Whichever Princess cruise you choose, you’ll be able to dine like a local every step of the way, thanks to the talented on-board chefs who cook up beautiful regional dishes that will connect you to the culture of your destinations. So, you can indulge in fragrant curries in India, freshly caught seafood in Alaska or fiery tacos in Mexico.
But if you really want to immerse yourself in the local cuisines on your cruise, there’s no better way to experience them than with one of Princess’ fantastic culinary shore excursions. Here are just a few of the most exciting choices to whet your appetite.
A stop in Le Verdon in France offers the perfect opportunity to explore the world-famous vineyards around Bordeaux. This full-day trip takes you to the stunning Château Rousseau de Sipian, where you’ll tour the vat room and aging cellar and sample two of the estate's premium vintages, before heading to the elegant dining room for a delightful four-course lunch with wine pairings. If time allows, you can also take a stroll around the beautifully landscaped grounds, before enjoying the scenic drive back to the port.
This six-hour Sicilian excursion will take you from the port of Catania to the 17th-century Villa Trinità, owned by the Bonajuto family. After a tour of the lush botanical gardens, you’ll visit the restaurant owned by Salvatore Bonajuto and his wife, Donna Maria, for a cooking demonstration featuring time-honoured Sicilian recipes. You'll then sit down for a delicious meal in the garden, with hearty local wine and plenty of lively conversation – plus you’ll receive a traditional recipe to take home with you at the end.
For this outing, you’ll travel to the Novakovic Village Estate in the quaint town of Cilipi, just a short drive from Croatia’s capital, Dubrovnik. Upon your arrival, you'll be led to the tasting room where brewer Niko Novakovic will show you how to craft the perfect beer, including preparation, fermentation, priming, capping, conditioning and more. While you wait for it to ripen, you’ll have the opportunity to sample several other beers and snack on local fare, such as grilled beer sausage, potato salad, cheese and grilled pork ribs, before leaving with your freshly brewed beverage in hand.
If you’re visiting Dominica, this three-and-a-half-hour outdoor cooking adventure is a great way to experience the region’s cuisine. You’ll travel to a private family home, where your chef host will introduce you to the herbs and fresh produce that they use in they’re cooking. After that, you’ll move to the open-air kitchen to watch them prepare traditional Caribbean delicacies from scratch, while also sharing their knowledge of Dominican foods and spices. To finish, you’ll tuck into the vibrant feast they’ve prepared, toasting it with a glass of fruit and rum punch.
Refine your cooking skills with this hands-on food science lesson at the award-winning Historic Skagway Inn in Alaska. You’ll start by meeting the chef and owner, who’ll share his knowledge of popular foods during the 19th-century Gold Rush. Then, after you’ve foraged for some additional ingredients in the garden, you’ll conduct three experiments with his help, including smoking (and tasting) Alaska salmon, using purple cabbage to determine the acidity of foods and making your own ice cream dessert.
You can taste all the authentic local flavours of the island of Maui in Hawaii with this six-hour culinary tour. Throughout the day, you’ll visit six authentic foodie establishments around the historic town of Wailuku, where you’ll have the chance to sample more than 15 Hawaiian dishes – from traditional poke and meat delicacies to breakfast classics, desserts and refreshing shaved ice. Your adventure will conclude at a family-owned brewery, where you can learn about and taste their top-selling craft beers.