9 Best Culinary Cruises for the Most Delicious Trip You’ll Ever Take
Updated: Feb. 24, 2024
From onboard menus crafted by celebrity chefs to foodie-based excursions at the world’s most amazing ports, these culinary cruises will tantalize your taste buds on every nautical mile
The best culinary cruises to book in 2024
For many, food is the best part of travel—and I can relate. I’ve taken cruises all over the world, and they’ve led to many culinary firsts for me: My first-ever lobster was on a Caribbean cruise when I was just a teenager, my first bite of reindeer came in a cozy bowl of chili during an Alaskan cruise, and my first (and last!) time eating escargot happened on a cruise in the Mediterranean. While these dishes were all parts of the all-inclusive menus on my cruises, I decided to kick things up a notch on the foodie scale by hopping on board the growing trend of special culinary cruises, which feature food and wine in a variety of special ways. These days, you’ll find the best cruises partnering with celebrity chefs, featuring specialty-dining venues and offering excursions filled with meals you’ll dream about long after you return home.
“I helped start the first culinary-themed cruises in the early ’90s when I began noticing interest, and today this concept is more popular than ever,” says Executive Chef Rudi Sodamin, head of culinary arts on Princess Cruises and Master Chef for the Holland America Line. “Experiential food and beverage experiences are often some of our most popular activities on board. It is my goal to surprise and delight guests while also educating them and meeting their every gastronomical desire.”
Getting hungry yet? We’ve rounded up the best themed cruises for every type of foodie—from seafood lovers and wine aficionados to fans of French, Italian and Spanish cuisine. I’ve been on my fair share of these cruises, including a recent one to the Mediterranean, and trust me when I say these trips may just become your favorites of all time.
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Best for Napa Valley wine pairings
Princess 7-Day Pacific Wine Country Cruise
If you love Napa by land, you’ll love it even more by sea, and it’s now an experience you can have on any Princess Cruises ship sailing North American itineraries. In spring 2023, the cruise line partnered with Wagner Family Vineyards (the producers of Caymus wines), a leader in Napa Valley cabernet, for its five-course Caymus Vineyards Winemaker Dinner. Held two or three times per cruise, it features a dinner for up to 12 guests that could very well be the highlight of their entire vacation. On a recent sailing, which started in Vancouver, British Columbia, and wended its way through San Francisco and Los Angeles, the food was fresh and sophisticated—and tailored to guests’ dietary preferences as needed.
The Winemaker Dinner menu consisted of an amuse-bouche (beef carpaccio or marinated fresh oyster mushrooms), a first course (fresh summer black truffle risotto with 36-month-aged Parmigiano Reggiano), main course (prime beef tenderloin with blossom artichokes or seared king salmon with giant prawn), cheese course and dessert (a beautiful chocolate raspberry creation). Oh, and each course was perfectly paired with the appropriate Wagner wine—including cabernet sauvignon, pinot noir and sparkling wine—hand-selected by Chuck Wagner, the owner and winemaker of Caymus Vineyards.
It takes a talented team to pull off an epic meal like that as well as the other offerings on board. “At Princess, we have such a diverse group of chefs, which is a huge benefit to us, as we are able to use their expertise to introduce authentic flavors from all over the world,” says Sodamin. “I present food as art—to be created with passion and served with love.”
Pros:
- The food is specifically crafted to complement the tasting notes of the wines.
- Wagner Family Vineyard wines are available at all restaurants on the ship.
- Some Princess Cruise itineraries offer memorable shore excursions to Sonoma wine country.
Con:
- There’s an additional cost of $140 per person for this experience and a slight upcharge for all Wagner wines at any meal on the ship.
Best for fresh seafood with a celebrity chef
Holland America Line 7-Day Eastern Caribbean Cruise
Fans of Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto now have another way to experience his Japanese cuisine beyond his various restaurants around the world: on board the Nieuw Amsterdam. Holland America debuted Morimoto by Sea on Dec. 16, 2023, offering Asian-inspired dishes and beverages from Chef Morimoto, the cruise line’s “Global Fresh Fish Ambassador.” On this Caribbean cruise, you’ll dine on appetizers such as sticky ribs, hamachi tacos, Morimoto fresh-tuna pizza and a sushi plate. Main courses include crispy fried whole-market fresh fish, angry lobster pad Thai, Japanese vegetable curry, and a surf-and-turf with wasabi-mayo lobster and grilled Wagyu kalbi. Watch for pop-up Morimoto by Sea events once per cruise on the fleet’s other 10 ships too.
Pros:
- Holland America’s new Global Fresh Fish Program offers more than 80 varieties of fresh fish sourced locally
- The restaurant also highlights Chef Morimoto’s exclusive alcoholic beverages, including a rosé and sake.
- The menu includes vegetarian and vegan options.
Con:
- There’s a $55 coverage charge per person, plus an additional 18% gratuity.
