For the sophisticated traveller, luxury cruising in the modern era is as much about the dining as it is about the destinations and staterooms. The top cruise lines have become floating five-star restaurants, with Michelin-starred chefs taking every voyage to a new level. From Mediterranean sunsets to transoceanic tasting menus, these dining journeys are at the height of flavour and sophistication.

Explora Journeys – Culinary Voyage with Mauro Colagreco

 

Explora Journeys, a subsidiary of the MSC Group, partners with three-Michelin-starred chef Mauro Colagreco of Mirazur in France. Menus emphasize Mediterranean freshness infused with Latin American touches, using seasonal and sustainably sourced ingredients. Special touches, such as oysters crown topped with citrus foam or herb-scented risotto grown in the ship’s onboard hydroponic garden, demonstrate innovation at sea. Guests may also participate in intimate cooking classes and live sessions with Colagreco.

Look forward to creative, chef-designed menus, indulgent dining experiences, and interactive culinary presentations accompanied by ocean vistas, ideal for those wishing for taste and expertise.

Tariff: Around USD $1,500–$3,000 (₹1.25 lakh – ₹2.5 lakh) per person per night, depending on the suite and itinerary.

Booking information: Bookings can be made through the official Explora Journeys website or luxury travel agents, often with special early-booking incentives.

Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 – The Daniel Boulud Experience

The legendary Queen Mary 2 has added to its gastronomic fame by having Michelin-starred chef Daniel Boulud on board. His specially crafted tasting menus in The Verandah feature favorites such as saffron-aged lobster and honey-lavender duck breast, accompanied by sommelier-paired wines. On special transatlantic crossings, gala nights with Boulud provide a special opportunity to meet the chef.

Look forward to refined fine dining, one-on-one contact with a culinary icon, and old-world ocean travelling glamour, updated for gourmet foodies today.

Tariff: Approximately USD $2,000(about ₹1.66 lakh) per person for the standard cruise; gala dinner packages could cost extra (dependent upon route and booking category).

Booking details: Bookings can be made via Cunard’s official website or luxury cruise specialists, with gala dinners available to book as an upgrade.

Oceania Cruises – Jacques Pépin’s Signature Cuisine

Famous for its culinary emphasis, Oceania Cruises offers traditional dishes from Michelin-starred chef Jacques Pépin at the “Jacques” restaurant. Escargot, roasted chicken, and soufflé Parisien come to mind, all of which have elevated panache. Culinary port excursions, like truffle forays in Italy and visits to Barcelona seafood markets, accompany meals on the ship.

This cruise balances refined onboard dining with immersion food-focused shore days, ideal for savoring both the culture at sea and ashore.

Tariff: Around USD $1,700 (about ₹1.41 lakh) per person per night in mid-range suites.

Booking details: Bookings taken directly on Oceania Cruises’ website or through luxury travel partners; shore experiences can be booked separately.

Regent Seven Seas Explorer – Gourmet Indulgence with Sven Elverfeld

Referred to as “the most luxurious fleet at sea,” the Seven Seas Explorer partners with three-Michelin-starred chef Sven Elverfeld of Aqua at Wolfsburg. His menus strike a perfect balance of textures and flavors, from caviar-topped langoustine to root vegetables teamed with venison. The Culinary Arts Kitchen enables guests to master the techniques inspired by his passion.

Here, visitors indulge in Michelin-standard cuisine, interactive cooking classes, and an unrivaled atmosphere of sophisticated elegance.

Tariff: From USD $2,300 (about ₹1.91 lakh) per person per night (double occupancy), varying according to suite category.

Booking details: Reservations through Regent’s website or discreet luxury agents, frequently with packages including everything.

Silversea Cruises – S.A.L.T. Programme with Star Chefs

Silversea’s S.A.L.T. (Sea and Land Taste) programme matches destination-inspired cuisine with Michelin-starred visiting chefs. Chefs Carlo Cracco and Ana Roš have participated in pop-ups and masterclasses. Shore excursions, including Crete cooking or market tastings, enhance culinary immersion. Guests have reported S.A.L.T. excursions costing between USD $300-$900, depending on how exclusive

Travelers enjoy immersive region-inspired cuisine, chef interactions, and upscale excursions all brought onboard seamlessly.

Tariff: Silversea provides inclusive Door-to-Door fares (accommodation, meals, excursions, some drinks, transfers) from approximately USD $3,000 (₹2.5 lakh) per person per night.

Booking info: On Silversea’s website, with early-booking discounts and loyalty rewards.

Crystal Cruises – Nobu Matsuhisa’s Silk Road & The Sushi Bar

On Crystal Cruises, epicureans have access to Nobu Matsuhisa’s renowned Japanese-Peruvian cuisine on board signature restaurants such as Silk Road and The Sushi Bar. Staples are black cod miso, toro tartare, and wagyu tataki, all made by Nobu-trained chefs.

Expect genuine Nobu cuisine, first-class presentation, and the luxury of gourmet touch on the open seas.

Tariff: Approximately USD $2,000 (₹1.66 lakh) per person per night in base category suites.

Booking info: Through Crystal Cruises’ website or luxury travel agents; access to onboard restaurants comes with most packages.

Ponant Explorers – Alain Ducasse at Sea

Small-ship specialist Ponant partners with multi-starred chef Alain Ducasse for upscale cruises to Antarctica, the Mediterranean, and the South Pacific. His menus include lobster medallions, truffle-scented consommé, and chocolate soufflé, all served in intimate settings.

Here, haute cuisine and amazing discovery come together, offering private-ship intimacy combined with Michelin-standard dining.

Tariff: From around USD $2,500 (₹2.08 lakh) per person per night, depending on destination and cabin category.

Booking details: Reservations via Ponant’s website or specialist travel agencies.

Michelin-quality dining at sea is no longer a passing fad, it’s a reflection of travelers’ urge for thoroughly immersive, sensory experiences. Whether indulging in Nobu’s signature black cod under golden sunset skies or learning new methods in Sven Elverfeld’s Culinary Arts Kitchen, these cruises guarantee the trip is just as memorable as the destination. For food enthusiasts, these seven cruises are not vacations, they’re culinary odysseys of the world’s oceans.