Home » CRUISE NEWS » Miami, United States Inside Princess Cruises’ Culinary Revolution: Celebrity Spirits, Mexico City Cocktail Magic and Seafood Feasts Redefine Dining at Sea!
Published on
March 14, 2026
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The cruise industry continues to evolve as operators refine onboard experiences to meet changing traveler expectations. One company embracing this approach is Princess Cruises, which has steadily expanded its culinary offerings through strategic collaborations, beverage innovations, and carefully designed restaurant upgrades. Rather than dramatically overhauling its dining concepts, the cruise line has opted for a strategy focused on incremental improvements and targeted enhancements. These updates are gradually reshaping the onboard food and beverage experience across the fleet while maintaining the brand’s traditional identity. Recent developments from new cocktail collaborations and celebrity-backed liquor brands to expanded seafood menus and restaurant upgrades illustrate how the company is modernizing its culinary program while preserving the elements guests already appreciate.
One of the most notable recent initiatives is a cocktail collaboration with Handshake Speakeasy, a renowned bar in Mexico City recognized among North America’s top cocktail destinations. The partnership resulted in five new signature cocktails introduced on select menus aboard certain ships. These drinks were crafted using techniques and flavor profiles inspired by the award-winning bar. Three of the beverages are served exclusively at the ship’s Crooners Bar, while two are reserved for passengers with access to the Sanctuary Club, a premium area designed for relaxation and upscale experiences. Some of the cocktails involve complex preparation processes that take several days. For example, one recipe requires a prolonged infusion using banana peels to create a distinctive banana-flavored variation of a classic Old Fashioned cocktail. While the number of drinks introduced through this collaboration is relatively small, they represent the cruise line’s strategy of introducing focused improvements that subtly elevate the onboard experience.
Another important element of the cruise line’s food and beverage evolution is the expansion of its Love Line Premium Liquors Collection, which features beverages from celebrity-backed brands. One prominent collaboration involves actor Matthew McConaughey and entrepreneur Camila Alves McConaughey through their tequila brand Pantalones Tequila. The partnership began in 2024 and has since become a signature part of the cruise line’s cocktail program. The tequila is used to create the 24K Gold Margarita, a drink that has become one of the fleet’s most popular beverages. According to company data, hundreds of thousands of these margaritas have been ordered across the fleet since its introduction. The celebrity partnership program has continued to expand with additional beverage brands, including:
Hampton Water Rosé, created by musician Jon Bon Jovi and entrepreneur Jesse BongioviArcher Roose Wines, associated with actress Elizabeth BanksMeili Vodka, developed by actor Jason Momoa
These collaborations go beyond simple branding arrangements. Celebrity partners frequently participate in marketing campaigns, promotional content, and cruise-related events, helping the cruise line create engaging storytelling around its beverage offerings.
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In addition to premium spirits and cocktails, the cruise line has also expanded its non-alcoholic beverage program in response to shifting traveler preferences. In early 2025 the company introduced the Amore Princess Zero Alcohol Collection, a lineup of carefully crafted mocktails designed for guests seeking alcohol-free alternatives. The drinks were created with input from the team behind Sips, a globally recognized cocktail bar in Barcelona, Spain. The introduction of this menu reflects broader hospitality trends as more travelers seek health-conscious and inclusive drink options, ensuring that the onboard beverage experience appeals to a wide range of guests.
Another noticeable shift in the cruise line’s dining strategy is a stronger emphasis on seafood. Company leadership has observed increasing demand for seafood dishes, particularly among the brand’s core demographic of travelers aged 50 and above, many of whom prioritize healthier meal choices As a result, menus across several restaurants are being adjusted to include more seafood-focused dishes, ranging from sushi and sashimi to Mediterranean-inspired seafood stews. One example is Guazzetto di Cozze e Gamberi, a tomato-based seafood dish featuring mussels and shrimp served at Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria, one of the line’s signature specialty restaurants.
The cruise line has also introduced several changes to its specialty dining venues. A major addition is Makoto Ocean, a sushi-focused restaurant that initially debuted on the line’s new Sphere-class ships. The venue has now expanded to additional vessels, including the Diamond Princess, which primarily sails itineraries in Japan. The Crown Grill steakhouse has also been introduced on both the Diamond Princess and its sister ship, the Sapphire Princess. These expansions provide guests with a broader range of dining options, blending classic cruise cuisine with modern international flavors.
Italian cuisine remains an important component of the cruise line’s dining portfolio. The menu at Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria was recently redesigned in collaboration with the historic Italian wine producer Frescobaldi. A centerpiece of the updated menu is the Grand Tuscan Dinner, a six-course tasting experience paired with wines from the Frescobaldi portfolio. The meal is typically offered once during each sailing and provides guests with a curated journey through Tuscan culinary traditions. The experience reflects the cruise line’s commitment to providing premium specialty dining options that emphasize authenticity and regional flavors.
One of the most notable culinary achievements for the cruise line recently came from Italy. Alfredo’s Pizzeria, a popular casual restaurant found aboard several ships, received the Ospitalità Italiana certification, an official recognition granted by the Italian government to establishments that meet strict standards for authentic Italian cuisine. The certification confirms that the restaurant’s pizza meets traditional Italian preparation methods and ingredient standards. For cruise passengers, this recognition highlights the brand’s commitment to culinary authenticity and high-quality ingredients, even in casual dining venues.
Beyond individual restaurants and beverages, the cruise line is also enhancing the overall dining atmosphere onboard. During the christening celebrations for the Star Princess in Miami, guests were invited to explore a food-hall-style culinary showcase featuring dishes from multiple onboard restaurants.
Highlights included:
Truffle risotto prepared in a hollowed Parmesan cheese wheelFresh sashimi sliced from a 550-pound yellowfin tuna imported from JapanPizza prepared in the traditional style served at Alfredo’s PizzeriaA bento-style lunch featuring salmon at Makoto Ocean
These experiences demonstrate how cruise lines are increasingly designing interactive and visually engaging dining experiences to complement the food itself.
The culinary changes introduced across the fleet reflect a broader strategic approach. Rather than completely reinventing its onboard dining program, the company is focusing on steady improvements to existing offerings. This includes:
Strategic brand partnershipsGradual menu updatesNew specialty restaurantsHealth-conscious menu additionsInnovative beverage programs
This incremental approach allows the cruise line to keep the guest experience fresh while maintaining the familiarity that long-time passengers appreciate. Recent guest satisfaction data has reportedly shown notable improvements in dining-related feedback, suggesting that these culinary upgrades are resonating with travelers.
As the cruise industry grows increasingly competitive, onboard dining has become one of the most important factors shaping guest satisfaction. Through collaborations with award-winning bars, celebrity beverage brands, international chefs, and authentic culinary institutions, Princess Cruises is gradually redefining what dining at sea can offer. From craft cocktails inspired by Mexico City’s bar scene to authentic Italian pizza certified by the Italian government, the cruise line’s evolving culinary program reflects the global nature of modern travel. With continued menu refinements, expanded restaurant concepts, and a focus on health-conscious and premium experiences, the future of cruise dining appears to be centered on innovation, authenticity, and carefully curated partnerships.
Dining and Cooking