A look back at my experience sailing with Princess Cruises on a 4-Day California Coastal Culinary Cruise with Iron Chef Cat Cora aboard the Ruby Princess ship.
Last month I had the incredible opportunity to sail with Princess Cruises on the Ruby Princess for a four-day California coastal cruise along the Pacific. Special guests Iron Chef Cat Cora and Suzanne Tracht of Jar Restaurant in LA were along for the ride providing unique culinary experiences throughout the trip.
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In addition to two celebrity chefs, there were also eight other bloggers on board including many of whom I consider dear friends including Aggie, Kristen, Bree, Kristy, Karly, Deb, Christin and Shelly.
The icing on the cake? I got to bring along my college BFF, Briana, who is married to my friend Kevin who I met my freshman year at Boston University. They were both in our wedding party and now live in Boston with their two boys close in age to our boys. Having a week of quality time together would prove to be invaluable.
Our first full day was at sea so we had time to enjoy a leisurely breakfast before attending the live cooking demo with Cat Cora and Suzanne Tracht. They each prepared several dishes made with classic California flavors and seasonal ingredients including an incredible celery apple salad I hope to recreate soon. After the cooking demo Cat hosted a book signing and took photographs with guests on board.
That afternoon we explored the rest of the ship and relaxed by the pool. I intentionally left my laptop at home so that I could truly absorb the experience and be in the moment.
Looking back, I am so grateful for these little moments of time together where we could reconnect, reminisce over a drink and catch up on life as busy working moms.
That evening, we attended the Captain’s Welcome Party and champagne waterfall in the Piazza which is the central atrium within the ship lined with shops, restaurants and live music performers. It is also home to the International Cafe where I could get my espresso fix 24/7. Such the life, right?
The next day we arrived in Santa Barbara for our first excursion. Cat Cora would be hosting us for our visit to Fess Parker Winery & Vineyard. More to come on this experience in a future post.
After a day of wine tasting in Santa Barbara, we headed back to the boat to get cleaned up for the Chef’s Table, an intimate one-of-a-kind dining experience I will never forget. This exclusive behind-the-scenes event brought us back of house and immediately took me back to my years working in the hotel industry and catering large events.
After touring the kitchen, sampling appetizers and meeting with the chef, we headed to our private table in the dining room for a 10-course dinner including raspberry sorbet drizzled with vodka and a mushroom risotto I won’t soon forget.
Just when we thought we couldn’t eat another bite or take another sip of wine, it was time for our next stop and second excursion in Ensenada, Mexico.
We got on the shuttle and drove about an hour to Monte Xanic for a winery tour and tasting led by the most handsome tour guide I ever did see.
After sampling the incredible Mexican wine, we meandered down to a little lake for a seafood inspired luncheon prepared by a local chef. I couldn’t resist taking this photo of the beautiful Deb capturing the moment.
As an avid seafood lover, I was blown away by each dish that came out, one after another, each better than the last. We dined on smoked oysters 3-ways, local abalone, quail caught just hours earlier and more. It was food sent from the gods and I soaked up every single second.
One our way back to the boat, our bus driver made a special stop in downtown Ensenada so that we could sample the local fish tacos and mango margaritas. More to come on these fresh fruit margaritas soon. Trust me, they will be worth the wait.
Overall, this four day cruise was the perfect amount of time to feel refreshed, revitalized and energized to #ComeBackNew. Stay tuned in the weeks to come for more about my recent adventures with Princess Cruises including tips for staying healthy and active while cruising!
Have you ever cruised before? What are your favorite itineraries? I’m already planning my next trip!
Your passport is waiting.
Disclosure: Princess Cruise Line has compensated me for my time to share my recent experiences on board. Thank you for supporting the brands that make The Lemon Bowl possible. All thoughts are my own.
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Ashley @ Wishes & Dishes
Such beautiful photos! My hubby and I are addicted to cruising :)
Liz DellaCroce
oh my gosh I don’t blame you!! I need to book another one soon!!
