Gluten-Free Cruising: Our Experience on Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas

Hey gluten-free friends!

We just got back from a 4-night cruise aboard Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas leaving out of Singapore and wanted to share our experience with gluten-free dining options onboard.

A Little Background

My husband, "No-Wheat-Pete," is the dad to our celiac daughter. Although Pete’s antibody test was negative when she was diagnosed in 2006, his gene carrier status and the onset of symptoms led him to adopt a strict gluten-free diet. Like many of you, he also suffers if cross-contamination sneaks onto his plate, so we are extra vigilant when dining out.

This was our fourth Royal Caribbean cruise together, but it felt like a new experience! Unlike the previous “cruises to nowhere” during the pandemic, this journey had over 5,000 passengers onboard and included stops in Penang, Malaysia, and Phuket, Thailand, plus a day at sea.

Pre-Trip Planning

Before setting sail, I emailed Royal Caribbean at [email protected] with our confirmation number to confirm gluten-free accommodations. Their response was reassuring:

“The Anthem of the Seas offers gluten-free meals as a standard offering. Please speak with your waiter to identify gluten-free options on the menu. At the Windjammer buffet, ask for a manager to arrange a meal from the galley to avoid cross-contamination. It’s important to alert staff about allergies in specialty restaurants and other venues.”

Upon boarding, we headed straight to the main dining room to confirm Pete’s gluten-free request with the staff, ensuring smooth dining experiences from the start.

Dining Experience

We ate all our dinners in the main dining room, which I highly recommend. Having the same waitstaff each night was a huge plus—they quickly remembered our needs and made Pete feel well cared for.

Here’s what Pete enjoyed for dinner during our cruise:

• Thursday (Thanksgiving Dinner): A classic Thanksgiving meal with turkey, gravy, roasted vegetables, and mashed potatoes (minus the stuffing). Gluten-free bread was served warm with butter.

• Friday: Jerk pork chop with black bean & mango salsa and fried plantains. Dessert: Gluten-free blueberry cobbler with vanilla ice cream.

• Saturday: Kung Pao chicken with rice. Dessert: Lychee berry pudding.

• Sunday: Escargot with garlic butter, steamed cod with white sauce, and gluten-free baked Alaska for dessert.

With the exception of the first evening, the head manager brought us a menu at the end of each meal so that Pete could pre-order dinner for the next day.

Breakfasts were mostly at the Windjammer buffet, where Pete stuck to made-to-order omelets, fruit, and yogurt. While the buffet can be chaotic, having safe, simple options made mornings easier.

For lunch, the best option was the main dining room. We tried the buffets on several days, but they were too crowded and hard to find a manager to help with the ordering.

Activities & Gluten-Free Fun

• Kitchen Tour: On Friday, we joined a behind-the-scenes kitchen tour, where we got a firsthand look at Royal Caribbean’s food prep process. Each plating station displayed allergen information for every dish. For lunch, we were served New York strip steak with vegetables and fries—Pete’s dish came gravy-free to stay safe.

• Sushi-Making Class: On Sunday, we joined a sushi-making class at Izumi. The staff kindly adjusted Pete’s ingredients to make the class gluten-free (omitting tempura shrimp). While gluten-free soy sauce wasn’t available, you could easily bring your own.

• Room Service Treats: Each night, we filled out the room service request form to have coffee delivered in the morning. Nothing beats sipping coffee on the balcony in your pajamas!

• Soft Serve Hack: Craving ice cream by the pool? While only cones are provided, you can grab an empty glass from the bar and enjoy a scoop, worry-free. Of course, always double check to make sure the soft serve flavor is gluten-free.

Pro Tips for Gluten-Free Cruising

1. Dine in the Main Dining Room: Buffets can be hectic and cross-contamination risks are higher. The main dining room offers consistent, personalized service and a wider variety of safe options.

2. Plan Ahead: Notify Royal Caribbean of dietary needs before your trip, and speak with the staff immediately after boarding to confirm arrangements.

3. Pack Your Essentials: If you love certain gluten-free snacks or condiments (like soy sauce), bring them along for extra convenience. No home cooked foods are allowed, but prepackaged items are fine.

4. Be Flexible with Dining Times: Assigned dining times may not be ideal. If you prefer an earlier or later seating, ask about switching—many times, they’ll accommodate you.

5. Save On Alcohol: RC allows you to bring one 750ml bottle of wine per person. Pack in your carry-on luggage so they can mark it before boarding. Each room as a small chiller fridge. You can request an ice bucket from your attendant.

Ports of Call

• Penang, Malaysia: We explored the city but didn’t eat off the ship.

• Phuket, Thailand: We indulged in early-morning mango sticky rice—a naturally gluten-free favorite in Thailand.

  

Final Thoughts

Overall, Royal Caribbean does a great job accommodating gluten-free travelers. With some planning and a proactive approach, Pete was able to enjoy every meal safely and stress-free. While the Windjammer buffet is an option, sticking to the main dining room for meals made for a much smoother experience.

If you’re dreaming of a cruise but have been hesitant because of gluten-free concerns, know that it’s possible to have a safe, enjoyable vacation with the right preparation. Bon voyage, gluten-free friends!