Tag: Cruises

Holland America Line Unveils Caribbean-Inspired Menus and Cocktails

28 October 2025

New island-themed dishes and drinks debut across the cruise fleet this winter.

This winter, Holland America Line is transforming its Caribbean sailings into full-fledged culinary journeys. From October 2025 through April 2026, six ships will feature new regionally inspired menus and cocktails celebrating the vibrant flavours of the Caribbean — all crafted with the cruise line’s hallmark focus on fine dining at sea.

Guests can expect fresh, locally sourced ingredients and authentic island flavours through port-to-plate dishes, themed cocktails, and special dining experiences, many created by Holland America’s renowned Culinary Ambassadors — chefs David Burke, Masaharu Morimoto, Ethan Stowell, and Jacques Torres.

Menu highlights include:

  • Chef Masaharu Morimoto’s trio of island-inspired dishes: Crispy Fried Market Whole Fish, Yuzu Butter Grilled Lobster Tails, and Fresh Catch Grouper with Braised Baby Bok Choy.

  • Chef David Burke’s 15-ounce Boneless Rib Eye and Chef Ethan Stowell’s Spaghetti with Confit Lobster.

  • Chef Jacques Torres’s signature Chocolate-Dipped Cheesecake.

  • New Caribbean Seafood Boil in Lido Market (for a $35 supplement) featuring local shellfish, lobster, and rum cake for dessert.

  • Poolside dinners spotlighting regional favourites paired with tropical cocktails crafted from island spirits like rum, ginger, pineapple and chili.

Beyond the plate, the line is also adding new shore-excursion cooking classes, rum-pairing workshops, and guided tastings, giving guests a hands-on connection to Caribbean culinary traditions.

“Every bite and sip is designed to transport guests to the heart of the Caribbean,” says Michael Stendebach, Holland America Line’s vice-president of food, beverage and rooms. “Beyond the plate, we aim to create moments that celebrate the region’s lively culture and make each journey unforgettable.”

The expanded menus and experiences are part of Holland America Line’s ongoing commitment to showcasing local ingredients and authentic regional cuisine on board and ashore.

Star Chefs Set Sail on Oceania’s Allura

14 October 2025

Six Food & Wine Best New Chefs christen Oceania’s newest ship, bringing serious culinary prestige to the high seas.

When Oceania Cruises says it’s a food-forward cruise line, they mean it. The brand’s newest ship, Oceania Allura, is setting sail in July 2025 — and will be officially christened this November in Miami by none other than six acclaimed Food & Wine Best New Chefs alumni: Tavel Bristol-Joseph, Katie Button, Calvin Eng, Aisha Ibrahim, George Mendes, and Lawrence “LT” Smith.

Each of these chefs brings a distinctive perspective to the table — from Austin’s Caribbean-inflected sweets to Lisbon’s refined seafood traditions — representing the global, exploratory spirit that defines Oceania’s culinary identity. It’s the first time Food & Wine’s celebrated “Best New Chefs” title has ever been tied to a cruise ship, underscoring how far Oceania has gone to elevate dining at sea.

According to Oceania Cruises President Jason Montague, Allura embodies the brand’s “commitment to culinary excellence, creativity, and discovery.” That dedication shines through across the ship’s 11 restaurants and bars, including a return of the signature French venue Jacques (named after Jacques Pépin), as well as new Mediterranean and Pan-Asian concepts, immersive Chef’s Studio experiences, and hands-on cooking classes at the onboard Culinary Centre.

For food-minded travellers, Allura promises more than just great meals — it’s a floating celebration of flavour, artistry, and innovation. In true Oceania style, guests can expect a voyage where the journey tastes just as good as the destination.

The World’s Best Female Chef Was Named Godmother of This Cruise Ship

15 September 2025

Cruise ships are no strangers to star power — but usually it comes in the form of Broadway-style productions or celebrity guest speakers. Celebrity Cruises is taking a different tack with the launch of its newest ship, Celebrity Xcel. The line has tapped Janaina Torres, named World’s Best Female Chef 2024 by The World’s 50 Best Restaurants, to serve as the ship’s godmother, a role steeped in maritime tradition and symbolism.

For those less familiar with the practice, a ship’s godmother is more than a ceremonial title. Historically, the godmother blesses and christens the vessel, embodying its spirit and values as it begins its journeys. In Torres, Celebrity Cruises has chosen a figure whose career is defined by hospitality, generosity, and cultural celebration — qualities that echo the brand’s own positioning at sea.

Torres is best known for her work at A Casa do Porco in São Paulo, a restaurant she co-founded with her husband, chef Jefferson Rueda. The restaurant, which pays homage to Brazilian pork cookery in inventive and democratic ways, has become a destination in its own right and is frequently ranked among the world’s best. What sets Torres apart isn’t only her culinary prowess but also her commitment to accessibility: fine dining that welcomes everyone, not just the privileged few. That philosophy resonates with Celebrity Cruises’ ambition to blend sophistication with inclusivity across its fleet.

The naming ceremony of Celebrity Xcel will, of course, involve the traditional champagne bottle-breaking moment, but the symbolism extends further. By aligning with one of the world’s most celebrated chefs, Celebrity underscores its focus on dining as a central part of the travel experience. It’s not just about feeding passengers — it’s about turning meals into defining memories of a voyage.

Food has always been a major differentiator in the cruise industry, but this announcement feels like a declaration of intent. With Torres as godmother, travelers can expect food and beverage programming that reflects her influence — whether through chef collaborations, menu inspiration, or culinary events at sea. While details remain under wraps, the partnership hints at a future where dining on board is as destination-worthy as the ports of call.

As Celebrity Xcel prepares to set sail, Torres’s presence ensures it will carry not just passengers, but also a culinary legacy rooted in warmth, creativity, and connection. It’s a reminder that on the open sea, food is more than sustenance — it’s the heartbeat of the journey.

CroisiEurope Wine Cruise

CroisiEurope’s Wine Cruise Lets You Sip Through France’s Most Iconic Vineyards

5 August 2025

If your idea of a perfect getaway includes swirling a glass of Beaujolais on a sun-drenched terrace, CroisiEurope’s latest itinerary is your calling card. Launching in October 2026, this new seven-night wine enthusiast river cruise invites oenophiles (and romantics of all kinds) to sail through the beating heart of French wine country.

The journey starts and ends in Lyon (France’s gastronomic capital, pictured below) and winds its way down the Saône and Rhône rivers aboard the MS Rhône Princess. Along the way are tastings among the famed hills of Condrieu and Côte-Rôtie, the grand crus of Tain l’Hermitage, and a stop in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence for a sun-soaked sampling of southern blends. Each day is bookended by delicious onboard meals (yes, with wine pairings) and included excursions that read like a cultural highlight reel.

France Vineyard
Lyon, France

One afternoon, follow Van Gogh’s trail through Arles. Another, wander the medieval streets of Viviers—home to France’s smallest cathedral. In Avignon, tour the storied Papal Palace. And in Lyon, snack and sip your way through Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse, the city’s most iconic indoor market.

In true CroisiEurope fashion, the cruise is all-inclusive: every meal and glass of wine, every guided vineyard visit, and even the WiFi and port fees are part of the package. Fares start at €1,995 per person for the October 21, 2026 departure.

It’s a luxurious yet easygoing way to experience France’s best wine regions—without ever having to pack and repack a suitcase. We’ll raise a toast to that.