Cruising with a dietary requirement
Travelling with specific dietary requirements has often needed careful planning, but the cruise industry is rapidly evolving to meet these essential needs, allowing all travellers to book with confidence.
In the UK, there's been a noticeable increase in food allergies, especially with nut allergies now affecting about 1 in 50 children and 1 in 200 adults (according to Anaphylaxis UK). This change in health trends corresponds with a growing lifestyle movement, where the number of people adopting meat-free diets has increased by 211% from 2019 to 2025. By early 2026, around 14.2 million or 27% of the population in the UK will identify as meat-free or plan to adhere to this diet. Additionally, while about 1% of the population has a formal Coeliac diagnosis (as noted by Coeliac UK), 6% currently identify as having Non-Coeliac Gluten Sensitivity (NCGS).
With these rising numbers, it’s more important than ever for the travel industry to cater to this diverse range of dietary needs. So we’ve looked into the growing demand at sea and how the cruise industry is adapting to ensure everyone can enjoy their cruise.
Rising demand
The following data shows a significant percentage increase in dietary requests among cruise passengers from 2019 to 2025.
Data: Iglu Cruise
Contents:
1. Meat-free (95% increase)
Since 2019, the number of passengers requiring meat-free meals on cruises has skyrocketed by 95%. This growing interest is inspiring cruise lines to significantly expand their plant-based dining options. For example, P&O Cruises’ Arvia now features a plant-led speciality restaurant called Green & Co, and Norwegian Aqua has introduced Planterie, a dedicated vegetarian station in the Indulge Food Hall.
Cruise lines are also making their main menus more exciting by adding plenty of meat-free choices. Virgin Voyages really prioritises plant-based dining, giving these dishes more prominence on menus and offering a full, dedicated vegetarian tasting menu at The Test Kitchen. Likewise, Celebrity Cruises offers a seven-course plant-based menu at its Eden restaurant, and Oceania Cruises boasts an impressive rotation of over 250 plant-based recipes. Vegetarian dining at sea has never been better.
2. Nut-free (83% increase)
The number of requests for nut allergy accommodations on cruises has risen by 83% since 2019, reinforcing safety in cruise dining. The 2026 "gold standard" emphasises dedicated preparation zones and strict pre-order systems to eliminate risk.
While the industry as a whole is stepping up, several lines stand out. Disney Cruise Line, for example, is famous for its 'Rotational Dining' system, where the same serving team stays with you throughout your voyage. This consistency allows your servers to build a deep understanding of your specific allergies and preferences from day one, ensuring every meal is both safe and personal. Crew members also receive comprehensive training on food allergies, and the Disney Treasure even features advanced allergen-friendly kitchens.
Celebrity Cruises has a program called 'Dine Aware' that trains staff and Allergen Managers to help guests with special dietary needs, and they have a specific preparation area in the kitchen to prevent cross-contamination. Royal Caribbean also prioritises safety, and ships like Icon of the Seas feature dedicated ‘Allergy Kitchens’ to ensure safety.
3. Wheat & gluten-free (68% increase)
With demand for gluten-free dining surging by 68%, there are more rigorous safety standards on cruise ships. Beyond dedicated 'safe zones' and strict cross-contamination protocols, lines have implemented formalised staff training and transparent pre-ordering systems.
Celebrity Cruises now marks nearly 50% of its standard menu items with GF icons, while Princess Cruises uses digital flagging via their Medallion app and AIDA Cruises offers the specialised "Schonkostbar" for dedicated allergy-safe foods.
For more information on cruising with food allergies and special diets, check out the different lines' policies here.
“This data marks a massive shift in dining trends," says Dave Mills, Chief Commercial Officer at Iglu Cruise. "The cruise industry is embracing this change with open arms. For us, providing exceptional variety and uncompromising quality is about more than just meeting needs; it’s about exceeding expectations. By offering an array of tailored, high-quality options, we ensure every guest feels truly catered to, regardless of dietary requirements.”
5 Tips for Cruising with Dietary Needs
To ensure your next cruise holiday is as smooth as possible, explore our top tips for navigating dietary requirements at sea.
1. 60-day rule
When booking your cruise, it’s helpful to share your dietary requirements at least 60 days in advance. This way, the ship can make sure they have all the ingredients or "free-from" options ready for you when you set sail.
2. Day 1 consultation
When you board, take a moment to meet with the Head Waiter or Restaurant Manager. This is a great chance to confirm that your allergy info is on file in the galley’s system and check that it’s noted across all dining venues.
3. Pre-order
If you have really strict dietary needs, consider using the 24-hour pre-order system. This lets you choose your meals for the next day in advance, so the food team can prepare your dishes in a safe, controlled environment before the kitchen gets busy.
4. Avoid shared spoons
Buffets can be tricky when it comes to cross-contamination. Instead of serving yourself from the public trays, don’t hesitate to ask a chef/waiter to bring you a fresh portion straight from the kitchen. Many of the newer ships have “allergy concierges” available to help you navigate the buffet with confidence.
5. Pack excursion essentials
While dining on the ship is usually safe, food safety can be unpredictable ashore. It’s always a good idea to keep some sealed, safe snacks in your day bag so you have options while you explore.
A look to the future
Looking ahead, dietary requirements are quickly becoming the standard rather than the exception. We are moving past the era of the 'special request' as cruise lines integrate these options directly into the heart of their culinary offerings. This is most visible on the newest ships, where dedicated 'free-from' venues are becoming a key part of the dining scene rather than just an alternative choice.
Book your next travel adventure with Iglu Cruise today
Ready to eat your way around the world? Check out our fantastic cruise deals here, where your dietary needs are prioritised on everything from UK sailings to luxury Asian escapes and Mediterranean family trips. With so many inclusive menus to choose from, there is a perfect voyage for everyone!