14 Best Shore Excursions for Foodies

Ask any foodie worth their salt and they'll gladly tell you all the reasons why a good meal can and should be considered its very own activity. Take, for instance, the simple act of enjoying homemade pasta for lunch - the texture of the noodle, the flavor of the sauce - and it's easy to regale the experience as one of your favorites and most memorable. Which is why Norwegian's shore excursions abound with opportunities for travelers to make the most of their cruise vacation with food-driven experiences. 

If you can rattle off wine varietals or cheese categories without hesitation, then this list is for you. Here are Norwegian’s best shore excursions for foodies!

1. Flavors of Sorrento & Pompeii

Following a visit to Pompeii, the civilization buried under 20 feet of ash and pumice 1,700 years ago, is a stop at the cliff-top town of Sorrento where you'll enjoy lunch on a family-owned farm that produces olive oil and homemade mozzarella.

Location: Naples, Italy on a Europe Cruise

2. A Taste of Madeira

After taking in breathtaking views off Cabo Girao, the highest sea cliff in Europe, you'll have chance to sample local wines and Portuguese cheeses on this scenic excursion through the island's southern coast.

Location: Funchal, Madeira on a Europe Cruise

3. Gold Creek Salmon Bake

This all-you-can-eat feast is a perfect opportunity to sample Alaska's wild salmon followed by a hike along Salmon Creek where a breathtaking waterfall and a chance to try gold panning await.

Location: Juneau, Alaska on a Alaska Cruise

RELATED CRUISES:
5-Day Bahamas Cruise: Great Stirrup Cay & Key West
3-Day Bahamas Cruise: Great Stirrup Cay & Grand Bahama Island
4-Day Bahamas Cruise: Great Stirrup, Bimini & Nassau

4. Shrimp Fest in Mazatlan, Mexico

Try Mazatlan's world famous shrimp at the mountainside residence of Cerro de la Cruz while live music plays in the background.

Location: Mazatlan, Mexico on a Mexican Riviera Cruise

5. A Taste of Italy & Rome

For an authentic taste on your Italian cruise vacation, stop in for lunch at a local family farm where Mama will prepare homemade pasta for lunch accompanied by locally produced wines. You can even try your hand at making the pasta yourself.

Location: Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy on a Mediterranean Cruise

6. Kona Coffee & Mocha in Hawaii

Coffee lovers are in for a treat on this excursion where travelers will have an opportunity to sample world-renown Kona coffee followed by a visit to the Original Hawaiian Chocolate Factory for a taste of the locally made sweet treat.

Location: Kona, Hawaii on a Hawaii Cruise

7. Cagliari & Wine Tasting in Sardinia

High quality food and wine is a family tradition in Sardinia, where the secrets of making fine wines and olive oils are passed down through the generations. Visit aged cellars and taste the wines of Sardinia accompanied by regional snacks.

Location: Cagliari, Sardinia on a Europe Cruise

8. Jumilla's Wine Region in Cartagena

Wine enthusiasts will have an opportunity to visit two of Jumilla's leading wineries for a taste of the region's finest wines and scenic views of the countryside.

Location: Cartagena, Spain on a Europe Cruise

9. Ancient Akrotiri and Wine Tasting

Visit Akrotiri, one of the 10 top archaeological sites globally, for an educational and enjoyable excursion. Afterward, make a stop at an impressive winery where you'll have the chance to sample Santorini's delicious wines.

Location: Santorini, Greece, on a Mediterranean Cruise

10. The Culinary Flavors of Fairview

This culinary experience combines history, food, and rum - quite a productive day! A historian cook will prepare your meal as you watch; hear him recount the history of Fairview and finish off with a rum tasting.

Location: Basseterre, St. Kitts on a Caribbean Cruise

11. Pisa & A Taste of Tuscany

Tuscany is home to some of the finest wines in the world. This excursion will give you a chance to ride right through the Italian wine country, tour a winery, have lunch with a view, and sample the house wines and olive oils.

Location: Florence/Pisa (Livorno), Italy on a Europe Cruise

12. Dalmatian Traditions in Croatia

Enjoy a visit to the House of Dalmatian Prosciutto, where the secrets behind making this crave-worthy delicacy are revealed - along with a taste of this gastro favorite. You'll even be able to purchase some to take home, right from the source.

Location: Zadar, Croatia on a Europe Cruise

13. GL-Poljica Republic: Life and Food

Visit a tiny Croatian village and cook a traditional dish locally known as Dalmatian pizza. This vegetarian delight consisting of wheat flour, Swiss chard, onion, olive oil, garlic, and salt makes up Croatia's list of intangible cultural heritage.

Location: Split, Croatia, on a Europe Cruise

14. Salsa Cooking & Dancing in Costa Maya

Nothing says vacation like salsa dancing on the beach. But if you add actually learning how to make salsa (and authentic Mexican guacamole) you're pushing the boundaries of fun. Top it off with a beach break and this shore excursion could not be more well rounded.

Location: Costa Maya, Mexico on a Caribbean Cruise

EDITOR'S NOTE: This article was originally published on November 20, 2015. It has been updated to show related content and itineraries.