Cruise lines have been upping their culinary game by throwing in with celebrity chefs to boost their food appeal.

Travelers can dine on Nobu Matsushisa’s sushi aboard Crystal Cruises and Jacques Pepin’s signature dishes on Oceania Cruises.

The atrium of the Carnival Vista, shown in a rendering brings big color, big light and big dancing to the ship’s lobby. (Carnival Cruises)

Now the soon-to-debut Carnival Vista jumps into the craft beer competition in a big way.


The cruise line announced Monday that the ship will make three specialty beers in what it says is the first brewery at sea in North America.

The SkyRide aboard the Carnival Vista, shown in a rendering, includes a recumbent bike on a metal track that passengers can cycle about 150 feet above the ocean. (Carnival Cruises)

It’s developing ThirstyFrog Port Hoppin’ IPA (“with passion fruit and citrus overtones”), ThirstyFrog Caribbean Wheat (“unfiltered lager with aromas of bananas and spices”) and FriskeyFrog Java Stout (yep, as the name suggest, expect hints of coffee).

Carnival is collaborating with Miami-based Concrete Beach in the brewery venture, which adds more craft beer options to those already served on Carnival ships.


For example, cruise ships leaving from Long Beach offer Angel City Brewery IPA made in Los Angeles, and ships leaving New York City serve Coney Island Mermaid Pilsner.

Carnival Vista, which holds almost 4,000 passengers, will have a highflying cycling experience and the industry’s first Imax theater at sea. It’s set to sail May 1 and will start with a series of Mediterranean cruises.

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