If traveling is a pleasure, doing it by sea and enjoying gourmet cuisine becomes pure bliss. Cruise lines generally offer fine dining , cooking classes with renowned chefs, local dishes, and days dedicated to different countries… but if you're also traveling on a luxury ship, then the experience takes it to another level.
In fact, there are some famous chefs sailing on different cruises , for example James Martin, Antonio Carluccio and Nathan Outlaw, who specializes in seafood and fish, and Lawrence Keogh, chef of The Wolseley restaurant in London, who cooks and teaches on board on routes such as the Norwegian fjords.
Regarding what I mentioned about cooking classes, on the Britannia cruise ship , which travels around the British Isles and Ireland and part of the Mediterranean, Mary Berry, known as the Queen of Cake , teaches baking classes to a select group of passengers for the "modest sum" of $150 for a two-hour class.
But don't be mistaken, this type of service isn't only available on luxury cruise lines; other cruise lines also offer high-end restaurants . Of course, sometimes you have to book in advance, and the menu is usually à la carte, so it's not included in the ticket price. But... sometimes you're surprised to find that they're included!
Nobu Matsuhisa's restaurant is open under the name Silk Road & The Sushi Bar on the Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity ships of the Crystal Cruises line.
Royal Caribbean offers restaurants with cuisines from all over the world , including Jamie Oliver's Jamie's Italian on its ship Anthem of the Seas, and Michael's Genuine Pub by celebrity chef Michael Schwartz.
If French cuisine is your thing , Silversea's Le Champagne restaurant, with a team of Relais & Châteaux chefs, can prepare exquisite roast Bresse chickens, foie gras pastries, seafood with asparagus sorbet, and more!
Norwegian offers Ocean Blue , an exclusive seafood restaurant by New York chef Geoffrey Zakarian.
So now you know, eating well doesn't mean paying more.
Iconic Chefs and Restaurants on the High Seas
The major cruise lines compete to highlight their culinary signature : at P&O Cruises, in addition to Marco Pierre White's restaurant , The Cookery Club brings together Michelin-starred chefs . Royal Caribbean adds the surprising Wonderland , with nods to molecular gastronomy; Crystal explores Nobu 's fusion cuisine at Silk Road; Holland America seduces with Sel de Mer and America's Test Kitchen- style concepts ; Regent Seven Seas elevates grilling at Prime 7 ; Oceania pays homage to French cuisine at Jacques , inspired by Jacques Pépin; Carnival popularizes signature dishes with Guy's Burger Joint ; and Croisières de France boasts menus distinguished by Gault Millau . Star Clippers offers themed excursions with guest chefs and sommeliers , demonstrations, guided tastings, and specialized events featuring sushi, olive oil, chocolate, herbs, and champagne. Costa Cruises incorporates exclusive menus from Bruno Barbieri, Hélène Darroze and Ángel León in its Archipielago restaurant , a sustainable space decorated with wood recovered from the Guardians of the Coast program.
Workshops, shows and liquid experiences
In addition to pastry classes with Mary Berry , some cruise lines offer immersive shows like Norwegian's Cirque Dreams and Dinner: acrobatics and juggling while a tasting menu is served. On the beverage side, experiences like The Bubbly Bar invite you to personalize cocktails with sparkling wines, house-made syrups, and purées; and The Ultimate Bloody Mary Bar showcases creative ingredients (spicy shrimp, stuffed olives, cured bacon) with versions like the Italian Mary with grappa or the Ave Caesar with Clamato juice.
Local produce, sustainability and informal tables
Initiatives connecting port and table are gaining momentum: the global Fresh Fish program brings over 80 locally sourced varieties, with Chef Morimoto as its ambassador. For casual meals, Waves Grill serves Wagyu burgers with truffle sauce and seasoned potatoes, milkshakes, and Humphry Slocombe ice creams (like the Secret Breakfast); in the evening, the space transforms into a Neapolitan trattoria with a pizza oven. Approximate opening hours: Breakfast 7:00–11:00 , Lunch 11:30–16:00 , Pizzeria 18:30–21:00 . Practical note: If you book from Spain, your order will usually be processed in euros.
Essential gourmet destinations and excursions
- Nápoles: haute cuisine with a view at Il Ristorante Alain Ducasse Napoli, George Restaurant, Caruso Roof Garden or Palazzo Petrucci; essential Neapolitan pizza.
- Marseilla: Mediterranean tradition in Bouillabaisse and Tapenade; tables such as Peron, Ékume, Le Ventre de l'Architecte or Une Table au Sud.
- Dubrovnik: Dalmatian cuisine in 360° Dubrovnik and Proto; dishes such as pashticada, Zelena Maneštra and Dalmatian ham.
- Greek islands: in Mykonos, Koursaros and Matsuhisa; in Santorini, Selene, Metaxi Mas or Lycabettus with volcanic wines.
- Tokyo: seasonal kaiseki, sushi and wagyu in Sukiyabashi Jiro, Narisawa or Kanda.
- San Sebastián: temples like Arzak, Akelarre or Martín Berasategui and routes of pintxos with spider crab, hake a la koxkera and cod pil pil.
On land, look for culinary excursions with a local touch. For example, in Roatán, visit the Blue Harbor Tropical Arboretum , a hydroponic greenhouse, take a class with a local chef , sample the island's pink shrimp, and enjoy lunch and a dessert cocktail. Important : Excursions are subject to availability and may change or be canceled if the minimum number of participants is not reached.
Sailing and eating well now go hand in hand: between renowned chefs , local products , creative bars and destinations with identity, every bite on board amplifies the journey and turns it into a memory that is savored twice.
