Maritime catering

With the democratization of cruises, they have evolved from being just a mode of transportation to becoming a full-fledged way of traveling, where the onboard passenger experience is just as important as the excursions along the way. To stand out from the competition, an increasing number of cruise lines are successfully focusing on enhancing their onboard dining offerings.

What is maritime catering ?

Two types of cruises can be distinguished: river cruises, which take place on rivers or lakes, and ocean cruises, which are conducted at sea.

These tourist journeys, offered by various cruise companies, vary in duration, ranging from a few days to several weeks. Often operating on a full-board basis despite daily shore excursions, passengers require onboard meals from breakfast to dinner, including snacks.

There are numerous maritime companies offering cruises to multiple destinations, sometimes themed, catering to all budgets—from luxury cruises, adventure cruises, cultural cruises, entertainment cruises, to relaxation cruises. Onboard dining must take these elements into account to ensure a cohesive overall customer experience during their stay on the ship. Depending on the number of passengers, which can range from a few hundred to several thousand, the type of vessel will vary from sailboats, yachts, to large cruise ships.

Onboard dining is characterized by extended operating hours and significant activity fluctuations during peak times. Therefore, multiple dining options are often found on the same ship, supported by a substantial team dedicated to both cooking and service.

Our best pratices

Maritime catering must adapt to the type of clientele and their nationalities, which can influence their dietary habits and needs. To appeal to a diverse range of passengers, it is advisable to offer a varied selection throughout the day. The buffet format is particularly well-suited to meeting the needs of a heterogeneous population. Buffets should be presented in a clean and organized manner so that the offerings are easily understood by guests. Clear signage, translated into English, will help passengers navigate the available options.

Adapting the culinary offerings to the cruise destination is also a strong marketing strategy for companies. Customers are eager to discover the culinary specialties of each country, featuring specific local products. This allows the same cruise company to refresh its offerings based on destinations and build customer loyalty by inviting them to explore new dishes.

A unique aspect of maritime catering is the procurement of raw materials according to the planned ports of call. Anticipating menu plans is crucial to avoid stock shortages during navigation, especially since it involves managing substantial volumes.

Making a strong first impression with welcome cocktails upon passengers’ arrival is strategic for setting the tone for the culinary experience on board. Given that cruises can last several weeks, dining should be considered a key element of the journey, providing structure and rhythm through events such as the captain’s dinner or discovery workshops featuring product tastings and themed buffets with live stations, such as a carving station or on-the-spot pastry preparation.

The support we offer you

For many years, Ducasse Conseil has been supporting Ponant in developing and implementing a high-quality culinary offering, making it a key asset of their cruises. Additionally, Chef Alain Ducasse created the restaurant Ducasse Sur Seine, offering elegant and refined cuisine aboard an electric-powered boat on the Seine in the heart of Paris.

Our teams have the expertise to assist you in creating and structuring your culinary offerings to facilitate production work, taking into account the logistical and operational constraints inherent in onboard catering. This involves not only the development of menu plans but also the broader formalization of a deployment guide that compiles all the necessary information to understand the onboard culinary offerings and best practices. We can also train your kitchen brigades in recipe execution and conduct quality follow-ups. These interventions allow us to support your teams in the operational deployment and consistency of your catering services.

Have a project in mind?