"Double Tourism Craze" Revives Maritime Splendor: Limited Edition Taiwanese Boba Drinks and Stir-Fried Rice Noodles Hit U.S. Cruise Ship

The Majestic Princess has introduced ingredients and technical training from renowned Taiwanese bubble tea brands, offering 15 varieties—from pearl milk tea and QQ passion fruit green tea to milk foam drinks. (Photo: Jian Yixin, Canon EOS M6)

Spicy squid stir-fried with sausage is the only spicy dish in the Chinese restaurant, bursting with color and bold flavors that make you forget you’re sailing the Pacific. (Photo: Jian Yixin, Canon EOS M6)

Asia’s cruise tourism boom has attracted global cruise lines to incorporate Chinese cultural elements, and now Taiwanese cuisine and bubble tea are available at sea. The U.S.-based Princess Cruises, one of the world’s top three cruise companies, recently deployed its first ship designed specifically for Chinese travelers—the Majestic Princess—to Asia. From signage to cabins, Chinese labels abound, and Taiwanese delicacies are now on the menu, satisfying homesick Taiwanese passengers and introducing international travelers to authentic Taiwanese flavors.

The "Majestic Trio" features a base of grass jelly and pudding, topped with fresh milk, banana-flavored foam, and freshly sliced bananas for a rich banana taste. (Photo: Jian Yixin, Canon EOS M6)

● Limited-Edition Majestic Trio: A New Banana Kingdom Delight

Unlike the usual cruise offerings of coffee and juice, the Majestic Princess sources ingredients and trains staff using methods from leading Taiwanese bubble tea brands, serving 15 drink varieties—from pearl milk tea and QQ passion fruit green tea to milk foam beverages. Even Executive Chef Nilo Oliva Palma, who oversees dining for all passengers, fell in love with the flavors, calling it his biggest "small joy" while working onboard.

Beyond familiar Taiwanese drinks, the cruise also introduces an exclusive new beverage: the "Majestic Trio," blending grass jelly, pudding, fresh milk, banana foam, and sliced bananas—highlighting Taiwan’s strengths in bubble tea and tropical fruits.

Beef and shrimp paste fried rice is fluffy, well-separated, and generously portioned, without being overly fishy. (Photo: Jian Yixin, Canon EOS M6)

● Michelin-Starred Chefs Curate Menu Featuring Taiwanese Stir-Fried Rice Noodles

The Majestic Princess pioneers a collaboration between two Michelin-starred chefs to design dishes, with over 30 Chinese options at Guanlanxuan Chinese Restaurant—such as truffle vinaigrette roast duck salad, dried scallop shredded duck soup, Cantonese-style old-fire broth, spicy squid stir-fried with sausage, Dàqiān Sichuan chicken hotpot, and beef and shrimp paste fried rice. Using high-power induction stoves (since open flames are prohibited), the chefs achieve the wok hei (breath of the wok) essential for authentic Chinese stir-fries. The menu also includes Taiwanese-style shredded pork stir-fried rice noodles, so delicious it makes you forget you’re in the Pacific.

The Majestic Princess, designed with input from two Michelin-starred chefs, offers diverse Cantonese dishes at Guanlanxuan Chinese Restaurant—including Taiwanese stir-fried rice noodles—to satisfy Taiwanese travelers’ cravings abroad. (Photo: Jian Yixin, Canon EOS M6)

The truffle vinaigrette roast duck salad blends Eastern and Western flavors, with tender meat and a refreshing taste. (Photo: Jian Yixin, Canon EOS M6)