From Michelin stars to spice bazaars: world's best foodie cruises

Whatever epicurean experiences are on your wish list, chances are you can do them on a cruise.

Everyone has one: a culinary experience they are dying to try. It might be an hours-long Michelin-starred meal where each extraordinary course is followed by another even more dazzling dish. Or perhaps its simply the chance to wander through an oriental market where fragrant piles of spices create a kaleidoscope of colours, choosing a little of this and a little of that to take home with you so you can conjure up the memory every time you cook. Whatever epicurean experience is on your wish list, chances are you can do it on a voyage.

Cruise lines are finding that many of their most popular shore excursions are focused on food. "Culinary experiences play a vital role in immersing yourself in your destination. There's no better way to experience a new culture than to taste local delicacies," says Michelle Black, managing director ANZ at Viking. Viking is just one of the companies that now offers an extensive range of culinary excursions, from cooking classes in local specialties to truffle-foraging expeditions. Feeling tempted? Our smorgasbord of global gourmet experiences will win over even the fussiest eater.

Where: Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic

Feel better about your caffeine habit after visiting one of the coffee farms helping build a more sustainable industry on this Caribbean island. Learn every aspect of coffee production including harvesting and roasting before a traditional lunch and planting a coffee tree to help with reforestation.

When: November 2023, December 2024

Book: Norwegian Cruise Line's 11-day Panama Canal: Curacao and Aruba trip from Miami to Panama; from $2422 per person. ncl.com.au

Where: Cozumel, Mexico

It was the ancient Olmecs of Mexico who first discovered how to produce drinking chocolate from the cacao plant, a drink that later civilisations including the Mayans and the Aztecs also revered. Guaranteed to appeal to chocoholics, this Celebrity Cruises experience - taking place on a beautiful seaside terrace - includes tastings of different kinds of cocoa and advice on pairing red wine with chocolate, as well as the opportunity to make your own chocolate.

When: November 2024 to February 2025

Book: Celebrity Cruises 12-night Ultimate Caribbean and The Americas round trip from Tampa, Florida; from $2055 per person. celebritycruises.com

Where: Kirkenes, Norway

You call that a crab? Norway's king crabs leave their competitors for dead. The largest specimens weigh up to 10kg and have a leg span of almost two metres - and they're delicious too. Join a crab fisherman as he catches his harvest, then head to a boathouse in a stunning fjord where you can eat your fill of the delicious crabmeat.

When: April to November 2023 and 2024

Book: Hurtigruten's 11-day Norwegian Coastal Express Voyage of Discovery from Bergen to Trondheim; from $2262 per person. hurtigruten.com.au

Read more on Explore:

Where: Menton, France

Always dreamed of eating at a three-Michelin-starred restaurant? Silversea offers its guests something even better: the chance to go behind the scenes. Mirazur on the French Riviera is celebrated not just for its outstanding food but also its panoramic views.

You will meet the team, visit their bakery and biodynamic gardens and learn about the small producers they work with before settling down to enjoy a magnificent degustation in a private dining room.

When: June 2024

Book: Silversea's 12-day Mediterranean cruise from Lisbon to Rome; from $11,450 per person. silversea.com

Where: Istanbul, Turkiye

You will never want to set foot in a supermarket again after you've experienced Istanbul's sensational food bazaars. Explore the local markets - including the aromatic spice market and the bustling fish market - with a local chef who will introduce you to their favourite vendors and organise samples of specialties such as Turkish olives, cheese and olive oil. Finish the day with a lunch of traditional local favourites, each one explained in detail.

When: May 2024

Book: Oceania Cruises' 21-day Iconic Civilisations voyage from Istanbul, Turkiye, to Jerusalem, Israel; from $17,930 per person for a Concierge-level Veranda Stateroom. oceaniacruises.com.au

Where: Santorini, Greece

Has anyone been to the Greek islands and not been seduced by their stylish simplicity? From the white-washed houses to the local cuisine and fresh ingredients, it is hard to resist. Virgin Voyages' Santorini experience is a master class in island dining, covering history, the best techniques and time-honoured recipes. Be prepared to get your hands dirty: lunch will be what you have cooked.

When: May 2024

Where: Quebec City, Canada

The sugar shack is one of Quebec's most delicious traditions, a seasonal rural getaway traditionally held to celebrate the maple syrup harvest. With live folkloric music and classic Quebecois dishes like French Canadian pea soup and maple-glazed ham, it offers a true taste of the region.

When: October 2024

Book: Explora Journeys' 15-night Extended Journey to Promised Lands of Prosperity round trip from New York; from $13,250 per person. explorajourneys.com

Where: Strasbourg, France

How much can you learn about local cuisine in a day? Plenty, on this shore excursion in Alsace's gorgeous capital. Your day starts with an introduction to regional delicacies, before you join a sommelier to sample the local wines. Then head to a typical winstub and learn how to make a flammkuchen.

When: December 2023 to February 2024

Book: Viking's 10-day Treasures of the Rhine between Amsterdam and Basel; from $2995 per person. vikingcruises.com.au

Pictures: Orjan Bertelsen; Unsplash; Matteo Carrasale