Today’s grapefruit sorbet was inspired by the palate-cleansing sorbets served during the Chef’s Table Experience on Caribbean Princess with Princess Cruises. Light, refreshing and silky in texture, this grapefruit sorbet is excellent on its own as a dessert or dressed up with a shot of gin or vodka as a frozen cocktail. Read on for highlights from the cruise and the full recipe at the end.
Thank you, Princess Cruises, for providing this cruise. All photos and opinions are my own.
Are you considering a Caribbean cruise? I’ve sailed with Princess Cruises twice and want to share some of my favorite onboard activities and port excursions. Below I’ll divide my picks into onboard activities and shore excursions, and finish with the grapefruit sorbet recipe inspired by the Chef’s Table.
Caribbean Princess Onboard Activities
Food and onboard experiences are my favorite parts of cruising. Princess offers a number of memorable options that combine both, and here are the ones I recommend signing up for early once you’re onboard.
Chef’s Table Experience
The Chef’s Table Experience elevates the classic restaurant kitchen tasting into a shipboard behind-the-scenes tour. Guests visit the galley, see how thousands of meals are prepared each day, and enjoy a multi-course tasting menu with wine pairings.
The tour begins in front of the galley, where the head maitre d’ outfits guests in white lab coats and reminds everyone to wear closed-toe shoes for safety. As you walk through the galley you’ll see chefs preparing components and plating dishes for the dining rooms and specialty restaurants. The kitchen is spotless and runs with quiet, impressive efficiency.
During our event we enjoyed French champagne and inventive appetizers — from crab in filo to a tuna poke with a Mai Tai sorbet — before touring the galley and sitting down for a plated meal with wine pairings and a memorable dessert. Guests meet the Executive Chef and receive a photo memento and a signed cookbook at the end of the evening.
This is a fantastic experience for food and wine lovers. Spaces are limited and fill quickly, so sign up as soon as you board by calling the “dine” phone line or visiting the Dining Reservations desk on the first day.
Lotus Spa and Salon
The Lotus Spa offers a serene escape with plush robes, attentive service and a wide menu of treatments. I had a deep-tissue massage that was incredibly restorative, and a keratin smoothing treatment in the salon that left my hair glossy for weeks. The spa connects to a well-equipped gym with cardio equipment, weights and guided classes.
The Sanctuary
The Sanctuary is an adults-only, spa-inspired top-deck retreat with plush loungers, Serenity Steward service, light fare and optional open-air massages in private cabanas. It’s perfect for quiet relaxation and unobstructed ocean views.
Ultimate Ship Tour and Bridge Visit
If you enjoy learning how things work, the Ultimate Ship Tour is a must. The tour includes backstage access to the theater, the galley (with a champagne toast and hors d’oeuvres), the Engine Control Room, the medical center, the laundry operations and the photo lab. It culminates on the funnel deck with the Staff Captain and a visit to the Bridge where you meet the Captain and his team. This tour fills fast — reserve your place at the Reservations Desk once onboard.
Eastern Caribbean Port Excursions
On the Eastern Caribbean itinerary, my favorite excursions included snorkeling and stingray encounters in Grand Turk, a visit to RePapel in the Dominican Republic, and a walking day in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Gibbs Cay Stingray and Coral Reef Snorkeling
This excursion takes you by boat to a healthy coral reef for snorkeling instruction and marine viewing, then on to Gibbs Cay (Stingray City) where friendly stingrays gather in shallow water. Guides feed and handle the rays while instructing guests on how to interact safely. The sand on the cay is powdery soft; wear shoes if you plan to explore the island interior.
RePapel — Dominican Republic
RePapel is a women-run cooperative that recycles paper and creates handcrafted stationery, jewelry and crafts. The program started to teach recycling and has grown into a sustainable local enterprise that supports the community. Visitors can try DIY stations and support the cooperative by purchasing handmade goods. Your visit can also include simple English tutoring for the artisans, which helps them thrive in the tourism economy.
San Juan, Puerto Rico
San Juan invites easy wandering. We explored Castillo San Felipe del Morro, a UNESCO World Heritage site, enjoyed rooftop dining with mojitos and beef mofongo, and capped the day with all-natural paletas from a local shop. Old San Juan’s colorful streets and ocean views make it an unforgettable city stop.
Grapefruit Sorbet
This grapefruit sorbet delivers bright citrus flavor with a smooth, scoopable texture. The key is fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice and an ingredient that keeps ice crystals small: alcohol. Gin works beautifully for a subtle juniper note; swap vodka if you prefer a neutral spirit. If you omit alcohol, increase the corn syrup by 2 tablespoons to preserve texture.
Ingredients
- 3 cups freshly squeezed grapefruit juice
- 2 tablespoons light corn syrup (add 2 more tablespoons if skipping alcohol)
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup gin or vodka (optional)
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup of the grapefruit juice with the sugar and corn syrup. Heat over low heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves; do not boil.
- Stir the warmed sugar mixture into the remaining grapefruit juice. Add the gin or vodka if using and mix well. Chill the mixture thoroughly in the refrigerator.
- If you have an ice cream maker, churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Transfer the churned sorbet to a freezer-safe container with a tight-fitting lid and freeze at least 3 hours before serving.
- If you don’t have an ice cream maker, pour the mixture into ice cube trays and freeze until solid. To serve, pulse frozen cubes in a food processor or high-speed blender fitted with a metal blade until smooth, then serve immediately.
To serve the sorbet as an elegant palate cleanser, place a generous scoop in a small bowl and pour a shot of gin or vodka over it between courses. The alcohol keeps the sorbet silky and scoopable while enhancing the cocktail-like flavor.
Whether you’re sailing for relaxation, culinary experiences or shore adventures, Princess Cruises offers activities that make a cruise memorable. And if you want a taste of that Chef’s Table magic at home, this grapefruit sorbet is an easy, elegant way to bring a bright, smooth finish to any meal.