The “Best of the Riviera Food & Wine Cruise” aboard Seabourn Sojourn will visit some of Europe’s most appealing food and wine regions, sailing from Monte Carlo to Rome.  The luxury cruise line’s first-ever Food & Wine-themed sailing will host special daily Seabourn culinary events, including Seabourn’s signature “Shopping with the Chef” excursions in local markets, cooking demonstrations by celebrity chef guests, and tastings of local specialties on the 11-day culinary voyage departing this week.

In recognition of their ongoing culinary journey, Seabourn was named as Best Culinary Cruise Line for the second year in a row by Saveur magazine. Saveur’s Culinary Travel Awards recognize those who put cuisine and culture at the forefront of the travel experience and are selected by Saveur’s diverse “Expert Panel” of industry experts and prominent culinary and travel editors, which includes high-profile chefs Rick Bayless and Lidia Bastianich.

The Saveur experts praised the Seabourn culinary offerings, noting that Seabourn features “the most elegantly orchestrated cuisine on the high seas: Chefs craft menus of locally sourced produce and seafood, rare vintage wines, a king’s ransom of sustainable caviar, and enough free-flowing bubbly to keep you afloat for your entire stay. The food is artful but not stuffy-fresh, yet still authentic.”

“Saveur’s Culinary Travel Award 2014 is a great honor for us – especially coming on the heels of last year’s award,” said Seabourn President Richard D. Meadows, adding “Each of the renowned experts assembled for the magazine’s expert panel bring their own taste and experience to what must be a dream assignment of measuring our cuisine against the best in the world. Their acknowledgment of the talent and passion that goes into our dining operations is tremendously gratifying for our culinary executives and onboard staff.”

Seabourn’s intimate, all-suite ships offers a food and dining experience that has played an important part in its string of five awards as the

• “Best Small-Ship Cruise Line” in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice poll
• “World’s Best Small-Ship Cruise Line” awards from the readers of Travel + Leisure, five consecutive times
• “Top Cruise Line Food” in Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Poll.

Seabourn offers award-winning cuisine and gourmet dining experiences that rival the finest restaurants anywhere, at sea or on land.. The line’s team of highly talented chefs prepares gourmet dishes using fresh, seasonal ingredients.

Here is more about a big part of the Seabourn culinary program, Shopping with the Chef :