Come Cruise With Us
Oceans of dining options from 36 of the World’s leading ocean and river cruise lines
Food and dining is an integral part of all holidays. It is incredibly important to us all, and can often be our most glorious memories from the whole holiday. And there is no other holiday type that offers such a range, choice, and quality as the food and dining opportunities on a cruise holiday. It isn’t just the food that is so memorable. It is also the dining places, the ambience and the service that accompanies it. The dining experience on-board cruise ships and whilst on cruise holidays is as varied as the destinations visited. From an informal breakfast on a balcony overlooking the Mediterranean as the sun rises, to lunch on deck swapping stories of the last port of call, to a formal dinner in the beautifully ornate dining room, and every possible experience in between – cruising offers it all.
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This National Cruise Week we celebrate some of those culinary experiences available by some of the cruise lines that are members of CLIA UK & Ireland. But it is just a selection to whet your appetite – the experiences available could have filled many more pages. We hope that it will inspire everyone to understand the wealth of experiences available in cruise today. And remember that dining is only part of it. There is still plenty to talk about including the destinations, ports of call, entertainment, daytime enrichment, quality of service, the choices whilst on-board and much much more.
Happy cruising! Andy Harmer Director, CLIA UK & Ireland
At P&O Cruises, we love food! Not just for what it is, but what it brings with it; exquisite surroundings, great company, and of course, fine wines from around the world.
Our sumptuous main restaurants deliver classic British favourites and exceptional gourmet dining with menus that change nightly. For evening dining in these restaurants we offer ‘Club Dining’ – meaning dining at the same table, at the same time each evening. Alternatively selected ships offer ‘Freedom Dining’ which lets passengers eat their evening meal in a dedicated main restaurant at the time they wish. Our chefs have been inducted into the prestigious Chaîne des Rôtisseurs gastronomic society – a society devoted to promoting and developing gastronomic values – and their passion for premium quality is clearly reflected in every mouthful. Also with Select Dining restaurants created by Michelin starred chefs Marco Pierre White and Atul Kochhar, our passengers are sure to enjoy a gastronomic adventure.
AmaWaterways is well known for its delicious and gourmet cuisine and are the only river cruise line to be inducted into the prestigious Chaine Des Rotisseurs culinary guild. The newest ships in the line’s fleet of 15 luxury river cruisers offer multiple dining venues, including a Wine Bar, an intimate chef’s table restaurant with a tasting menu and new al fresco dining terraces. Foodies will also love the new complimentary ‘bites and sites’ excursions, which are specially crafted walking tours, designed to provide a taste of Europe with visits to cooking schools, stops at culinary shops, chocolatiers and charcuteries, bistros and biergartens. For those who just can’t get enough of good food and wine, AmaWaterways have 21 cruises ‘In Celebration of Wine’, with complimentary wine tastings and presentations by vintners and sommeliers, two Harvest Wine cruises on Portugal’s River Douro in October 2013 and a Gourmet Cruise in the company of celebrity chef Bob Blumer on 22nd October 2013.
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines offers the style and elegance of ‘Traditional Afternoon Tea’
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A treasured British tradition, afternoon tea is one of the joys of a cruise holiday, and at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, we blend the best of the traditional with the contemporary, to create a unique afternoon tea experience. Fred. Olsen’s enhanced ‘Traditional Afternoon Tea’ is available (for a nominal charge) on all four cruise ships – Balmoral, Braemar, Boudicca and Black Watch. This very special experience offers guests a choice of delicious teas – a selection of premium blends from Taylors of Harrogate – served in porcelain teapots by whitegloved waiters, along with elegant finger sandwiches, dainty pastries and warm scones with cream and jam, and many more afternoon delights. This is all enjoyed in the relaxed atmosphere of Fred. Olsen’s stylish Observatory Lounge, where guests can take advantage of beautiful panoramic views, to the musical accompaniment of the ship’s talented onboard pianist – a most enjoyable way to spend an afternoon at sea!
Breakfast, lunch and four course dinners in an elegant dining room surrounded by panoramic windows.
