Travelers simply love enjoying a delicious dinner on a luxury cruise ship or lunch ashore at a shoreside eatery when that experience becomes a “deep dive” into local culture, food-and-wine specialties, regional flavors, and culinary traditions. That can truly take any vacation to a whole new level.
The popularity of discovering destinations through food is undeniable. — Wesley D’Silva, President, Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Putting it best is Wesley D’Silva, president of Regent Seven Seas Cruises — and Pavlus Travel & Cruise couldn’t agree more. Recently, that luxury cruise line and others have sizably elevated their culinary-and-wine footprints — introducing new culinary experiences, themed voyages, exclusive dining events, wine and spirits options, and other foodie delights. Here are 12 developments that combine to create a “feast for the senses” — the first seven below, with five more to come in Part 2 of this story.
1. Epicurean Enrichment on Seven Seas Prestige
Luxury travelers’ passions for all-things-culinary is one reason Regent Seven Seas has placed such strong emphasis on epicurean enrichment for its newest ship, the 822-passenger Seven Seas Prestige, setting sail later this year. Between December 2026 and March 2029, that ship will host 64 culinary classes and 25 Epicurean Explorer Tours.
Also, Seven Seas Prestige’s Culinary Arts Center will build on the concept first introduced on Regent’s Explorer-class ships. Guests can expect new gastronomic experiences rooted in a fabulous trio — flavors, history, and storytelling. So, they might learn about Latin American cuisine; delve into the gastronomic history of Australia; or taste signature dishes from France, Greece, Israel, Italy, Morocco, Spain, and Turkey.
Separately, Regent Seven Seas has rolled out a new Floating Pastry Academy across its fleet. In partnership with The Butter Book, this three-year pastry-and-baking training initiative is designed to give the line’s pastry chefs more culinary education, mentorship, and hands-on development.
We can’t wait to taste any or all of the expected results — new, creative artisanal fermentations, classical patisserie, intricate chocolate artistry, and sophisticated plated desserts. Are you ready to set sail and savor the incredible cuisine on Regent Seven Seas? Give Pavlus Travel & Cruise a call today to explore the luxury cruise options. Then prepare for a fantastic culinary journey!
2. Debut of New S.A.L.T. Culinary Voyages
Our taste buds are definitely tingling in anticipation of Silversea’s first-ever collection of S.A.L.T. (Sea and Land Taste) Culinary Voyages. Unfolding this fall in Europe during the annual grape harvest season, these seven foodie-focused sailings on Silver Dawn or Silver Spirit to Portugal, Spain, France, and the United Kingdom, will take the line’s popular S.A.L.T. concept up a notch as the entire cruise will be S.A.L.T.-focused.
Expect many new experiences, such as a chef-led, nine-course dinner “Iberia’s Autumn Bounty,” at La Dame, Silversea’s fine-dining specialty restaurant. Guests will “ooh” and “aah” at the artful presentation of dishes, while savoring autumnal flavors from Portugal and Northern Spain, and sipping on regional fine wines.
Shoreside, guests will also enjoy new, one-of-a-kind culinary experiences that travelers typically couldn’t arrange on their own, such as a countess opening her kitchen in northern Portugal, or a chef teaching her own family recipes at home in Normandy. Local beverages, spirits and wines are also a top focus, such as the new shore experience: “Private Port Blending & Live-Fire Cooking on a Historic Douro Wine Estate.”
If this sounds good, chat with a Pavlus personal travel planner now, given that these seven S.A.L.T. Culinary Voyages depart this fall. For instance, Silver Dawn will depart October 13, 2026, on a 12-night “France & Spain Featuring the Autumn Grape Harvest” voyage from Southampton, England, U.K., to Lisbon, Portugal. Suite pricing begins at $15,240 per person, double occupancy. Rest assured that Pavlus will get you the absolute best price and professionally manage your reservation details.
An added perk? It’s a fabulous time of year to experience Europe without the peak summer crowds, and often with cooler temperatures.
3. Unique New Culinary Approaches on Explora III
As the most spacious ship in the Explora Journeys fleet, the new Explora III is about 63 feet longer than its sister ships. Epicurean fans are already celebrating three new culinary concepts — The Cellar, The Chef’s Table, and Shore Club on 11.
Featuring nearly 350 labels, The Cellar by Explora Journeys is an intimate, inviting wine experience. Rather than offering just a predictable collection of classic labels, the selections balance such icons as Petrus, Chateau Le Pin, Harlan Estate, and Screaming Eagle with discoveries from emerging, often-lesser-known wine regions in Lebanon, England, Hungary, Romania, Japan, and China.
Refined bites accompanying the wines might include caviar, lobster, fine cheeses, and hand-crafted chocolate truffles. Rare, cured meats are also sliced tableside on a traditional Berkel machine. Overall, the Cellar experience exudes a sense of both craftsmanship and theatrics.
