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Dining Excellence on Aurora Cruise Ship

Indulge in gourmet dining on the Aurora Cruise Ship, where expert chefs prepare exquisite meals paired with fine wines, including exclusive tastings during the Champagne tour. Aurora expeditions offer a culinary experience that is both luxurious and memorable, ensuring that every meal aboard this barge ship is a highlight of your luxury holiday.

Culinary delights onboard

The Aurora Cruise Ship provides an unparalleled dining experience with its talented private chef and meticulously crafted menus. Each day, guests are treated to gourmet breakfast, lunch, and dinner, all designed to delight the palate and complement the scenic vistas of Europe’s waterways.

Gourmet breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Start your day with a selection of freshly baked goods, fruit salad, cereals, yogurt, cheese, eggs on request, coffee, tea, and freshly squeezed orange juice. The private chef on the Aurora Cruise Ship ensures that breakfast is a delightful and energizing start to your day of exploration.

Lunch is typically served buffet-style, featuring hearty salads, soups, and savory entrees. The use of regionally and seasonally inspired fare means that every meal is fresh and full of flavor. For dinner, the gourmet chef creates a three-course feast served in a festive setting, turning each meal into a culinary event. From traditional Dutch dishes like erwtensoep (Dutch split pea soup) to more cosmopolitan offerings, the dining experience on this barge ship is both varied and exquisite.

Special dietary accommodations

At an Aurora expedition, all guests are catered to with the highest level of care. The private chef is adept at accommodating special dietary needs, including vegetarian, vegan, and other specific dietary preferences. This ensures that every guest enjoys their meals without compromise. The ability to personalize menus to meet individual needs reflects the commitment of the Aurora expeditions to providing a luxurious and inclusive dining experience on their barge ship.

aurora food lunch

Wine and dine

One of the hallmarks of dining on the Aurora Cruise Ship is the exceptional wine program. Each meal is paired with the finest wines, enhancing the dining experience and providing a true taste of the regions visited on the luxurious itineraries of the Aurora Cruise Ship.

Wine pairings with local selections

Each dish prepared by the gourmet chef on the Aurora Cruise Ship is thoughtfully paired with wines that complement the flavors of the meal. These pairings often feature selections from local vineyards, offering guests an authentic taste of the region. The curated wine list includes the finest wines from France and around the world, ensuring that each meal is an exquisite culinary experience.

Exclusive tastings and vineyard visits during the Champagne tour

The Champagne Tour is a highlight of the Aurora Expeditions, offering exclusive tastings and vineyard visits. Starting in Château-Thierry, guests cruise through picturesque vineyards, stopping for several tastings and sightseeing opportunities. Visits to historic towns like Châlons-en-Champagne and tours of prestigious vineyards and cellars provide an intimate look at the Champagne-making process. These exclusive excursions enhance the overall dining experience aboard this luxurious barge ship, making the journey truly unforgettable.

aurora champagne glass

Regional cuisine and dining highlights

The Aurora Cruise Ship showcases the best of regional cuisine, with dishes inspired by the local ingredients and traditions of the areas visited. The private chef crafts menus that reflect the culinary heritage of each destination, ensuring that guests enjoy a truly immersive dining experience.

Savoring local flavors from each destination

The dining experience on the Aurora Cruise Ship is enriched by the use of fresh, local ingredients. From traditional Dutch dishes like appeltaart (Dutch apple pie) and asperges (white asparagus) to French classics like braised leeks and beef stroganoff, each meal is a celebration of regional flavors. The private chef sources ingredients daily, ensuring that every dish is fresh and full of local character.

Elegant indoor dining and al fresco dining on the deck

Guests on the Aurora Cruise Ship can enjoy their meals in a variety of settings. The elegant indoor dining room provides a refined atmosphere for enjoying gourmet dinners, while the covered terrace offers a majestic setting for al fresco dining. Whether you choose to dine indoors or on the deck of the luxurious accommodations aboard the Aurora Cruise Ship, the stunning views of Europe’s waterways provide a picturesque backdrop to your culinary experience. The semi-circular indoor-outdoor bar adds to the versatility of dining options, allowing guests to enjoy refreshments in a relaxed and scenic environment.

vineyard champagne region

Traditional Dutch dishes you will love

The Aurora Cruise Ship offers a variety of traditional Dutch dishes that are simple, hearty, and straightforward. These dishes are designed to provide a taste of the Netherlands’ rich culinary heritage, while also incorporating modern influences.

Appeltaart and asperges

  • Appeltaart
    A classic Dutch apple pie, is a favorite among guests. Loaded with fresh apples and raisins, and topped with an elaborate lattice cover, this dessert is a delightful end to any meal.
  • Asperges, or white asparagus
    Is another traditional dish that is highly regarded. Served boiled with ham and crushed eggs, or with a Hollandaise sauce, this dish showcases the simplicity and elegance of Dutch cuisine.

Bitterballen and erwtensoep

  • Bitterballen
    A popular Dutch aperitif or tapa, are deep-fried crispy balls of meaty paste, typically made with beef or veal. These bite-sized snacks are perfect for enjoying with a good savory mustard.
  • Erwtensoep
    Or Dutch split pea soup, is another staple. Made with peas, celery, carrots, onions, and sliced kielbasa or diced smoked ham, this hearty soup is traditionally served with dark rye bread and pancetta, providing a comforting and satisfying meal.

 

Examples of a gourmet menu

To give you a taste of what to expect aboard the Aurora Cruise Ship, here are two sample menus crafted by the gourmet chef.

Menu 1

  • Braised leeks topped with chopped eggs, parsley, and a vinaigrette dressing
  • Beef stroganoff with finely sliced mushrooms, peppers, and onions in a spicy vodka sauce, served with rice and garnished with a roasted tomato topped with fine herbs and breadcrumbs
  • Selection of cheeses
  • Ricotta dumplings stuffed with fresh strawberries, served with melted butter, roasted breadcrumbs, and powdered sugar

Menu 2

  • Shrimp cocktail served on a bed of crispy Romaine lettuce, topped with a whisky sauce and garnished with caviar, a slice of lemon, cucumber, tomato, and egg
  • Grilled dorade/sea bream with a hot chili sauce, garnished with a Brazilian-style vegetable salsa and rice
  • Selection of cheeses
  • Double layer cheesecake made with full-fat cream cheese, sour cream, and Greek yogurt, topped with a red coulis of forest fruit

In conclusion, dining aboard the Aurora Cruise Ship is an experience of culinary excellence. With a private chef crafting gourmet meals, carefully curated wine pairings, and exclusive tastings during the Champagne Tour, every meal is a celebration of fine dining. The Aurora expeditions offer not just a journey through Europe’s scenic waterways, but a gastronomic adventure that enhances the overall luxury holiday experience. Book your trip today and indulge in the exquisite culinary delights of the Aurora Cruise Ship.

“Thank you for those people who make us happy for they are the gardeners of our souls! Thank you so very much for creating the ambience and barging our family through one of the most amazing weeks. We loved the food and the wine, the wonderful attention you gave us!”

- Lawrence Rockefeller, Rockefeller Centre, New York, USA -

“There is no water on the Moon! Canals on Mars are a hoax! Nothing can compare with a barge trip – a great relaxing trip with neat friends from Los Angeles. Thanks ever so much!”

- Buzz Aldrin, APOLLO XI

“Beautiful ship… Great to meet you! Sorry you were unable to come to the set!”

- Robert de Niro, USA -
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