Embark on a Culinary Journey: Recreate Alaskan Cruise Delights with Our Inspired Recipes

Returning from my unforgettable Alaskan cruise in late May, I was filled with inspiration to gather as many Alaskan cruise-inspired recipes as possible. As a first-time cruiser, I honestly anticipated a week of mundane airplane-quality food. Little did I know, a remarkable culinary adventure awaited me.

This incredible journey was a sponsored trip by Princess Cruises, and I am delighted to share this unique collection of recipes, born directly from that experience, with you!

For those who have previously embarked on a cruise, you’ll undoubtedly understand what I’m about to say: my initial expectations about the food were spectacularly wrong, and my delight was immense! If you’ve also been captivated by the exceptional flavors found at sea, chances are you’ve been eagerly searching for those cherished cruise ship recipes to bring the magic home.

I have an enduring passion for travel. Each journey is an opportunity for new adventures, exploring uncharted territories, and visiting states and countries I’ve never seen before. Alaska was no exception, and I was absolutely thrilled to check it off my bucket list! But let me be clear, this isn’t a “one and done” destination; I am already dreaming of my next Alaskan escapade.

The Unforgettable Alaskan Cruise Food Experience

My adventure began in mid-May aboard the 7-Day Voyage of the Glaciers on the magnificent Island Princess cruise ship. While friends had raved about the breathtaking scenery and incredible excursions, they hadn’t dwelled much on the food. Traveling with ten other passionate food bloggers, I knew that the culinary aspect would inevitably spark lively discussions and strong opinions. We were all curious to see how the onboard dining would measure up, and it quickly became a highlight of our trip.

Behind the Scenes: Cruise Ship Recipe Preparation

One of the most impressive aspects of the Island Princess was the galley itself. It was absolutely pristine – spotless, in fact! You could literally eat off the floors. The galley photo below offers just a glimpse into its impeccable cleanliness. And for those skeptics wondering if it was cleaned just for our tour, rest assured, it wasn’t. Online videos of the same tour on different voyages consistently show the galley in this immaculate condition. During our tour, we witnessed the skilled chefs crafting an array of extraordinary dishes in this colossal kitchen. Many of us, myself included, were already mentally jotting down ideas for new cruise-inspired recipes to try at home, eager to replicate even a fraction of this culinary excellence.

The sheer volume of food prepared daily to feed approximately 3,100 people is truly astonishing. Princess Cruises understands the desire of guests to relive their culinary memories, which is why they regularly republish their exquisite cookbook, Courses: A Culinary Journey, allowing you to explore and recreate these beloved cruise ship recipes in your own kitchen.

The images above highlight the intricate, handmade chocolate decorations that elevate the beautiful cakes served onboard. I had the pleasure of enjoying a slice of one of these buffet cakes, and it was nothing short of divine – a testament to the pastry chefs’ incredible artistry and dedication.

Bringing Alaska Home: Our Favorite Cruise-Inspired Recipes

Upon our return from Alaska, many of us eagerly headed straight to our kitchens, ready to cook, bake, and create. This collection of cruise-inspired recipes is a direct result of those creative urges. Some dishes are faithful recreations of meals we savored onboard, during unforgettable excursions, or in port. Others were simply inspired by the unique ingredients and the rugged, natural beauty of the Alaskan way of life, evoking the spirit of our journey.

Cruise-Worthy Appetizers & Dips

The sheer variety and abundance of food on a cruise ship are truly staggering. Catering to over 3,000 guests, it’s a logistical marvel, but what’s even more impressive is the consistently high quality and exquisite taste of every dish! Let’s kick off our culinary journey with these delightful appetizer and dip recipes, designed to bring the cruise experience right to your living room.

April’s exquisite Gazpacho recipe was directly inspired by one of our final dinners aboard the Island Princess. As April recounted, “..they served the most delicious gazpacho at dinner on one of the last nights while we were scenic cruising.” I’m incredibly grateful she recreated it, as it’s now at the top of my list to prepare this week.

My friend Jenn and I embarked on a memorable whale watching excursion, alongside several other friends. Afterwards, we indulged in a magnificent “seafood feast” that featured the most incredible king crab legs we had ever tasted! This experience deeply inspired Jenn to create her Cheesy Baked Crab Dip, which her family now enthusiastically declares is the best they’ve ever had.

