Traveling as a vegetarian can be a tricky business. Whether you’re cruising on the high seas or climbing a mountain in a tropical port of call, vacations often mean conforming to other people’s tastes or dietary offerings at mealtimes. This is a real problem for conscientious vegetarians. Cruises are renowned for putting on huge buffets and spoiling diners rotten with variety, but even so, you should still be prepared, especially when you’re a vegetarian. Here are a few tips so that you can still tuck in with the rest while you’re on vacation:
Research
It’s important to go on a holiday that you know will be conducive to your lifestyle. Shop around. Find out what different cruise lines and ships offer to eat. Select a route or specific ports of call that you know can accommodate your requirements. It’s better to know beforehand than to end up hungry and frustrated on what was supposed to be a relaxing getaway.
Bring what you need
There’s nothing wrong with bringing your own snacks or ingredients with you on vacation. Baking vegetarian treats ahead of time or preparing things like trail mix and other non-perishable snacks can be the difference between having the energy to do everything you want to do, and feeling weak and frustrated on a hard-earned holiday.
Pre-order whenever possible
On cruise ships, you’ll often eat several meals in the same places. Alert the service and cooking staff to any dietary restrictions as soon as possible so that they can cater for your requirements. That way, you won’t have to sit through a five-course dinner that you can’t even eat.
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and is a lavish affair on cruises. Many ships boast massive buffet breakfasts but few offer satisfactory vegetarian options without notice. Making suitable breakfast arrangements means that you can kick the day off properly and get everything you need from a vacation.
Traveling as a vegetarian takes a bit more planning than what most omnivores need to consider. However with a little bit of initiative, a touch of patience and a sense of adventure, amazing vegetarian cruise holidays are well within reach.
Image by dmjarvey, used under Creative Commons license.
