Food & beverage
An odyssey for the senses
More operators are investing in fun and immersive dining experiences to draw travellers to their cruise line, from interactive on-board adventures to once-in-a-lifetime excursions. Elly Earls speaks to Michael Bickel, president and CEO of TableMation Studios, which uses technological innovation to create a theatrical dining experience for Celebrity Cruises, and Christopher Prelog, president of Windstar Cruises, about creating unique dining environments at sea.
W
hether it is buffet service or burger bars, the cruise food and beverage (F&B) model has tended to be traditional, with operators sticking to classics that are a reliable hit. In recent years, some cruise companies have started to up their game with speciality restaurants, partnerships with celebrity chefs, adventurous culinary excursions and a wider range of plant-based dishes. Others have taken it to a new level, investing in state-of-the-art technology that brings cruisers together over a shared experience. At Disney Cruises, this has taken the form of interactive themed dinners that fully immerse families
in the adventures of their children’s favourite characters. While the Frozen dining adventure brings the kingdom of Arendelle to life – including a recreation of the aurora borealis on the ship’s windows – the Avengers: Quantum Encounter requires guests to play an interactive role in a mission that unfolds around them, while digging into a diverse menu inspired by the Marvel cinematic universe. On Celebrity Cruises, 3D projection mapping technology is used to introduce guests to Le Petit Chef. True to his name, the bite-sized character creates an animated version of each course on the diner’s plate, right before that actual dish is served. One of the
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www.worldcruiseindustryreview.com
orld Cruise Industry Review /
www.worldcruiseindustryreview.com
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Windstar Cruises
Windstar Cruises
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