A grilled al fresco lunch at the Sky Bistro. A light dinner on all Suite Ships, featuring regional specialties and wines in the charming Panorama Bistro. Avalon offers all of these dining options with no extra charge – with Avalon it’s all included. In addition to breakfast, lunch and dinner, Avalon offer an assortment of different offerings, with a five course welcome dinner and Captain’s reception where passengers will meet the ship’s Captain and socialise with fellow passengers whilst enjoying complimentary sparkling wine and canapés. For real foodies Avalon offer a themed ‘culinary cruise’ on our 8 day Paris to Normandy’s Landing Beaches cruise on the Seine, where an expert chef will dazzle passengers with regional specialties and food preparation tips. With visits to Cider and cheese farms passengers will come away with scrumptious, easy to make recipes.
Compagnie du Ponant Wine and Gastronomy cruise from Lisbon to Bordeaux on 4 May 2014 Le Boreal will transform into a privilege meeting point for lovers of fine food and wine to take part in wine tastings, cooking workshops, and conferences given by our experts, a veritable celebration of French gastronomic savoire faire! We welcome aboard this cruise for your utmost pleasure, Helene Darroze (2 star Michelin chef) from the restaurant “Helene Darroze” of Paris, the “Hotel Connaught” of London and more recently “The Raff House” of Moscow, Jean Sulpice (2 star Michelin chef) from the restaurant “l’Oxalys” of Val Thorens ski station and Nicolas Magie (1 star Michelin chef) from the “Hotel St James” in Bordeaux.
Also joining us to complete your Wine and gastronomy cruise is Master Sommeliers Philippe Faure-Brac (voted Best Sommelier in the World 1992) and Paolo Basso (voted Best Sommelier in the World 2013).
The outstanding cuisine on Cunard ships will play a memorable role in passengers cruise. Cunard chefs take immense pride in surpassing themselves, day after day.
Three times a day, passengers know their table is waiting in one of the main restaurants, depending on the stateroom they’ve chosen. It’s a Cunard tradition; ensuring passengers never have to wait to be seated. Enjoy a quick bite in the afternoon, at the Golden Lion pub, or maybe indulge in the timeless White Glove Afternoon Tea Service in The Queens Room. Passengers could ‘dine out’ at the alternative fine dining restaurant on board; the Verandah restaurant; French creations from Jean Marie Zimmermann (recently recognised as the best restaurant at sea) or Todd English, depending on their choice of ship. Alternatively, their taste buds may lead them to Kings Court on Queen Mary 2 or the Lido restaurants on board Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth.
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Hurtigruten’s Norwegian voyages prides themselves on giving customers a truly unique opportunity to sample local cuisine.
The ships pick up fresh produce along the route and will often tell customers that the lamb they served for lunch today came from ‘Johan’s farm’, located just two nautical miles from the starboard side or that the prawns were loaded straight off the fisherman’s boat onto the ship in the last port. The on-board menu is tailored to the seasonal delicacies of the regions the ships are visiting. During the Autumn months there will be tastings of cloudberries and reindeer out on deck for guests to enjoy and each night guests can expect local specialities - in Tromsø guests will enjoy leg of lamb with grilled autumn root veg, while in Kirkenes they will feast on baked King Crab and pumpkin puree. Warming food with ingredients such as lentils, pumpkin, parsnips all from the regions the ships visit make for a delicious autumnal treat whilst on board.
Carnival Cruise Lines offer a huge variety of onboard dining opportunities to satisfy your appetite.
We’ve got everything from informal and fine dining, speciality restaurants to the chef’s table and 24hr room service. Here’s a taste of what we have to offer: Guy’s! Burger Joint Carnival and successful restaurateur, author and television star Guy Fieri have come together to cook up the best burgers at sea, and best of all, they’re free! Guests have a choice of delicious fresh-off-the-grill burgers designed by Fieri, or they can make their own at a condiment bar by adding a variety of tasty toppings.
We offer 3 choices for breakfast on our river cruises.
Take a stroll on the Sun Deck as the river gradually awakes, and enjoy Early Risers’ tea or coffee and freshly baked pastries. The full breakfast buffet is a sumptuous affair with innumerable hot and cold options, plus a popular omelette station prepares dishes to order. Or if you prefer, why not enjoy continental breakfast in your cabin: breakfast in bed as enchanting scenery and riverside life drift gently by – priceless! On the MS Lord Byron the Lido bar transforms in the evening to become the Chef’s Signature Restaurant, offering a unique dining experience which guests can sample one night during their cruise.
