During a luxurious ocean cruise, travelers expect to enjoy pampering service, spacious suites, superb cuisine and fine wines. Fortunately, the experience just keeps getting better and better. We’re excited that Seabourn, Silversea and Oceania Cruises have just announced savory new food-and-wine enhancements. Foodies and wine enthusiasts will likely love these new developments for culinary cruises on the high seas!
(Photo above shows a tasty culinary offering by Seabourn.)
Seabourn Expands Culinary Program
Ultra-luxury Seabourn is expanding its culinary program — introducing elevated menus inspired by global flavors, expanding chef-led shore excursions and updating onboard dining concepts. One of the goals? It’s a renewed focus on regional authenticity and fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
So, executive chefs across Seabourn’s fleet are now forging relationships with small purveyors and local markets. They’re securing the best regional ingredients which are being incorporated into both onboard dishes and guest culinary experiences.
“After traveling across the fleet and listening closely to our guests, onboard teams, and travel partners, we’re exploring even more ways to spotlight regional flavors and locally sourced ingredients,” says Mark Tamis, president of Seabourn. “Freshness and flavor are at the heart of every dish. When it comes to sourcing locally, we believe more is more, and there’s more to come.”
For example, Seabourn’s regional menus are now featuring more destination-specific dishes, among them locally sourced wild Alaskan salmon. Guests might also sip a boutique wine sourced that same morning.
They might also taste a honey pairing curated from a local farm. Or they might head out for a fresh seafood tasting following a wildlife tour in Wrangell, AK.
Culinary Cruises: More Fresh Seafood
Seabourn tells The Meandering Traveler that fresh-caught seafood will be featured prominently across all dining venues. Look for rotating Chef’s Specials at The Restaurant and grill events at The Patio.
In addition, culinary shore excursions will also be offered, including:
- a live cooking demonstration and hands-on seafood preparation with a local chef in Alaska;
- oyster shucking at a farm in Prince Edward Island, Canada; and
- fresh lobster tastings in Bar Harbor, Maine.
Culinary Cruises: New Dinner Menus
A big enhancement? Seabourn will introduce new dinner menus for The Restaurant. Guests will discover 24 new appetizers and main courses inspired by local cuisines and featuring fresh seafood. Highlights include:
- marinated scallops and smoked trout carpaccio, Ossetra caviar;
- grilled sirloin of beef and lobster spring roll, pomme puree, wilted spinach, sweet confit garlic and beef jus;
- seared seabass, wild forest mushrooms, tomato marmalade, lemon zucchini, potato cream; and
- white and dark chocolate peanut butter mousse, chocolate creme anglaise, salty caramel gelato.
Culinary Cruises: Shopping with the Chef
“Seabourn is also expanding its signature complimentary “Shopping with the Chef” program,” explains Shelby Steudle, president, Pavlus Travel. So, guests now have more opportunities to join the ship’s executive chef on visits to local markets at various ports of call.
“Then guests can enjoy freshly prepared dishes on the ship that are created with those local ingredients,” she adds. Examples of global ports where this experience will be introduced? They include Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; Penang, Malaysia; Nagasaki, Japan; and Quebec City, Canada.
In addition, guests can expect options for late-night market tours in Bangkok, Thailand, and Kanazawa, Japan, and some other destinations.
For more details about Seabourn’s upcoming cruises and how to get the best pricing, contact your personal travel planner.
Savory Culinary Cruises: Venetian Society Reunion
Silversea has unveiled a new 2026 Venetian Society Reunion Voyage aboard the 392-passenger Silver Shadow. Open to both returning Venetian Society guests and new-to-brand guests, this cruise will serve up some of Italy’s most iconic destinations as well as a few hidden gems.
On June 19, 2026, this 12-day ultra-luxury voyage will sail roundtrip from Nice, France. Silver Shadow will call at Livorno (Tuscany/Florence) on an overnight call.
