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Review: Wonderland on Harmony of the Seas – the Dry Run

March 13, 2016

Review: Wonderland Imaginative Cuisine – a preview, or dry run, of the restaurant to be launched on board Harmony of the Seas by Royal Caribbean.  

Wonderland

Wonderland concept on board Harmony of the Seas ™

Cruise holidays…cool, or not cool? I have to admit, I had previously categorised cruise ship holidays as something that my mum does. I mean no offence to my mum in saying this; she is über–glamorous, able to pack light, has seen much of the world and has made many friends on board various gargantuan-sized ships. It’s just that going on a cruise holiday is not something I have ever considered for myself or my family for fear of being uncontactable, claustrophobic, or sea-sick. Enter Royal Caribbean who are about to change my perceptions by launching the world’s largest cruise ship in May 2016 – Harmony of the Seas ™

This ship is designed to offer everything you could possibly wish for, including: the fastest internet at sea, a bionic (fully robotic) bar, a 9-deck high zip line, a 10-story drop waterslide, a running track, fitness centre and spa, ‘Central Park,’ a Broadway show, an outdoor movie screen and a rock climbing wall. The scope and scale of this ship is something that really hasn’t been achieved before, although Royal Caribbean have nine-times won Best Mainstream Cruise Company, so they clearly know a thing or two about offering luxury at sea.

As to the food on board, Harmony of the Seas ™ will boast a Jamie’s Italian, 150 Central Park by Michael Schwartz, an English Pub, a Vintage Wine Bar, to mention but a few of the dining options as well as countless coffee shops and cafes. Harmony of the Seas ™ will also offer guests the very modern dining experience of ‘Wonderland Imaginative Cuisine’ – a celebrated gastronomic adventure offered exclusively by Royal Caribbean.

Wonderland – was it wonderful?

Can the food on board a cruise ship really be all that good? Well, we were reassured by Michael Gilligan, Director of Culinary for Royal Caribbean, that it absolutely can be and we invited to a dry run of Wonderland, replicated in Central London, to taste the food for ourselves.

Chef Gilligan has accrued 25 years’ worth of culinary experience during his career so far, including stints at Le Manoir Aux Quatr’ Saisons, New York’s Ritz Carlton Hotel, De Niro’s Miriad Restaurant Group and the Conrad Miami amongst many other prestigious ‘on land’ adventures. He is now overseeing all culinary operations on board the world’s biggest cruise line.

Baby Vegetables Wonderland

The Wonderland Menu is categorised by theme rather than course, showcasing food from across the globe grouped into elements such as Sun, Ice, Fire, Earth and Dreams. There are culinary twists, elements of surprise and the dishes are all presented with a great deal of imagination and flair.

We sampled an 8-course tasting menu at the ‘Dry Run’ event, offering a preview to some of the dishes that you can expect to experience on Harmony of the Seas ™ including;

  • Liquid Marzana Olives
  • Crispy Crab Cones
  • Baby Vegetables in the Garden with Black Rice
  • Sashimi of Red and White Tuna (with a divine Yuzu dressing)
  • Buffalo Chicken Eggs (which arrives under a smoking glass cloche with blue cheese and a hot sauce)
  • Halibut Cooked in Clear Paper (with wild mushrooms, potatoes and bacon)
  • Berkshire Pork Belly with Apples and Crackling (with an exceptional sauce)
  • Valrhona Chocolate Mousse with Dulche de Leche and Crispy Pearls

Pork Belly Wonderland

I would happily eat this menu from beginning to end again and I must also mention the service, which was highly attentive and informative right the way through. The sauces and dressings accompanying some of the courses were incredibly well executed, too. The stand-out dish for me was the Halibut cooked in clear paper, although the Valrhona chocolate mousse reminded me that I would also need to save room, in future, for dessert.

Notes

Wonderland is a speciality dining option on board Quantum of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas and will launch from May 2016 on Royal Caribbean’s brand new ship Harmony of the Seas

Interested in more on-board photos? Look out for my future posts and have a look at Sarka’s post here:

  • Quantum of the Seas by Cook Your Dream.

