Onboard dining on cruise ships has come on leaps and bounds in recent years, so much so that even the most discerning foodies are starting to take notice. We highlight five cruises renowned for their inventive gastronomic offering. Words by Imogen Strickland
Gone are the days when cruise ships were dominated by all-you-can-eat buffets and stale restaurant menus. Instead, cruise lines have worked hard to become the perfect travelling destination for globe-trotting foodies.
From celebrity chefs and wine connoisseurs to table-side entertainment, cruises now offer a wide variety of unique culinary experiences for every palate. Here, we spotlight five of the best cruises for foodies.
Hurtigruten’s MS Trollfjord
Regardless of whether you’re a cruise ship or a hotel, claiming a spot on Condé Nast Traveler’s Gold List is a big deal, which is precisely what Hurtigruten’s expedition ship MS Trollfjord achieved earlier this year thanks to its focus on sustainably sourced Norwegian cuisine. Brasserie Árran is Hurtigruten’s way of showing its “respect and gratitude for the Sámi people and everything they have done for Norway.” In a warm and rustic atmosphere echoing a temporary lavvo dwelling with intimate lighting, dark wood and leather, guests can dine on traditional Sámi dishes with a modern twist, such as bidos reindeer stew. Elsewhere on the ship, Røst – which is reserved for suite guests – serves up interesting local ingredients, such as arctic pearls and sea urchins.
P&O’s Britannia
With this ship’s Godmother being the late Her Majesty the Queen, you’d expect P&O’s Britannia to do offer a knockout afternoon tea service. Yet, it’s the exclusive two-hour masterclasses with Marco Pierre White – the youngest ever chef to be awarded three Michelin stars at age 33 and dubbed the ‘Godfather of Modern Cooking’ – which sets this ship apart. Guests also have access to 27 restaurants and bars, of which a highlight is The Limelight Club. An adult only ticketed event, it combines sumptuous three course meals with the finest British entertainers in a cosy and intimate setting. Be sure not to miss Celebration Nights which pair Pierre White’s favourite dishes with exclusive and decadent Bon Viveur blends created by multi-award-winning wine connoisseur Olly Smith.
Crystal Serenity
Crystal Cruises’ Serenity offers foodies a truly global culinary experience for breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus snacks of course. Guests can load up on Parisian Pastries, Spanish tapas, US style burgers with scoops of Italian gelato throughout the day. Headlining is legendary Master Chef Nobuyuki Matsuhisa’s Umi Uma restaurant which fuses both Japanese culture and authentically Peruvian ingredients. Adding to the list of global eateries are Osteria D’ovidio which serves Italian cuisine, and The Bistro, a Parisian inspired café and coffee bar where the scent of fresh pastries wafts as guests walk by. For gelato fanatics, the Scoops Ice Cream Bar serves family favourites like Ben & Jerry’s and frozen yoghurt with a wide array of delicious toppings. Guests shouldn’t skip the Vintage Room, which provides daytime wine tastings from the ship’s onboard cellar, allowing guests to gain rare insight into the art of winemaking.
Avalon Poetry II
It’s Avalon Waterways’ commitment to healthy dining options that sees the line make the list. This is exemplified by Karl and Leo Wrenkh. Founders of the esteemed Vienna Culinary School, they were brought onboard by the river cruise line to create the Avalon Fresh Menu, which offers extensive vegetarian and vegan meals for guests to enjoy while sailing on Avalon’s Poetry II. This farm-to-fork fare includes regional delicacies such as Bünder Gerstensuppe (Swiss barley soup), guilt-free. On the top deck, Sky Grill allows guests to be wined and dined beside stunning vistas across the Danube, Rhine and Rhône. Avalon Poetry II also hosts culinary and wine appreciation speciality tours with menus curated by executive chef, Krisztián Restás, who weaves global flavours with honest local ingredients into his dishes.
Marella Explorer II
Tui’s adult-only cruise ship, Marella Explorer II, is perfect for gourmands. Why? For starters, it offers a showstopping Great Musical Afternoon Tea, which brings the West End to guests’ table. Guests are offered a choice of six menus – plus a cocktail of their pleasing – with dishes inspired by famous musicals. Favourites include ‘Vietnamese Melody’ beef tenderloin yakitori and the ‘On My Own’ petit choux. On deck seven is the Kora La, a pan-Asian restaurant headed up by Master Chef Ian Pengelly, which serves a range of curry and noodle dishes as well as a separate sushi menu. But with nine restaurants and 10 bars, the ship caters for all taste buds. A bar not to skip is The 19th Hole, a golf themed venue boasting a golf simulator.