Allergic reaction on ship?

[RedStars]

Has anyone experienced an allergic reaction on the boat?

I'm allergic to shellfish and Disney is great with avoiding cross-contamination BUT I also get random allergy reactions which sometimes require an epi pen (all the Dr's I've seen call it unexplained angioedema). I had a reaction last night and ended up in the ER (I'll be fine: nothing prednisone and Claritin can't fix) and it got me thinking about what if this happens on the ship.

FWIW: I'm fully stocked in epi pens, liquid benadryl, daily Claritin.

 

[mousefan73]

I don't know anything about allergies, thank God. but I though right away that maybe avoiding the buffets would be a first tip.

 

[RedStars]

I don't know anything about allergies, thank God. but I though right away that maybe avoiding the buffets would be a first tip.

The only cross-contamination issues that I have are shellfish and they're amazing so I'm not worried about food allergies. That's one more thing Disney does extremely well!

 

[dcassetta]

if you need to use your epi-pen, the medical center will be able to assist you. I would recommend travel insurance to cover the possibility.

 

[rcchello]

Your first defense is have sufficient supplies with you. In the event of a medical emergency they have a staffed and stocked infirmary onboard. If the Onboard physician cannot handle the problem, they will move you to a local facility if in port. If not in port they have various contingency plans , such as diverting to the nearest port or helicopter evacuation. If you think any of these may be likely, I would obtain the appropriate insurance!

You could be stuck in a foreign hospital, having to pay your own way home!

 

[RedStars]

This is all very helpful information. Does anyone have firsthand experience?

Thankfully, we have good travel insurance (not through Disney) and it covers emergency evacuation and pre-existing.

It wouldn't have even been something I was concerned with but after last night's episode (which is rare for me) and my cruise only 8 days away... It got me thinking!

 

[bumbershoot]

Thankfully, we have good travel insurance (not through Disney) and it covers emergency evacuation and pre-existing.

Glad it covers pre existing conditions.

 

[Weedy]

I would also suggest you have passports. If you needed to get off the ship and go to a hospital in a foreign country you would need a passport to fly home.

 

[RedStars]

I would also suggest you have passports. If you needed to get off the ship and go to a hospital in a foreign country you would need a passport to fly home.

We do

 

[MickeyEarrings]

I had an allergic reaction this spring on the WBPC.

I’m allergic to mangoes, but as a nurse with a latex sensitivity I know that someday all the food in the latex family will get me. I reacted to either the POG juice at breakfast (passion fruit-orange-guava), OR someone put the papaya spoon into the pineapple I ate from the buffet. I now assume all tropical fruits are off limits, except bananas and pineapple.

I’m not at the Epi-pen stage yet, but it’s made me think harder about my allergy for my next cruise. Yes, I take a daily Claritin, and travel with a boatload of benedryl. But now that I appear to be allergic to several things I think I need to let DCL know. For example, pre-cruise we stayed on WDW property and had lunch at the Kona Cafe. I was warned not to have the pasta salad because it contained mangoes — who puts mangoes in pasta salad?!?!?! I would never have thought to avoid that....

So, yes, be prepared medically, but be smart at the buffet (ask for a chef to walk you through the buffet if you need to - it’s that time of year to hide oysters in stuffing!) and ask for buffet items to be served straight from the kitchen. Inform every server of your allergy, as well. You won’t necessarily have your own service team if you eat breakfast in the MDR.

Good luck, and have a great cruise!

 

[Barbydoll8]

I agree with the above poster. Information is key. You should have them mark this on your reservation so call them and make sure they know. Also if you eat at Cabana's the shellfish is "away" from the other foods if I remember correctly (I don't eat any fish so I avoid it like the plague) I would tell them as soon as you walk in. At the MDR's you should tell the head waiter and your servers upon arrival. They do a really good job a accomodating food issues if you inform them properly which really means, over inform them.
Have a great trip and I know you'll have a great time.

