Princess Cruises partners with major suppliers on Alaska seafood initiative

Princess Cruises is partnering with Alaska Seafood, Pacific Seafood, and Alaskan Leader Seafood for its "Wild for Alaska Seafood" program, debuting on six of ships sailing in Alaska this spring.

The cruise operator’s location-based seafood initiative features a menu rotation of Alaska seafood dishes, along with destination-inspired cocktail experiences – including flights of Alaska spirits sourced from local distilleries – and hand-picked wine pairings to go with Alaska seafood dishes, the company said in a press release.

Building upon Princess Cruises' popular "only in Alaska" menus, the "Wild for Alaska Seafood" program will offer 30 Alaska seafood dishes with featured items every night in all main dining rooms.

The recipes will use multiple varieties of Alaska salmon, including king, sockeye, and coho; as well as Alaska cod (caught by hook and line only), halibut, rockfish, Dungeness crab, spot prawns, and razor clams.

"We created our exclusive 'Wild for Alaska Seafood' program to celebrate its rich fishing heritage and fascinating local culture, all while enriching our guests' adventure as they experience and explore The Great Land,” Princess Cruises Head of Culinary Arts Rudi Sodamin said. “Our goal is to showcase Alaska's deliciously diverse seafood as well its history allowing guests to truly immerse themselves in this awe-inspiring natural wonderland."  

The cruise company chose to work with Alaska Seafood, Pacific Seafood, and Alaskan Leader Seafood because they all “have an abiding commitment to environmentally responsible practices and are among the best-managed, most sustainable fisheries in the world,” Princess said.

"It is our responsibility to serve our oceans through an unwavering commitment to sustainability, being stewards in our local communities, and leaders in sustainable fishing practices," Pacific Seafood President and CEO Frank Dulcich said. "We are proud to partner with Princess in a mission that aligns with ours in serving sustainable, wild-Alaska seafood, and the healthiest protein on the planet.”

Meanwhile, the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute is ”thrilled that chef Rudi Sodamin and Princess Cruises are expanding their offerings of wild and sustainable seafood from Alaska across their ships,” ASMI Domestic Marketing Director Megan Rider said.

“In choosing Alaska seafood, not only are they choosing a world-class product for their guests, they are also supporting the thousands of harvesters and the diverse coastal communities that make up the world-leading sustainable fisheries of Alaska,” Rider said.

As part of the new program, the ships’ specialty restaurants will offer "Wild for Alaska Seafood" menu inserts featuring appetizers like salmon carpaccio and choices of pan-seared, poached, pan fried or grilled Alaska halibut or Copper River salmon.

"Guests will have the opportunity to enjoy a whole new range of Alaska seafood regardless of where they're dining that evening," Sodamin said.

Photo courtesy of Princess Cruises