A seven-day Mediterranean cruise on Enchanted Princess envelops you in the gastronomic world of Spain, France and Italy. During this exceptional week, we visited four cities in the Mediterranean, where we were immersed in gastronomy on and off board. A cruise is both a rest and an adventure and Princess Cruises provides this experience at the highest level, taking utmost care that we dive into the foodie atmosphere of the region as much as possible.
Exclusive gastronomic details
Princess Cruises is well-known for being the Destination Experts, offering a wide variety of unique shore excursions. The cruise line has partnered with local experts to curate new excursions, catering to various interests in each region. On this cruise there was a range of gastronomic excursions, some limited to 25 guests or less, offering an immersive and authentic experience while connecting with the destinations.
Princess MedallionClass is an innovative service offered across the Princess fleet providing impeccable personalisation and enhancing the cruise experience for you. The Medallion device, a coin sized wearable device, offers benefits such as expedited boarding, top-notch Wi-Fi, and personalised service throughout the cruise, where even your favourite drink may magically appear at the bar without asking!
The Ship
Enchanted Princess delivers spectacular style and luxury on board. With 1,830 cabins, it fits up to 4000 guests and 1,346 staff providing premium hospitality during each cruise. Enchanted Princess combines the comfort of suites and amenities with exclusive entertainment options. Spa and fitness centres, cinemas and several swimming pools will provide plenty to keep everyone occupied.
Culinary Highlights
Taking care of 4000 people onboard this ship is a military operation with over 700 amazing teammates taking care of all of us. Did you know for a regular seven-day voyage, 140 tonnes of food is loaded on? Over that week, that means people enjoyed 36,000 eggs, 5000 litres of milk, 4000 kilos of potatoes, 21,000 coffees and much more. With 18 bars on board, there are 52 Martinis to try and even a bottle of Chateau Petrus Pomerol!
We had a walk around the kitchen with Rudi Sodamin (Princess Cruises’ Head of Culinary Arts) and it is utterly spotless. There are nearly 300 teammates working in the kitchens and it is a 24 hour process. It was a true eye-opener as to the incredibly long hours and hard work that the teammates put into making every culinary experience special for us from the buffet, named World Fresh Marketplace, to the immersive ‘360: An Extraordinary Experience.’
Our culinary highlights begun in the World Fresh Marketplace where you can expect a huge variety with great quality too. The food options change all the time with food stations from all around the world. Themes included a Spanish dinner, a British Indian dinner (a favourite), a Mongolian lunch, French, Italian and more. Here are some more culinary highlights:
Breakfast on our balcony – This Ultimate Balcony Breakfast is a must-try. For $50 per couple, the breakfast includes a half bottle of sparkling wine as well as fruit, smoked salmon, pastries and a lot more all in the comfort of your private balcony.
What about the coffee? A key feature to keep you going on any cruise where you are visiting multiple destinations. Lavazza is Princess Cruises’ relatively new Official Coffee Partner and not only do they supply the good stuff, but they also help curate coffee-inspired dinners and specially designed recipes along with Princess chefs, bringing coffee goodness to menus as well as educational sessions, coffee art and more.
360: An Extraordinary Experience – The destinations inspire Enchanted Princess to create an extraordinary and emotional dining evening. This is more than a dinner — you go on a trip around the Mediterranean right in the restaurant. Food, immersive video storytelling, interactive tables, smells, textures and sounds will transfer you to small villages in France, Greece and Italy. The evening is accompanied by a seven-course dinner with wine, adventures and surprises along the way. 360 is a perfectly choreographed gastronomic journey where IMAX meets fine dining.
The Catch by Rudi – Seafood heaven. The seafood trolley is a feast for the eyes with fresh lobster tail, shrimp, oysters, mussels, piled high along with other gifts from the sea. The Catch also has playful modern takes on traditional seafood dishes, such as lobsters with garlic butter crust; as well as presenting its own signature seafood inventions from the chef’s personal repertoire including a Towering Trio and whole Dover Sole filleted at the table. $39 pp cover charge.
Sabatini’s Trattoria – For nearly two decades traditional family recipes and the culinary artistry of Italian chefs has made Sabatini’s the Princess’ signature Italian restaurant. From handmade pasta to authentic sauces and hearty meat dishes — experience the traditional flavours of Italy infused with regional influences. This is the spot to gather over the finest ingredients for a trattoria-style dining experience. $35 pp cover charge.
Crown Grill Steakhouse -A refined steakhouse that serves aged and hand-cut, cooked-to-order steaks and premium seafood, including grilled shrimp and lobster. The Crown Grill offers a special dining experience with an open kitchen and sea views. $39 pp cover charge
Caymus Vineyards Winemaker Dinner – A chef-designed multicourse meal paired with wine from the iconic Caymus Vineyards. Caymus Vineyards is located in the centre of the Napa Valley and focuses on Cabernet Sauvignon grown on low-fertility soils on both the valley floor and the mountains that surround the valley. Exclusive to Princess, these food and wine dinners will expand your palate and help you discover a diverse selection of premium wines. Sommelier James explained the wines course by course with each wine paired ever so carefully with brilliant dishes.
