Elevate Your Cruise: Top Culinary Experiences with Celebrity Chefs, Vegan Menus, and Local Flavors
Luxury cruise lines have long appealed to food enthusiasts, but the entire industry now recognizes our shared passion for exceptional cuisine. From collaborations with world-renowned chefs to immersive local food excursions, your next cruise promises a gastronomic adventure both onboard and ashore.
Celebrity Chef Partnerships
Cruise lines continue to elevate dining through star-studded collaborations. Celebrity Cruises, a pioneer since partnering with Michel Roux in 1990, has appointed double Michelin-starred chef Daniel Boulud as global culinary ambassador. Every ship now features his exclusive five-course Chef's Table twice per voyage, plus a three-course menu at Luminae restaurants fleetwide.
Crystal Cruises' longtime partner Nobu Matsuhisa will join a 16-night voyage from Indonesia to Australia on Crystal Endeavor this October, offering limited omakase dinners, cooking demos, book signings, and more. Savor his signature dishes at Umi Uma & Sushi Bar, including the Crystal-exclusive miso black cod.
Seabourn Cruises enhances its partnership with superchef Thomas Keller by adding Regiis Ova caviar to The Grill by Thomas Keller, a fleetwide favorite.
Michelin-starred prodigy Anthony Sasso is crafting the menu for Windstar Cruises' new Cuadro 44 Spanish restaurant, debuting on Star Breeze in May, followed by Star Legend and Star Pride. Anticipate specialties like paella croquetas with nori panko crust, saffron sofrito, and chorizo aioli.
Plant-Based Menus
Cruise lines are embracing the surge in plant-based dining. Royal Caribbean offers a three-course vegan menu across main dining rooms fleetwide, featuring innovative dishes like meat-free Spaghetti Bolognese and dairy-free toffee cheesecake.
Oceania Cruises has introduced over 200 plant-based options fleetwide, from poke bowls and truffle mac and cheese to coco-vanilla cashew crème brûlée. Sister line Regent Seven Seas Cruises follows suit with cashew yogurt parfaits and chickpea pancakes topped with vegan feta and vegetables.
At Virgin Voyages' Razzle Dazzle restaurant, vegan and vegetarian fare shines, including vegan "Fish" and Chips. The line also uses vegan ink in its onboard tattoo shop. Complement your meals with craft cocktails from collaborators like Julia Momose or champagne offerings, from a Moët & Chandon lounge to in-cabin tables and on-demand service.
Immersive Local Food Tours
Viking Cruises' The Kitchen Table lets small groups join the ship's chef at local markets, then prepare dinner from fresh finds.
Curated by Bon Appétit, Princess Cruises excursions include Portugal's Flavors in Lisbon—market shopping followed by a home-cooked meal—and Baking at Ballyknocken for Irish scones.
Azamara Cruises delivers diverse experiences like Lithuanian bread making, Tuscan tomato tasting, and St. Petersburg vodka tastings with the chef.
In August, Silversea's Silver Moon launches the S.A.L.T. (Sea And Land Taste) program, curated by former Saveur editor Adam Sachs. It features market visits, local chef demos, and destination-inspired meals.
Street Food at Sea
Street food thrives onboard despite no streets. Scenic Cruises' Scenic Spirit on the Mekong recreates Cambodian and Vietnamese markets with chicken soup to fried insects. U River Cruises, Uniworld's youthful brand, serves local favorites like Amsterdam stroopwafels and Austrian Käsekrainer.
Carnival Cruise Line's upcoming Mardi Gras introduces Street Eats: rotating grab-and-go stations for bao buns, satay, empanadas, and falafel.
