Waiter, Waiter Everywhere and Such a Lot to Eat: Cruises, Cuisine, and Master Chefs
November 18, 2005
Sometimes it's hard to believe how far the ocean voyage experience has come since the dawn of seafaring travel. No, I'm not talking about the discovery of new lands, the comfort today's ships provide, or the technological leaps forward in navigation and safety. I'm talking about the food. The food aboard ships—cruise ships in particular—has come far since the good old days of citrus juice and sauerkraut.
Today, cruise ships not only have stellar food and service on a regular basis, but often feature interactive culinary classes, as well as the cuisine of master chefs that rivals any 4-star restaurant on land. So let's go through a brief rundown of what you can find to tempt your palate on some of the cruise lines sailing today.
Overall, passengers that travel on a cruise ship will experience extraordinary cuisine through celebrity chefs' signature menus, onboard restaurants carrying the moniker and menu of a master chef, and celebrity chefs that actually cruise aboard the ships. There are also special cuisine programs featured on many cruise ships and cruise lines.
Holland America Cruise Line
Holland America's Master Chef Rudi Sodamin has helped develop "Culinary Signature Cruises," a program that has the cruise line partnering with regional chefs. Also, in conjunction with "Food & Wine" magazine, the cruise line also has introduced an exciting Culinary Arts Center program; for a small fee, passengers can participate in interactive demos and classes.
Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity features cuisine created by Michel Roux, a master chef and restaurateur who specifically designed a menu for the cruise line. Celebrity Cruises also works with a respected magazine, "Bon Appetit." Together, they will feature the "Savor the Caribbean" series during the winter, which draws some of the best and brightest in the culinary world on Caribbean sailings. Passengers can even take lessons on shore from some of the Caribbean's best chefs.
Cunard Cruises
Cunard's Queen Mary 2 has a Todd English Restaurant onboard—named for Boston's chef extraordinaire. Along with "Gourmet" magazine, the Queen Mary 2 offers a "Chefs at Sea" program on many transatlantic crossings. It all takes place at the Chef's Galley, where diners enjoy an interactive experience as the chefs divulge their culinary secrets.
Crystal Cruises
Luxury cruise line Crystal Cruises' Wine & Food Festival brings together some of the hottest names on the culinary scene. Passengers will get to rub elbows with—and maybe even glean some recipes from—the Michael Jordans of the kitchen. They'll be lots of demos, interactive seminars and question-and-answer sessions.
Silversea Cruises
Silversea Cruises hosts special Culinary Arts cruises that feature chefs of Relais & Chateaux-Relais Gourmands, the prestigious international association of hotels and restaurants. The program showcases award-winning chefs from around the world.
Seabourn Cruise Line
Seabourn Cruise Line's advising celebrity chef and NYC restaurateur Charlie Palmer comes onboard sometimes and often invites his friends to participate in the cruise line's Chefs' Circle program. The cruise line also will operate its first European Food & Wine Festival on the Seabourn Pride in May, featuring European chefs and special culinary shore excursions. And, since Seabourn Cruise Line is owned by Carnival Corporation, you'll see many of Charlie Palmer's creations onboard Carnival cruise ships, too.
Radisson Seven Seas
Radisson Seven Seas Cruises' "Spotlights on Food and Wine" includes cooking workshops by Le Cordon Bleu, which also operates restaurants on the Mariner and Voyager. Included in the workshop are a galley visit, a group dinner, and a shoreside market visit.
Well there you have it; of course, that's but a handful of the many cruise lines that feature celebrity chefs and special cuisine programs. Finding excellent cuisine on any cruise ship is about as easy as getting sandy feet on the beach. Yet even with all this hoopla about the food, however, don't fall prey to the misconception that there's nothing to do on a cruise but eat. If you've been on one before, you know that isn't the case; besides the amazing ports of call, guests get to experience lots of great onboard activities, entertainment, and relaxing moments—in between meals, of course.