O’Malley’s – Located on Deck 5, O’Malley’s is a new modern Irish pub with traditional Irish music, great food and proper Irish tipples. In addition to Guinness from a nitro tap, Irish beers, ales and whiskeys, the menu also includes Irish whiskey coated burgers and the most awesome six-layer Guinness cake.
Culinary Destinations
In addition to the culinary highlights on board, we enjoyed fascinating excursions and a real immersion in the taste traditions of the region from visiting local producers, tastings and farm experiences.
Panoramic Gibraltar
The first two days of the cruise are spent at sea until the ship reaches Gibraltar, a captivating and fascinating destination with unique flora and fauna and rich historical heritage. We were able to choose the range of excursions including gourmet ones to discover Gibraltar’s flavours and sights. Panoramic Gibraltar is a mini-trip by mini-coach from the quayside, passing landmarks like the American War Memorial and Trafalgar Cemetery. Next, there were breathtaking views of North Africa (which is just 16 miles away) from Europa Point. Next, we head into town to My Wines. We relaxed on the upper terrace with sherry, cheese, and Iberico ham, before exploring Main Street which looks like a good old British High Street.
Tasting wine in Marseille
The next destination is the largest port on the Mediterranean and a virtual melting pot of peoples and cultures. Among the 29 excursions, a tour of an olive growing farm is a must.
We travel by coach to Fontvieille, a charming village surrounded by Alpilles. We learned about the farm’s olive trees and sampled their exquisite olive oil followed by a typical Provençal lunch at a local restaurant in Fontvieille. Next, we explore the medieval village of Les Baux de Provence, with its cobblestone lanes, ancient castle ruins, and Saint Vincent church. It’s a full day of gastronomic heritage and enchanting sights in Provence.
Discover Italian pesto in Rapallo
Enchanted Princess docks in the centre of Genoa and from there we drive to Rapallo, a charming seaside village, to taste the local pesto — a key ingredient of Italian cuisine and some of the most highly regarded pesto in the world. During a walking tour, we stroll past upscale shops and centuries-old pastel-coloured buildings, learning about its history as a pirate attack site. We then watched local focaccia bread being made with olives and herbs. Later, we head to a local restaurant for a Ligurian snack of handmade pasta and pesto, experiencing Rapallo’s delicious cuisine and captivating atmosphere.
Vialto farmhouse in Livorno
We met farmer Davide and his wife Francesca who run the farm with the help of their daughter Vittoria, and had a glimpse into their high-quality produce, Tuscan cuisine and farm life. It was then time to taste the homemade pasta paired with a generous wine tasting, including Vin Santo and cantuccini biscotti.
Suites and Cabins
The pride of Enchanted Princess is the Sky Suites. Only two on the 18th deck provide an exclusive opportunity to enjoy the journey from your balcony with a panoramic 270-degree view of the ocean and the cinema. Suites are large enough to provide comfort for the whole family and are full-fledged apartments on board a cruise ship.
We luxuriated in a super comfortable cabin (Riviera 529) on the 14th deck of Enchanted Princess. Our bed was a very comfortable queen- size bed, dubbed a Princess Luxury Bed. Mattresses are exceptionally luxurious and only use premium bedding including high-threadcount linens and duvets – no matter your cabin category.
On ship experience
Enchanted Princess offers various exciting activities and amenities available on all Princess Cruises’ newest ships, including the Piazza, which is inspired by European squares and features street performers and live music. Refreshing pool and hot tub options with stunning views are available for all guests, as well as a vibrant casino with various games. Guests can enjoy the roots of jazz with live performances and vintage footage in the Take Five lounge, and watch lavish, original productions in the Princess Theatre. Art enthusiasts can explore an extensive gallery and attend Champagne Art Auctions. For sports enthusiasts, there’s a Sports Court for basketball and volleyball. Additionally, world-class entertainers provide a diverse range of performances, from magic to comedy and more. We enjoyed an original production called Rock Opera. Led by tenor Ross Hunter, expect soft rock classics from this talented cast.
In a nutshell
Embarking on an Enchanted Princess gastronomic week at sea is a remarkable journey that transcends the boundaries of traditional travel. As you sail through the Mediterranean waters, you not only explore captivating cities and countries but also immerse yourself in the very essence of their culture and cuisine. Princess Cruises elevates this experience to unprecedented heights, offering a seamless blend of luxury, innovation and authenticity.
In essence, a gastronomic week aboard the Enchanted Princess is not just a cruise—it’s a journey that broadens your horizons, tantalises your taste buds and leaves you with a treasure trove of cherished memories. As you bid farewell to the azure waters of the Mediterranean, you carry with you the echoes of laughter, the aromas of delectable dishes, and the magic of a truly enchanting escape at sea.
To discover more, visit: princess.com
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All imagery courtesy of Princess Cruises.