Indulge In a Second Helping
Indulge in a second helping of the ultimate culinary celebration, Chefs Making Waves! Set sail on an immersive voyage of a lifetime, round-trip from Miami to Cozumel Mexico, May 5-9, 2025. Vacation with world-renowned chefs, experience live demonstrations, and enjoy unparalleled curated dining opportunities. Prepare to cruise the open ocean with a belly full of memories and a heart full of flavor!
Restaurant Takeovers
Make reservations to dine at your favorite chef's pop-up restaurant! Celebrity Chefs take over the restaurants aboard Norwegian Gem, and each restaurant will be paired with a celebrity chef (or chefs). These restaurants will be open nightly for dinner service and each will have their own specially curated menu, with multiple course options.
The following chefs are teaming up and taking over the restaurants aboard Gem: Nyesha Arrington + Richard Blais + Michael Schwartz | Maneet Chauhan + Antonia Lofaso | Scott Conant + Claudette Zepeda | Robert Irvine + Geoffrey Zakarian + Lindsay Autry | Jonathan Waxman + Tom Colicchio + Giorgio Rapicavoli
Each cabin will have the opportunity to make a select number of reservations before sailing, and then have the option to make additional reservations on board.
Please note: There is a potential for shared seating with other Chefs Making Waves cruisers based on party size and table availability, and each cabin cannot dine at all pop-up restaurants during our four-night sailing.
Buffet Spotlights
Indulge in celebrity chef fare throughout the day on the Garden Cafe buffet! Our Chefs Making Waves chefs are curating dishes to tantalize your taste buds and keep you fueled for maximum fun.
No reservations required, grab a plate and dig in... then go back for more!
The celebrity chefs are taking over the restaurants aboard Norwegian Gem, and they'll be open nightly for dinner service. Each will have its own specially curated menu, and every cabin will have the opportunity to make a select number of reservations before sailing and then have the option to make additional reservations on board.
Menus are subject to change.
Restaurants will do their best to accommodate guests with unique dietary needs, but we cannot guarantee substitutions for all dishes.
Cagney's
Jonathan Waxman + Tom Colicchio + Giorgio Rapicavoli
Caprese di Melone (V) — Giorgio Rapicavoli
Grilled Octopus Salsa Verde — Tom Colicchio
Maine Lobster salad — Jonathan Waxman
Risotto al Tartufo (V) — Giorgio Rapicavoli
Duck a “L’Orange” — Tom Colicchio
Seafood stew — Jonathan Waxman
Marzi-Panna Cotta — Giorgio Rapicavoli
Vacherin — Tom Colicchio
La Cucina
Scott Conant + Claudette Zepeda
Truffle Pea Caesar Salad (V) — Scott Conant
Warm Castelfranco Salad (Veg) — Claudette Zepeda
Chile Relleno with Potato and Chorizo-Picadillo — Claudette Zepeda
Rosemary Stewed Lentils (V/Vegan) — Scott Conant
Slow Roasted Sirloin of Beef with Asparagus — Scott Conant
Tamarind Agrodulce Steamed Cod — Claudette Zepeda
Braised Ossobuco and Caponata — Claudette Zepeda
Chocolate Budino — Scott Conant
Cafe con leche Custard filled Bombolone — Claudette Zepeda
Le Bistro and Magenta
Robert Irvine + Geoffrey Zakarian + Lindsay Autry
APPS
Sweet Corn Soup with Petite Crispy Crab Cakes (Vegetarian option available) — Lindsay Autry
Tuna Tonnato — Geoffrey Zakarian
Roasted Beets — Robert Irvine
Seared Lamb — Geoffrey Zakarian
Porcini & Brown Sugar Dry Rubbed Beef Tenderloin and Sauce Robert — Robert Irvine
Grilled Swordfish w/ lemony ditalini risotto, charred artichoke caponata (Vegetarian option available) — Lindsay Autry
Orange Olive Oil Cake — Geoffrey Zakarian
Sweet Potato & Pecan Cobbler — Robert Irvine
Orchid Garden
Nyesha Arrington + Richard Blais + Michael Schwartz
APPS
Lobster and Avocado Mixto — Nyesha Arrington
Citrus Cured Salmon — Michael Schwartz
Bucatini Cacio e Pepe with cauliflower & truffle (V) — Richard Blais
Pan-Seared Duck Breast with Blackberry Gastrique — Nyesha Arrington
Moroccan Spiced Loin of Lamb — Michael Schwartz
Seabass with Coconut Curry Sauce and Lobster foam — Richard Blais
Milk Chocolate Cremoso espresso parfait — Michael Schwartz
Chocolate Lava cake with vanilla ice cream — Richard Blais
Grand Pacific
Maneet Chauhan + Antonia Lofaso
APPS
Eggplant ravioli — Antonia Lofaso
Shaved zucchini salad (Vegan option available) — Antonia Lofaso
MAINS
Airline Chicken Makhani — Maneet Chauhan
Tandoori shrimp and grits — Maneet Chauhan
Jackfruit Vindaloo (V/Vegan) — Maneet Chauhan
DESSERTS
Chef Demos
Challah Back
with Antonia Lofaso
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, no matter when you have it. Join Top Chef finalist Antonia Lofaso and say Oui Oui to breakfast.
