Dining on cruise ships has undergone a remarkable transformation over the last few years. While in the early days of cruising food on board ship was nothing to write home about, these days cruise itineraries offer top-tier luxury dining experiences with some of the best chefs in the world plying their trade on the ocean waves.
So if you are packing your bags for a cruise adventure and want to enjoy extraordinary cuisine and fine dining, here are five of the most renowned chefs you can find on cruise ships, along with their signature dishes.
Solis by Anton Egger – Seabourn Cruises
Backed by years of Michelin-starred experience, Solis is a new concept for Seabourn Cruises, taking over from the celebrated American chef Thomas Keller, the mind behind the French Laundry, Per Se, and Bouchon. Solis is designed to take cruise passengers on a journey through the Mediterranean with a fine-dining menu of light, fresh, surprise-and-delight dishes.
Signature Dishes: the menu will run the gamut of Mediterranean classics, from Piquillos de la Mama to Lebanese-spiced lamb shank via Bistecca alla Fiorentina.
Solis launched on board Seabourn Quest in January, and was rolled out across Seabourn Encore, Seabourn Ovation and Seabourn Sojourn in the spring.
Jamie Oliver – Royal Caribbean
British Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver has brought his distinctive brand of excitement and modern flavor to bear on Royal Caribbean ships, launching his Jamie’s Italian chain on select ships across the fleet. Known for a contemporary take on rustic, hearty, flavorful Italian cooking, these restaurants are a bold, fresh look for cruise passengers and a great way to get excellent comfort food in a relaxed, casual setting.
Signature Dish: Oliver is a master at elevating simple ingredients into something extraordinary, and his prawn linguine is a wonderful example of this – mouthwatering prawns, fresh tomatoes, and a touch of chili tossed with al dente pasta, for a flavor and texture sensation.
Curtis Stone – Princess Cruises
Princess Cruises have partnered with Australian chef, restaurateur, and TV personality Curtis Stone, who brings three special offerings to all 18 ships in the Princess Cruises fleet. “Crafted by Curtis” menu items are available in the main dining room on all ships, while his SHARE restaurant concept is available on selected sailings, as well as a special Chef’s Table experience for exclusive guests.
Nobu Matsuhisa – Crystal Cruises
Nobu Matsuhisa is almost a household name these days, and the acclaimed Japanese-Peruvian fusion chef serves up his iconic dishes from the Umi Uma & Sushi Bar across the Crystal Cruises fleet. Innovative and artful, dishes like black cod miso are exquisite and make this a must for any foodie.
Daniel Boulud – Celebrity Cruises
Best known for his Feast & Fêtes catering company, multi-award-winning chef Daniel Boulud is the mastermind behind the dining options on board the Celebrity Cruises fleet. Inspired by travel and adventure, his signature restaurant at sea – Le VoyageSM by Daniel Boulud – is a bold, bright showcase of global flavors. Boulud has also designed a series of signature dishes for the private dining experience at Luminae, as well as an exclusive Chef’s Table offer for booked guests.
Eating well on a cruise has never been easier, and a vacation on the ocean waves is now one of the best ways to discover some of the best chefs in the world at the moment. From Jamie Oliver’s boisterous, rustic style to the more elegant sophistication of Daniel Boulud, a cruise adventure is a wonderful opportunity to indulge your taste buds and enjoy world-class cuisine while enjoying breathtaking ocean views.