The line that claims the world’s most luxurious fleet is donning its apron, sharpening its carving knives and launching into the highly competitive high-end culinary market with new dining offerings at sea.

Regent Seven Seas, never one to hold back on the superlatives – its ship Seven Seas Explorer is called “the most luxurious ever built”  –   has unveiled a new culinary program called Epicurean Perfection.

To launch the new program, Regent Seven Seas has announced 11 Epicurean Spotlight Voyages across 2023, 2024 and 2025. The voyages will provide Regent Seven Seas guests with an extra dish of luxury, as some of the world’s most acclaimed and celebrated culinary figures come onboard to give them a richer look into the world of gastronomy.

The program itself focuses on enhancing specialty dining options, more immersive culinary-focused shore excursions, private fine wine and spirit tasting sessions, hands on cooking classes, talks from culinary experts and more.

The move puts Regent Seven Seas ahead of luxury rivals such as Silversea, with its Salt program, and stablemate Oceania Cruises, which maintains it has the “finest cuisine at sea”.

Andrea DeMarco, President of Regent Seven Seas Cruises says: “Nothing enhances travel like cuisine. That is why we are unveiling our new Epicurean Perfection programming, so our guests have an unrivalled culinary experience onboard and ashore with our collection of world-class restaurants, immersive shore excursions, tours, classes, and tastings.

“We’re incredibly excited to launch our new Epicurean Spotlight Voyages with world-renowned chefs, vintners and sommeliers who will provide fascinating insights and unforgettable moments for our guests.”

With details of some of the specially curated voyages arriving, below are some of the highlight voyages that food lovers can book now.

Epicurean Spotlight with Chef Mark Bittman and Executive Culinary Director Wolfgang Maier

Sailing on Seven Seas Explorer on June 21, 2023 from Alaska to Vancouver, this cruise combines the culinary talents and knowledge of food writer and author Mark Bittman with Regent’s Executive Chef Wolfgang Maier, through the glacial beauty of Alaska.

Your time in the wilderness will be married with the chance to get a unique insight into local cuisine and traditions, with Mr Bittman providing history and demonstrations, and Mr Maier offering extra insight into how local ingredients make their way into Regent’s most enticing dishes.

Epicurean Spotlight on Wine with Doug Frost, Master Sommelier

This dream cruise for a wine lover, sails on Seven Seas Splendor on October 8 from Barcelona to Venice. The voyage will be guided by Doug Frost, one of the four people in the entire world to hold the Master of Wine and Master Sommelier titles.

All the amazing wine of the Mediterranean will be at your fingertips, with scheduled tastings across the region and Mr Frost giving you extremely in-depth insight that very few others in the world could offer.

Epicurean Spotlight with ZAP: Zinfandel Advocates and Producers

Sailing a roundtrip out of Tokyo on Seven Seas Explorer in 2025, California-based Zinfandel Advocates and Producers consists of winemakers, preservationists and enthusiasts who band together to celebrate and conserve Zinfandel.

Zinfandel is a variety of black-skinned grape, grown in California vineyards. Zinfandel winemakers will take you on this culinary-driven journey, with special tastings and masterclasses centred around the special grape, as well as exciting flavours of South Korea, China and Japan.

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Celebrity Chef Giada De Laurentiis named Godmother of new Oceania ship

As Regent moves up in the culinary world, Oceania has reminded everyone of their gastronomic prowess, naming Emmy Award winning chef Giada De Laurentiis get named as the Godmother of their new ship, Vista.

Frank A. Del Rio, President of Oceania Cruises, said: “As the world’s leading culinary-focused cruise line, bringing Giada into the Oceania Cruises family was an easy decision. Her casual yet sophisticated style and devout love of quality cuisine are the perfect recipe for Vista. She truly personifies our first Allura Class ship and we could not be more delighted that she has agreed to be godmother of Vista.”

Ms Laurentiis said: “Working with Frank and the Oceania Cruises team on the christening of Vista and having the honor of officiating as godmother is a dream come true, especially as she sets sail on her christening voyage from my birthplace of Rome.

“Cooking authentic Italian fare is my biggest passion in life. I cannot wait to savor the different flavors and explore the myriad of dining venues on board Vista, a ship that will provide unforgettable culinary experiences for decades to come.”

Vista has several new culinary offerings, including a brand new signature restaurant Ember. Ember aims to provide an authentic American dining experience, blending the influence of culinary hotspots such as Napa and Sonoma with contemporary American cuisine.

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