What Gluten-Free Options Look Like on a Princess Cruise Buffet (Photo Tour)
Gluten-Free Dining on Cruise Ships
Over the past decade, gluten-free cruising has evolved significantly. Increased passenger demand, improved food safety training, and clearer global allergen labeling standards have pushed cruise lines to formalize their protocols. Many major cruise lines now offer gluten-free menus, trained culinary teams, and dining staff who understand cross-contamination risks. Some ships have introduced allergen guides, dedicated preparation practices, and pre-cruise dietary requests to make gluten-free dining safer and more reliable at sea.
Gluten-free muffins featured on the Royal Princess buffet
While experiences still vary by cruise line and ship, gluten-free cruising today is far more accessible than it was even ten years ago—reflecting broader changes in how the travel industry supports dietary needs. At the breakfast buffets on our recent trip to Austria, Hungary, and Czech Republic there were always gluten-free options clearly marked. It took away any frustrations for people with celiac disease as items were clearly marked.
This post is for gluten-free travelers, including those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, who want to see examples of buffet items and designated gluten-free areas onboard. It’s meant to provide visual context and not to replace direct conversations with dining staff or personalized dietary planning.
Seeing Gluten-Free Dining Differently After My Niece’s Celiac Diagnosis
About a year ago, my niece was diagnosed with celiac disease. That diagnosis changed how I look at food in my own pantry and especially when it comes to shared spaces like buffets, where cross-contamination can be a concern.
Gluten Free Selections were clearly marked
Although we did not cruise with her on this sailing, I paid closer attention to the gluten-free options available onboard. I started taking photos of the gluten-free options throughout the ship—because it can be intimidating to board a cruise without knowing what will actually be available once you’re onboard. My goal with this post isn’t to evaluate gluten-free dining from a medical standpoint, but to provide a visual reference for travelers who want to know what specific gluten-free buffet offerings look like on a Princess cruise. I would like to do a family cruise in the near future and I wanted to be prepared to calm any of her fears of “what would I eat?”. I would send daily pictures to her mom of all the gluten-free options at the buffet.
Our families recently went to dinner at our favorite Italian restaurant. When we told the server that she gluten-free, we sadly found out they put flour in their marina sauce. I felt frustrated for her as the alternative sauce looked like a warmed up can of diced tomatoes. We no longer go there for family dinners as I want her to enjoy her food instead of watching us eat her favorite meal in front of her. My cruise buffet photos helped calm any nerves that their family booked a cruise for Spring Break. If you haven’t booked a cruise yet or already have and are nervous, I hope these pictures will help.
Gluten-Free options at the Buffet on the Royal Princess (Photo Tour)
This cruise was a seven-night sailing on the Princess Cruises Royal Princess to Mexico, with stops in Puerto Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas, and Mazatlán.
Throughout the sailing, the Horizon Court and Horizon Bistro buffets featured designated gluten-free sections, including a separate gluten-free dessert area available daily. Having a clearly marked section stood out, especially in a high-traffic buffet environment.
Many items in these sections appeared to be intentionally separated from the main buffet flow, which may help reduce accidental contact—though anyone with celiac disease or strict gluten intolerance should always confirm preparation and handling directly with ship staff.
This photo tour highlights:
Dedicated gluten-free buffet sections
Examples of gluten-free desserts
Naturally gluten-free options like salads and proteins
How items are grouped and labeled in the buffet setting
Desserts, in particular, tend to be the hardest. Many gluten-free desserts just don’t taste great, so having safe and enjoyable options matters more than you might expect.
You can also request a group gluten-free pizza from the pizzeria—something that felt like a small win, especially when traveling with family.
Princess allows guests to note dietary needs directly in the Princess app before sailing. By listing gluten-free requirements in advance, the main dining room staff will already information.
A Note on Buffet Dining & Gluten-Free Travel
Buffets can be one of the more challenging dining environments for gluten-free travelers due to shared utensils and high guest volume. Comfort levels of will vary by cruiser. For instance, my niece would have lots to eat with all the carving stations, rice, salad bar, and vegetable options at the buffet. She does not have a severe gluten sensitivity where she needs to worry about cross-contamination.
If you have celiac disease or severe gluten sensitivity, it’s always recommended to communicate dietary needs through the cruise line’s app before sailing and speak directly with dining staff once onboard. I’ll be cruising with my niece this June and plan to do another photo tour with first hand reviews.
FreshCruiser Tip
If you’re researching gluten-free cruising, photo tours can be incredibly helpful—but they’re best used as a starting point. Always combine visual research with direct conversations with the cruise line to ensure your specific needs are met.
This post is intended as a visual reference of buffet offerings observed onboard and is not a medical review of gluten-free safety or preparation practices.