Cruise ships and airlines

[MrsMia]

My husband and I are considering going on either a cruise or to Europe for a once in a lifetime vacation. We went on a cruise about 16 years ago BD (before diabetes) and were able to eat what we wanted unabated. Now of course that is a different story for me.

My questions for those that are travellers are this. Is there plenty of low carb options on cruise ships now days? And if you are on a long flight of 8 hours or more and meals are served, can you get a diabetes friendly meal served to you? Do you need to make arrangements ahead of time and is there even such a thing being served on airplanes?

Thanks all.

[foxl]

TRAVEL. I love travel, esp. international travel. Being vegetarian AND low carbing, I am already faced with difficulty in local restaurants ... I dread to think what I might do while travelling. Maybe I would end up having to eat meat, at that point!

[princesslinda]

We took a cruise this past December. There were tons of options food-wise. I didn't have any problem at all finding things I could eat.

Even at the dinners in the dining room, there was always a steak or chicken option. If you opt out of the dining room, the buffets had lots of salads and green veggies along with the meats.

As for desserts, there was a sugar free option each night, along with some type of fresh fruit or a cheese tray. I didn't have any of the sugar free options, preferring to have the cheese tray, or just a bite of 2 of a "real" dessert.

I got lots more exercise than usual, and my blood sugars were great. This would probably be true whether you go on a cruise or a walking tour. You could always bring a low-carb snack to have on your flight.

Don't let diabetes stop you from doing the fun things you would have done prior to diagnosis.

[cdngoose]

I have asked for a diabetic meal on a flight. The request for a special diet must be made at least 7 days in advance. It's best to ask when you buy your ticket. That said, I received a diabetic meal just once. The other times there wasn't a meal prepared for me.

[foxl]

I have asked for a diabetic meal on a flight. The request for a special diet must be made at least 7 days in advance. It's best to ask when you buy your ticket. That said, I received a diabetic meal just once. The other times there wasn't a meal prepared for me.

That has been my experience with vegetarian meals as well. I ALWAYS take food for flights ... some trips being up to 40 air hours ... LOTS of food.

[Tribbles]

I take a lot of transatlantic flights and I avoid the diabetic meals. If you are in business class it is no problem because you can pick what you eat and have cheese rather than dessert. If I am in economy (:eek:) I tend to tell them I am an Indian veggie and only eat a little of the rice, although Kosher isn't bad either (I went through a phase of trying all the options). I only ordered the diabetic meal once.

[notme]

I travel internationally a couple of times a year (usually). I absolutely never ask for special meals. The diabetic meals that are served are far from low carb. It seems the airlines have not caught up with the times about what is diabetes friendly. They think that no dessert and pasta and low fat is what we need. I carry food with me that I can eat and pick at regular meals. I am also vegetarian and just push the meat aside and eat what is available. It is only one or two meals.

[jspirit]

Love cruising and find it very easy to eat properly on a ship! They can accomodate any special orders you may require. They are happy to make me sweet potatoes every night instead of white ones, and if I eat bread they have whole wheat. There is a low carb cheesecake made with splenda which is delicious! Breakfasts are so easy because they will make omlettes to order, so egg white with veggies and cheese or egg substitute are always available. No problem when I am ON the ship. A little more difficult in ports, but I always have a stash of cheese and crackers-type-of snacks with me wherever I go. As long as it is in a sealed package, you are premitted to take it off the ship with you.
Airplanes are a different story. I stopped ordering the diabetic meal because all they left out was the chocolate bar! Better to bring with what you can eat, and take what you like off the meal they offer. Go and have a great time! I find it the best way to travel and keep my diet in balance.

[bunbury]

I take a lot of transatlantic flights and I avoid the diabetic meals. If you are in business class it is no problem because you can pick what you eat and have cheese rather than dessert. If I am in economy (:eek:) I tend to tell them I am an Indian veggie and only eat a little of the rice, although Kosher isn't bad either (I went through a phase of trying all the options). I only ordered the diabetic meal once.

I fly from Europe to the US just about every month. Sometimes twice :eek: and I don't eat the 'diabetic' meals.