Best for French food and wine
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises 8-Day Brilliant Bordeaux Cruise
The France-based S.S. Bon Voyage is the perfect choice for food and wine–loving cruisers: This Uniworld river cruise is basically a floating boutique hotel designed to immerse guests in French culture and wine. The Southwest France itinerary features the country’s beautiful landscapes, wines and culture in Fort Médoc, Cadillac, Blaye and Libourne. On board, head to La Cave des Vins, a specialty dining venue that features a communal table in a private dining room where guests will experience a cooking demonstration and culinary experience that captures the essence of France.
Additional onboard dining experiences include La Brasserie, serving traditional bistro fare, and Le Grand Fromage, offering menus reflective of the local cuisine and prepared with locally sourced ingredients. Excursions take guests into the Bordeaux region for activities such as a walking tour and wine tasting at Saint-Emilion; an artisanal wine tasting at Château de Cazeneuve; and a bike ride tour through the lush Médoc vineyards.
Pros:
- You’ll get to explore one region (along with its food and wine) more deeply, rather than visiting multiple countries.
- The ship holds only 124 guests, for an incredibly intimate experience.
- Six days of excursions are included—and all are hosted by English-speaking local experts.
Con:
- It has a higher price point, but it’s the most all-inclusive cruise line. (It includes premium spirits and wine, gratuities, wellness classes, airport transfers, Wi-Fi, entertainment, and bicycles and Nordic walking sticks for onshore use.)
Best for local foodie experiences
Windstar Cuisines and Cultures of Spain, Portugal and France Cruise
Windstar is the official cruise line of the James Beard Foundation (JBF), the nonprofit culinary arts organization that celebrates, supports and elevates the people behind America’s food culture. The Foundation firmly aligns with Windstar’s commitment to fresh and local epicurean experiences around the world, as well as efforts to reduce food waste. Join Chef Tanya Holland—this Top Chef Season 15 contestant is known for her inventive take on soul food and was the host and soul food expert on Food Network’s Melting Pot—on a 10-day cruise focused on the cuisine and cultures of Spain, Portugal and France. Windstar culinary cruises include a chef-hosted dinner with wine pairing, two cooking demonstrations (with recipes you’ll take home!) and a market tour with the chef.
Pros:
- Foodie-focused excursions include a river cruise with wine tasting in Porto, a vineyards and cellars tour in Bordeaux, and an oyster tasting in Cancale.
- Windstar offers other world-class meals on board, with nightly menus crafted to highlight the regional cuisine and inspired wine pairings.
- The newly remodeled Star Legend carries only 312 guests, and all cabins are suites.
Con:
- This cruise has a higher price point than some of the others.
Best for satisfying any appetite
Royal Caribbean Icon of the Seas Cruises
Can you even imagine a single ship holding 40 different dining and drink venues? That’s just one of the many impressive things that the world’s largest cruise ship, Icon of the Seas, has to offer. No matter what flavors you’re craving—we’re talking pizza by the slice, sushi, caviar, oysters, burgers and tacos—you can find it on board.
Royal Caribbean is introducing several firsts on this ship, including the Empire Supper Club, an eight-course journey of traditional American fare (think: Wagyu New York strip steak topped with fresh-shaved truffle) that’s perfectly paired with live jazz music. Other newcomers are the AquaDome Market, the line’s first food hall with five dining options; a milkshake bar called Desserted; and the Celebration Table, a private 12-seat dining experience with family-style service perfect for commemorating a milestone. In the evenings, grab a cocktail at Dueling Pianos (a first of its kind in the fleet, with battling baby grands), a glass of prosecco at the new walk-up champagne bar Bubbles or a pint at English pub Point & Feather.
Pros:
- This ship sails the Eastern and Western Caribbean, so some excursions will offer rum tastings, Caribbean food tours and lunches the local way.
- Each cruise stops at Perfect Day at CocoCay, the cruise line’s private island, which offers a slew of restaurants (most of which are complimentary) and bars (if you’ve purchased a specialty beverage package for your cruise, it will apply here too).
- You’ll also find Royal Caribbean restaurant staples on board, including Sorrento’s Pizza, Sprinkles ice cream, Chops Grille and Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar.
Cons:
- You’ll have to pay extra for certain dining venues, as well as all alcoholic drinks and specialty coffees.
- It’s more expensive than most Royal Caribbean cruises because it’s a brand-new ship.
Best for sushi with a celebrity chef
Crystal 14-Night Cruise from Athens to Rome
Crystal is already known for its high-end and award-winning culinary experiences—and now it’s brought one of the most legendary chefs in the world on board. Behold Umi Uma, a restaurant created by Master Chef Nobuyuki (Nobu) Matsuhisa for Crystal’s Serenity and Symphony ships. This innovative Japanese-Peruvian fusion cuisine features delectable dishes like a crispy rice cake with spicy tuna tartare, Nobu-style lobster tacos, grilled Australian Wagyu beef fillet steak and Nobu-style black cod. Or choose the Sushi with Connoisseur, which features various sushi, sashimi and rolls.
