This Cruise Line Has the Best Gluten-Free Dining Scene, According to a Cruise Performer With Celiac

Melissa Cabey

Updated Thu, June 12, 2025 at 1:10 PM UTC

This Cruise Line Has the Best Gluten-Free Dining Scene, According to a Cruise Performer With Celiac originally appeared on Parade .

I've been lucky enough to sail to over 42 countries with three different major cruise lines–all while getting paid to perform for international audiences. I stepped away from that career, and one of the biggest reasons was because of the food onboard. I have celiac disease, and following a safe, gluten-free diet onboard these cruise ships felt like a daily battle that I was tired of fighting.

Cruise ships are massive, and they have so many guests to look out for when it comes to food and beverages. Many cruise ships can also be a bit old-school, and they can fall behind the changing times (like providing options for people with food allergies and intolerances). In my eight total years working and traveling at sea, I only saw slight improvements. Things like having foods labeled as gluten-free on the restaurant menus or in the buffet, offering slight alterations to dishes to make them gluten-free, or assurance that the food could be cooked with no cross-contamination were rare sights to see. The possibility of celiac-friendly cruise options looked bleak.

Why Gluten-Free Travelers Need to Be Cautious at Sea

This Cruise Line Has the Best Gluten-Free Dining Scene, According to a Cruise Performer With Celiac — Couple eating a meal onboard the Sun Princess

While there are some dedicated gluten-free cruises out there, they may not be the go-tos for most travelers–and you may end up on a ship that isn't fully equipped to help you. Whether you have celiac disease or a gluten intolerance, your goal is the same: avoid gluten at all costs. When you're traveling on a ship, that can be quite difficult. The crew is international, and while many of them speak English very well, things can get lost in translation. It's very important for cruisers with an allergy or intolerance to feel like they are absolutely taken care of, and most importantly, given safe food to eat. So, be sure that your dietary needs are communicated thoroughly to the team onboard.

One key tip I have for navigating a ship is to check every single item that you're consuming. At the buffet, there are usually chefs and attendants who can answer questions. In my experience, when sailing on Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises and Disney Cruise Line, the chefs onboard ships are required to have a document that lists any possible allergen in each dish that is presented. Let the staff know, and they can guide you to what you can and cannot eat.

This doesn't guarantee that there won't be cross-contamination, however. Princess Cruises shared with us, "While efforts are made across all dining venues, guests with allergies are encouraged to dine in restaurants where meals are individually prepared, rather than at buffets where cross-contamination risks are higher. " I found, however, that the staff on Princess was very helpful when inquiring about the ingredients for the buffet dishes–and I didn't have any reactions, even when risking it at the buffet.

My Experience on Princess Cruises

When I boarded the Sun Princess as a guest, I was certain that I would have to refuse many meals due to gluten. Little did I know that attentive chefs and staff would make me feel completely at ease throughout my entire journey. During my first dinner onboard at The Catch by Rudi (a seafood spot onboard), I let them know that I have celiac disease. I was immediately given freshly baked gluten-free bread, and then the waiter walked me through the menu. I immediately felt like I was in great hands on the ship.

Every dining spot I visited after that immediately knew about my gluten-free diet, and I didn't even have to mention it–the staff usually beat me to it! This is what particularly stood out to me against other cruise lines, as in the past, I've had to share my dietary restriction over and over, which can be exhausting. Each restaurant sported a different type of gluten-free bread, all freshly baked, which was a rarity as well. What stuck out to me the most, however, was that the chefs were always willing to prepare any dish on the menu completely gluten-free. Whether that be pasta or a soup that usually had flour in it, they went above and beyond in order to make sure I got a delicious meal.

Standout Dining Features for Gluten-Free Guests

Many restaurants onboard Princess Cruises have an allergen key on the menu. To help further, the waiter would always walk me through each possible option. They would let me know which items were already gluten-free, but would always ask if I was interested in one of the other options that did contain gluten. From there, they would tell me how the chef could prepare it safely for me. One of my favorite appetizers that I had was a black and blue onion soup at The Crown Grill, a delicious steakhouse onboard. This soup was normally made with flour, and the chef made me my very own serving, devoid of gluten.

Cross-contamination is a big concern for people with celiac disease, specifically, and Princess shared how they achieve a safe food environment for the guests. "Princess Cruises takes several important steps in its kitchens to help minimize cross-contamination for guests with food allergies. Meals are prepared to order, and chefs use separate preparation areas, utensils, and equipment whenever possible to reduce the risk of allergen exposure." In my week-long cruise, I didn't have any adverse reactions to the food, so I can confidently say that I trust Princess' protocol.

While I'm sure that most other cruise lines take extra care and precautions when it comes to a gluten-free diet, I noticed that Princess was more willing to go above and beyond to make sure I got delicious meals. When sailing on Regent Seven Seas, for example, I was often only given one or two meal options in the dining room. It almost felt like the staff was scared to risk anything with my restrictions, so they played it safe by giving me just a few options. This made me feel unsatisfied with the food onboard, and that definitely wasn't my experience on Princess.

Other Dietary Accommodations I Noticed

Onboard, I noticed that the staff were incredibly attentive to any food allergies that people had. When asked how they approach cruise dining for food allergies in general, Princess Cruises shared, "Our dining staff are trained to identify common food allergens and are well-equipped to help guests navigate the menu safely. When a guest has noted an allergy or dietary preference in the Princess app, waitstaff can provide guidance on menu selections and coordinate with the kitchen to ensure meals are prepared safely."

Princess Cruises is definitely one of the best places to get impeccable cruise dining for food allergies. The staff isn't only focused on providing safe meals for those with allergies, but they also want to be able to offer high-quality meals, a large variety of choices and a stress-free dining experience. The company shared, "We do our best to accommodate dietary needs and preferences whenever possible. This includes preparing gluten-free pasta, adjusting sauces to exclude certain allergens, or serving alternative, allergy-conscious dishes that align with the guests needs."

One of the Best Cruise Lines for Passengers With Food Allergies

If you're looking for the best cruise line for special diets, I feel confident saying that Princess Cruises hits the jackpot. After sailing on many major cruise lines, Princess blew me away, not only with the attentive service I received onboard, but with the quality of the food as well. I had some of the best dishes that I've had in my entire life while sailing. With well over 150 cruises under my belt, I had never seen gluten-free cruise dining like I did while sailing on the Sun Princess. Ultimately, I firmly believe that Princess Cruises is the best gluten-free cruise line that I've had the pleasure of sailing on.

To book your next foodie cruise on the Sun Princess, which sails the Mediterranean and Caribbean throughout the year, head to Princess.com .

This Cruise Line Has the Best Gluten-Free Dining Scene, According to a Cruise Performer With Celiac first appeared on Parade on Jun 12, 2025

This story was originally reported by Parade on Jun 12, 2025, where it first appeared.