Supporting Kids with Allergies & Asthma at Camp Ocean

Our five-year-old son A.J. had such an amazing time at Camp Ocean on the Dinogo Glory that he never wanted to leave. Hearing about all the activities and fun available for kids onboard was such a relief. As a family with food allergies, we are extremely careful about A.J.'s care, as even a simple snack could make him very sick. He knows exactly what foods he can safely enjoy. I shared how our family of selective eaters with different preferences found plenty of tasty options while onboard. He also deals with asthma, which usually flares up during the winter months.

I spoke with Ana Ristic, the Youth Director on the Dinogo Glory, about the measures they implement for children with allergies and asthma in their care. Here’s our interview along with a glimpse of the Camp Ocean play areas designed for kids aged 2 to 11.

List of Safe & Unsafe Foods/Medical Conditions

During registration, be sure to provide a list of your child’s safe and unsafe foods. The staff will maintain this information, adding it to a master list and double-checking it during group dining to ensure food safety before meals are served.

I also noted A.J.’s asthma as a medical concern. Since he wasn’t experiencing a runny nose or any immediate breathing difficulties, I felt reassured that the ship's medical team could manage it. We brought his nebulizer to keep in our room in case he experienced any breathing issues before bedtime.

Drop-off Allergen-Free Snacks

Parents are welcome to bring snacks and meals for children with food allergies to Camp Ocean. It’s a good idea to discuss the food options with the staff beforehand to ensure they are safe for your child.

Bring Epinephrine Auto-Injectors
On A.J.’s first day at camp, we made sure to bring his Epipen and hand it over to the staff. Camp Ocean serves allergen-safe snacks, but if he had participated in any group dinner outings, the staff would have taken the Epipen to the dining area for emergencies. We also carried an extra Epipen in our personal bags during excursions, swimming, or family meals.

Inquire About the Red Name Tag
Every child with food allergies wore a nametag featuring red lettering to serve as a reminder for the staff. In fact, we kept A.J.’s nametag as a special memento from his first cruise.

Use Camp Ocean's Mobile Phones
Parents of children under two and those with food allergies are provided with mobile phones for use on the ship. As Ana explained, in case of an emergency, camp staff will immediately contact the medical team and then notify the parents.

In just one week, A.J. formed new friendships at Camp Ocean, discovered exciting games, and created lasting memories. For us, it provided a safe environment where he could enjoy daytime activities and spend some evenings having fun while we attended the ship's entertainment.

Share your thoughts below: What insights did you gain about managing food allergies and asthma at Camp Ocean? Which safety measures there help alleviate your concerns?