The Steakhouse With an elegant, but fun-filled, relaxed and somewhat casual atmosphere plus a menu that includes steakhouse favorites, the Steakhouse is guaranteed to be a favourite dining spot. For a nominal fee of $35, guests can take in the atmosphere and enjoy the amazing culinary creations of our chefs.
Royal Caribbean International’s ships offer a huge variety of culinary styles and types. Our most recent additions, which debuted on our newest ships, Oasis and Allure of the Seas offer new dynamic and colourful options such as the ‘Samba Grill’ Brazilian Steak house and ‘Rita’s Cantina’, a vibrant Mexican restaurant. Smaller, snack options such as the Cupcake Cupboard and The Boardwalk Dog House are also exceptionally popular, and are being rolled out across more ships in the fleet. Wellbeing is a theme that runs through everything we do, as evidenced by the complete fleet-wide enhancement to our food and drink programme to emphasise fresh, high-quality ingredients and healthy choices. Across the board, menus now offer more “super foods” such as tomatoes, broccoli and berries, more interesting vegetarian options (such as East Indian dishes), and sensible Tapas-style servings. Gluten-free beer, trans-fat-free meals, all-natural ingredients and freshly prepared breads are just a few of the many healthy eating options now available to guests as part of our revamped offering.
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Food is a big thing on cruise ships and Pullmantur doesn’t disappoint. Sovereign and Empress offer the innovative WU Fusion Restaurant, its Asian influenced menu featuring exotic dishes incorporating the flavours of India, Indonesia and Thailand as well as Japan, China and the Philippines. The Spanish influence meanwhile, means being able to enjoy Tapas with drinks at the bar, while children are also catered for with their own menu in the main restaurant. Since 2005 Pullmantur, owned by Royal Caribbean, has been all-inclusive across its entire fleet, making it a popular choice for British passengers who can enjoy food and drink, day and night, at no extra cost. This also means that parents don’t need to purchase soda packages to ensure that children always have access to drinks, even if separated from them in kids clubs.
You’ll be welcomed to your table by the nicest people at sea — your Disney cruise wait staff.
Actually, the same team will join you every night of your cruise. They’ll get to know your favourites, your kids’ favourites, and all the little details that make for the perfect dining experience. This is Rotational Dining. It happens every night. You enjoy a different restaurant, with the same servers at your side. So, there’s always a friend at the table with some great suggestions for what you’ll like on the menu. And with cuisines from all over the world — including French, Asian, Caribbean and American favourites — plus the freshest seasonal produce, there’s something to suit every palate. We’re all about choice on board Disney Cruise Line®. So if you feel like stepping out of rotational dining for a change, then there are casual & quick service, adults only and room service dining options to tickle your taste buds.
Dining with Regent is an epicurean’s dream. From the sumptuous to the sublime, our gourmet gastronomy is a feast for the senses as well as the palate. Using fresh local produce that reflects the cultures and ingredients of each destination visited as well as dry-aged prime meats and seafood sourced from local markets, combined with all the skills and imagination of our celebrated chefs to put it all together – cruising never tasted so good.
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Our inimitable cuisine can be enjoyed when, where and exactly how you want with up to four, open-seating restaurants, open-air veranda for dining al fresco, served course-by-course to your suite or in one of our intimate, speciality restaurants. Offering a twist on the classic American grill and an exquisite restaurant that blends traditional and modern French cuisine, dining in our speciality restaurants is paired with complimentary wines, impeccable service and comes at no additional premium for the privilege.
Great Costa Cuisine
We excite all of your senses, but when it comes to taste we have a particular talent. Surrender yourself unconditionally to the pleasure of fine dining. Everything is so refined, so careful in the choice of ingredients that all you have to do is enjoy. Opportunities to indulge your taste buds will be there at all times of the day – your only problem will be deciding which ones to choose. We offer 50 different dishes in our restaurants; ethnic flavours that will amaze your palate, light or vegetarian offerings to pamper it, and pasta in every possible form. And our sommeliers will be able to assist you with your selection from our list of 80 very fine wines. You can also treat yourself to something extra special with our Club Restaurants.
French river cruise operator, CroisiEurope, designs and plans its menus in the exacting tradition of fine French gastronomy.