Certain itineraries—for instance, the Athens to Rome Mediterranean cruise—make foodie excursions a priority, with a tasty street food tour of Izmir, a cooking class in Mykonos, olive oil tastings in Crete, a pizza tasting in Naples and wine tastings in Turkey. Between the onboard offerings and seaside activities, this is truly one of the most well-rounded culinary cruises.
Pros:
- Two complimentary reservations for two people on voyages 12 to 22 days in length, and unlimited free visits for guests staying in Crystal Penthouse or Junior Crystal Penthouse Suites.
- There are 11 distinct dining options on board, including 24-hour in-suite dining service.
- There’s nearly one staff member per guest, and the crew will know you by name.
Cons:
- Reservations above the complimentary allotment are $50 per person.
- It has a higher price point than some other cruises on this list.
Best for Mediterranean excursions
Viking Iconic Western Mediterranean Cruise
Some people take cruises for the at-sea experience; others use it as a mode of transportation to get where they want to go. While every minute on board a Viking ship is spectacular, the real magic happens off the ship on this Western Mediterranean itinerary through Spain, France, Monaco and Italy. Because the Viking Saturn is a small ship (930 guests), it can dock overnight in some ports, which means you can enjoy authentic dinners and nightcaps in town.
On this particular cruise, you’ll have that experience in Barcelona (paella and a flamenco show, anyone?) and again in Florence (you’re in the famous Tuscan wine region, so have a glass or two of Chianti with your pasta). Shore excursions include cooking in a Tuscan castle, dinner at a Michelin-starred restaurant, food and wine trails through Tuscany, and “The Kitchen Table,” where you’ll join the ship’s executive chef for a tour and shopping experience through the local market (you’ll gather the ingredients that the chef will prepare for you back on board).
Pros:
- Beer, wine and soft drinks are included with lunch and dinner; plus, you have access to complimentary 24/7 room service.
- Onboard dining options include regional cuisine and locally sourced ingredients, as well as food-and-wine pairings at The Chef’s Table specialty restaurant.
- You get one complimentary shore excursion in every port of call.
Con:
- It’s pricey, but a lot is included in the rate.
Best for Michelin-starred dining
Celebrity 7-Night Spain, France and Italy Cruise
Great meals and wine are a part of any Celebrity sailing—it was voted best cruise line for food and dining by Cruiseline’s Member Choice Awards in 2022 and holds an Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator for 2023. Each ship has myriad complimentary dining venues inspired by global and regional flavors, alongside specialty restaurants ranging from seafood and oyster bars to Paris-style bistros. And at the helm sits Celebrity’s Global Culinary Ambassador, Chef Daniel Boulud, who holds many culinary accolades from the James Beard Foundation, as well as multiple Michelin stars.
His onboard restaurant, Le Voyage by Daniel Boulud, features a menu that gives guests a taste of the places that have inspired him around the world, such as 5-Spice Duck Pithivier, Brazilian Moqueca and Risotto au Homard. He has also designed signature dishes for Luminae, the cruise line’s private dining experience included for all guests of The Retreat. (Guests who book these suites have access to premium amenities, such as free drinks and Wi-Fi and access to a private sundeck and lounge.)
Pros:
- Celebrity Ascent is the fleet’s brand-new ship (it debuted Dec. 3, 2023), and it’s the most innovative in the Edge series.
- There are 32 distinctive restaurants, bars and lounges on board—including 14 cafes/bars/lounges, eight specialty restaurants, four main dining restaurants, four complimentary casual dining venues and two exclusive restaurants.
- This itinerary hits some of the most fantastic foodie cities in Europe: Barcelona and Valencia, Spain; Nice, France; and Portofino, Florence and Rome, Italy.
Con:
- A cover charge applies for dinner at Le Voyage.
Best for vegan food
Carnival Cruises
Calling all plant-based diners who love to cruise: A new vegan menu is currently available on Carnival Freedom in Port Canaveral, Florida, and Carnival Horizon in Port Miami—and will soon be implemented fleet-wide in a phased approach. Carnival chefs created recipes for each of their dishes to be prepared without the use of animal products, and the proteins included are made from meat substitutes. Look for tempting options such as Hawaiian Salmon Poke made with plant-based salmon, Spaghetti Carbonara with vegan bacon, Grilled Tofu Steak, and Eggplant Cutlet a la Parmigiana. For dessert, try the Cappuccino Pot de Crème or Key Lime Velvet Cake. Off the ship, the Caribbean is no stranger to plant-based foods, from rice and beans to perfectly ripe tropical fruits, so you’ll have plenty of options there too.
Pros:
- One of the most affordable cruise lines, with four-day Bahamas cruises starting under $250 per person.
- Meat eaters shouldn’t miss celebrity chef Guy Fieri’s mouthwatering burgers at Guy’s Burger Joint.
- Adult beverages can be found on the Lido Deck at RedFrog Rum Bar and BlueIguana Tequila Bar.
Con:
- The vibe tends to be rowdier on Carnival cruises.
About the expert
- Executive Chef Rudi Sodamin is the head of culinary arts on Princess Cruises and Master Chef for Holland America Line.
Originally Published: January 01, 2024
