The Tasty Benefits of a Culinary Cruise
One of the core joys of travel is cuisine — and vice versa. Whether you’re an explorer or a foodie, a globetrotter or a gourmand, cruising proves to be a truly great option for savoring life’s sweeter moments and sumptuous morsels. After all, where else can you experience a buffet of jaw-dropping locales, the authentic cuisine of far-away lands and award-winning dining while you’re in transit? Especially when you can pair your voyage with the bonus offerings available through your travel agent, exclusive perks like booking a sailing with an itinerary from the Culinary Collection are the proverbial cherry on top of an already decadent getaway. Here are three top ways to turn your next vacation into a smorgasbord of delectable culinary experiences aboard a cruise ship.
Photo: Murano Restaurant on Celebrity Reflection
Celebrity Chefs
It’s not just trendy restaurants in major cities that tout big-name celebrity chefs: Cruise lines are partnering with the rockstars of the culinary world to elevate their onboard offerings. Seabourn’s Earth & Ocean at The Patio™ is the culinary manifestation of master chef Tony Egger’s worldwide travels. And you’ll relish in the soulful concoctions of Michelin-starred Chef Daniel Boulud when you sail with Celebrity Cruises. Master Chefs Giada De Laurentiis and Eric Barale co-chair Oceania Cruises’ culinary offerings, inheriting the mantle from the storied Jacques Pépin, founder of Oceania’s culinary philosophy of The Finest Cuisine at Sea®.
Photo: Prime Restaurant on Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Unique Restaurants
It’s not just the brains behind the menu that makes cuisine at sea so memorable — unique eateries and one-of-a-kind venues are the norm across the cruise industry, ensuring every meal is memorable on your trip. Every type of cuisine — steakhouses, Tex-Mex, Japanese, French, Italian and Mediterranean — are possible venues for dinner, depending on the ship. Savor classic French dishes at Sel de Mer on board Holland America Line. Or sample fine wines and quintessential Italian fare at Sette Mari at La Veranda aboard Regent Seven Seas Cruises. Discover the gold standard of charcoal gastronomy with fine cuts of steak and fresh seafood at the open-air chophouse 7Aft Grill aboard Atlas Ocean Voyages. Certain cruise lines even go above and beyond in catering to foodie palates, with entire itineraries dedicated to the passion and craft of food. Such is the case with Celebrity’s Culinary Cruises, the Finest Cuisine at Sea® with Oceania and the ever-intimate experience of The Chef’s Table with Azamara®.
Photo: Toscana Restaurant on Oceania Cruises
Healthy Options
Of course, whether you’re sticking with New Year’s resolutions, midway through a training plan or simply prefer salads, it’s not all steak and cheesecake when you’re at sea. Cruise lines have made it a point to provide a wide variety of dining possibilities, including healthy options. Shining examples of this can be found on just about every ship, but a few of our favorites include the Aquamar Kitchen aboard Oceania Cruises (where wellness meets indulgence), Royal Caribbean’s Solarium Bistro (fresh ingredients and Mediterranean flavors for bright and breezy meals all throughout the day) and Avalon Waterways’ all-encompassing Avalon Fresh menu that ensures healthy creative cuisine is available at every meal.
And again, these are just the givens — with the benefit of a travel agent and an itinerary from the Culinary Collection, you could also get exclusive perks like a market tour and private dinner, onboard dining credit, complimentary wine tasting, free Champagne and chocolates or a complimentary Chef’s Table meal for two. Our advisors know all the leading names in travel, so they can not only help you choose, plan and book your cruise vacation to perfection, but they can also secure luxe perks and amenities.