Arrivals & Departures Delicious discoveries: Celebrity Cruises launches chef-lead market tour excursions

How fun is it to wander local food markets on your travels, taking in the new sights, smells and tastes of local produce? It’s now possible to do just that with the direction and knowledge of a chef thanks to Celebrity Cruises’ latest excursion concept.

The Chef’s Market Discoveries culinary shore excursions take guests on a hands-on tasting tour lead by a Celebrity Cruises chef, who will impart their knowledge of sourcing and cooking fresh ingredients from the region.

The day tour is followed by a galley tour on the ship to see the chefs at work. Then there's an intimate, specially prepared dinner using the local flavours discovered that day.

“Celebrity Cruises’ chefs are constantly travelling to new ports and discovering new flavours which they use to inspire their dishes, so they’re perfectly placed to provide unique insights into the tastes of destinations like Thailand, Italy, Greece, Spain and Russia, as well as Australia’s own culinary capital, Melbourne,” said Royal Caribbean Australia and New Zealand managing director Adam Armstrong.

The Melbourne excursion includes a visit to the famous Queen Victoria Market with highlights including of fresh-shucked Coffin Bay oysters, grilled peppered kangaroo and pickled octopus.

In Bangkok, passengers visit a local Thai fresh market and the Nah Pah Thai Culinary Arts School.

Chef’s Market Discoveries are available on nine Celebrity ships, including Celebrity Millennium, which will be cruising Asia itineraries throughout the summer, and Celebrity Solstice, which will be sailing New Zealand and South Pacific itineraries from October to April.

Fact File

• The 2017 Chef’s Market Discoveries cost from $US199 ($251) per person and cover locations throughout the world.
• Visit the Queen Victoria Market and enjoy a private dinner in Melbourne on the 14-night New Zealand Cruise on Celebrity Solstice. Departing Sydney on November 11, it costs from $2149 per person twin share for an interior stateroom.
• Visit a Thai market and the Nah Pah Thai Culinary Arts School on the Southeast Asia Immersion Cruise on Celebrity Millennium, departing Singapore on December 10.  Fares are from $2029 per person twin share for an interior stateroom.
• For more, see celebritycruises.com.au or phone 1800 754 500