Head chef, Alain Bohn, is a member of Maitres Cuisiniers de France, a French association comprising 250 chefs worldwide who aim to maintain, develop and spread the renown of French gastronomy. Working alongside Michelin-starred chefs such as Paul Bocuse and Marc Haeberlin, CroisiEurope offers gastronomic cruises rich in flavour allowing its guests to cruise the waterways of Europe onboard their own French restaurant. CroisiEurope offers a number of gastronomic itineraries including a four-day cruise on the Rhine in partnership with three Michelinstar chef Marc Haeberlin, a five-day cruise through the valleys of the Rhone and the Saone with dinner at Paul Bocuse’s renowned restaurant in Collonges, and a four-day cruise on the Gironde which includes “haute gastronomie” meals onboard plus a dinner prepared by Philippe Etchebest, chef at the celebrated Hostellerie de Plaisance.
Dine like a Norwegian
Guests can choose from up to 29 superb dining options with tempting restaurants, grills, buffets, casual cafés and room service all included in the cruise fare. While a cover charge is entrée to Norwegian’s signature speciality restaurants, combining distinctive global cuisine and uniquely styled venues. For the ultimate foodie experience, guests can make a reservation for the Chef’s Table serving a gourmet nine-course tasting menu with wine pairings, hosted by the Executive Chef. Making his shipboard debut on board the new Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway, U.S. celebrity-chef Geoffrey Zakarian oversees three exciting seafood restaurants, ranging from fine dining to casual chic. These ships also feature The Waterfront, a first-time-at-sea, 400-metre long oceanview promenade offering a refreshing outdoor bar and dining experience, including four alfresco restaurants and a choice of cuisine from Italian to Brazilian and more. The choice of venue, dining time and table companions is always the guests.
Each Thomson Cruises ship has at least 3 restaurants, including a flagship à la carte that specialises in gourmet cuisine.
Whichever one you’re sailing on, you’ve got a choice of dining styles, from buffet to waiter service. Food-wise, you’ve got the British favourites sharing menu space, with dishes that mirror the region you’re in. You can also look forward to more out-of-the-ordinary options, like lobster curry and Champagne risotto. And the chefs showcase their talents in some amazing displays, such as fruit-carving. The captain’s dinner is a big deal, and every Thomson Cruises ship hosts one. These nights begin with a cocktail party, with guests dressing to impress, and the menu getting a dressing up of its own.
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Oceania Cruises was founded in 2003 with a mission to deliver destinationrich itineraries, “best in class” cuisine, an “inviting country club atmosphere”, and “luxurious accommodations all at an extraordinary value”. Today, top quality cuisine is a by-word of the five ships in the Oceania Cruises’ fleet, known for offering the finest cuisine at sea in a choice of top restaurant venues, with no supplements to pay for speciality dining. Each of the mid-sized luxury ships offers the finest culinary experiences, comparable to the best restaurants ashore - and the two newest ships, `Marina’ and `Riviera’, also feature the only hands-on cookery schools at sea, as well as the `La Reserve’ wine appreciation and food pairing venue. For a totally exclusive experience, a small group of up to 8 guests can arrange a private celebration in `Privee’, the prestigious and luxurious private dining venue on board `Marina’ and `Riviera’.
A Parade of Culinary Delights For breakfast and lunch, be treated to sumptuous buffets with something new every day. At our breakfast buffet, indulge in crisp Belgian waffles topped with warm maple syrup, fresh-baked breads and pastries accompanied by local jams and preserves, made-to order eggs, hand-cut seasonal fresh fruit, a variety of cereals and a wide selection of juices, teas, French pressed coffee, and Prosecco. At lunch, take your pick from a selection of fresh salads and homemade soups, carved-to-order roasts, a hot pasta bar, assorted sandwiches and tantalizing desserts. Dinner offers several courses with a choice of appetizers, soups, and salads, followed by an entrée of prime cut meats, sustainably sourced seafood, and vegetarian dishes all of which are perfectly paired with tasty side dishes. Conclude your meal with a wide range of
decadent desserts that may include ‘honeycomb ice cream,’ ‘Valrhona Guanaja chocolate delight,’ or ‘individual baked Alaska’ and an artisanal cheese plate with fresh fruits. Throughout your meal, savour a variety of carefully chosen world class wines from various regions of your itinerary, as well as craft and local beers.
The Mediterranean is home to some unsurpassed culinary traditions.