 

[MonaMN]

From my experience with my daughter (peanut/tree nut allergies), the key for post-reaction is making sure someone is monitoring you afterwards to guard against a biphasic reaction, which I assume the ship medical staff is qualified to do. So assuming you have your EpiPens in case of emergency, I believe they can monitor you afterwards as needed (assuming no other complications).

 

[RedStars]

From my experience with my daughter (peanut/tree nut allergies), the key for post-reaction is making sure someone is monitoring you afterwards to guard against a biphasic reaction, which I assume the ship medical staff is qualified to do. So assuming you have your EpiPens in case of emergency, I believe they can monitor you afterwards as needed (assuming no other complications).

Thank you! This kind of response was what I was looking for.

 

[DVC96]

YES- we unfortunately have had this experience in 2012 on the Fantasy. My oldest dd was 23 at the time. She is anaphylactic to all nuts. All precautions were taken but she reacted to the cornbread on pirate night. We were all running out of Royal Court when the head server asked us what was wrong. We were immediately escorted to the clinic along with a lot of DCL staff. DD was treated quickly and all turned out okay. Apparently the cornbread contained a nut found only in the Caribbean and was supposed to have been removed from the recipe. DCL handled it all very well. We just got off the Fantasy on 11/11 - dd’s first cruise since her reaction and no problems this time. DH has a shellfish allergy and has never had an issue on any of our DCL trips. BTW they are well stocked in Epi pens and won’t wait for you to get yours if it’s not on you. I believe the doctor said they stock 300 of them!

 

[truck1]

If you haven't already, fill out the medical form, so DDCL knows your coming, in a worst case scenario. Then, when onboard, mention it to your servers and the head of the dining room, so they can also make sure to steer you clear of anything that is on your list.

 

[MM123]

For your insurance, maybe also check if they pay for a family member(s) to escort you if you are evacuated. Our insurance covered a lot but not that and it can be a lot of money if you need to book a last minute ticket for one or more family members (think what would you do with children).

 

[Starwind]

My sister had a reaction that did not require Epi and had to go to the medical centre. She is allergic to seafood and had eaten at Cabanas, being careful to choose things NOT containing seafood. Obviously something was cross contaminated or had a hidden ingredient. Although her reaction started right away she didn't realize what it was until a couple hours later when it had gotten worse and not-possible-to-explain-away.

The medical centre staff was great. My sister no longer eats from the buffet.

I am ana milk, tree nuts. peanuts, and seafood and have a few other things I need to avoid for medical reasons. DCL has always been great with us and I feel quite safe eating on the cruise. I notify DCL's special services team in advance so the notation is made on our reservation. On board, if I leave my stateroom two epipens and an asthma inhaler come with me - they have a pouch and I carry it a couple different ways as needed.

I dont eat from the buffet and I preorder all three meals each night -- so much easier.

One not: BE VIGILANT. I have been served incorrect food once, but it was noticed immediately because I looked at my food and noted it didn't look right. ASK if you are not sure. VISUALLY CHECK your food [e.g. for me: is there cheese on the hamburger?].

SW

 

[GPaLarry]

The biggest treat on any of its ships is catching DCL fever...we have yet to find a cure (not looking very hard, either). Good luck with your cruise. Just let the crew know of your issues and they will be sure to insure that you are covered.

 

[tee11]

Did anyone have epi-pen requiring kids on the cruise and can tell me the procedure for that in regards to the kids club? Also, our travel agent noted the allergy with DCL, but I called DCL and they couldn’t tell me which form to fill out. I plan to bring a copy of our allergist’s treatment plan on board.
Any insight is appreciated.

 

[PurplePencil]

Did anyone have epi-pen requiring kids on the cruise and can tell me the procedure for that in regards to the kids club? Also, our travel agent noted the allergy with DCL, but I called DCL and they couldn’t tell me which form to fill out. I plan to bring a copy of our allergist’s treatment plan on board.
Any insight is appreciated.

@bbel has said something about this before, so hopefully you can find the answer or they'll respond to you directly