Regent Seven Seas Cruises has announced it is developing new classes for the Culinary Arts Center and new Gourmet Explorer Tours for the inaugural Caribbean season of its newest ship, the Seven Seas Explorer. The new ship will set sail this December from Miami on 10- and 14-night Caribbean itineraries through the winter and spring.
On deck 11, guests in the Culinary Arts Center will receive personalized instruction and hands-on training at 18 individual cooking stations 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.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises is also 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. 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 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 views. Guests will transfer to Trellis Bay where the owner of Good Moon Farms, Aragorn, and his culinary team will prepare a beachside lunch with 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, guests will arrive at a retreat owned by local chef, Chef Jacquie. She will teach guests how to make the island’s signature dish, a cornmeal dish similar to polenta called fungie.
Gourmet Explorer Tours are offered as part of the Regent Choice shore excursion program. The Gourmet Explorer Tours for the upcoming Caribbean season are priced at $109 per person, while the classes at the Culinary Arts Kitchen are available for $89 per person.
This story originally appeared on www.travelagentcentral.com.