In this episode of Eat. Drink. Cruise., host Ken Taylor dives into the culinary wonders of Norwegian Cruise Line with Christian Pratsch, the VP of Food and Beverage.

Christian shares insights from his extensive background in hospitality, sharing his journey from a chef to his role at Norwegian Cruise Line, highlighting his passion for culinary excellence and innovation throughout.

The pair discuss the evolution of dining at sea, particularly Norwegian Cruise Line's freestyle dining concept that revolutionised dining on board by offering guests flexible dining times and multiple specialty dining options.

Christian emphasises the brand's commitment to keeping guests at the forefront of their innovations to continuously enhance their dining experiences on board. He cites new concepts like the Indulge Food Hall, allowing guests to order from a diverse menu via tablets, ensuring quick service and a variety of global cuisines.

Tune in to discover the behind-the-scenes stories and future innovations that make dining at sea an unforgettable experience.

Join host Ken Taylor as he sits down with industry expert Darragh McGillicuddy, Founder of  McGillicuddy Hospitality as they reminisce over lessons learnt from the hotel industry and their roles in shaping drinking & dining experiences at sea. Offering insight into the impact of F&B on passenger experience onboard and how clarity in brand standards and service excellence contribute to guest satisfaction and loyalty.

In particular, Darragh highlights the unique challenges and opportunities of small ship F&B programmes and culinary teams, and the crucial role that onboard crew play. The pair discuss leadership programmes and team culture, and the invaluable role these can play in maintaining gold standards and brand quality.

Tune in for behind-the-scenes anecdotes and practical advice for setting cruise F&B teams up for success and service excellence.

Dive into the world of food, travel, and social media influence with this weeks Eat. Drink. Cruise. episode.

Join host Ken Taylor as he explores the fascinating intersection of culinary innovation, hospitality, and social media with special guest Rachel Samson (Stick a Fork in Me). In this episode, Rachel shares her journey to becoming a social media influencer, offering insights into the evolving landscape of digital content creation in cruise F&B.

Discover how social media has reshaped the way we experience food and travel, as Rachel delves into the challenges and rewards of curating authentic content about food in the age of influencer culture. From behind-the-scenes glimpses of cruise ship kitchens to uncovering hidden culinary gems in bustling cities, Rachel's culinary adventures offer a tantalising glimpse into the world of food entertainment.

Plus, Ken and Rachel discuss viral moments, how to drive engagement and connection with cruise F&B on social media, shaping the perception of cruise travel among younger generations and opening up new opportunities for exploration and discovery.

Dive into the world of cruise industry innovation in our latest Tech Talks podcast episode, where host David Tibbles from theICEway chats with Jessica Wright, Managing Director of Peel X. Together, they navigate the realm of augmented reality (AR), shedding light on its transformative potential within cruise tourism.

Discover how AR breathes new life into travel experiences, overlaying digital wonders onto real-world landscapes. Jessica unveils the magic of interactive storytelling and engaging activities, from historical voyages to thrilling treasure hunts, all enhanced by AR technology.

Jessica shares captivating examples of AR projects in the cruise space, including a fascinating archaeological storytelling initiative in the Outer Hebrides, demonstrating how AR breathes new life into forgotten histories and undiscovered locations.

Join David and Jessica as they delve into the practicalities of implementing AR solutions, from technical intricacies to connectivity challenges in remote destinations. Plus, uncover how customised AR experiences are forging deeper connections to destinations, enriching the passenger experience ashore.

Tune in, to uncover the boundless potential of AR to enhance cruise tourism, promising guests unforgettable adventures and enriching cultural encounters beyond the confines of traditional shore excursions.

In this episode, Ken sits down with a cruise line supplier: John Devine, President of Michael J. Devine and Associates, a family-run business steeped in the wine industry's tradition.

Together, they offer insights into supplying wine to the travel industry, navigating the journey of Michael J. Devine and Associates from family dynamics, to cruise line deals, providing anecdotes and best practice examples along the way.

This episode offers the opportunity to understand the business of supplying F&B to cruise lines, and the importance of partnership with cruise line buyers - working together to adapt, finding products that meet everchanging guest expectations.

Tune in as John shares insights into relationship-building in the cruise industry, the evolving landscape of wine sales, rising interest into sustainable and low2no wine categories, and current ventures into better-for-you snacks.

In this week’s Ship Safety Spotlight, sponsored by Survitec, Seatrade Cruise's Holly Payne is joined by Richard McCormick, Commercial Director of MES and AES Systems for Survitec. The pair explore the critical role of safety in the cruise industry, and particularly the advancements in ship evacuation technology.

