Back from a cruise.

SusanneK · Post by **SusanneK** » Sat Oct 01, 2016 7:51 pm

We just got back from a 10 day Alaska cruise which we booked shortly before I got sick and diagnosed. To be honest, I really just wanted to cancel it as I dreaded eating onboard. But my husband really needed a vacation, so I sucked it up and prepared to lose a lot of weight again because my eating options would be limited and/or I would get sick again because of eating stuff I couldn't tolerate. I quickly located each and every restroom on the ship and we did not book any shore excursions ahead of time because I didn't know if I'd be able to make it.

But much to my surprise and elation, I didn't have a single problem and my weight has been steady. Breakfast and lunch were not a big problem because we did buffets and I could pick safe foods to eat. Dinner was what I dreaded the most, but the ship had a dietary specialist and he made sure I wasn't exposed to gluten.

But I did actually have a little bit of gluten when one bar served some snacks and I had one or two sesame sticks, and I'm pretty sure there was plenty of occasions of cross contamination. No problem! I also had some mixed drinks and of course my dinners had several ingredients that I have not tried since finding this site, like cooked onion, celery and mushroom. I also know that I had some dairy (yogurt and cheese), eggs and a little bit of soy. I was still fine, and I was able to go ashore in each port without the feeling of dread that everyone here knows.

It's too early to celebrate, but I am starting to get hopeful that my case may be milder than most, and I am definitely getting more courageous about trying new foods.

I'm also getting more convinced that aspartame was a big culprit in getting me sick in the first place. I was pretty much a Coke Zero junkie! Haven't tried any type of soda since I got sick and I'm totally fine with that.

So thank you once again - without you guys I would definitely not have been able to make that trip. My husband is eternally grateful as well!!

brandy · Post by **brandy** » Sun Oct 02, 2016 5:12 am

Great trip report! Thanks for sharing!

Post by **tex** » Sun Oct 02, 2016 9:16 am

It's good to hear that the trip went so well.

Thanks for the update.

Tex

Marcia K · Post by **Marcia K** » Sun Oct 02, 2016 5:42 pm

Great report! What cruise line were you on? I would love to do the Alaska cruise sometime. I just saw pictures from a coworker's cruise. They were breathtaking! I wouldn't be s brave as you with some of the foods that you ate but I have read other reviews where people were okay on a cruise but I think it depends on the cruise line.

SusanneK · Post by **SusanneK** » Mon Oct 03, 2016 10:53 am

We were on Norwegian. We prefer that line because of the Freestyle dining, i.e. less formal and more flexible.

The Alaska season just ended, I hope you get to go next year! It really is breathtaking!

crervin · Post by **crervin** » Mon Oct 03, 2016 10:56 am

So glad to hear your trip went well!! My gut always does better while I'm on vacation. Just can't figure out how to be on it permanently...

SusanneK · Post by **SusanneK** » Mon Oct 03, 2016 2:13 pm

crervin wrote:So glad to hear your trip went well!! My gut always does better while I'm on vacation. Just can't figure out how to be on it permanently...

Marcia K · Post by **Marcia K** » Mon Oct 03, 2016 6:11 pm

Thanks for the info, Susanne. We probably wouldn't go for a couple of years, but Alaska is on our bucket list. My husband was there years ago with the Air National Guard. There is a cruise through the New England states and Nova Scotia that I would like to go on, too but I'm concerned about the food. It would be great to have a cruise just for people with food sensitivities!

SusanneK · Post by **SusanneK** » Tue Oct 04, 2016 11:05 am

My neighbors have been on the Northeast/Nova Scotia cruise and they loved it.

I have only been on Norwegian since I got diagnosed - but they definitely take it seriously when you tell them you have food sensitivities.

If you call the cruise line ahead of time, they could probably make you an entire menu that would be safe for you. At least that's what "my" special diet guy told me.

hollyweb · Post by **hollyweb** » Tue Oct 04, 2016 4:16 pm

Perhaps some day if we had enough interested people, we could book a cruise that included Potty People! Wouldn't it be lovely to meet each other, and for some of us who are very isolated, could give us the courage needed to make a trip of a lifetime a reality! We could support each other in all the areas that are especially challenging (not everyone has experience traveling, and even for those who have, they might not have traveled much with MC or the newer airline regulations), and could make it happen!!

Count me in!! I have my passport ...

~ Holly

Marcia K · Post by **Marcia K** » Tue Oct 04, 2016 6:37 pm

Thanks, Susanne. If we cruise again we'll try Norwegian. We haven't cruised since the early 90's, long before the LC and we sailed with Royal Caribbean. Holly, it would be awesome to meet some other Potty People!

Vanessa · Post by **Vanessa** » Wed Oct 05, 2016 10:03 am

Count me in on the Potty People Cruise! Hopefully they have good plumbing......

SusanneK · Post by **SusanneK** » Wed Oct 05, 2016 2:53 pm

Vanessa wrote:Count me in on the Potty People Cruise! Hopefully they have good plumbing......

We'd all have to call dibs on the public restrooms on each deck!

sunny · Post by **sunny** » Thu Oct 06, 2016 4:55 pm

I like the cruise idea too! We did the Alaska cruise about 15 years ago & I loved it as we were with friends and acquaintances.
Sunny

Marcia K · Post by **Marcia K** » Thu Oct 06, 2016 6:07 pm

Vanessa - too funny! We would clear a bathroom out in a hurry!