9 Cruises With Incredible Culinary Offerings Book a berth on these nine food-forward cruise lines. By Melanie Hansche Melanie Hansche Title: Deputy Editor, Food & WineLocation: Easton, PennsylvaniaEducation: Melanie has a graduate diploma in journalism from the University of Technology, Sydney, and a bachelor of arts with a double major in English literature and politics from Macquarie University.Expertise: food, travel, recipes, restaurants.Experience: Melanie Hansche has been the deputy editor at Food & Wine since 2018; her role expanded in 2024 to also oversee the brand's special projects and franchises, including Global Tastemakers, Best New Chefs, and special digital editions. She spearheads both travel and home coverage for the brand, develops recipes close to her heart (crumpets, anyone?), and often writes about her experiences of being a restaurant owner working in food media. Before joining F&W, she was the editor-in-chief of Organic Life at Rodale, oversaw the company's test kitchen, and acted as food director across all its brands. Melanie spent her formative years at one of Australia's most successful food brands, Donna Hay magazine, as its executive editor. Since 2017, Melanie has been the co-owner of Tucker, an Aussie-inspired cafe and general store, and in 2022 opened a wine-centric restaurant called Kabinett. Food & Wine's Editorial Guidelines Updated on January 15, 2025 Close Credit: Courtesy of Viking If you’ve been on a cruise in the last few years, you’ll have noticed a seismic shift in the quality of food and drink experiences both on and off the ship. That’s because the cruise industry has been engaged in a culinary arms race when it comes to hosting guests, whether it’s luring big name celebrity chefs to open their first concept at sea, curating extraordinary wine cellars on board, building out incredible test kitchens for cooking classes, or lining up visits to exclusive restaurants and experiences on shore. This is all good news for travelers who prioritize food experiences as much as a ship’s itinerary and ports of call. Innovation, sustainability, and celebrations of regionality are common themes across the restaurant concepts on many cruise lines, as is the offer of more choices to meet a range of lifestyles, whims, and diets, from robust nonalcoholic beverage programs to plant-based cuisine and high-end tasting menus. From a tiny barge in France and expedition ships in the Mediterranean to luxury ocean lines, these are some of the best food-and-drink-forward cruises to take in 2025. 01 of 09 National Geographic Orion Mediterranean Expeditions Douglas Scaletta / Courtesy of Lindblads Taste Greece and Italy by the glass: Food & Wine Executive Wine Editor Ray Isle curates wine selections for five Mediterranean sailings on board Lindblad Expeditions’ National Geographic Orion through 2025 and 2026. Embark on an eight-day Greek Isles Odyssey with a stop in Santorini, known for its minerally white Assyrtiko wines, or a 13-day Mediterranean Wonders cruise that spends time in fascinating wine regions like Corsica, as well as two days in wine-rich Sicily, where you can explore Taormina and Siracusa. Savor the terroir of each region on the ship, one glass at a time. From $5,620 02 of 09 Holland America Line Nieuw Amsterdam Cruises Courtesy of Holland America Savor sustainable seafood: In October of 2023, Holland America Line launched its Global Fresh Fish Program, a serious commitment to serving sustainable, wild-caught, and responsibly farmed fish on board its fleet. The program features more than 80 varieties of fish from global waters, which help highlight a range of cuisines and preparations that reflect the region the ship is sailing in. The cruise line also has a new culinary ambassador: Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto. For an exclusive taste of his restaurant, Morimoto by Sea, plan a voyage on the Nieuw Amsterdam. From $844 This Cruise Company Just Became the First Line to Receive International Seafood Certifications 03 of 09 Viking Yi Dun Cruises Courtesy of Viking China by sea: In 2024, Viking launched its first-ever Chinese voyages on a dedicated ship, the Viking Yi Dun. Three itineraries ranging from 10 to 20 days sail along China’s coast and take in major metropolises such as Shanghai and Hong Kong, as well as smaller ports that only Viking has access to. Shore excursions include hosted dinners in private homes in Shanghai; an adventure with local fishermen in a fishing village on