Think ‘culinary’ and ‘Princess Cruises‘ and thoughts might turn to a fabulous Fettucini Alfredo, flexible Anytime Dining or fresh-baked room service pizza, among other unique offerings. Paying attention to cruise travelers as well as the results of a national poll, Princess is moving beyond their signature Loveboat Dream dessert to create a new chocolate-focused culinary effort.

Partnering with famed master chocolatier and pastry designer Norman Love (Godiva), Chocolate Journeys promise to be a unique culinary experience.  Love has personally trained  Princess Cruises’ pastry team to produce custom-crafted desserts, chocolate and wine pairings, and exquisite chocolate bites.

The idea for Chocolate Journeys came from a national survey conducted by the cruise line about people’s passion for chocolate.  Significant insight gained from that survey:

• Princess found that 58 percent of women would choose chocolate over sex;
• 69 percent surveyed have frequent chocolate cravings;
• 53 percent surveyed would turn to chocolate over a friend when feeling sad;
• 67 percent eat chocolate more often when they’re happy than when they’re stressed;
• 81 percent agree that chocolate improves their mood; and
• 84 percent would like to receive chocolate as a gift.

Chocolate Journeys will offer Princess’ guests the following sweet experiences, some included in the cruise fare, others part of a specialty dining experience that requires an extra charge.

Decadent Desserts – Norman Love has produced 15 chocolate dessert designs for Princess Cruises that will be offered on a rotational basis in the ships’ main dining rooms, specialty restaurants (Sabatini’s and Crown Grill) and Chef’s Table experience. Examples of the desserts include a Chocolate Tart with Vanilla Mousse and Flourless Chocolate Cake, Chocolate Pistachio Dome with Almond and Pistachio Nougatine, and a truly unique Chocolate Tiramisu with Mascarpone Cream and Espresso Gelato that shouldn’t be missed. (Complimentary in main dining rooms. Specialty restaurants carry a cover charge.)

Chocolate & Wine Pairings – In Vines, Princess’ signature wine bar, wine and chocolate enthusiasts alike can sample Norman Love’s exquisite Black™ Single Origin Dark chocolates paired with specific wine varietals designed to enhance the tasting experience, all selected by Love. (Extra charge)

Captain’s Welcome Reception Treats – Guests will be able to toast the start of their cruise with a glass of bubbly along with “Chocolate Love Pop” truffles created by Love, at the signature welcome reception hosted by the Captain.(Complimentary)

Chocolate Libations – Throughout the ships’ lounges and bars, guests can splurge on a number of decadent chocolate drinks including a Chocolate Salted Caramel Hard Shake, Chocolate Bacon Bourbon Bliss or a Chocolate Chile Margarita.(Extra charge)

Chocolate Dessert Demonstrations – Princess pastry chefs will treat guests to entertaining and informative demonstrations so they can learn some simple tips for creating tasty chocolate treats for their family and friends back home. (Complimentary)

Chocolate Petits Fours at Formal Night – Chocolate bites designed by Love will accompany the dessert menu presented to guests following the formal night dinner, for guests to enjoy as they peruse the evening’s sweet endings.

Norman Love Renowned Boxed Chocolates Available for Purchase – Passengers wishing to bring some of Norman Love’s exquisite chocolate confections home to family or friends (or to enjoy themselves during the cruise) will be able to purchase these extraordinary creations in the onboard shops.

Chocolate Spa Treatments – Because chocolate is not only for eating, the ship’s Lotus Spa will offer guests the opportunity to relax with the aroma of pure bliss by offering a Chocolate Indulgence Body Treatment combining a chocolate renewal scrub, whipped chocolate body mask and chocolate massage oil. (Extra charge)

Chocolate Journeys will debut this fall aboard the new Regal Princess for her inaugural Caribbean season, then be rolled out to the rest of the Princess fleet over the next year.

Here is more on another Princess Cruises culinary effort on the Regal Princess cruise ship – Chef’s Table Lumiere;  a once in a lifetime experience that promises to take your cruise vacation to the next level: