Princess Cruises has some of the best dining at sea. However, it’s always nice to see new restaurants and food options to try on upcoming cruises.
A highly anticipated dining option is a new a specialty seafood restaurant, The Catch by Rudi, a joint partnership with Culinary Icon Chef Rudi Sodamin, head of culinary arts for Princess.
In addition, Princess Cruises has announced a new Irish Pub and enhancements to other venues.
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The Catch by Rudi
The Catch by Rudi is the first Princess restaurant primarily devoted to seafood and offers a completely fresh take on seafood with the chef’s contemporary interpretations of classic dishes, international fusion influences, highly-creative presentations and an engaging dining experience.
The Catch by Rudi debuts onboard Enchanted Princess, and is coming soon to Majestic Princess, Sky Princess and Discovery Princess.
“Chef Rudi is the foremost cruise culinary artist in the world with more than four decades of experience spanning the world’s best cruise lines – Princess Cruises, Cunard Line, Holland America Line and Carnival Cruise Line, as well as Royal Caribbean and Norwegian American Cruise Line,” said John Padgett, president of Princess Cruises.
“Chef Rudi’s creativity, passion and leadership in delivering exceptional experiences down to the finest details that consider guests preferences and tastes will surely make The Catch another “must do.”
The Catch by Rudi replaces Bistro Sur la Mer and is expected to make a tremendous splash given the menu that will appeal to both seafood aficionados and guests who simply prefer some great “surf and turf.”
Guests will notice as soon as they pick up their menus that they are experiencing something unexpected and novel, as they read headings like “Beauty on the Plate” and “Tower of Taste.” The place settings are equally distinctive. Guests are greeted at their table by a special cocktail created by mixologist Rob Floyd.
The Cost of The Catch by Rudi & What to Expect
Priced at just $39 per person and available as a specialty dining option within the Princess Premier premium add-on package, the restaurant’s menu features The Daily Catch—the freshest, sustainably sourced seafood from local ports of call.
The new specialty dining location also includes playful takes on seafood go-to dishes like Asian-fried calamari; modern twists on comforting seafood classics such as lobsters with garlic butter crust; and stunningly presented signature seafood inventions from the chef’s personal repertoire including a Towering Trio and Whole Dover Sole.
The new restaurant delivers a one-of-a-kind dining experience, including serving up classic dishes that delight as if they were being encountered for the first time. To that end, each preparation and presentation will be completely unique to guests dining onboard.
While the menu is focused primarily on seafood dishes, The Catch by Rudi also features offerings to appeal to every taste and appetite, along with vegetarian dishes, and signature beef classics like steak frites, all presented with the creativity that is distinctively Chef Rudi.
Aboard Enchanted Princess The Catch by Rudi is located across from the guest services desk on Deck 5, as Sabatini’s moves to Deck 7 in the piazza, where Bistro Sur la Mer was previously located.
The new specialty restaurant will be added aboard several other Princess ships including Majestic Princess (May 5) in time for its Alaska Season, Sky Princess (May 7) sailing from Southampton on Scandinavian and Baltic itineraries this summer and in the fall aboard Discovery Princess.
New Irish Pub on Princess Cruises
O’Malley’s
Also coming to Enchanted Princess starting April 15 is O’Malley’s, a contemporary Irish pub featuring traditional Irish music, interactive entertainment and extraordinary food including the new O’Malley’s ribeye burger.
Located on Deck 5 in the piazza where the Salty Dog Gastropub Experience previously operated, the O’Malley’s menu also includes Scotch eggs, fried pickles, pan-fried Guinness chicken, along with favorite Irish beers, ales and whiskeys.
The new pub will also offer tasting experiences that include an introduction to the history of Irish Whiskey along with a tasting flight, as well as Guinness cocktail classes. Offering more than just a great menu, O’Malley’s will overflow with the exuberance, banter, and vivacity synonymous with the vintage Irish pub experience.
Princess Piazza Enhancements – Settimo Cielo
The iconic Princess Piazza will now extend beyond stunning Italian architecture to deliver the aromas and experiences that are the hallmarks of a traditional Italian “town square.” Deck Seven becomes Settimo Cielo, or seventh heaven, where guests will find an array of Italian eats including the Princess favorite Sabatini’s Trattoria one of the most popular Princess specialty restaurants, Bellini’s Venice-inspired cocktail bar and Gigi’s Pizzeria by Alfredo.
The Piazza will also feature more Italian flair in the Gelateria on deck five, which continues to feature the only authentic Italian gelato experience outside of Italy, where fresh gelato is hand-crafted each day with Italian-certified ingredients in the ship’s pastry kitchen.
The Original Salty Dog
Princess is also adding the authentic and world-famous Salty Dog Café, the original, world-famous Hilton Head eatery that welcomes tens of thousands of visitors a year, to the Lido Deck on Enchanted Princess. Now Princess guests can enjoy original ‘Salty Dog Café’ menu items like the Prime Burger and the Chicken Strip Basket, while learning about the legend of Jake, the café’s iconic dog in the yellow hat. The café’s epic, branded merchandise featuring the restaurant’s iconic mascot will also be available for purchase. Visitors to the original Salty Dog in Hilton Head will also enjoy promotional invitations to sail Princess.
Princess Cruises – Great Food, Drinks & Value
In a press release about the new restaurants and enhancements onboard Princess cruise ships, Princess Cruises CEO shared:
“There is nothing more core to the Princess experience than great food and drinks at an amazing value conveyed with exceptional service and a friendly spirit,” added Padgett. “We’re confident our guests will absolutely love the changes they’ll find aboard Enchanted Princess and how we’re embracing our Italian heritage, expanding our offerings with great seafood, injecting some international spirit with an Irish Pub, and bringing a laid-back resort vibe with good eats to the Lido Deck.”
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Final Thoughts on the New Princess Restaurants & Dining Options
As a lover of cruise food and dining options, I’m excited to try The Catch by Rudi on an upcoming cruise! I’m also happy that Princess will continue to have the amazing Pizza we know and love.
What do you think about Princess Cruises new restaurants and changes? Please let me know in the comments below.
*All photos courtesy of Princess Cruises. News release from Princess Cruises.
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