All cruises offer a wide range of food options to suit everyone’s likes and preferences, however, some have been credited for their outstanding culinary offerings.
In a bid to give their guests the best experience possible and set the bar higher than ever, some cruises have onboarded Michelin-star chefs to share their savour-faire in the galley.
From a reality TV star to the restaurateur behind one of the best-known restaurants blending Japanese and Peruvian dishes; these cruises are the stuff of a food lover’s dreams.
According to a new list shared by The Times, there are seven cruises that stand out for their food.
Two Michelin-starred chef Michel Roux will join Cunard in 2025 for various Le Gavroche at Sea residencies in the Norwegian fjords.
Only for five nights, guests on Queen Mary 2 will be able to sample a five-course tasting menu themed around the flavours of the sea, for an extra £150pp.
Below Deck fans will be able to enjoy TV star and chef Ben Robinson’s cooking on the 100-passenger Emerald Azzurra for a week-long voyage from Antigua to San Juan.
The seven nights all-inclusive departs on January 25 with a price starting from £5,195pp including flights.
Nobu Matsuhisa, known globally for his restaurants stretching across five continents, including the upmarket and often star-studded eponymous outlets in London and Los Angeles, is “arguably the first really big name to open a restaurant at sea,” according to the list.
The chef joined Crystal Cruises after it restarted last year under the ownership of Abercrombie & Kent, with Umi Uma by Nobu Matsuhisa Restaurant and Sushi Bar, available on both of Crystal’s ships.
Chef Niklas Ekstedt, who owns the Michelin-starred Ekstedt in Stockholm and Ekstedt at the Yard in London, is now in charge of the Chef’s Garden Kitchen, on MSC Cruises’ World Europa.
In this new venture, Ekstedt cultivates a hydroponic garden with fresh greens to incorporate into the restaurant’s Nordic-inspired dishes.
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s newest ship, Alma, launched this summer with a sophisticated fine-dining venue, Seta su Ilma.
The chef Fabio Trabocchi, who owns eight restaurants in the US, including the Michelin-starred Fiola, in Washington DC, is in charge of creating seasonal tasting menus featuring a contemporary take on Italian dishes for the restaurant at sea.
P&O Cruises snapped up Spanish star chef José Pizarro for a specially curated tapas menu in the Glass House, the wine bar on board their ships.
Pricing is à la carte but on par with similar style eateries on land, with patatas bravas and squid croquetas with mint aioli priced at a reasonable £5, or a choice of three tapas for £11.
Lastly, Masaharu Morimoto has a joint sustainable fish programme in partnership with Holland America Line, which identifies 80 species of fish that can be sustainably sourced in 60 ports.
The chef has a Morimoto By Sea pop-up on every ship in the fleet, with a cover charge of £42pp, where passengers can enjoy a selection of freshly prepared fish and seafood dishes, including sushi and lobster pad Thai.