With many thanks to Royal Caribbean for the invitation to experience Wonderland at The Ice Tank in London. I was not expected to write a positive review and all thoughts and opinions are my own. Images above supplied by Royal Caribbean.

You can follow Royal Caribbean on twitter @MyRoyalUK

I dined with Helen, Urvashi and Jeanne – fun to see you, ladies. It was a welcome night out!

Ren Wonderland

What are your thoughts on cruise holidays? Have you ever experienced one?

 

Filed Under: Travel14 Comments

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About Ren

Ren Behan is a British-born food writer of Polish descent. She is a mum to three young children (13, 10 and 5) and spends lots of time with them in the kitchen. Ren writes about seasonal, family-friendly food on her blog www.renbehan.com. She also contributes recipes and articles to online and print food publications, such as Food52.com, GreatBritishChefs.com, Huff Post Food and JamieOliver.com. She holds a Diploma in Food Journalism with Distinction and has completed a Food Styling course at Leiths School of Food and Wine.

Ren’s cookbook, Wild Honey and Rye: Modern Polish Recipes, draws upon her Polish heritage and regular travels to Poland.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jacqueline Meldrum says

    March 16, 2016 at 11:44 pm

    What a delight Ren and good company too. It’s good to have recommendations like this.

    Reply
    • Ren Behan says

      March 17, 2016 at 2:10 pm

      Thanks Jac – we missed you!! Would love to do a cruise with you 🙂

      Reply
  2. Helen @ Fuss Free Flavours says

    March 16, 2016 at 5:38 pm

    It was a really fun evening. I’d love to go on a longer cruise and visit lots of place with none of the packing and unpacking,

    The food was amazing, truly world class.

    Reply
    • Ren Behan says

      March 17, 2016 at 2:11 pm

      Yes Helen, a treat of an evening – I was impressed and look forward to more of the same at sea :-))

      Reply
  3. Elizabeth says

    March 16, 2016 at 6:07 am

    I could only ever dream of boarding such a majestic vessel! What a stunning ship and a great event!

    Reply
    • Ren Behan says

      March 17, 2016 at 2:11 pm

      Thanks Elizabeth – I wonder whether you ever sea any big ships up by Shetland?!

      Reply
  4. Elinor Hill aka Beachhutcook says

    March 15, 2016 at 11:29 am

    Maybe I’m getting older but cruise holidays are luring me. Why not?

    Reply
    • Ren Behan says

      March 17, 2016 at 2:12 pm

      Why not indeed! A great way to see the world and to relax whilst you get there :-))

      Reply
  5. Jeanne Horak-Druiff says

    March 14, 2016 at 3:17 pm

    What a fun night we had and how lovely to see you! The lighting was just dire for photos but the company and the food were excellent 😉 I would love to experience the actual ship now!

    Reply
    • Ren Behan says

      March 17, 2016 at 2:13 pm

      Loved your Google + write up. You are so attentive to detail! Can’t wait to see you again. Hang on a minute, last time we had cocktails at The Ritz and this time cocktails at Wonderland…I can see a theme emerging :-))

      Reply
  6. Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche says

    March 14, 2016 at 1:26 pm

    I’ve never been on a cruise like this, but I’ve always wanted to give it a go. What better than time on the ocean to read and relax 😉 That food looks amazing too!

    Reply
    • Ren Behan says

      March 17, 2016 at 2:13 pm

      Thanks Becca, yes, I can see myself with my feet up on a sun lounger with a good book 🙂 Hope you get to go someday soon too.

      Reply
  7. Sally - My Custard Pie says

    March 13, 2016 at 4:20 pm

    Love the article and it has totally changed my mind about food on a cruise ship. But even more I love the pic of you lovely gals at the end. Wish I could have drawn up a chair at that table. xx

    Reply
    • Ren Behan says

      March 17, 2016 at 2:14 pm

      Thanks Sally, always love your comments. The food was excellent and Royal Caribbean cruise to Dubai :-))

      Reply
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