In recent years, cruising has become a phenomenally popular type of vacation for Indians, with a variety of packages offering travel around locations as diverse as the Baltic Sea and Antarctica. However, for those suffering from an allergy, the thought of leaving the comfort and routine of home to head into the unknown can be intimidating to say the least.According to the Asthma Society of India , the number of Indian citizens with an allergy is climbing rapidly, with the result that “allergy is the 5th leading chronic disease in India among all ages, and the 3rd most common chronic disease among children under 18 years old.” Fortunately, this means that more cruise ships are now prepared to help cruisers with an allergy, so with proper preparation sufferers should not be put off taking their dream vacation.

Research your Vacation 
Cruise lines tend to be highly accommodating for those with allergies, so notifying them well in advance of your vacation will allow them to adequately prepare for your needs. However, one thing they will not be able to do is to safeguard passengers from dishes eaten when the ship calls in to port,so follow money.co.uk’s advice; “if you have a food allergy, look into what dishes are popular in your destination.” In Asian countries, for example, peanuts are frequently used in cooking – whether this is in the form of peanut oil or the nuts themselves – so asking restaurants whether an alternative may be used is going to be a common occurrence. It may also be worth investing in food allergy cards to help with the language barrier. Most providers recommend that “people who are allergic to peanuts should also avoid peanut oil when traveling” so if uncertain steer clear of dishes containing potential allergens.  

Medicines and Insurance 
Obviously, an EpiPen will be the best friend of anyone traveling with an allergy, so ensuring that staff members and others traveling in the party know where this is kept is important. Wearing an allergy alert bracelet is also useful as the allergen can be identified by the emergency services swiftly in the event of entering anaphylactic shock, and “a quick diagnoses will lead to faster and more effective treatment.” Before leaving home, sufferers of allergies should always double check the level of cover their travel insurance provides in the event of an allergic reaction, as not all will cover for medical treatment related to a reaction or anaphylactic shock – and medical bills in foreign countries can mount up fast! To be on the safe side, carry a credit card with no foreign transaction fee in case the insurer fails to pay the hospital upfront. Taking a cruise with an allergy need not be a stressful experience with a little prior preparation, so it is well worth following these tips in order to experience the vacation of a lifetime.