Airline meals nearly always include a salad and some cheese. I take some cold meat of my own to supplement this. As a general rule, the more comfortable your seat, the better the cheese and the salad and the less food you'll need to carry :)

I never eat the cooked meals in economy - they're full of flavor-enhancers, some of which are bound to be sweeteners. I just don't take the risk.

Last - eat a proper meal at the airport before boarding. You can nearly always get something safe like a Chicken Caesar or meat + green veg. Then you'll only need a snack to top up once in the air.

[JerriAnn]

I have been on 2 cruise trips with Diabetes. I ate better on these trips than at home. Everything is available to eat.
It is up to you what you put into your mouth. Time of day
is no problem. You control all that. I had no problem making great choices of food. And I walked every morning and night the whole ship to get in my exercise. They all have exercising equipment if you want to go that route.
I never used the elevators. I kept my levels down and I
never gained an oz.

There is so much to do and see on cruises that food isn't the top of my list. I only drink diet pop and water so that
wasn't a problem for me.

You like to eat and drink just do the extra walking or swimming.

Granted you can get food almost 24 hours a day and walk by food every where you look on a cruise. And not to mention they have bars everywhere . For me the price of a
drink held me back too. Alot of healthy food can be found.

I am hoping to get to go on the new Royal Caribbean Oasis
ship next year.

Have fun. I am jealous.

Jerri

My husband and I are considering going on either a cruise or to Europe for a once in a lifetime vacation. We went on a cruise about 16 years ago BD (before diabetes) and were able to eat what we wanted unabated. Now of course that is a different story for me.

My questions for those that are travellers are this. Is there plenty of low carb options on cruise ships now days? And if you are on a long flight of 8 hours or more and meals are served, can you get a diabetes friendly meal served to you? Do you need to make arrangements ahead of time and is there even such a thing being served on airplanes?

Thanks all.

[KatGirl]

I usually take one cruse and one international trip a year (I love to travel).

On a cruise you can find tons of things to eat. For breakfast you can have eggs, bacon, sausage, berries, etc. For lunch, you can have salad, grilled chicken, burgers without the bun. For dinner you can have chicken, steak and veggies. The cruise line will accomidate your needs. When I was on my cruise I had no problem finding things to eat.

For me. air travel is a little tricky. I don't care for airline food to begin with so I knew I would have an issue with this. If I am traveling internationally, I will eat before I get on the plane. Airports have gotten better at providing alternative restaurants. I will then pack atkins bars, almonds and nuts. Once I get off the plane I will find a place to eat breakfast (its usually morning when I arrive).

[Joeprep4820]

I'm no stranger to that long flight over the Atlantic from Dulles to Heathrow, as I travel back and forth to Europe for work. I always eat before I get on the plane, and usually carry some munchies (granola bars, crisps, and more) in my carry on and attache cases. I don't like nor do I trust airline meals, even in business class, not because I'm a diabetic, but because, well, look at them and you tell me. I'll usually allow myself to go without eating whilst over the Atlantic and wait until I get to Heathrow, and usually I'll have an hour or so and during that time I'll get a bite instead of having to subject myself to airline food.

[howdysf]

I travel internationally a couple of times a year (usually). I absolutely never ask for special meals. The diabetic meals that are served are far from low carb. It seems the airlines have not caught up with the times about what is diabetes friendly. They think that no dessert and pasta and low fat is what we need. I carry food with me that I can eat and pick at regular meals. I am also vegetarian and just push the meat aside and eat what is available. It is only one or two meals.

I always order the special meals (for vegetarian, not for diabetic)... it's usually better than the "regular" meals, but for some reason, I always get shafted on the dessert!.. Vegetarians like cookies tooo!!!!!

[MrsMia]

Thanks to all of you diabetic travelers! I really appreciate your knowledge. I've decided that if we fly over to Europe somewhere then I'll skip the special diabetic meals that I might be able to get. I'd rather carry on what I can and eat at the airport before I board. I think I can control what I eat better that way.

Right now I am really leaning towards a cruise. I think just the sheer amount of choices is a plus. Now I need to see what my husband is preferring. He really likes European travel. :)