Regional Menus Showcase Destination Specialties on Princess Cruises

One of the things most travelers look forward to on a cruise is the food, not only on their ship, but also in the ports of call. However, it isn’t always possible to get a taste of a destination with so much to do and see in port and with a limited amount of time ashore. To make up for that, when the new Regal Princess arrives in Fort Lauderdale, Florida this November to begin her maiden Caribbean cruise season, she will debut a new Princess Cruises dining program showcasing regional culinary specialties.

Designed to reflect the worldwide destinations visited by Princess ships, the new program will enable guests to enjoy regional menu items created with local produce, spices, and seafood. In keeping with Regal Princess’ fall itineraries, the first special menus are inspired by the Caribbean. The regional cruise ship menus will eventually roll out across the fleet, and will include culinary specialties from an array of vacation destinations including the Mediterranean, Alaska, and Hawaii.

“One of the joys of travel is experiencing the culinary specialties for which a destination is known,” said Jan Swartz, president of Princess Cruises. “So now when our guests cruise with Princess around the world, they’ll be able to enjoy some of the most celebrated local dishes on board as well as ashore.”

Beginning with Regal Princess, regional cruise menus will introduce guests to the exotic fusion of flavors found in island cuisine, including such offerings as:

Arawak’s Caribbean-Style Pork Chop – Prepared with traditional Jamaican jerk spice and curry, and served with red beans, rice, and rum sauce, this extraordinary dish earned Princess Cruises Corporate Executive Chef Alfredo Marzi the top prize at the 8th Annual Bacardi Bartender and Chef Cruise Competition.

Red Snapper Mojito – Featuring ceviche accented with fresh mint, mango, and avocado, and finished with a splash of rum, this was the winning dish created by Princess Cruises Executive Chef Antonio Cortese at the 6th Annual Bacardi Bartender and Chef Cruise Competition

Island-Spiced Jerk Chicken – A marinade of rum, molasses, tangy lime juice and thyme, plus sweet-and-fiery Scotch Bonnet peppers, infuses this tender chicken dish with the spirit of the islands.

Caribbean Cocktails – The Caribbean Cooler is the perfect poolside cocktail, with coconut rum, melon liqueur, banana liqueur, citrus mix, and pineapple juice. The West Indies Yellow Bird offers a classic taste of the region, featuring a shaken melody of rum, galliano, and banana liqueur with orange and pineapple juice. The Cool Runnings cocktail, a favorite of the Caribbean Islands, features a delicious combination of rum, banana liqueur, blackberry brandy, and grenadine, blended with coconut and pineapple.

Regal Princess begins her Caribbean cruise season on Nov 6 with a short preview sailing, followed by a schedule of 7-day cruises to ports in the Eastern Caribbean including St. Thomas, St. Maarten, and Princess Cays in the Bahamas.

Photo Courtesy of Princess Cruises