Other ports of call? Those will include Porto Santo Stefano, Civitavecchia (Rome), Giardini Naxos (Sicily), Salerno, Ponza, Portoferraio (Elba). and Portofino, all in Italy. Plus, the ship will sail into Valletta, Malta.
Prices at press time began at $7,920 per person, double occupancy. “Contact a Pavlus personal travel planner for both the best pricing and attentive service,” stresses Steudle.
Presidential Host and New Shore Highlights
Hosted by Bert Hernandez, Silversea’s president, this special voyage will feature onboard receptions, enriched entertainment, and special shore experiences. Another perk is that Venetian Society members can tap into a five percent cruise fare discount and commemorative gifts.
“Our Venetian Society Reunion Voyages truly reflect what makes Silversea special,” says Hernandez. “They bring together a close community of past guests, offer exceptional service, and feature immersive experiences — both on board and ashore.”
Top highlights? Guests booked on the 2026 Silversea Venetian Society Reunion Voyage will discover these new shore options; they’re exclusive to this sailing.
Mid-Land Adventure: Taste of Tuscany
In Livorno, guests on the 2026 reunion voyage can choose to head out for an optional, three-day “Taste of Tuscany” land journey. They’ll then rejoin the ship in Porto Santo Stefano. It’s a fabulous way to delve more deeply into Tuscany’s cuisine, wine, heritage and local lifestyle.
For instance, guests will explore Siena and learn about its deep-rooted Palio traditions. They’ll explore charming Cortona, while in Val D’Orcia, they’ll enjoy farm experiences, cheese-making and wine tastings.
Topping it off, the Tuscany overland tour will showcase Pienza‘s Renaissance beauty and the prestigious wine estates of Montepulciano and Montalcino.
Culinary Cruises: Exclusive S.A.L.T. Day Tour
If guests on the 2026 Venetian Society Reunion Cruise desire to take an exclusive, new day tour, Silversea also has several new culinary-focused Tuscany excursions.
“I’d personally love to experience Silversea’s new, exclusive “Dreamy San Miniato,” a S.A.L.T. (Sea and Land Taste) excursion,” says Pavlus’ Steudle. This new excursion will give guests the opportunity to meet a wine master and learn more about wine-and-food pairings.
She adds: “Think of it as a great way to blend history, gastronomy and winemaking.”
First, guests will journey to Fattoria Collebrunacchi, an historic family-run estate in the San Miniato hills. Silversea’s guests on this tour will explore the estate’s gardens and ancient cellars. And of course, they’ll taste exceptional wines.
Venturing out once again, they’ll head for the medieval hilltop town of San Miniato. On tap is a private lunch at Enoteca Marilu, a small cooking school and wine shop in the heart of Tuscany.
Food writer Emiko Davies and sommelier Marco Lami will host this three-course meal of Tuscan food-and-wine pairings.
New Wine Experience with Lunch Excursion
During the port day in Porto Santo Stefano, Italy, guests sailing on Silversea’s 2026 Venetian Society Reunion Cruise can also opt for the “Wine Experience at the Antinori Le Mortelle Winery with Lunch” shore excursion.
Travelers will journey to Le Mortelle Winery, an estate set amid Maremma’s rolling hills. There, guests will explore the winemaking heritage of the Antinori family, whose lineage dates to 1385.
Much of the estate’s sustainably designed winery has been built underground. The goal is to harness the natural temperature and humidity for optimal aging. Silversea’s guests who choose this tour will taste wines, seasonal fruit and freshly baked focaccia.
They’ll also have an opportunity to explore the cellar and learn more about the winemaking process. Rounding out the shore excursion, guests will feast on a delicious three-course lunch paired with Le Mortelle’s signature wines. It sounds delightful, doesn’t it?
Culinary Cruises: Sicilian Cooking with Signora Consoli
Also available exclusively on the 2026 Silversea Venetian Society Reunion Cruise, another optional excursion will begin with a visit to Catania‘s bustling markets. Then Silversea’s guests on this tour will participate in a small-group cooking class.
