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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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