Princess Cruises Unveils "The Catch by Rudi" New Signature Seafood Restaurant

Debuting on Enchanted Princess as she emerges from dry dock on April 15 and coming soon to three more of the line's newest ships, The Catch by Rudi is the first Princess restaurant primarily devoted to seafood and offers a completely fresh take on seafood with the chef's contemporary interpretations of classic dishes, international fusion influences, highly-creative presentations and an engaging dining experience.

"Chef Rudi is the foremost cruise culinary artist in the world with more than four decades of experience spanning the world's best cruise lines – Princess Cruises, Cunard Line, Holland America Line and Carnival Cruise Line, as well as Royal Caribbean and Norwegian American Cruise Line," said John Padgett, president of Princess Cruises. "Chef Rudi's creativity, passion and leadership in delivering exceptional experiences down to the finest details that consider guests preferences and tastes will surely make The Catch another "must do."

The Catch by Rudi replaces Bistro Sur la Mer and is expected to make a tremendous splash given the menu that will appeal to both seafood aficionados and guests who simply prefer some great "surf and turf." Guests will notice as soon as they pick up their menus that they are experiencing something unexpected and novel, as they read headings like "Beauty on the Plate" and "Tower of Taste."

The place settings are equally distinctive. Guests are greeted at their table by a special cocktail created by mixologist Rob Floyd. Priced at $39 per person and available as a specialty dining option within the Princess Premier premium add-on package, the restaurant's menu features The Daily Catch—the freshest, sustainably sourced seafood from local ports of call. The new specialty dining location also includes playful takes on seafood go-to dishes like Asian-fried calamari; modern twists on comforting seafood classics such as lobsters with garlic butter crust; and stunningly presented signature seafood inventions from the chef's personal repertoire including a Towering Trio and Whole Dover Sole. The Seafood Trolly is a feast for the eyes with fresh lobster tail, shrimp, oysters, mussels, piled high along with other gifts from the sea.

The new restaurant delivers a one-of-a-kind dining experience, including serving up classic dishes that delight as if they were being encountered for the first time. To that end, each preparation and presentation will be completely unique to guests dining onboard. "The Catch by Rudi is my way of combining my love of food, seafood and people with my incredible culinary journey at sea and my lifelong history of cooking seafood across the globe to delight Princess guests," said Sodamin. "I want to deliver a new way to enjoy seafood and a fresh perspective on something they thought they knew. Everything we are doing with The Catch is about 'catching' that precious moment we call 'now'—and doing it in such a memorable and unexpected way that makes you say 'wow!'"

While the menu is focused primarily on seafood dishes, The Catch by Rudi also features offerings to appeal to every taste and appetite, along with vegetarian dishes, and signature beef classics like steak frites, all presented with the creativity that is distinctively Chef Rudi. All wines will be hand-picked to pair with seafood, and the smartly uniformed waitstaff will make knowledgeable recommendations for white, red, rose and sparkling wines from the great wine-growing regions located near coastal areas across the world.

The Catch will be about comfort, fun and engagement with wine selections that will not intimidate and be comfortable for guest to select and experience. "Guests who experience The Catch by Rudi are in for something truly special," said Sami Kohen, vice president of food and beverage for Princess Cruises. "The meal will offer a number of surprises—from before the meal starts, through the unparalleled desserts that are as fanciful as they are delicious and come with a special gift at the end of the meal." Aboard Enchanted Princess The Catch by Rudi is located across from the guest services desk on Deck 5, as Sabatini's moves to Deck 7 in the piazza, where Bistro Sur la Mer was previously located.

The new restaurant concept will be added aboard several other Princess ships including Majestic Princess (May 5) in time for its Alaska Season, Sky Princess (May 7) sailing from Southampton on Scandinavian and Baltic itineraries this summer and in the fall aboard Discovery Princess.