Enjoy Ippudo ramen and Gong Cha milk tea on board the cruise ship—cruise line collaborations spark new excitement!

▲Cruise dining services are becoming increasingly diverse. (Photo / Reporter Yu Jiayun)

Reported by Yu Jiayun / Taipei

In recent years, cruise tourism has become increasingly popular, with more people choosing to travel abroad by sea instead of flying. The continuous innovation in cruise ships has also provided travelers with a wider range of options. Beyond ship size and onboard facilities, cruises from around the world offer diverse dining experiences due to varying food cultures. In recent years, offerings have expanded to include bubble tea, wood-fired pizza, and celebrity chef restaurants, allowing passengers to enjoy a rich culinary experience at sea just like on land.

▲Freshly baked wood-fired pizza is now available on board. (Photo / Reporter Lai Wenxuan)

In the past, cruise meals were often limited by ingredient availability and onboard facilities. However, to cater to travelers' homesickness and cravings at sea, modern cruise lines have had to get more creative with their dining options. The recently launched Princess Cruises’ Majestic Princess features a authentic Taiwanese-style bubble tea shop, “Gong Cha,” which is also the brand’s only cruise ship outlet. All ingredients are directly supplied by the brand, and crew members even traveled to Taiwan for training to ensure that Taiwanese favorites like pearl milk tea, QQ passion fruit green tea, and mango smoothies are served at sea.

▲Bubble tea shops on cruise ships are especially popular among Asian travelers. (Photo / Reporter Yu Jiayun)

Another example is the Italian cruise line Costa’s new ship, the Costa neoRomantica, which has overcome the cruise industry ban on open flames by designing a new wood-fired oven system that is both safe and certified for maritime use. This allows passengers to enjoy freshly baked wood-fired pizza at sea. Additionally, Costa Cruises has introduced Japan’s Ippudo ramen to its menu. With authentic Japanese ingredients and flavors, Taiwanese passengers can be among the first to try it on three upcoming Keelung–Japan routes early next year.

▲Costa Cruises is currently the only cruise line with a wood-fired oven. (Photo / Reporter Lai Wenxuan)

▲Costa Cruises collaborates with Ippudo to offer Japanese ramen on board. (Photo / Provided by Costa Cruises)

Beyond authentic local cuisine, cruises also cater to discerning palates. Star Cruises’ Dream Cruises brand, which arrived at its Hong Kong home port in November this year, features the high-end steakhouse “Steak House 1” and the Chinese-Western seafood restaurant “Seafood Pavilion” on its World Dream ship. Passengers can enjoy premium ingredients such as Angus ribeye steak, top-quality short ribs, Alaskan king crab, and oysters, along with an exclusive chef’s table service, bringing a star-level dining experience to the high seas.

▲Passengers can enjoy premium steaks and seafood on board. (Photo / Provided by Dream Cruises)