In contrast, The Chef’s Table taps into guests’ firsthand feedback about their personal dining preferences and favorite experiences. That one-of-a-kind “intel” shapes every aspect of the evening — from the menu to wine pairings and even the venue’s ambience. So, the experience may begin with a favorite flavor, cherished memory, destination visited, or ingredients sourced locally along the way. It’s spontaneity at its finest. No two evenings at The Chef’s Table are ever intended to feel the same.
As for the new poolside Shore Club on 11 at The Conservatory, it serves up made-to-order Mediterranean-inspired cuisine — everything from salads to grilled favorites, sweet crepes, artisanal gelato, and wellness options. Guests can sip on crafted cocktails and a wide selection of alcohol-free creations.
Give Pavlus Travel & Cruise a call at 800-528-9300 today if you’re looking for a fabulous future vacation on Explora Journeys, which has a stellar reputation with many of our clients. As our team knows this luxury cruise line well, we’ll assist you in choosing your next great vacation. Plus, you’ll receive the best price, any added discounts/amenities, and top-notch service.
4. Wine Certification to Delight Oenophiles
We’re intrigued by a new partnership that could inspire wine enthusiasts to ratchet up their wine skill set with certification! On select sailings, Azamara Cruises will partner with the American Wine School to introduce an exclusive onboard enrichment experience: the WSET® Level 1 Award in Wines presented by American Wine School.
While exploring some of the world’s most celebrated wine regions, guests can earn a globally recognized wine certification. This option will debut on Azamara Quest’s “Panama Canal Holiday & New Year’s Eve Cruise” on December 18, 2026, with pricing starting at $3,939 per person, double occupancy. It will also be available on Azamara Journey’s 19-night “South America Cruise” on March 10, 2027. Fares start at $5,639 per person, double occupancy.
The cost of the certification course is an extra $275 per guest, typically a 20%-30% savings compared with similar, land-based WSET® Level 1 Wine programs. As the course participation is limited to just 24 guests, be sure to chat now with your personal travel planner, who can check availability. If so, the planner can add this experience to your booking in advance.
Led by Marianne Frantz, founder of American Wine School, a WSET-certified educator, and Advanced Sommelier, the course will combine expert instruction with guided tastings. Participants will learn about major grape varieties, wine styles, service, storage, and food pairings before taking the official WSET Level 1 Wine exam onboard their Azamara ship. Guests will also participate in destination-inspired wine programming, curated tastings and local food-and-wine pairing experiences.
Even if you’re not interested in taking the certification course, it’s good to know that all guests on the featured sailings can still access some Frantz-led wine programming. So, call Pavlus today and get ready for pop-up tastings and food-and-wine-pairing sessions.
5. Themed Foodie Voyages on Emerald Cruises
If you enjoy listening to insight and learning from celebrity chefs or famed sommeliers, Scenic Group, parent company of the Scenic and Emerald Cruises brands, has introduced some excellent themed voyages on both brands. For instance, Emerald Cruises’ “Savor the Moment Specialty Voyages” include new Culinary Collection sailings for late 2026 and in 2027.
On December 13, 2026, Emerald Sakara will set sail from Saint John (New Brunswick), Canada, to the Caribbean on a seven-night culinary-themed voyage with Chef Rachel Hargrove of the TV series Below Deck. In 2027, Chef Hargrove will also sail with guests on other culinary-focused Emerald voyages including a Paris roundtrip aboard Emerald Lumi departing April 27, 2027.
Alternatively, if you’re a rum fan, Pavlus suggests checking out Emerald’s enticing, seven-night “Quintessential Caribbean Rum Sailing” on Emerald Sakara on January 9, 2027. During the voyage from San Juan, Puerto Rico, to St. Thomas, U.S.V.I., guests will take a Rum 101 class, visit vineyards, and attend curated tastings. Best of all, Rum Sommelier Alejandro Ferris will host lively discussions highlighting Caribbean-inspired spirits and local drinking traditions.
6. Hobnobbing with a Former White House Executive Chef
How about the unique opportunity to mix and mingle with a former White House executive chef? Ponant is partnering with the prestigious Club des Chefs to create a unique haute cuisine opportunity during its nine-day “Gulf of Bothnia at the Gateway to the Arctic” journey. That will travel through the icy waters of the Gulf of Bothnia between Sweden and Finland, departing January 15, 2027.
As the 245-passenger Le Commandant Charcot, a modern, luxurious icebreaker, sails from Kemi in Finnish Lapland to Helsinki, Finland, guests will travel with former White House Executive Chef Cristeta Comerford. She’s a culinary star who cooked for five U.S. presidents and their families over the course of eight administrations. Chef Comerford has also orchestrated more than 50 White House State Dinners.
