There’s no doubt about it: Traveling with a dietary restriction can be stressful. This is especially true when you don’t have much control over what’s being served, like on a cruise, at an all-inclusive resort, or on a safari.
I should know. As an ulcerative colitis (UC) sufferer and an avid traveler, avoiding my triggers—gluten and certain nuts—is not always easy away from home. While I do my best to plan ahead, there have been moments when I’ve resorted to a bag of chips or a handful of rice crackers for dinner on a trip because I had no other options.
This is far from a unique experience. One study found that 30% of people with inflammatory bowel diseases like UC and Crohn’s limited their travel, and up to 40% said that their condition impacted their choice of destination. Those dealing with food allergies face similar struggles, with 42% restricting the number of vacations they take due to dining-related fears, one survey found.
While getting away may feel overwhelming, the good news is vacationing with dietary restrictions is doable—even on an all-inclusive trip. While there are extra considerations to think about as you plan, dietary restrictions don’t need to hold you back from seeing the world. Here are a few insider secrets to make the process less stressful.
Book with companies that excel at accommodating dietary restrictions
Many resorts, cruise lines, and expedition companies can accommodate dietary restrictions, but some do it better than others. That said, it’s worth doing some extra digging to see how flexible the ones you’re interested in really are and what precautions they’ll take to ensure your safety.
If you’re planning a cruise, consider booking with Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Disney, Princess, Holland America, and MSC. According to cruise critics and the travel experts we spoke with, these are among the more accommodating cruise lines for individuals with dietary restrictions. “Cruise ships are usually very good at accommodating food allergies, intolerances, and special diets,” says luxury travel advisor and Condé Nast Traveler travel specialist Alli Allen. “Plus, they offer various restaurants, including specialty dining, that can make it a bit easier to find suitable food.”
For example, Disney Cruise Line has gluten-free, vegetarian, no-sugar-added, and dairy-free options on their table-service restaurant menus, and can accommodate guests who need to avoid soy, fish, eggs, peanuts, and other common allergens. Another standout is Princess Cruises, which is reputed to be particularly accommodating for people who eat gluten-free, with several online forums noting that they offer gluten-free pasta, pizza, and bread onboard and are sensitive to the needs of individuals with celiac disease.
Similarly, most global all-inclusives and hotel chains with half- and full-board options have allergy management programs and will do their best to accommodate complex dietary restrictions. However, if you’re particularly nervous about your needs being met, Condé Nast Traveler travel specialist Mark Allvey, CEO of Untold Story Travel, suggests booking a stay at a wellness resort. “Brands such as Six Senses, which has properties all over the world, and Chiva-Som in Thailand are particularly accommodating. Nutrition is central to the guest experience, so whether you’re gluten-free, vegan, or low-sodium, you’ll be in very safe hands.”