This culture of using the very best fresh local ingredients cooked in a simple but delicious style is the foundation of the culinary experience on board Aegean Odyssey. Being a small ship means that we can access many of the smaller ports in the Mediterranean – and this in turn means that our catering manager can access the local markets and buy the freshest produce, literally quayside sometimes, for our passengers. This produce is then immediately available on board in each of our dining options. In addition, the complimentary house wines are also locally sourced, and are offered to coincide with our time spent in each’s region wherever possible. So whether you prefer to dine in the more formal Marco Polo restaurant or the charm and ambience of the Terrace Cafe, you can enjoy wonderful dining and the freshest possible ingredients!
Our guests love new and different dining experiences, and we’ve designed new restaurants such as Qsine and The Lawn Club Grill to deliver that in a big way.
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Qsine, which debuted onboard Celebrity Eclipse in 2010, is designed to offer a globally-influenced blend of nostalgic and contemporary favourites, presented with elements of surprise. Alongside this, modern twists enhance the entire dining experience, such as the menus which are displayed on iPads. Meanwhile, The Lawn Club Grill, which first appeared on Celebrity Silhouette in 2011, offers an open-air, interactive dining experience where guests can grill their own meat and learn some barbecuing tips to try back home, whilst in a relaxing environment. Another very popular restaurant onboard is Blu, the restaurant dedicated to guests staying in our spa-themed AquaClass accommodation. Blu’s menu features a variety of fresh and delicious ‘clean cuisine’ with a health and wellness angle.
Gaze at the river scenery as you enjoy the delicacies of the Executive Chef and his highly skilled culinary team. With open seating and a merry atmosphere, you can relax and enjoy the dishes prepared with the most fresh, local ingredients from the carefully selected destinations that the Royal Crown will visit, making this dining experience truly one of a kind. The delicious menu of a buffet breakfast with live cooking stations, a delightful lunch with three courses served a la carte, afternoon teas with deliciously baked cakes, a four course evening dinner served a la carte with house wine, and late evening snacks will be sure to charm you whilst taking in the breathtaking views of the European rivers.
MSC Cruises has recently partnered with Eataly, a popular Turin-based chain founded by Oscar Farinetti upon the principles of the Slow Food philosophy and with an emphasis on local, artisanal producers, food education, accessibility and affordability, sustainable sourcing and Production. The exclusive 30-seat evening-only Ristorante Italia on board MSC Preziosa offer a different, ultra-high-quality ‘table d’hôte’ menu every night, specially conceived by Eataly chefs. Certain dishes are made from Slow Food Presidia products, a foundation created to protect small producers and to preserve the quality of artisanal products. In the ‘authoritative and informal atmosphere’ classic to Eataly’s spaces, MSC travellers can focus on the food itself, pairing each dish with a glass of wine and learning something new every day from their truly magnificent culinary journey.
Passion for food mixed with an exclusive partnership with Relais & Châteaux assures that gastronomic excellence is achieved on Silversea’s ultra-luxury fleet.
With at least four culinary options on each of our Classic Fleet ships, dining to suit your tastes has never been easier. Indulge in an evening of seasonally inspired dishes at the only Relais & Châteaux restaurant at sea in Le Champagne, enjoy authentic Italian specialities at La Terrazza or relax poolside at The Grill, an interactive cooking concept where fresh seafood and prime cuts are grilled tableside on a heated volcanic rock plate. Asian fusion cuisine at Seishin Restaurant and small plate selections at the glamorous Stars Supper Club enhance the Silversea culinary journey aboard Silver Spirit. On select voyages guests can also indulge their passion for food with our L’ecole de Chefs, an extraordinary programme designed especially with Silversea guests in mind. From live demonstrations to workshops onboard or sourcing fresh ingredients with a world-renowned chef at a local market, this unique series of interactive events will satisfy your appetite for a truly authentic experience.
15 Dining on board is as straightforward as it is enjoyable, with a choice of restaurants.
You are free to dine at the time of your choosing, and with whoever you would like. Menus are imaginative and varied, and cater for a variety of different tastes – from simple and satisfying daily breakfasts to our elaborate six-course Gala Dinners (featured at least twice on each cruise). Enjoy a delicious four course meal in the main Discovery Restaurant, dine al fresco watching the sunset in the Veranda Restaurant, or enjoy the sophisticated and intimate atmosphere of the Explorer Club.
