious food allergies gets to be habit over time. :)

[barbaragrace]

Barbara, can I ask when she outgrew it?

 

Cruisewithbaby - she did out grow it. You see I use to smoke but never around her-she never even knew I smoked! When she was 8, I quit and her allergies (dairy, eggs, red dye) were...better. BUT, if I knew then what I know now about how unhealthy dairy really is- I would never have let her have it.

http://www.wholevegan.com/cheese.html

There are so many healthier ways to get calcium!

I know about the "soapbox" and problems with other people so you have to teach your child to say no.

Good luck!

We're off to the Gem!

[LadyShiva]

OP, I saw your post on the Family board. I would cruise without your ILs, if I was in your situation. I hear stories about family relations trying to kill kids by feeding them foods the kids are allergic to, and I get pretty brutal about cutting the family members off immediately. No contact until they get it through their pea brains that this isn't something to joke about, or to circumvent my wishes by feeding the kid while I'm not around. :mad:

 

You're responsible for your kids' safety, so act accordingly.

 

(and yes, my husband is shaking his head at this post... He doesn't think family members are actively trying to kill the kids; he says, "They just don't know any better." He tends to take the ER trips as not very important, too... despite the ER nurse/doctors disagreeing with him!)

[keystoneboarder]

We've cruised on the Pearl and the Spirit, and they haven't killed my husband yet. ;)

 

Trying to kill your husband via cruising?!?! You are either a lousy criminal or a very loving wife! :D

[cruisewmn]

I have a dairy allergy and NCL has been good about dealing with it. We normally dine in the specialty restaurants where my food is cooked to order. I've never had a problem. That said, my allergy triggers a severe GI reaction. If it was an anaphylactic one, I'd be nervous to cruise. I do travel with two epi pens, but have never needed to use them.

[LadyShiva]

Trying to kill your husband via cruising?!?! You are either a lousy criminal or a very loving wife! :D

 

*laughing*

 

DH's response: "She's just getting me where it hurts... the wallet!" :D