Culinary Cruising
Culinary Cruising
Three different cruise lines are offering culinary experiences
When I travel, I generally like to either visit a city where I can get my fill of museums and culture or take to the mountains for a few days of hiking in solitude.
But, I do also enjoy a good cruise.
There’s something incredibly romantic about standing on the deck watching the ocean skirt by. Plus, a cruise is somewhat like summer camp — there are scavenger hunts, karaoke, dance classes, and (my personal favorite) trivia games. And let’s not forget the food!
From buffets to formal dinners to late-night pizza parties, cruises are basically nonstop food fests with some palm trees and ocean thrown in.
Cruise lines have also upped their culinary game with James Beard and Michellin-starred names curating menus and hosting special dinners.
If you think a good time is to take to the sea, three cruise lines have planned great culinary-focused voyages. Each line offers robust programs of food, cocktails, and celebrity sightings.
Peruse the list and whet your appetite for a tasty bon voyage.
Chefs Making Waves
A cadre of Food Network celebrities will board the Norwegian Pearl for a four-night cruise that includes cooking demos, bloody mary bingo, a beachside barbecue, and late-night parties.
Celebrities scheduled to sail include Michael Symon, Robert Irvine, Aarón Sánchez, Scott Conant, Marc Murphy, Buddy Valastro, Andrew Zimmern, Anne Burrell, Marcus Samuelsson, and Maneet Chauhan — with more chefs being added to the roster closer to the sailing date.
The ship sails from Port of Miami on March 25, 2024 and visits Nassau and Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas before disembarking back in Miami on March 29, 2024.
Stateroom prices include all programming (with the exception of select premium experiences) and also includes a beverage package that offers top-shelf cocktails, spirits, beer, champagne, wine by the glass, Starbucks coffees, energy drinks, soft drinks, and juices.
Book passage at chefsmakingwaves.com.
Virgin Voyages Eat & Drink Fest
During the months of August and September, Virgin ships the Scarlet Lady, the Valient Lady, and the Resilient Lady will all host various tastings, cocktail takeovers, and celebrity chefs — with most everything (except alcoholic beverages and some activities) included in the cruise price.
Chefs making appearances on sailings include George Motz, Eric Kim Haugen, Waki Ng, Matt Lambert, Brad Farmerie, Silvana Salcido Esparza, and Sohui Kim.
There will also be bar takeovers by Miami’s best bartenders, cocktail treasure hunts, “shot for shot” - a class on how to take better cocktail photos for the ‘Gram, and more.
Book passage at virginvoyages.com/eatdrinkfest.
Scenic Cruises with Brian Voltaggio
Top Chef alum Brian Voltaggio will join Scenic Cruises on two upcoming sailings: a nine-day Panama Canal sailing on the Scenic Eclipse will depart from Montego Bay on October 31, 2023, and on June 18, 2024, Voltaggio will join the Scenic Diamond for an eight-day Bordeaux Affair cruise.
Guests on these departures will enjoy an evening welcome reception, cooking demos, and Q&A sessions with the chef.
Book passage at scenicusa.com/culinary-cruises-with-bryan-voltaggio.