Two major cruise lines have entered into prestigious partnerships with Italian culinary icons, raising the bar for authentic Mediterranean dining at sea.
Crystal Taps Alajmo Brothers for Elevated Italian Dining at Sea
Crystal has revealed an innovative new menu for its signature Italian venue, Osteria d’Ovidio. The menu was created by collaborating with celebrated Italian culinary experts Massimiliano and Raffaele Alajmo.
The Alajmo brothers boast impressive credentials. Massimiliano is the youngest chef ever awarded three Michelin stars, while Raffaele co-owns their acclaimed restaurant portfolio. Giovanni, Raffaele’s son, led the collaboration effort.
The new menu, set to debut on both Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony later this summer, features three distinct culinary journeys that guests can explore either through tasting menus or by selecting dishes a la carte.
The Italia section celebrates classic regional specialties from across the Italian peninsula, featuring standout dishes like vitello tonnato (sliced veal in tuna sauce), maccheroni alla carbonara (fresh pasta with egg yolks, olive oil and crispy guanciale) and the quintessential Italian dessert tiramisu.
Le Calandre showcases signature creations from the Alajmo family’s flagship restaurant, offering innovative interpretations such as tagliolini al fumo (egg pasta with smoked butter), saffron risotto with licorice powder and a sophisticated dessert combining chocolate, hazelnut and coffee.
The Venezia menu highlights refined Venetian cuisine with dishes including carpaccio di tonno (smoked tuna carpaccio with caviar), burrata ravioli with mixed seafood and bruschetta dolce—a sweet take on the classic featuring chocolate hazelnut spread, olive oil and chili pepper.
Crystal’s dining portfolio also includes the only Nobu restaurant at sea, Umi Uma, and Beefbar by Riccardo Giraudi. For travelers seeking to extend their Alajmo experience ashore, Crystal guests can dine at the brothers’ renowned establishments through Abercrombie & Kent’s curated shore excursions to Le Calandre in Padua, Grancaffe & Ristorante Quadri in Venice and Le Cementine in the Venetian countryside.
Named for Crystal’s owner, Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio, Osteria d’Ovidio requires reservations, which are limited per sailing.
For more information, visit crystalcruises.com.
Princess Cruises Partners with Frescobaldi
Princess Cruises has also announced an impressive new culinary collaboration that will bring authentic Tuscan flavors to the seas. The cruise line’s signature Italian venue, Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria, now features a menu inspired by the renowned Frescobaldi family, Italy’s legendary winemakers with a 700-year history of crafting exceptional wines.
Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria, Inspired by Frescobaldi, draws on the flavors from Frescobaldi’s restaurant in Florence. The collaboration highlights the tradition of fresh, simple ingredients paired with exquisite wines from the family’s storied vineyards.
The new menu features six Frescobaldi-inspired dishes that introduce guests to Tuscan culinary traditions. Standout options include guazzetto di cozze e gamberi, an Italian seafood stew with mussels and shrimp simmered in fragrant tomato and white wine broth; fettuccine al tartufo e parmigiano featuring truffle-infused Parmigiano-Reggiano sauce topped with grated black truffle; and torta caprese, a flourless almond cake paired with limoncello mascarpone gelato and premium Frescobaldi olive oil.
The centerpiece of this collaboration is the Grand Tuscan Dinner, offered once per sailing and priced at $99 per person. This exclusive 6-course experience pairs dishes with Frescobaldi wines and grappa. Diners can savor delicacies like carpaccio di mare Mediterraneo, featuring tuna and scallop carpaccio with sturgeon caviar, salmon caviar and black truffle; and branzino con caponata alla Siciliana, a seared sea bass atop Sicilian caponata.
Adding to the Italian immersion, Sabatini’s now offers an exceptional selection of Frescobaldi wines, including the iconic Mormoreto from Castello di Nipozzano and the rare Gorgona Bianco Toscana IGT. The venue has also introduced five signature cocktails inspired by these wines: Gorgona Breeze, Rosato Reverie, Chianti Sunset, Pomino Bloom and Mormoreto Old Fashioned.
For over 700 years, the Frescobaldi family has been at the heart of Tuscan winemaking. Their tradition has graced European courts and inspired generations of culinary excellence.
This specialized offering debuted on Majestic Princess and will roll out fleetwide in the coming months.
For more information, visit princesscruises.com.