April found inspiration not once, but twice, to craft her delightful homemade cracker recipe. The first time was while savoring a comforting chicken zoodle soup in her stateroom (yes, the soup itself was an inspiration!). The second spark came from enjoying a rich smoked salmon dip during our visit to Hoonah, Alaska, perfectly embodying the fresh flavors of the region.

When Sandra developed this vibrant mango salsa, she was vividly recalling the sensational fish tacos she relished at Deckhand Dave’s in Juneau. You might remember my glowing review of Dave’s place in my post about our incredible Mendenhall Glacier helicopter tour. Truly, these were the best fish tacos anywhere!

I have another truly tasty Crab Dip recipe to share with you, this time from Stephanie. What makes her version stand out is the inclusion of Greek yogurt and its no-bake preparation, allowing you to whip it together in a snap for a fresh, delicious appetizer.

Lynne and her husband, Kurt, chose the breathtaking White Pass Scenic Railway tour as their excursion during our port stop in Skagway. Among the many exquisite food trays served, Lynne was particularly enchanted by some small, savory bites, which she later recreated with her fantastic Cranberry Pecan Goat Cheese Bites!

It seemed as though at every meal, Stephanie would order a crisp Caesar Salad to accompany her main course. She adored them so much that she continues to make them regularly at home, keeping the fresh flavors of the cruise alive.

Cocktails & Drinks Reminiscent of Alaskan Cruising

One of the true luxuries of being on a cruise ship is the complete absence of worries about driving, allowing you to fully relax and indulge in a cocktail or two! The Island Princess offered a plethora of charming venues to unwind. Here are some of our favorite cruise-inspired drink recipes, each born from our many delightful cocktail hours onboard.

My wonderful friend Jackie was both my roommate and my fellow excursion adventurer! After our return from Alaska, she was incredibly inspired and began mixing drinks with unparalleled enthusiasm. This vibrant Rum Cruiser cocktail was her own brilliant creation, directly inspired by the stunning and delicious cocktails we savored each evening in the sophisticated Wheelhouse Bar.

I must confess, I am utterly enchanted by the creative inspiration behind Jenn’s striking Alaskan Glacier Martini! The beautiful blue hue perfectly represents the majestic blue ice of the glaciers, while the delicate white meringue artfully mimics a glacier floating serenely on top – a truly imaginative homage to Alaska.

No comprehensive cocktail list would truly be complete without the timeless Long Island Iced Tea. Erin, too, was captivated by the wide array of delicious cocktails readily available onboard the Island Princess, prompting her to recreate this popular classic at home.

As I mentioned, Jackie has been creating a storm of cocktails since our return, and it all began with this incredible Key Lime Pie Martini. We share a common preference for a nightly glass of Cabernet and rarely stray from it. However, on our final night aboard the Island Princess, Jackie ordered a key lime pie martini from the menu at the Wheelhouse Bar. She adored it so much that she was determined to recreate it at home, and it was a resounding success! I made them recently, and they were absolutely delicious, perfectly capturing that sweet and tangy essence.

If you’re seeking a truly beautiful cocktail, you simply must see Sandra’s stunning Island Cocktail (which can also be made as a delightful mocktail). The ship boasts a special area at its stern called The Sanctuary. This exclusive adults-only oasis offers ultimate pampering, delectable food, and any drink your heart desires. It was in this serene setting that the inspiration for Sandra’s exquisite drink was born.

A leisurely stroll around the ship reveals an abundance of delightful spots to grab snacks, coffee, soda, cocktails, lunch, and, of course, ice cream and milkshakes! Erin crafted this rich chocolate milkshake as a delightful tribute to the sweet treats readily available onboard, bringing that nostalgic taste home.

I am genuinely excited to try Lynne’s mesmerizing Blue Ocean cocktail! In my opinion, this was unequivocally the most visually stunning drink served onboard, with its vibrant color and elegant presentation.

Dinner Time Inspired by Alaska

Aside from our delightful cocktail hours, dinner was arguably my favorite part of the culinary experience. The dining options were incredibly diverse, and I can honestly say that every single dish I tasted was absolutely delicious! I’m already envisioning my next cruise, largely thanks to these fantastic meal experiences. For now, I’m thrilled to share plenty of cruise-inspired dinner recipes with all my fellow food enthusiasts!

