Preventing a Vegan Cruise Nightmare
You have packed your bags, have your boarding pass in hand and are all ready to embark on your exciting cruise adventure. You remembered your sunscreen and clothing essentials, but then it hits you: did you pack enough-or any- food for a 5, 7 or 12 day cruise? Panic sets in. What will you eat? Will you starve at sea?
Chances are you may have shown up to the pier with your last granola bar squished in the bottom of your carry-on. Fear not, my fellow vegan travelers, you will survive!
What You Should Pack: The Necessities
Vegan Milk
This is a must if you have a favorite dairy-free option and do not want to settle for generic soy milk. It can also be a hassle to get soy milk while on board because it is not readily available. You have to ask someone to get it for you, which can sometimes take a while. I once waited 20 minutes for a cup of warm soy milk. Lesson learned.
What I find most convenient are aseptic containers. They fit better into the mini bars than the large cartons, and they do not have to be refrigerated until opened. The one-serving size containers are great because you can take them wherever you go.
Granola or protein bars
These are just really convenient to have on you at all times, whether on the ship, between meals or on land. There is nothing worse than being on vacation and trying to find something to munch on in a panic that will be both healthy and satisfying.
Snacks
It is good to have something sweet to eat on for dessert, just in case there are not any vegan options available that night. Vegan cookies, bars and other packaged snacks travel well. Plus, it is always nice to have some comfort food with you when you first start to navigate, just until you become a pro at finding all the veggie choices.
Note: There are no refrigerators in the staterooms. Instead, they have mini bars, so you may not want to bring too many perishable items as they simply won’t fit. There is also no microwave, so keep that in mind as well. However, there is hot water available at the buffets, so if you bring soups, noodles or tea, you will be able to heat them up.
Bringing Your Supplies On Board
Use collapsible bags as they can hold a lot of weight and can be easily stored. Load them up with your favorite foods, snacks and drinks, leave them at the pier, and in no time, they will be waiting in your stateroom for you. When your cruise is over and the food is gone, simply fold them up and pack them in your luggage.
Eating On Board: Navigating Your Dining Options
Depending on the cruise line, you have a few dining choices to consider. There are usually buffets, restaurants, cafes or a scheduled sit down dinner location. The buffets rarely change their veggie options, and you have to ask around a lot about what is in the food, so that can be a little tricky but not impossible. There is usually always fresh fruit and a salad bar available there as well.
Some cruises offer different food themes and ethnic food on certain nights. It is good to ask the staff about what themes are coming which nights. This could help you plan your meals, and know where the next one is coming from.
It is extremely helpful to call the cruise line ahead of time and ask about their vegan menus or lack thereof. This way, you have an idea of how to plan. The last thing you want to do is spend so much time thinking about food that you forget to enjoy your vacation.
Even if you have been a vegan for a while or you are new to the lifestyle, there are certain foods you will always have to ask about. You will want to know what kind of stock is in the soups and if there are egg or dairy products in certain dishes. Many times, the food will be labeled, but the ingredients will not. The onboard sit-down restaurants may be a little more accommodating to your needs, since many dishes are made to order.
Eating Off the Ship: Surviving Destinations and Ports
The great thing about cruising is that you are not at sea for too many consecutive days. Most cruises have several ports to explore on a given voyage, giving you breaks from the onboard food. On land, you have the luxury to explore native fruits, vegetables and cuisines. You may be surprised to find some great vegan treats in the most unlikely places. I had the most delicious black bean burger from a tiny food vendor in Barbados and a vegetable dish in St. Kitts that was so delicious, it rivaled anything I have ever eaten.
It may not be easy but it is completely possible to survive and even enjoy being vegan at sea. So go forth in your vegan cruise adventure and eat up!
Rosita says
These are great ideas. Thanks for the juicy tips.