Meet the new wave of world-class chefs boarding cruise ships

Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth is currently sailing on its Great Australian Culinary Voyage round-trip from Sydney, on which guests are enjoying special dining experiences, cooking workshops, talks and culinary shore excursions.

Darren Purchese on Queen Elizabeth.

The Aussie culinary talent on board is impressive: Matt Moran, Darren Purchese, Julie Goodwin, Nornie Bero and wine expert Katie Spain are all offering their expertise.

Cruise ships have had a long association with famous chefs who either oversee menus or put their names to shipboard restaurants. The food experience – partly social-media driven as passengers get younger – has become an increasing selling point for cruise lines.

More recently, special guest appearances by chefs on certain cruises are providing the perfect pairing for passengers who have become increasingly food savvy and sophisticated.

Not all the chefs are celebrities, but many are at the top of their profession and run some of the world’s best restaurants. This year two Michelin-starred chef Michel Roux will be on four Cunard voyages in Norway for special dining and cookery events.

The Queen Elizabeth … master chefs aboard.

Among other cruise lines that have recently had Michelin-star chefs on board for special sailings, or have featured their signature dishes, are Explora Journeys, MSC Cruises and Sea Cloud Cruises.

Windstar Cruises works closely with the James Beard Foundation and has a series of culinary cruises each year that include chef-hosted dinners, cooking demonstrations and local market tours.

Oceania Cruises too has a series of 2025 culinary cruises featuring chefs Claudine Pepin and Sara Moulton, as well as the line’s own executive culinary directors Alex Quaretti and Eric Barale, who are both Master Chefs of France.

Matt Moran… at sea.

Even expedition cruise lines are getting in on the act. American celebrity chef and restaurateur Bryan Voltaggio will be aboard an Iceland cruise in July 2025, as will the Top Chef Brazil winner on a Brazil cruise in October 2025, both with Scenic.

Cruise lines are also recreating land-based restaurants on board, such as Onda by Scarpetta on some Norwegian Cruise Line ships, a collaboration with New York restaurant Scarpetta, which now has seven other upmarket Italian restaurants in cities worldwide.

Celebrity Cruises’ venue Le Voyage by Daniel Boulud is overseen by the Michelin-star twinkled French chef and restaurateur. Chef’s Table by Daniel Boulud features a five-course meal designed by the master.

Crystal Cruises has Umi Uma, the only Nobu Matsuhisa restaurant at sea, and Beefbar, the swanky meat-leaning restaurant that originated in Monaco and now has two-dozen international locations. Osteria d’Ovidio features dishes by Massimiliano Alajmo, the youngest chef to be awarded three Michelin stars.

Not all the collaborations involve fancy dining. Carnival Cruise Line has long worked with Food Network star and burger master Guy Fieri, and last year Princess Cruises partnered with 13-time world pizza champion and restaurateur Tony Gemignani, who has produced five exclusive pizzas for Princess with toppings such as Gorgonzola and sweet fig preserve, or Soppressata sausage and honey.