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Cruise ships have long paid tribute to Continental cuisine, but today's cruisers want to explore the flavors of the entire world. Featured dishes inspired by the itinerary are becoming standard on main dining room menus across multiple cruise lines. Think callaloo soup in the Caribbean, pad Thai in Thailand and beef bourguignon in France.
International tastes are not limited to the current destination. On all sailings, Holland America's Culinary Council, a group of top chefs from around the world, have created an international carte du jour for the main dining rooms and select specialty restaurants.
Working with the Pubbelly Restaurant Group of Miami, Norwegian Cruise Line developed Food Republic, an a la carte venue filled with gourmet international bites and shareables from Peru, China and Japan among others; try the dates and chorizo with smoked bacon, tomato and goat cheese crema; spicy Korean chicken wings; or a new take on noodles or ceviche.
Crystal River Cruises also goes whimsical with its Bistro, open on select nights and featuring over-the-top globally inspired dishes -- such as fondue and beef tartar topped with caviar.
When luxury line Seabourn wanted its own artisan gelato, the line sent chefs to Bologna, Italy for gelato-making training. The delicious results can be sampled in Seabourn Square, the ships' living room-like hub, or from a dining cart at The Colonnade casual restaurant.
The Colonnade also hosts special buffet nights based on destinations; for instance, on a Middle East itinerary you might find a lavish buffet with everything from grape leaves to roast lamb. For those who want fantastic world-cuisine-inspired tastes served with a backdrop of the sea and twinkling stars, the line also has Earth & Ocean, a pop-up eatery at night on the pool deck.
Cruising The World
