In July, my husband and I (and a few friends) went on an Alaskan cruise.  We had planned this for over a year, and put money aside to cross this off our bucket lists.  For those of you who think cruising is too expensive, look into it again.  Cruise lines are making it much more affordable, and they have “lay-away plans”.  It’s SO worth it!  Memories to last a lifetime!!

No, this blog is not about cruising necessarily, because my main focus will be on cruising with dietary restrictions.  When we first booked our cruise, I let our travel agent know that I was “special”, and then a couple of months before the cruise, I contacted Princess Line to give them specifics.  They were very nice and told me to just check in with the Head Waiter.  Before we left, I made a chart of what I couldn’t eat AND what I COULD have.  Always try to give people a positive!!  😉  Also, because I always like to be prepared for the worst, I packed a TON of LARABARS.

Upon my first arrival in the dining room, my Head Waiter, Gabriel, was on point.  He is from Romania, and was SO attentive to my dietary restrictions!  His first words to me were, “Don’t worry madame, we will feed you!”  He was correct!!  Every night, he brought me the next day’s menu and we would go over it together.  I would make suggestions and he would sometimes counter, but his suggestions were always delicious.  When there was something on the menu that I thought I could have, but he knew otherwise, he’d let me know.  For example, there was an herb butter being served with an entree, and I figured I could eat that if it was just herbs and butter,  “Oh, no madame.  You may not eat that.”  hehe   Actually, I heard that a lot from him. Gabriel really watched out for me.  One night we pre-ordered a Champagne breakfast in our state room.  Gabriel found out, and appeared at our table in no time to tell me that I wouldn’t be able to eat most of the food provided.  So, he said he’d order a special breakfast just for me.  Here’s a picture of just the fruit bowl he ordered (along with my husband’s plate).

The bowl was made of ribbons of cantaloupe, filled with strawberries and blueberries.  Gabriel also made me a cheese plate, along with a TON of King Crab legs.  He wasn’t kidding when he said they’d feed me!

I’d be remiss in my writing if I didn’t include our wonderful wait staff.  Agnelo and Arnold also took excellent care of both of us!

The only meal that Gabriel didn’t “design” for me was breakfast and for that, we’d go to the Horizon Buffet.  There was a made-from-scratch omelet bar that I utilized everyday.  One day, Arnold was assigned there for breakfast, and when he saw me enter the buffet, he ran over to me to make sure I could eat there.  He offered to go talk to the breakfast chef for me!  What service!  Agnelo and Arnold, even Agnelo’s wife, Nellei, were always anticipating our needs and providing service with caring smiles.  Their faces would light up when they would see us.

Our friends in the Crooner Bar were also very attentive!  Although they didn’t know about my dietary restrictions, they were very anticipatory and knowledgeable.  My husband learned a ton about Cognacs from Nattyson.  Sheena and Mahesh were servers and Dave was the “Piano Entertainer”, who kept us laughing.  We told him that he entertained more than just his piano!  😉  They should give him a better title!

^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^The wonderful staff who will really take care of you at the Crooner Bar!  Go see them and give them a hug from us!

We miss all our friends on the Crown Princess, and would encourage you to take the cruising plunge, even if you have dietary restrictions.  You won’t regret it!!