A sensory journey through culinary cruising

This is sponsored content by Celebrity Cruises.

Culinary-focussed cruising transports you to some of the world's most enticing foodie destinations – but the best of these journeys go far beyond a taste adventure.

A great foodie voyage will immerse you in the sights, sounds and aromas of each locale, taking you to the very heart of the flavours you discover.

Delve deep

Consider the regional specialities of Alaska: succulent crab, wild salmon, halibut, shrimp. Tasting these delights in their place of origin is a delicious prospect to start with – but it doesn't have to end there.

For a deeper immersion in Alaskan cuisine, you can fly by helicopter to the heart of a remote community, where you'll learn from the local Tlingit people their traditional methods of preservation. You'll sample mouthwatering seafood right on the shores of its ocean of origin, on a remote beach fringed by ancient forests.

Here, amid the sounds of the waves, the scents of the sea and the beauty of the landscape, is the real taste of Alaska.

This is one of the many food-focused shore excursions offered on Celebrity Cruises' Alaskan voyages. Others allow you to spend time with an Alaskan fisherwoman and wilderness chef, who'll share with you fishing, cooking, preserving and filleting methods before you grill your catch of the day.

Or you could explore Alaska's capital, Juneau, through the lens of food, feasting with a local guide through award-winning restaurants on king crab bisque, fresh salmon, local game, tea from indigenous plants and beers from a local craft brewery.

These immersive shore experiences are central to a new type of culinary cruising that seeks to stimulate every sense.

They'll take you deep into food regions, among the people behind the produce. Whether you're tasting sauvignon blancs in the famed wineries of New Zealand's Marlborough, free range honey in Corsica, olive oil in Portofino, or Basque beers in Bilbao, the experience excites more than your tastebuds.

Top of the class

For a deeper gourmet experience, you can't a beat a cooking lesson – and on a culinary cruise, the classroom is as spectacular as the subject.

In Palermo, a Sicilian cooking class takes place in the enchanting 18th century baglio (country house) Antica Masseria, home of ancient nobility. Among gardens of weeping willows and climbing roses, your senses bask in the sights and sounds of a bygone era.

A class with Croatian star chef, Vinko Frlan, delivers extra delight in the beautiful 19th century rustic surrounds of his Rukavac restaurant, Stancija Kovacici. Vinko's produce-focussed traditional dishes – think ravioli, gnocchi, seasonal soups – are made with bounty from the gardens around you, filled with aromas of lavender, rosemary, basil and laurel.

And the Greek island Mykonos fully comes alive when you visit a traditional homestead and tour its vegetable gardens with lessons on how to grow your own goodies, before a cooking class helps you rustle up delicious spinach pie, stuffed tomatoes and Tzatziki.

Straight to the source

Farmers' markets are the lifeblood of any region's cuisine, filled with sights, sounds and aromas unique to that place.

Smoked charcuterie is the star at Ajaccio's Square Cesar Campinchi market in Corsica, alongside local wines, vegetables and fruit, while in Norway's Bergen, you can join the locals seeking the day's freshest and best catch of king prawns, mussels and crab at a bustling fish market.

In Rapallo, Liguria, you can discover the region's produce and herbs at the market in the capable hands of local master chef Guido before making pesto alla Genovese with aromatic basil leaves, cheese, pine nuts and Ligurian extra-virgin olive oil, at his bottega.

On Celebrity Cruises, Chef's Market Discoveries excursions add another layer to a local market visit and extend the experience on board; accompanied by a ship's chef, you'll shop for produce then later, back on board, you'll rejoin the chef for a beautiful meal featuring the flavours and ingredients from the days' exploration.

Set sail with your senses

The culinary immersion doesn't end when you step back aboard your ship. The tastes and sensations of each destination can seamlessly flow into on-board dining experiences, with locally sourced ingredients featuring on exquisite menus prepared by Michelin Star chefs.

Stunning dining spaces, both al fresco and indoors, enhance the sensory experience. Aboard Celebrity Cruises' Celebrity Edge, one of these connects you with your destination in spectacular style: Celebrity Edge's Magic Carpet, the world's first cantilevered, floating platform that reaches heights of 13 storeys above sea level, provides unparalleled views of the shoreside landscape.

"Magic Carpet really is an experience that's all about the destination," says Cornelius Gallagher, Celebrity Cruises' Associate Vice President, Food and Beverage Operations.

He adds: "It's the ultimate local restaurant with the world's best views. There's nothing better than eating locally sourced food, in Spain, Greece or France, with views of the coast of that country."

With over 170 awards globally, when you cruise with Celebrity Cruises you'll experience extraordinary destinations, culinary excellence, intuitive service, luxurious accommodations and stunning design. We'll broaden your culinary horizons with up to 29 distinctive restaurants, cafes, bars, and lounges – with dishes inspired by, and locally sourced from the destinations we visit. And with one of the largest wine collections at sea, our friendly sommeliers will find you the perfect bottle to match. And that's just the beginning. That's the Celebrity way. That's the Celebrity distinction.