Cuisine, cruises, and countries
Believe it or not the three go together like the courses of a fine dinner. Whether you're revelling in the onboard options or eating your way from port to port sampling a myriad of cultural offerings, a cruise is the cheapest and most enjoyable way to do it. No frantic scrambling to catch transport to the next location, no packing and unpacking over and over, just a relaxing voyage that will educate your palate at every stop along the way. You can opt for a Cunard cruises luxury experience that pampers you onboard and off. With fine dining and exquisite wine offerings, this company is for those who will appreciate the opulent offerings of this company. Or for those who want a little more casual freedom and flexibility, there are some more relaxed and casual companies that cater to an informal clientele. NCL cruises operates on a free-style and casual holiday concept that gives you the power to make your voyage as fancy or as laid back as you desire. It's all about customization from your onboard dining options to your onshore excursions. The best thing about cruising holidays is you can choose from tours that focus on a specific region that you have always dreamed of visiting. You can focus on the singular cuisine of Asia or the renowned dishes of the Mediterranean. Or you can try them all with one of Fred Olsen cruises' world tours. A world of flavours waits, so what are you waiting for?
"My wife & I cruised round the Baltic on "Marco Polo". We found everything was of excelent standard for its price range. Food, entertainment, cabin, & crew were in our opinion 100%." - Bowers, Camberley on 7th Jun 2009 (Transocean Tours)
Multifarious Caribbean
The Caribbean is known for its multicultural background and its cuisine reflects this with flare and flavour. Experience the fusion of African, Indigenous American, European, Indian and Chinese influences brought to this region over the centuries. Caribbean cruises are an excellent and affordable way to try out as many local foods as possible. You won't be able to leave the Caribbean without trying the seemingly ubiquitous "Jerk" seasoned spicy meats. Be sure you procure yourself a packaged of seasoning to bring home if you get hooked. Try succulent curried goat or fried conch shell from the Bahamas or flying fish from Barbados. Seafood is naturally a common theme in the Caribbean and there area variety of presentations to try. From crab to shark, the aromas of grilling, seasonings, lime, garlic, and coconut will seduce your senses. And the best part is you can enjoy these meals to the sounds of the wind through palm trees and breaking waves in paradise island settings. For those who wish to sample Mexican cuisine, Celebrity cruises offers a great western Caribbean itinerary that along with its shore excursions will give you your fill of spice and savouries, in the land that brought us chocolate. Speaking of sweets, you cannot leave Mexico without trying "Churros", "Flan" or "Dulce de Leche." After you've had your meal be sure, where ever you are, to try the local spirits. Try the light sweet rums that are popular in the Spanish speaking Islands and the darker fuller bodied rums that are the norm in English speaking islands.
"5 nights on the Navigator of the Seas. Fantastic Ship. Service is first class. All food served was of a high standard and lots of choice." - McIndoe, Thornton Liverpool on 8th Jun 2009 (Royal Caribbean Cruises)
Classic Mediterranean
The Mediterranean region is known for ancient culture, stunning scenery, azure waters, and world-famous cuisines. This region is known for cheeses, wines, breads, seafood, and each country has its own unique national dishes that make the Mediterranean a requirement for anyone who is serious about food. An excellent way to sample the food in this region is on Italian-based MSC cruises. This luxury company features its distinctive Italian-style hospitality, which, of course, includes authentic Italian cuisine that complements the theme of these voyages. In addition to Italian entrees, desserts, wines, and coffees, they feature cuisine from around the world making your on-board choices varied from Sushi to Espresso. And, of course, you will have ample opportunity to sample truffles in Tuscany, Risottos in Lombardy, and the famous lamb dishes of Greece when you get to port. And don't forget the desserts and sweets like Greek "Baklava", Maltese pastries and puffs, Spanish Panellets", and Italian cakes and pastries. Princess cruises offers a very convenient and affordable option for those who want to depart from the UK and avoid the hassles and cost of airfare. Their 14-day round-trip "Mediterranean Medley" cruises from Southampton take you through the culinary delights of Spain, France, and Italy including Rome and Sardinia. To get the most out of this journey, make sure you take advantage of the shore excursions that include winery tours in Spain, Tuscan olive oil farms, and trips into the countryside where you will be surrounded by authentic local dishes and treats.
"Our cruise on Summit was for 12 nights and we up-graded to conceirge class. The cabin was lovely and spacious. It was kept beautifully clean and the room service was excellent." - Parker, Stamford on 7th Jun 2009 (Celebrity Cruises)
Spicy Asia
Heat things up with chilli-saturated dishes and cool them down with exotic fruits found nowhere else. One great way to taste Asia is with Royal Caribbean cruises. They feature a 13-night Exotic Asia journeythat starts from Hong Kong, China where you can indulge in authentic Chinese food including its little-known sweets and desserts. Try flour-based "Bing" confections, rice-based "Gao" that are steamed with sweet fillings, or for something really different: Chinese dessert soups. Then make your way to Vietnam for "Pho" soups and noodle dishes. And if you really want to prove your mettle as an adventurous foodie, buck up and give Civet coffee a try, or savour some snake or sparrow meat. Once you've given your palate a workout, sail on to steamy Bangkok, Thailand. Thailand is famous for amazing foods and sumptuous tropical fruits. In fact, you could try a different exotic fruit ever day and still not try them all. Make sure you try the sweet but smelly durian, coconut and rice sweets, and roasted meat snacks. And if you can bear it, try the fried insects found in street markets. But if you want to really see and taste it all, a world tour by P&O cruises will make you an expert in world cuisine. Not only will you be sampling curries in Mumbai, Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore, but also you will be eating your way through over twenty countries. Mediterranean delights, and South Pacific dishes, South American and Australian specialities; you will have the chance to try them all.
"We had an excellent cruise on the QV. This was our first cruise with Cunard and we were very impressed with the ship." - Appleton, St Helens on 6th Jun 2009 (Cunard Cruises)
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