From French fries to foie gras, every dish served on a Seabourn ship receives the expert attention of highly skilled and imaginative chefs. The finest ingredients are selected with care, perfectly prepared to order and served with pride. Relaxed, open dining is available for guests in a number of different venues. There is no charge for any alternative dining on any Seabourn ship. Restaurant 2 provides innovative, small plates tasting menus with a contemporary flair, for a delightful change of pace. Restaurant 2 is open for dinner only, by reservation. Caviar in the Surf On many “warm water” cruises, guests can take part in Seabourn’s Signature Caviar in the Surf experience which takes place at a deserted shore. While guests are ashore enjoying the sand, sea and watersports, Seabourn’s uniformed staff wade through the shallows bearing trays of Nicolas Feuillatte champagne and Ossetra Black River caviar - for the ultimate beach party.
Extraordinary and unique culinary experiences are a hallmark of every Crystal holiday. Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity’s extensive,
innovative choices for indulging include the ultra-luxury line’s coveted cheese and wine cellars overseen by onboard, certified cheese and wine sommeliers (Court of Master Sommeliers-certified); and gourmet dining options at every meal, whether in the Crystal Dining Room, at afternoon tea, in the world renowned Nobu Matsuhisa and Piero Selvaggio’s speciality restaurants, at your own private dinner in The Vintage Room, in your own stateroom or in The Bistro, Crystal Cruises’ popular European-inspired Café. Crystal Cruises provides seamless six-star service and exclusive options throughout every part of the culinary experience.
Princess Cruises dining is all about choice.
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Signature Princess® pasta – served with freshlyprepared sauces. Or perhaps a lean cut steak, perfectly complimented by a glass of pinot noir. Another night, it could be homemade Italian pizza by the pool. That’s the beauty of dining on a Princess ship – there’s always something to match whatever the mood might be. Princess offers the choice of Traditional Dining with fixed time and seating, or Anytime Dining with the flexibility to dine when and with whom you choose plus several specialty restaurants to choose from on every ship, perfect for special occasions. Known for creating the first-ever chef’s table experience at sea, Princess is now setting a new standard with the debut of the Chef’s Table Lumiere on board Royal Princess. Casual dining options include Alfredo’s Pizzeria, the Horizon Court buffet, International Cafe and bistro options – such as a crab shack, and fondue restaurant. Royal Princess even has a dedicated pastry shop, an industry first.
In addition to enjoying more inclusive food and beverage amenities, such as complimentary boutique wines, international beers, select standard spirits and more, Azamara Club Cruises offers distinct destination-immersive experiences for up-market travellers looking to get under the skin of a destination and get a flavour for what they’re all about. Whether
it be wine themed shore excursions in Bilbao, Spain and Bordeaux, France or exclusive Azamazing Evenings centred around food, from Sicilian cooking and Cava tasting paired with Flamenco performances, a journey with Azamara Club Cruises will surprise and delight food and wine lovers alike. Select itineraries even offer local market tours led by our very own chefs who will happily prepare meals onboard with exotic local ingredients and foods picked up from these special excursions.
Cruise & Maritime Voyages’ fabulous dining experiences available to our guests
Cruise & Maritime Voyages offer a feast of culinary delights freshly prepared by expert chefs and served by attentive restaurant staff. From a full English breakfast to a leisurely lunch and delightful five-course dinners to our Captain’s Welcome and Farewell Dinners featuring our magical Baked Alaska, our carefully constructed menus add a daily spice of variety to a blend of traditional fare and international specialities that will make your mouth water. Indulge in a fresh lobster lunch as you sail around Antigua on a Catamaran or learn the secrets of Caribbean cooking on our West Indian cruise, sample afternoon tea in the traditional Madeira style at Reid’s hotel, Funchal or for something more exotic try High tea or a Singapore Sling at Raffles, Singapore on one of our Astor cruises.
