New Experiences Expand Regent’s Immersive Epicurean Perfection Programing in the Mediterranean
MIAMI, June 27, 2023 – Regent Seven Seas Cruises, the world's leading luxury cruise line, is elevating its culinary experiences to new heights with the introduction of 128 captivating culinary-focused shore excursions in the Mediterranean. Crafted in collaboration with local chefs and culinary experts, these extraordinary excursions promise guests an unforgettable journey through France, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain, and Turkey, where they will indulge in the finest regional delicacies and uncover the secrets of authentic cuisine.
Discerning luxury travelers can delight in a varied selection of immersive epicurean experiences, accompanied by knowledgeable local guides who will lead them through exclusive wine tastings, cooking classes, and exquisite gourmet meals. The unveiling of these thoughtfully curated culinary adventures reaffirms Regent’s commitment to providing luxury travelers with unforgettable moments on land and by sea. Regent boasts an extensive collection of approximately 5,000 shoreside experiences around the world, with nearly 3,900 of these extraordinary tours free for guests as part of the all-inclusive Regent experience, providing the best value in luxury cruising.
"We are delighted to enrich and enhance our array of shore excursion offerings, presenting our guests with even more opportunities to indulge in their passion for travel and culinary delights, all while cruising the Mediterranean aboard The World’s Most Luxurious Fleet," said Andrea DeMarco, President of Regent Seven Seas Cruises. "With its rich history and diverse culture that have undeniably shaped its delectable cuisine, the Mediterranean serves as the perfect backdrop for these tantalizing culinary adventures."
This collection of culinary-focused shore excursions is an integral part of Regent's Epicurean Perfection programing, which celebrates the world's flavors while immersing guests in the breathtaking beauty, storied history, and vibrant cultures of the destinations they explore.
Highlights of Regent’s new European culinary-focused shore excursions include:
Minoan Gastronomy Through History
Heraklion (Crete), Greece – FREE
Experience a hands-on cooking class at a restaurant in Amnisiades Park, surrounded by ancient olive trees. Discover the ancient Minoan diet with dishes made from seafood, goat, wild deer, lentils, fruits, and nuts, accompanied by wine. Guests may immerse themselves in the flavors and history of the early inhabitants of Crete, learning about Minoan culture while cooking an authentic meal prepared with local organic ingredients. Some dishes will be baked in a Minoan-style oven using olive oil sourced from the park's ancient trees.
Cooking Class with Local Chef
Pergamum (Dikili), Turkey - FREE
Learn to cook traditional Turkish cuisine at a Bergama restaurant, surrounded by Greek and Roman ruins. A quick tour of the city's historical sites precedes the hands-on cooking class, which emphasizes locally sourced ingredients. With guidance from the chef, guests will prepare a variety of regional dishes including shepherd's salad, yuvalama soup, and adana kebab made with lamb. Participants may then enjoy their creations and local wine for lunch. The exact menu depends on seasonal availability, ensuring fresh and delicious ingredients.
Farm to Table Amalfi-Style
Amalfi/Positano, Italy – Regent Choice $119 per guest
Experience a tour of a family-owned organic farm in Scala, a hilltop village founded in the 4th century. Learn about organic farming methods and taste the natural flavors of the produce at their absolute peak. Enjoy an inspiring lunch made with fresh ingredients from the farm while taking in the panoramic views. The menu varies depending on what's freshest and seasonal that day. The farm is located inland and is owned by the Ciccio family, who will guide visitors around their vineyards, fruit orchards, and vegetable fields.
Porto’s Port Wine Cellars
Porto, Portugal – Regent Choice $119 per guest
Embark on a scenic drive through Porto, followed by a delightful dining experience complemented by the renowned port wine. UNESCO recognized Porto's historic district for its architectural significance, and guests will witness landmarks like Casa da Música and the baptism site of explorer Henry the Navigator, before being immersed in Porto's culture to learn about the production of port wine. At Graham's Port Lodge in Gaia, savor a refined tasting of appetizers expertly paired with these wines, including the refreshing Graham's Extra Dry White.
Ultimate Provence Specialties
Toulon, France – Regent Choice $139 per guest
Embark on a remarkable gastronomical journey in the Provence countryside after exploring the iconic Saint-Tropez. The scenic drive to both destinations is breathtaking, while the visit to Saint-Tropez adds a touch of glamour. Anticipation builds as guests approach Ultimate Provence, an eco-friendly hotel wine estate in France's largest nature reserve. Take an enlightening tour of the property and organic vineyards, before indulging in delicacies like fresh oysters, succulent seafood, and French cheeses such as abondance. Carefully selected wines perfectly complement the dining experience, including Ultimate Provence's award-winning rosé blend.
Menorcan-Style Lobster
Mahon (Menorca), Spain – Regent Choice $139 per guest
Savor Menorca's signature dish, lobster stew, at Sa Llagosta restaurant in Fornells. This classic dish, which originated over a century ago, centers around spiny lobsters caught in the surrounding waters. Chef David Coca adds his own twist to the dish, but a traditional sofrito of tomato paste, onions, and garlic remains its base. Finish with a flaó, a cheesecake-like dessert. On the way to Fornells, take in the island's stunning natural areas, including Monte Toro, the highest peak, offering breathtaking views.
For more information, please visit RSSC.com, call 1-844-4REGENT (1-844-873-2381) or contact a professional travel advisor.
About Epicurean Perfection
Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ Epicurean Perfection program inspires culinary exploration and experiences with a myriad of opportunities for guests to satiate their inner gourmand and to savor their journey onboard The World’s Most Luxurious Fleet™.
Epicurean Perfection goes beyond the traditional culinary offerings found at sea, providing guests the opportunity to taste the world around them through programming consisting of Epicurean Indulgence, Epicurean Explorations and Epicurean Enrichment.
Epicurean Indulgence offers luxury travelers exquisite gourmet meals in up to five restaurants on board with fine wines and spirits included. Epicurean Explorations provide immersive culinary experiences ashore such as captivating chef-led tours of markets and local artisan producers, as well as meals in award-winning restaurants. Through Epicurean Enrichment guests may glean wisdom and insight from masters in the culinary arts with hands-on Culinary Arts Kitchen classes and Epicurean Spotlight Voyages featuring world-class chefs and vintners on specially curated voyages featuring lectures, tastings and more.
With a commitment to providing guests an unrivaled experience, Regent’s Epicurean Perfection programing is an integral part of the luxury line’s all-inclusive indulgence that guests enjoy onboard and ashore.
About Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Regent Seven Seas Cruises® is the leading luxury cruise line, delivering An Unrivaled Experience™ for over 30 years. Carrying no more than 746 guests, the line’s spacious and stylish ships - Seven Seas Explorer®, Seven Seas Mariner®, Seven Seas Navigator®, Seven Seas Splendor®, Seven Seas Voyager® and from 2023 Seven Seas Grandeur™ - form The World’s Most Luxurious Fleet™ and explore more than 500 immersive destinations globally. Offering Unrivaled Space at Sea™, guests enjoy sumptuous all-suite accommodations, nearly all with private balconies, which are among the largest at sea, as well as highly personalized service throughout lavish public areas and expansive outdoor spaces. Unique to Regent Seven Seas Cruises, unlimited complimentary shore excursions are available in every port, making it the only truly all-inclusive cruise line. Voyage fares also include round-trip business-class air on intercontinental flights from the U.S. and Canada, gourmet cuisine in a range of specialty restaurants and al-fresco dining venues, fine wines and spirits, entertainment, unlimited internet access, free valet laundry, gratuities, ground transfers and one-night, pre-cruise hotel packages for guests staying in Concierge-level suites and higher. For more information, please visit RSSC.com, call 1.844.873.2381 or contact a professional travel advisor. Regent Seven Seas Cruises is a wholly owned subsidiary of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NYSE: NCLH). To learn more, visit www.nclhltd.com.