Carrie @Frugal Foodie Mama
First of all, this cruise looks amazing! Those smoked oysters are definitely calling my name. ;) And it had to be amazing to meet Cat Cora in person!
Liz DellaCroce
Oh man I have been dreaming about those smoked oysters!!
Sandy @ Reluctant Entertainer
Looks like a fabulous time, Liz. I’m so bummed I missed this trip, would have been fun to hang with all you girls. Looking forward to more of your cruise posts!
Liz DellaCroce
I really miss you Sandy and hope our paths cross soon!!
@travelpanties
This looks awesome. Have never done a Princess cruise! Now I’m in the mood! Wow.
Liz DellaCroce
I hope you get to go on one soon! It was a blast!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet
What a beautiful and fun trip! We’ve been talking about taking a Princess Cruise trip for a while now and this was a good reminder that we need to get on board! Gorgeous pictures by the way!
Liz DellaCroce
It was my first time but it definitely won’t be my last!!
Joanie @ Zagleft
Liz, it looks like you had an amazing time. What a way to recharge and relax! It sounds like it was such a great opportunity to be able to experience all the wonderful food and behind-the-scenes culinary events. Such an incredible experience!
Liz DellaCroce
It was so nice to recharge and relax!!
Julie @ Julie's Eats & Treats
Oh wow what a fabulous experience! Love that it was quick 4 day getaway so anyone can squeeze that in!
Liz DellaCroce
I agree- the four days makes it so doable!!
Jennifer
All the food looks really good! I was drooling over the smoked oysters and the taco.
Liz DellaCroce
Omg the smoked oysters were out of this world!!
Aggie | Aggie's Kitchen
TAKE ME BACK!!!!
I love that Chef’s Table brought you back to your hospitality days, I was taken back to my parent’s restaurant days too. Coolest experience ever!
Liz DellaCroce
I am seriously so grateful we were able to experience it TOGETHER!! What a gift!! xo
Ashley | Spoonful of Flavor
What an incredible opportunity to enjoy a unique culinary experience and bring your friend along too! I know that I would love a trip like this to dine with Cat Cora and visit the West Coast via a luxurious cruise ship.
Liz DellaCroce
I hope you get to cruise with Princess one day Ashley – it was such an incredible experience!!
Meagan @ A Zesty Bite
What a fun way to relax and sightsee! I’ve never done a Princess cruise but I’m hoping that changes soon.
Liz DellaCroce
I hope you get to do one soon!! Maybe post baby!!
Brenda @ a farmgirl's dabbles
My husband and I cruised on the Ruby Princess just this spring – to Alaska – and it was AMAZING. The trip of a lifetime. It’s so fun to see another itinerary of the same ship – looks like it was super fun with Cat Cora and the winery!
Liz DellaCroce
I thought of you throughout our trip!! We had so much fun – I just wish we had been on the SAME boat!!
Lauren @ Climbing Grier Mountain
sign me up for next year! this is so my kind of jam.
Liz DellaCroce
Girl you’d love this experience!!
Jeanette | Jeanette's Healthy Living
What a wonderful experience and so awesome you could bring your best friend! I haven’t been on a cruise in a long time but we’ve been talking about taking one next summer.
Liz DellaCroce
You would love it Jeanette – and you should take your boys! Great for families!!
shelly (cookies and cups)
Such a fun week!! Loved seeing your pictures!
Liz DellaCroce
I’m so glad we got to hang out together Shelly!! I really hope we get to do it again soon!
Marnely
Oh this sounds like a dream come true – I loved following your trip on Instagram as well! Chef tastings, wine dinners…cruising around – seriously, how amazing you had a chance to experience it all with good friends! Great recap – I’ve never been on a cruise but now NEED to go on one ASAP!
Liz DellaCroce
This cruise would be right up your alley Marnley!! You would love the chef’s tasting dinner as well. I hope you get to go on a cruise soon!