EUROPA 2: Cruises with a wide choice of cuisine
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• Eight top level restaurants • “Weltmeere” (266 guests) • Yacht Club (276 guests in total, including 134 alfresco places) • Speciality restaurants: “Elements” (Asian, 48 guests), “Serenissima” (Italian, 56 guests), “Tarragon” (French, 44 guests) • Sushi restaurant: “Sakura” (58 guests) • Wine bar with appropriate dishes: “Grande Reserve” (up to 12 guests) • Private dining in the “Speisezimmer” for private occasions (up to 16 guests) • No fixed meal times or table allocations • All restaurant meals included in the cruise price • Exclusive Miele Culinary School: cooking courses arranged by the chef de cuisine of the Tarragon • Private Dining venue: the “Speisezimmer” Another contributing factor to the top culinary level is the fact that the Chef de Cuisine shops at selected food markets in the destination while the ship is in port. “Regional delicacies like fresh Mediterranean seafood or exotic herbs from oriental markets ensure unique culinary enjoyment on a cruise”.
Fine dining is a vital part of the Hebridean experience.
Hebridean Princess has a brigade of talented chefs, who make use of the freshest ingredients Scotland has to offer in our menus. Our wines, including the premium range, are carefully selected to complement our varied menus, adding that extra ‘je ne sais quoi’. The very elegant Columba Restaurant is perfect for formal dining, and the large windows ensure you will not miss the splendid scenery whilst enjoying your meal. To open and close your holiday in true Hebridean style, our Gala Dinners are sparkling occasions. The serving of Hebridean’s very fine Haggis is a fondly anticipated ceremony. Robert Burns’ “Address to a Haggis”, is a regular ritual at our Farewell gala dinner on the last night of your cruise.
Holland America Line’s Culinary Arts Programme Our Culinary Arts Center, presented by Food & Wine magazine, features • Gourmet presentations, tasting events and hands-on cooking classes in a state-of-the-art demonstration kitchen • Wine tasting sessions • Special local cuisine presentations representative of many of our exotic ports of call. Holland America’s Culinary Arts programme delivers a number of exclusive culinary opportunities for your clients. Kids’ and teens’ Culinary Arts Center programme extends the joys of cooking to young guests.
A Recipe For Culinary Delight
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Take a blend of sophisticated, intimate, and relaxed dining venues. Mix in a lovely atmosphere and the company of like minded travellers. Add APT’s penchant for gourmet cuisine, superb wine and casual yet attentive service. Then garnish with riverside views. The result – Onboard dining during your river cruise – It’s an experience you’re sure to savour. Using fresh local produce, our globally recognized chefs create meals that offer a sumptuous insight into local regional flavours. Each morning a delicious breakfast is on offer, lunch comprises a range of hot and cold dishes and each night, you’ll enjoy a mouth-watering a’la carte dinner. At every meal, vegetarian options are available. Every morning an early rises breakfast is prepared for those who wake early. On most ships, late night snacks will satisfy guests that are peckish before bed. In between, morning and afternoon tea is available at leisure in the ships lounge - so thers’s no possibility you’ll go hungry. What’s more with up to seven different dining experiences available in a variety of locations on board, no two meals will ever be the same.
There’s a sense of occasion every evening in the elegant Swan Restaurant onboard mv Minerva. Open from early until late, there are no sittings or seating plans on board. You’re free to dine on your own, or with newly-found friends. Just let the Maître d’ know your preference on the day. Menus include gourmet choices and often feature dishes that reflect the destinations to which we travel. Fresh ingredients are brought on board at many ports. Dishes are cooked to order and our wine waiters will be happy to recommend labels from our extensive wine list.
Tempting cuisine served on board, with new menu options every day Great food is an essential part of any cruising experience – and Shearings river cruises are certainly no exception... Every single one of our river cruises is on a full-board basis. Start the day in style with a tasty breakfast, enjoy a spot of lunch, and choose from a selection of tempting dinner options, with new dishes to try every evening. Dinners often include the chance to sample the cuisine of the places visited on the cruise, giving you a chance to sample local dishes and specialities.
All our river cruises also include the chance to dine with the captain with a special gala dinner. Many guests choose to take this opportunity to dress a little more formally – though this certainly isn’t compulsory.
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Book your next cruise with an expert.
CLIA UK & Ireland is a member of Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the world’s largest cruise industry trade association. CLIA is engaged in travel agent training, research and marketing communications to promote the value and desirability of cruise holidays with thousands of travel agency and travel agent members; and works with the industry’s leading providers of supplies and services that help cruise lines provide a safe, environmentally-friendly and enjoyable holiday experience for millions of passengers every year.