Princess Cruises embraces key dining trend
A new dining collaboration offers a taste of what many cruise passengers want to savor during their vacations.
For many cruise passengers, the opportunity to enjoy authentic culinary experiences that reflect the essence of their cruise destinations is very appealing.
Although passengers can often participate in shore excursions like food tours and cooking classes while visiting ports of call, they’re becoming increasingly interested in savoring the flavors of their destinations while on board their cruise ships too.
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To meet passengers’ destination-focused desires, cruise lines like Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, and Celebrity Cruises are getting more creative in the ways that they bring their destinations on board through regionally-inspired menus and unique culinary experiences.
For Princess Cruises, collaborations with big names have been very successful in elevating its onboard beverage program; now, the cruise line is turning to a storied winemaking family to help boost the authenticity of its destination-inspired specialty dining too.
As the Mediterranean cruise season kicks off, Princess Cruises is introducing a new dining collaboration with a celebrated name that’s deeply rooted in the culinary traditions of the region.
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Princess Cruises partners with Frescobaldi on new menu
To elevate its connection with Italy, Princess Cruises collaborated with Tuscan winemaker Frescobaldi, a family that’s been at the forefront of winemaking in the region for more than 700 years. Along with making fine Tuscan wines, Frescobaldi operates a popular restaurant in Florence that serves as the inspiration for a revamped menu for Princess Cruises' signature specialty restaurant, Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria.
The new menu — Sabatini's Italian Trattoria, Inspired by Frescobaldi — is debuting first on board the recently renovated Majestic Princess as it begins its Mediterranean cruise season, and will roll out fleetwide in the coming months.
Showcasing Tuscany’s time-honored culinary traditions, the menu features Frescobaldi-inspired dishes made with fresh, simple ingredients and paired with Frescobaldi wines.
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Menu highlights include:
- Guazzetto di Cozze e Gamberi – Italian seafood stew with mussels and shrimp, simmered in fragrant tomato and white wine broth with garlic, herbs and a hint of chili; served with crusty bread for dipping.
- Burrata e Prosciutto Crudo Stagionato 18 Mesi – creamy burrata paired with 18-month-aged prosciutto crudo, fresh cherry tomatoes, peppery arugula, and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.
- Fettuccine al Tartufo e Parmigiano – truffle-infused velvety Parmigiano-Reggiano sauce, topped with grated black truffle, a crispy parmesan tuile, and a drizzle of herbed oil.
- Tortello di Ricotta al Pomodoro e Basilico – delicate hand-made tortello pasta filled with rich ricotta and enveloped in zesty cherry tomato sauce, fresh basil, aged cheese, and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.
- Filetto di Branzino e Carciofi Fritti – a celebration of fresh Mediterranean flavors featuring pan-seared sea bass fillet, paired with crispy fried artichokes and drizzled with zesty lemon-infused olive oil.
- Torta Caprese – flourless almond cake blended with rich crema Pasticceria, caramelized hazelnuts, and exquisite chocolate brittle, paired with creamy limoncello mascarpone gelato and a drizzle of premium Frescobaldi olive oil.
Grand Tuscan Dinner will be offered during each Princess cruise
During each sailing, Sabatini’s will also feature a Grand Tuscan Dinner, a special evening dedicated to the heart of Italian hospitality. Passengers can enjoy an intimate, six-course dinner paired with wines and grappa for a Tuscan dining experience featuring dishes including:
- Carpaccio Di Mare Mediterraneo – delicate tuna and scallop carpaccio topped with sturgeon caviar, salmon caviar, black truffle and a vibrant citrus dressing.
- Branzino Con Caponata alla Siciliana – seared sea bass served atop tangy Sicilian caponata, drizzled with fresh basil oil.
- Pinolata Senese – light and airy Tuscan pinenut cake with rich custard cream.
- Cantucci Biscotti Con Grappa di Vino Luce – crunchy almond biscotti Grappa di Vino Luce for the perfect Tuscan dip.
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Sabatini's Italian Trattoria Grand Tuscan Dinner will be offered for a cover charge of $99 per person.
The refreshed Sabatini's menu also features new Frescobaldi wines like Mormoreto and Gorgona Bianco Toscana IGT, as well as five new signature Italian cocktails crafted to complement the depth and elegance of Frescobaldi's wines.
The Gorgona Breeze channels coastal freshness with citrus and herbal notes; Rosato Reverie brings out delicate berry and floral flavors with a sparkling finish; Chianti Sunset is a bold, bittersweet blend with aged amaro and cherry; Pomino Bloom highlights aromatic botanicals and white peach; and the Mormoreto Old Fashioned reimagines the classic with a red wine reduction and Tuscan herbs.
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