Princess Cruises introduces gastropub

Princess Cruises is to open a Salty Dog gastropub on three of its ships, debuting on the Crown Princess this month.

The new dining venue, which will sit in the Wheelhouse Bar, was developed with Ernesto Uchimura, the chef who was recently awarded Chef of the Year by Los Angeles Magazine.

“The Salty Dog Gastropub is an enticing addition to our onboard culinary offerings and brings yet another unique dining option to our guests,” said Rai Caluori, executive vice president of guest experience for Princess Cruises. “Chef Uchimura’s signature burger is sure to be savoured, along with pub favourites reinvented for a more upscale dining experience.”

Dishes will include pale ale pork cheeks, spicy stout short ribs, wild mushroom sauté, lobster mac & cheese and an Ernesto burger, pictured above.

“A gastropub at sea is an innovative concept and it inspired me to get creative in the galley,” said Chef Uchimura. “The Salty Dog Gastropub’s menu will not only satisfy comfort food cravings but also offer guests new pub food flavours and tastes perfectly paired with a craft beer or fine whisky.”

The new venue will be rolled out across Emerald Princess and Ruby Princess in December. A cover charge of $19 will apply.  

The company is also going to be launching a new whisky menu within the Wheelhouse Bar, featuring drinks from countries including US, Japan, Ireland and Scotland.

The menu will be on board Dawn Princess, Sea Princess, Sun Princess, Diamond Princess and Golden Princess by the end of 2015, and on all ships with the exception of Pacific Princess by the summer of 2016.