Holly embarked on a salmon fishing excursion for the very first time during her visit to Alaska, an unforgettable experience. Onboard the cruise, she particularly savored the Hazelnut and Panko crusted salmon. Inspired by this exquisite dish, she meticulously recreated something equally delectable in her drool-worthy Herb Baked Salmon recipe!

One memorable evening, we had dinner at a specialty restaurant onboard called The Bayou Steakhouse. Erin found the grits and sausage dish there to be so incredibly delicious that she was inspired to create and share this easy Shrimp and Grits recipe, perfectly bringing back those cherished culinary memories!

After Lynne’s picturesque hike in Icy Strait Point, where she learned extensively about bears, salmon, and other captivating wildlife, salmon was firmly on her mind. The sheer abundance of fresh, delicious salmon available in Alaska is truly remarkable, and this experience inspired her to create this incredible Chimichurri Salmon, which I am absolutely eager to try!

Another delightful Alaskan-inspired salmon recipe comes from my good friend Jenn. She created this refreshing Grilled Salmon Kale Salad with Honey Lemon Vinaigrette. It looks absolutely amazing, and I cannot wait to make it myself!

In all honesty, I am incredibly excited that Stephanie chose to recreate this fabulous Low Country Boil, inspired by our unforgettable seafood feast at Icy Strait Point! That original meal was truly delicious, perfectly paired with the finest crab legs I’ve ever had the pleasure of tasting.

Steph also crafted this beautiful Brown Sugar Baked Salmon. Are you noticing a delicious trend here? Oh, the wonderful salmon recipes, truly a treat!

If you’re among the many Princess Cruises travelers who adore a particular onboard recipe that everyone seems to be seeking, then Sandra’s recreation is for you! She successfully brought home the creamy and comforting Fettuccine Alfredo she enjoyed so much on her cruise.

As I mentioned earlier, Holly and her husband had an incredible salmon fishing excursion. Upon their return, she couldn’t wait to dive into making all sorts of salmon recipes, including these wonderfully flavorful Salmon Patties, a true taste of Alaska.

Cruise-Inspired Sweets & Pastries

There was absolutely no scarcity of breathtaking desserts, delightful sweets, and exquisite pastries aboard the Island Princess. I enjoyed so many of them that I genuinely struggle to pick a single favorite! Let’s explore what my fellow food bloggers thought, with these tempting cruise-inspired recipes for sweets.

Aboard the Island Princess, at the Horizon Court, you could find the most extraordinary chocolate chip cookies. Meanwhile, The International Cafe offered sweet, Nutella-filled donuts. April brilliantly combined these two beloved favorites to create her gorgeous-looking Nutella Cookies, a true treat for any sweet tooth.

A perennial cruise favorite is the spectacular Baked Alaska Parade, a vibrant event that often takes place in the elegant Sabatini’s restaurant. Jenn was profoundly inspired by these magnificent desserts and ingeniously developed her own delightful Strawberry Shortcake Baked Alaska, capturing that grand celebratory spirit.

Another beloved Sabatini’s favorite was the exquisite Espresso Creme Brulee. Jackie raved about it every single night, determined to recreate its rich perfection at home. It has now become her go-to dessert for entertaining guests, a testament to its irresistible appeal.

My friend Lynne absolutely adored the Chocolate Bear Claws she savored at Horizon Court, the seemingly always-open buffet onboard. Her enjoyment was so profound that she made sure to recreate them at home, and they look utterly amazing!

Yet another culinary inspiration originating from the Horizon Court was these exquisite Mini Pavlovas from Erin. She cherished them so much onboard that she knew she simply had to share how to make these delightful little gems, bringing their light and airy sweetness into home kitchens.

Sandra was so captivated by the array of pastries available onboard that she created these deliciously inviting Coconut Knots! They perfectly encapsulate the sweet, comforting flavors we enjoyed at sea.

During our fascinating tour of the ship’s galley, where all the culinary magic truly unfolds, Stephanie witnessed the chefs preparing a dessert that she simply couldn’t wait to recreate at home – the magnificent Deep Dish Apple Pie! It was a moment of pure inspiration, bringing a classic comfort dessert to life with cruise-level perfection.

If reading this has your mouth watering and has piqued your curiosity about the incredible food experiences on a Princess Cruise, be sure to explore all the diverse food and dining options here! Have you ever had the pleasure of going on a cruise? What culinary delights or memorable moments were your absolute favorite?