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Forget the buffet line packed with tasteless fruit trays and warmed-over hamburgers. In fact, forget everything you thought you knew about cruise ship cuisine.
Today's travelers are following their gut, ushering in a foodie-centric renaissance across the industry. On cruise ships, this has translated into a complete overhaul of dining options across nearly every line you can think of. But some lines have gone above and beyond in their attempts to entice the epicurean traveler.
Here are five cruises where the sea may be the appetizer, but the menu is packed with gourmet fare.
Holland America Line
Holland America Line has just added the latest "MasterChef Junior" winner to its upcoming theme cruise on Nov. 6 aboard the Nieuw Amsterdam, complete with additional culinary programming, and a sampling of several other 2016 culinary cruises are on their way as well.
Onboard the second "MasterChef" Cruise, winner Addison (age 10) and semi-finalist Zac (age 13) will join the sailing which also has Claudia Sandoval ("MasterChef" Season 6 winner), Luca Manfe ("MasterChef" Season 4 winner), Elizabeth Cauvel ("MasterChef" Season 5 runner-up), Leslie Gilliams ("MasterChef" Season 5 contestant), and Sean ("MasterChef Junior" Season 2 contestant) along for the ride.
New programming will include demonstrations in the Culinary Arts Center and now a "MasterChef Junior" guest competition, challenges and events including a dining experience curated by the junior MasterChefs and a "grilled cheese showdown."
READ MORE: 7 Cruise Lines Foodie Travelers Should Be Watching
Cunard Line
On June 23, 2016, Cunard Line's Queen Elizabeth will feature the 12-night British Isles Culinary Discovery Cruise with special onboard speaker Nick Nairn; chef, cookery school owner, food consultant and spokesperson on diet and Scottish produce. The cruise, according to the line, will encompass, "regional delicacies through a range of tailored shore-side excursions, hosted on board events and specially curated menus."
Oceania Cruises
On Nov. 1, 2016, Oceania Cruises will embark on its Jacques Pepin Cruise with the line's legendary Executive Culinary Director hosting onboard the Marina in the Mediterranean for 10 or 20 days. Planned events include specially designed signature menus, engaging lectures, culinary demonstrations and more.
READ MORE: Adventure Travel and the Foodie Culture
Silversea Cruises
Silversea Cruises is putting together a Culinary Expeditions Cruise aboard the Silver Explorer on April 29, 2016 from Lisbon to Portsmouth. Special expedition team members will be cheese specialist Tom Badcock, Silversea wine ambassador Lawrence D'Almeida and culinary director Rudi Scholdis. Cruise highlights are visits to UNESCO World Heritage sites, a private opening of the Guggenheim Museum, Bordeaux wine savoring and culinary events onboard and on shore.
Windstar Cruises
A pair of James Beard Foundation Culinary Cruise of Spain & France sailings are scheduled on June 10 and August 9, 2016 between Lisbon and Dublin. The cruise showcases a regional culinary experience hosted by a James Beard Foundation-selected chef, complimentary Bordeaux chateau French cooking and wine tasting excursion, pre-dinner wine tastings with cheese and tapas daily, two food and wine themed shore excursions of your choosing and an onboard fado performance in Porto.
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