Q: What do you think about money belts? I wore one for six weeks straight when I was backpacking through Europe in college, but now that I’m older and will be visiting nicer places, I feel I should carry a purse. However, we’ll be in Rome, and I’ve heard horror stories about pickpockets. Q: I recently started following a gluten-free diet. We rarely eat out anymore because it’s a pain. However, I booked a cruise several months ago, and I really want to go. Will they give me decent food, or will I eat nothing but salad? Is it weird to ask for special meals if everyone else has a set menu?
A: Don’t feel weird about it at all. Major cruise lines deal with special dietary requirements all the time, and I bet they’ll bend over backward to accommodate you. Call the customer-service line well in advance, though, and meet with dining-room staff when you board to review your needs. Be careful in ports, however. If you plan to eat out but don’t speak the local language, have someone translate a list of your requirements so you can hand it to your waiter.
