A culinary cruise from Dublin to Lisbon: super markets and caramel bottoms
Epicurean Exploration voyage takes in six of the best foodie ports, while a diverse crew serenades passengers
To the opening chords of Hotel California, Calvin the Indian accommodation director walks onto the brightly lit stage. Then comes the ship’s Filipino doctor, to Bad Case of Loving You. The Ukrainian chief engineer joins them, somewhat disconcertingly, to the theme tune from Mission: Impossible.
It is a novel way to introduce key crew members aboard the Windstar Legend as it sets off on a 10-night cruise from Dublin, Ireland, to Lisbon, Portugal, with the British captain, Neil Broomhall, last to join the ranks gathered in the theatre.
In his welcome to the 180 passengers aboard, Broomhall stresses that we are on a “yacht”, not a ship.
“Twenty years driving a truck and then they gave me this!” he deadpans, to laughter from the largely American audience, before introducing a special passenger in the form of Canadian Hugh Acheson, a familiar face to fans of television show Top Chef.
Acheson is the star draw on the “Epicurean Exploration” that we are embarking on, one of a number that the Windstar brand has run in conjunction with the James Beard Foundation, the American culinary organisation known for its coveted annual awards. The voyage will take in some of Europe’s greatest food and wine destinations, with a focus on market visits in the six ports on our itinerary.