Led by Chef Monica Consoli, the class will unfold within a charming 18th-century Sicilian home. Guests will also stroll through a colorful local market near Porta Uzeda, before visiting Viagrande, a village on Mount Etna’s slopes.
Finally, Chef Consoli will accompany guests to the residence of her late mother, Eleonora Consoli, a famed gastronomic journalist. There, travelers will learn to prepare traditional pasta, vegetables, meat and cakes. Paired with local wines, the meal will be enjoyed al fresco in the garden.
Culinary Cruises: S.A.L.T. Picnic with a View
Some Silversea ships have S.A.L.T. spaces onboard, but the line is now increasingly doing more with S.A.L.T. ashore. For instance, in Portofino, guests on the 2026 Venetian Society Reunion Cruise can opt for a new “S.A.L.T. Unforgettable Picnic” experience.
In this exclusive outing, guests will be transported to Monte di Portofino in Liguria. After savoring breathtaking scenic views there, the drive will continue to La Portofinese Eco-Farm, a family-owned estate dedicated to sustainable land revival.
Upon arrival, guests will participate in a private Ligurian focaccia demonstration. But this tour’s pinnacle highlight is a delightful farm-to-table picnic.
Travelers will savor crispy focaccia, cheese, honey, fresh fruit, and regional wines. Guests will also explore the farm’s olive groves and vineyards. Also, guests will receive recipes, so if desired, they can even create their own S.A.L.T. Picnic at home.
Note to Readers: The Meandering Traveler has asked Silversea about prices for the new optional overland journey and optional shore excursions mentioned above. We’ll update this blog as soon as we receive feedback.
Meanwhile, if you’re interested in sailing on the 2026 Venetian Society Reunion Voyage, contact a skilled travel advisor. It’s a great way to start planning your next great culinary journey. Alternatively, if a Silversea expedition is more your style, check out our previous blog on 2026-2027 Silversea Expedition cruises
Culinary Cruises: Allura‘s Culinary Footprint
Famed for its culinary focus, upscale Oceania Cruises will team up with Food & Wine Best New Chefs alumni who will serve as godparents and christen its newest ship, the 1,200-passenger Oceania Allura in July 2025.
The announcement was made on June 21, 2025, at the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen, a prestigious culinary festival. “The soul of Oceania Cruises has always been deeply rooted in extraordinary cuisine,” says Jason Montague, chief luxury officer, Oceania Cruises.
Since 1988, the Food & Wine Best New Chefs program has honored 400+ rising culinary stars. Now, in a first for the cruise industry, a group of these culinary innovators will serve as the ceremonial godparents of Oceania Allura. The christening is scheduled for November 13, 2025, in Miami, FL.
Culinary Cruises: The New Oceania Allura
Christening aside, though, Oceania Allura, the upscale line’s newest 1,200-guest ship, also holds promise as an even more elevated onboard culinary experience. For example, the ship’s restaurants will introduce more than 270 new recipes.
Guests will discover an expansive hands-on Culinary Center and accompanying Chef’s Studio. The line’s signature French restaurant Jacques will return, and new inventive Nikkei dishes will show up on menus at Red Ginger.
Best New Chefs Cruises
Another culinary development? Guests can share an incredible Alaskan journey with Chef Aisha Ibrahim, the 2023 Food & Wine Best New Chef. She’s sail on board Oceania’s first-ever “Best New Chefs Cruise” roundtrip from Seattle, WA, on August 18, 2025. Oceania’s 1,250-passenger Riviera will operate that culinary-focused voyage.
“Food lovers will experience special menus, cooking demonstrations, and fabulous food pairings,” says Pavlus’ Steudle. Look for two more “Best New Chefs Cruises” to debut on Oceania Allura in 2026. More details will be announced later this year.
For the best pricing and top-notch customer service, talk today with a skilled personal travel planner who can discuss Seabourn, Silversea, Oceania and other luxury lines.
Chat about your foodie passions! Best of all, learn what new culinary options might match as a great vacation experience!
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