She and other VIPs, either chefs or diplomats, will also lecture onboard, lead discussions, give demonstrations, and on certain outings, accompany guests ashore. Call your Pavlus personal travel planner to discuss accommodations and pricing.
7. New Look and Expanded Seabourn Tastes
If you’re a loyal Seabourn guest, you’re likely familiar with two highly popular spots on the ultra-luxury line’s ships — Seabourn Square and the Colonnade. Now this ultra-luxury line has elevated its guests’ experiences in both venues.
It’s fabulous to settle into a sophisticated, yet comfortable, all-day cafe and gathering place at Seabourn Square. But now guests can look forward to an expanded selection of freshly prepared warm items — from tasty breakfast sandwiches and savory quiche to Roman-style pizza, and new toasted sandwiches such as Monte Cristo or Croque Monsieur.
Sweet tooth? Then definitely order Seabourn Square’s newly introduced, hand-made, artisanal gelato, expertly created by chefs trained at Italy’s renowned Gelato University.
At the redesigned Colonnade, guests will also find refreshed breakfast and lunch menus, multiple live cooking stations, made-to-order omelets, new carving options, a daily fresh-fish station, fresh-pressed juices, and rotating regional specialties.
If your passion is exotic travel, one itinerary choice is the 14-Day “Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam” sailing from Hong Kong, China, to Singapore, on December 6, 2027. Culinary buffs will likely enjoy the “Hoi An Cooking Class” ($275 per person charge), offered during the Da Nang (Hue) port call.
The day’s highlight? Amid bustling live food counters at Vy’s Market Restaurant, Vietnam’s first fully interactive street market restaurant, Seabourn’s travelers will see, smell, hear, taste, touch and interact with many different food preparation processes. During a two-hour cooking session, they’ll cut noodles, make rice paper and wontons, and use a bun noodle machine. They’ll prepare Vietnamese specialties and savor every bite of what they’ve cooked. Talk about experiential!
Fares start at $8,159 per person, double occupancy. Pavlus Travel & Cruise can discuss more about this or other Seabourn voyages with customers, who will receive the best pricing, any added promotions or amenities.
Stay Tuned for More New Luxury Culinary Developments
But there’s more! Pavlus Travel & Cruise has identified many more new developments by upscale or luxury cruise lines. So, stay tuned for Part 2 of this story to learn about new food-and-wine experiences for your next vacation on these upscale or luxury lines:
- Atlas Ocean Voyages’ Epicurean Expeditions;
- Redesigned Wind Star dining spaces by Windstar Cruises;
- Oceania Cruises 2027 Specialty Voyages with top chefs;
- A new Wellness Pavilion Cafe on Cunard’s Queen Victoria; and
- New Viking itineraries that open up new shoreside options for guests.
The Pavlus Difference — We Sell Experiences
Yes, it’s fabulous to mull over all the wonderful new culinary developments by luxury cruise lines and we’re happy to present some of those here. For foodies, gourmet aficionados, and oenophiles alike, they’re exciting and enticing.
But at Pavlus Travel & Cruise, we also know that the perfect vacation isn’t simply about any cruise line, ship, venue or destination. Yes, those matter, of course. But the most memorable vacations are ones filled with cherished moments for a lifetime of memories. Experiences are top of mind for today’s global luxury travelers.
Our customers tell us they love cooking alongside a Michelin-star chef or local family’s matriarch; shopping for local ingredients and produce in an exotic fresh food market; digging into baking dough or noodle-making with the locals; or sipping, savoring, and soaking in the views while seeing the world. In particular, chatting with local people from other cultures about their day-to-day lives is often priceless.
So, at Pavlus, we tell clients that we sell “the experience,” because we know what really counts. We’ll do our very best to explain what’s out there to match with your personal budget, vacation style and personal interests. But we’ll also showcase the kinds of experiences that any vacation offers, so you can make the best vacation choice.
The Best Pricing — No Service Fees
For 30+ years, family-owned Pavlus has delivered the absolute best pricing on the world’s top luxury lines — and you’ll never pay a service fee. Period.
Expert Personal Travel Planners
Your planner matches voyages, dining events and shore experiences to your personal budget, vacation style and interests — and can secure limited-space experiences in advance.
We Sell “The Experience”
Beyond ships and itineraries, we showcase the cherished moments any vacation offers — so you can make the best vacation choice for a lifetime of memories.
Also check out these other “Why Pavlus” factors that help make us the best go-to vacation resource for luxury travelers.
Ready for a Feast for the Senses?
Talk with a Pavlus personal travel planner about these new culinary voyages and dining experiences — several depart this fall, and limited-space options sell out quickly. The advice is free!
📞 1-800-528-9300