Pingtan Island (the “Maldives of China”); and a tea ceremony in Anxi County, a mountainous region in Fujian province. From $4,499 04 of 09 Regent Seven Seas Grandeur cruises Courtesy of Regent Seven Seas Cruises A grand adventure: Christened in late 2023, Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ newest vessel, Grandeur, is a stunning ship, with 1,600 pieces of art on display, mostly by contemporary artists (including a work by Miró hanging in the private dining room). Its main dining venue has been elegantly redesigned, and 130 new dishes have been added to the ship’s recipe repertoire. This year, Regent introduced Immersive Overnights across its fleet, offering multinight stays in the same port so guests can enjoy more time ashore partaking in sunset wine tastings and dinners in Michelin-starred restaurants. From $3,899 05 of 09 Atlas Ocean Voyages Epicurean Expeditions Courtesy of Atlas Ocean Voyages Gourmet expeditions: Atlas Ocean Voyages, which debuted its first yacht in 2021, currently has three luxury expedition yachts in the fleet. Join around 200 other food lovers on one of the intimate Epicurean Expeditions cruises, which can include culinary demonstrations, wine tastings, and even a cook-off challenge. One example: the seven-night Vistas & Vineyards cruise from Barcelona to Rome in June 2025, which includes a sunset wine tasting in Portofino, Italy. The cruise line works with international winemakers and celebrity chefs, including 2011 F&W Best New Chef Viet Pham. From $2,709 06 of 09 Crystal 10-Night Athens to Venice Cruise Tom Griffiths / Courtesy of Crystal Cruises Culinary cred: Crystal relaunched in 2023 under the Abercrombie & Kent travel group (after its two ships, Serenity and Symphony, underwent significant renovations). The line has retained its partnership with 1989 F&W Best New Chef Nobu Matsuhisa and has added two new culinary partnerships: the first with restaurateur Riccardo Giraudi, who runs the internationally renowned Beefbar brand, and the second with brothers Massimiliano and Raffaele Alajmo, whose restaurants include the three Michelin-starred Le Calandre. From $6,700 Crystal Cruises Just Relaunched With the Only Nobu-Concept at Sea, and Will Take You to Some of the Most Spectacular Locations on Earth 07 of 09 Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection Ilma Cruises Courtesy of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection Ritzy business: The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, which disrupted the industry in 2022 with the launch of its ultra-luxe, decidedly non-cruisey cruises (no buffets! no casino!), debuted its second ship, Ilma, this summer. The vessel includes two new dining concepts: Seta su Ilma, one of the most on-point tasting-menu restaurants we’ve experienced at sea, by 2002 F&W Best New Chef Fabio Trabocchi, and Beach House, which serves vibrant Peruvian and Pan-Latin–inspired cuisine and is the first at sea for James Beard Award–winning chef Michael Mina. From $3,300 Ritz-Carlton Is Reinventing Cruise Cuisine Without a Buffet in Sight 08 of 09 Oceania Allura Cruises Nick Tortajada / Courtesy of Oceania Cruises Alluring cooking: Oceania Cruises’ newest ship, Allura, makes its debut in July 2025 and is already taking bookings for its inaugural season in the Mediterranean. The cruise line is laser-focused on culinary programming: It offers impeccable ingredients and curated, engaging cooking classes and excursions. Oceania recently appointed two new executive culinary directors and is introducing 300 new recipes for its Grand Dining Room restaurants. Returning guests are in for a sweet surprise: the brand-new Crêperie, which serves crêpes, waffles, and sundaes. From $799 Oceania’s New Cruise Ship Vista Has the Most Luxurious Brunch at Sea 09 of 09 European Waterways Six-Night Classic Cruise – Champagne Courtesy of European Waterways Taste Champagne: European Waterways launched a new hotel barge this past May: the aptly named Kir Royale, which travels through France’s Champagne region. The charming eight-passenger barge has four suites, a dining room with an open kitchen, a bar, and a sun deck. Its size makes it ideal for floating past vineyards. The six-night Classic Cruise – Champagne includes a private tour and tasting at Moët & Chandon. The Kir Royale will spend March through November 2025 in the region and is also available for private charters. From $9,090 Explore more: Travel Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit