MIAMI, Fla. (Nov. 07, 2016) – This December, the most luxurious ship ever built, Seven Seas Explorer, will make its North American debut in the cruise capital of the world, Miami, and set sail for its inaugural Caribbean season. For the 10- and 14-night Caribbean sailings this winter and spring, Regent Seven Seas Cruises is developing new classes for the Culinary Arts Center onboard and new Gourmet Explorer Tours at select ports of call.
Already a resounding guest favorite, the Culinary Arts Kitchen provides guests with all the ingredients needed to expand their culinary skills. Positioned on deck 11, with incredible ocean views, the Culinary Arts Kitchen is designed in much the same manner as the most prestigious cooking schools in France. Guests attending classes receive highly personalized instruction and hands-on training at 18 individual cooking stations fully equipped with top-of-the-line induction cooktops, stainless steel sinks and a comprehensive collection of essential cooking utensils. The new classes for the Caribbean season include:
- Fiesta on the High Seas: This class is designed for lovers of Mexican cuisine. Guests will make tortillas from scratch and master the art of grilling the perfect carne asada. To finish off the meal guests will learn to prepare chocolate pepita shortbread, using a special recipe developed by Chef Kathryn Kelly, Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ director of culinary enrichment.
- Caribe!: This class celebrates the spices, ingredients and distinctive flavors of the Caribbean. Guests will produce delicious local specialties, such as Bermudian Ginger Beer, that they can replicate at home to bring back fond memories of their journey across the Caribbean.
- Who Doesn’t Love Brunch?: Guests will learn some new tasty recipes to spice up their brunch repertoire and master the technique of infusing sugars to create trendy brunch cocktails.
- Viva Espana: Guests will learn how to prepare traditional Spanish tapas and authentic sangria during this class. The master instructor at the Culinary Arts Kitchen will also host a paella demonstration, including how to make aioli from scratch.
- Opa! Modern Healthy Greek: Crete is regarded as the birthplace of the Mediterranean diet, and this class explores a variety of dishes that have led to the healthy and long lives enjoyed by residents of this region.
Further enhancing the curriculum offered at the Culinary Arts Kitchen, Regent Seven Seas Cruises is developing new Gourmet Explorer Tours for the Caribbean season which allow guests to explore the destinations through its epicurean offerings. Tours are accompanied by the chef instructor from the Culinary Arts Kitchen along with a local guide, often a chef, with intimate knowledge of the region’s agriculture, wine and cuisine, to add an extra layer of authenticity to this immersive culinary experience. New tours for the Caribbean season include:
- St. Lucia Spices Cooking Studio: St. Lucia is one of the most revered spice islands of the Caribbean and on this exclusive Gourmet Explorer Tour guests will learn why. Guests will taste the subtleties of St. Lucian cuisine with dishes served al fresco on a terrace with stunning views of the sea. Following lunch, guests visit the bustling open-air Castries Market, where farmers have sold locally grown fruits, vegetables and spices for nearly 100 years.
- Tortola Biodynamic Farm & Island Inspired Beach Lunch: Guests will travel to the biodynamic Good Moon Farm where they’ll walk amongst the seasonal produce while soaking in the incredible vista views. Guests will transfer to Trellis Bay where the owner of Good Moon Farms, local legend Aragorn, and his culinary team will prepare a delicious beachside lunch featuring Rasta-style fruit smoothies, fish and grilled vegetables, and a dessert dish of mango, guava berries or fig bananas.
- St. John’s Market Visit and Cooking Demo: The journey begins with a chef-led tour through the colorful market located in the center of downtown St. John’s. Guests will be able to see and taste the island’s local fruits, including the famous Antiguan black pineapple. After working up an appetite, guests will arrive at a charming retreat owned by renowned local chef, Chef Jacquie. She will teach guests how to make the island’s signature dish, a cornmeal dish similar to polenta called fungie.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises is the only line to offer free unlimited shore excursions in every port-of-call in every destination. Gourmet Explorer Tours are offered as part of the Regent Choice shore excursion program, designed for intrepid guests wishing to delve deeper into a region’s culture and history. The Gourmet Explorer Tours for the upcoming Caribbean season are priced at nominal $109 per person, while the classes at the Culinary Arts Kitchen are available for $89 per person.
For more specific itinerary details or for general information about Seven Seas Explorer or Regent Seven Seas Cruises, guests can visit www.RSSC.com, call 1.844.4REGENT (1.844.473.4368) or contact a professional travel agent.
Über Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Regent Seven Seas Cruises is the world's most inclusive luxury cruise line with a four ship fleet that visits more than 375 destinations around the globe. The line’s newest ship, Seven Seas Explorer, entered service on 20. Juli 2016 and has been recognized as the most luxurious ship ever built. A leader in the luxury cruise segment, the line's fares include all-suite accommodations, round-trip air, highly personalized service, exquisite cuisine, fine wines and spirits, unlimited internet access, sightseeing excursions in every port, gratuities, ground transfers and a pre-cruise hotel package for guests staying in concierge level suites and higher. Beginning in summer 2017, Regent Seven Seas Cruises will also include Business Class air for all intercontinental flights.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises is currently in the middle of a $125 million refurbishment effort that will elevate the level of elegance found throughout the fleet to the standard set by Seven Seas Explorer. The new interior design debuted on Seven Seas Navigator this past summer, and Seven Seas Voyager will emerge from dry dock with similar renovations on 09. November 2016. Seven Seas Mariner is scheduled to undergo refurbishment next April.
