Chefs Will Be Making Waves Again

Jeff Cuellar

By Gerry Barker
North Palm Beach Life

Photos of the first Chefs Making Waves cruise
Courtesy of Rich Johnson, Spectacle Photo and
Tammy Vega, @TammyVega

​Theme cruises are all the rage, and getting more popular all the time. Just find a popular niche that has a loyal following, and the fanbase will eagerly join.

Many are music-related (Rock Legends, Soul Train, The 80s Cruise), including the always-sold out "Dave Koz and Frinds at Sea" cruises; the Turner Classic Movies cruise, Star Trek, Comic-Con and even clothes-optional cruises (we didn't need to see that, right?).

One of the newer entries is called Chefs Making Waves, featuring top celebrity chefs, plus food personalities and authors. After a successful debut earlier this year, the second Chefs Making Waves cruise is set for May 5-9, 2025. Hosted on Norwegian Gem, it's a four-day, roundtrip cruise from Miami to Cozumel.

The lineup of award-winning chefs and mixologists include Richard Blais, Maneet Chauhan, Tom Colicchio, Scott Conant, Robert Irvine, Antonia Lofaso, Jonathan Waxman, Geoffrey Zakarian and Claudette Zepeda, with "additional talent to be announced soon." Guests will enjoy "cooking demonstrations, buffet spotlights, curated dining and and restaurant takeovers."

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The cruise is presented by Sixthman, with more than 20 years experience staging festivals and music cruises, in partnership with a21 and EBG Solutions. I had an opportunity to interview Jeff Cuellar, Sixthman CEO, about the event:

Q. How did the idea for Chefs Making Waves originate?

A. The spark of the idea started between EBG and Sixthman following other successful event partnerships (Jon Bon Jovi’s Runaway to Paradise and The Broadway Cruise). EBG had a relationship with a21, the best event producer in the culinary world, and pulled us all together. The creative magic between the three of us was instantaneous and all backed up by our collective expertise. Our goal was to completely change the way one could imagine and experience a food event.  

Q. How successful was the first CMW cruise?

A. We came out of the gates with a bang, blowing foodies away with a stellar lineup. They reacted by quickly booking cabins, and within the first couple of weeks, we were essentially sold out.

Q. Can you share the feedback from the first cruise, both from the guests and the chefs involved?

A. Fans and the Chefs were blown away. The amount of interaction (dancing, singing, eating, gambling, demonstrations, and more) between the chefs and fans was something that had never been experienced before.  This isn’t to say we didn’t have any first-year hiccups (we all now have a deeper love for short ribs) and places we can make immediate improvements, but overall it was a home run.

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Q. Based on the first cruise, have you made any adjustments or changes for the second one?  

A. Of course, our biggest adjustment will be moving from the same chef-curated dinner for all guests each night to chef (or chef's) restaurant takeovers, where guests can make reservations. This will allow for more flexibility for the guests and more engagement from the chefs.  Additionally, we will be further expanding the spotlight on the buffet to provide even more immersive options. There will also be expanded opportunities for more intimate micro-experiences so our guests can go deeper into food nirvana. There is more but you will have to sail with us to find out!

Q. How difficult is it to coordinate the schedules of the chefs to get them all together for the cruise?

A. Luckily, we are booking our chefs far out so it gives them ample time to plan and make this an anchor on their schedules, but with all of the demand on them from their restaurants, TV appearances, tours, and more it still can be difficult.

Q. Is every passenger guaranteed to get at least one reservation at one of the pop-up restaurants? What venues have been the most popular?

A. Guests will be able to eat at a different takeover each night. It is not about the venue but the chefs taking over.  We have yet to announce the takeovers and allow for reservations. 
 
Q. Aside from CMW, do you offer any other theme cruises?

A. If you have a passion and there is a community, then we probably have an event for you. From the most unique Broadway vacation event ever to comedy, rock, hip-hop,  EDM, Savannah Bananas, Hallmark, and more, we truly have (or will have) an event for every passionate community.  Check out www.sixthman.net/festivals for all of our events.

Q. What are the demographics for theme cruises – do guests tend to be older, or is it a mix?

A. It all depends on the event.  Passion is not defined by age, gender, etc so our demographics represent the community around that specific concept.

Q. What's the cost range for the CMW cruise?

A. If you look at any other multi-day event we are a value as we include your accommodations, food, top-shelf alcohol, Starbucks, and the immersive event, all wrapped in a 4-night international tropical vacation starting at $1420 per person and increases based on your cabin type. 

For more information, visit their website:

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