Tune in to discover how Survitec's Seahaven Advanced Evacuation System, redefines safety at sea. With its fully automated, rapid evacuation capability, launching at the push of a button and deploys in under four minutes. Learn how this Survival Technology is designed to enhances passenger safety and free up valuable deck space onboard!

Key takeaways include insights into the increasing need for advanced evacuation systems as cruise ships grow larger and more ambitious, the crucial role of regulations in ensuring safety standards keep pace with innovation, and the impact of safety solutions like Seahaven, on the future of cruise ship design.

In this week's episode, Ken Taylor hosts Charles Steadman, Director of Food and Beverage Experiences and Strategic Partnerships at Virgin Voyages. Together, they delve into the captivating journey behind the creation of Virgin's distinctive brand and its innovative food and beverage offerings.

Explore Virgin Voyages' fresh perspective on onboard drinking & dining, shaped by collaborations with artists, musicians, and other creatives to elevate the experience for sailors.

Charles offers insights into the meticulous process behind realising Virgin's vision at sea and sheds light into emerging trends shaping menu creation, tailored to their unique, adult-only demographic. From the rising interest in low-to-no alcohol options to wellness-centric initiatives.

Tune in to discover how Virgin Voyages continues to redefine the cruise F&B experience.

Mentioned in this episode:

SSA Marine

You can visit SSA Marine at booth #1433 at Seatrade Cruise Global, April 8-11.

SSA Marine

You can visit SSA Marine at booth #1433 at Seatrade Cruise Global, April 8-11.

In this weeks episode Ken sits down with Zach Sulkes, AVP of Beverage Operations for Carnival Cruise Line, bringing over 20 years of industry experience to the table. From his tenure at Bacardi to his current role at Carnival, Zach offers a unique perspective on the dynamics of cruise F&B.

Discover how Carnival is leading the charge in F&B sustainability, reducing food waste, and pioneering circular packaging initiatives. Dive into the immersive bar experiences aboard Carnival's XL class ships, where each vessel boasts its own unique brewery and themed bars, elevating the onboard guest experience to new heights.

Zach dives into factors that make a huge impact onboard, including the importance of investing in onboard teams, nurturing talent, and enhancing guest interactions for an unforgettable cruise experience. Plus, explore the delicate balance between Carnival's stellar guest satisfaction and revenue optimization, as Zach shares insights into decision-making processes that drive Carnival's F&B operations forward.

Mentioned in this episode:

ITD Food Safety

Visit ITD Food Safety at Seatrade Cruise Global, April 8-11 2024 at booth #3419.

ITD Food Safety

Visit ITD Food Safety at Seatrade Cruise Global, April 8-11 2024 at booth #3419.

Explore the forefront of tech innovation and how to harness technology to create a world leading cruise destination, with Barbara Buczek, Chief Destination Experiences Officer at Cruise Saudi, as she joins David Tibbles on the brand new season of Tech Talks Podcast.

In this captivating discussion, Barbara unveils the ambitious vision of Cruise Saudi in shaping the future of cruise in Saudi Arabia, and the role technology plays in their plans, crafting immersive experiences for guests and using digital platforms and social media to revolutionise destination marketing.

Barbara shares insights into leveraging data analytics and social media to personalise guest experiences, highlighting the importance of collaboration between cruise lines, ports, and local businesses for sustainable growth. Plus, explore the exciting possibilities of smart infrastructure and AI in optimising guest flow and enhancing the overall cruise passenger experience.

Join Ken Taylor this week on Eat. Drink. Cruise as he is joined by Executive Chef Molly Brandt, providing a sneak peak into her life and culinary philosophy.

Molly shares insights from her journey as a chef, from graduating from the CIA, to being one of the first North American female chefs to lead a chef driven concept: 150 Central Park on Allure of the Seas. Molly shares unique insights from her time at sea, since which, Molly has consulted for an array of cruise lines, before her current role where she is now taking her creativity and innovative approach to the airline industry with gategroup.

This conversation teases the intricacies of culinary innovation at sea, complexities behind interactive dining experiences, and the evolving trends reshaping the food and beverage industry in travel and beyond. Discover Molly's secrets behind crafting authentic, immersive dining experiences at sea, from new galley's to bespoke menus.

Don't miss the opportunity to hear more insights from Molly at F&B@Sea 2024, where she will be joining a panel of culinary experts and chefs.