Citrus and Spice
with Geoffrey Zakarian
Why did the chicken cross the road? To enjoy a little sweet and a bit of spice, cooked up by celebrated chef and restaurateur Geoffrey Zakarian.
Hot and Cold: Oven to Bowl
with Lindsay Autry and Michael Schwartz
Ready to play with temperature? Join chefs Lindsay Autry and Michael Schwartz for a delicious twist on classic flavors. Learn how to make hot, crispy pies fresh from the oven paired with a cool, refreshing salad, all expertly crafted by these celebrated chefs. It’s the perfect mix of hot and cold, straight from the kitchen to your table!
Saucy Gnuds
with Scott Conant
What’s soft, fluffy, saucy and cheesy all over? Chopped Judge, House of Knives host, and author Chef Scott Conant will be serving up the answer.
TOAST-TADA: Let’s toast to tostadas!
with Claudette Zepeda & Gabe Urrutia
Raise a glass and let’s toast to tostadas! Join Iron Chef alum Claudette Zepeda and award-winning mixologist Gabe Urrutia as we drink, eat, and honor our favorite Mexican and Guatemelan dish.
You Ricotta Try This!
with Giorgio Rapicavoli
Nobody can beat Mama’s Italian food by award-winning Florida chef, Giorgio Rapicavoli will come darn close with his take on some iconic cheesy goodness that will taste just like your italian grandma’s, even if you don’t have one.
Blais-d and Confused: The Sushi Pizza Experience
with Richard Blais
Experience the wild thrill of a true culinary odd couple as Top Chef winner Richard Blais marries Pizza and Sushi together in a way your tastebuds will never forget
The Spice Is Right
with Nyesha Arrington and Maneet Chauhan
Get ready for a burst of flavor! Join culinary experts Nyesha Arrington and Maneet Chauhan as they guide you through the art of elevating your dishes with bold, vibrant spices.
LIVE Culinary Demos
From knife skills to flavor explosions, prepare to be entertained and tantalized as our celebrity chefs dish out the secrets behind their delicious delights right before your eyes! Recipes shared during demos will be available following the demonstration, so you can tackle them in your own kitchen.
You do not need to register in advance for Culinary Demos. Simply show-up & enjoy!
LIVE Mixology Demos
Watch our skilled mixologists craft scrumptious cocktails, pouring creativity and flair into every drink! Whether you're a seasoned enthusiast or a curious beginner, these demos will enhance your appreciation for the art of mixology.
You do not need to register in advance for Mixology Demos. Pull up a chair & learn!
Culinary Conversations
Where taste meets talk! Join your favorite chefs, as they dive into a world of food and flavor.
The topics, and format for these convos are still being formulated, but will all be general admission. No registration is required!
Salsa & Salsa Excursion In Cozumel
with Maneet Chauhan and Claudette Zepeda
Get ready for a one-of-a-kind experience that blends bold flavors and hot moves! Join Chefs Making Waves stars Maneet Chauhan and Claudette Zepeda at the Cozumel Hotel & Resort by Wyndham for a fun-filled class where you’ll master both authentic salsas and sizzling salsa dancing.
Sign-ups will open for this excursion next Thursday, March 6th at 2:00pm ET and sign-ups will be taken via lottery until Tuesday, March 11th. Stay tuned for sign-up details!
Please Note:
- This excursion is operated by our trusted local partners, with expert-led classes designed to provide an authentic and immersive experience! Maneet and Claudette will be attending with you as guests. You can certainly expect them to be called upon throughout the experience, but the instruction itself will be provided by our knowledgeable partners at the Cozumel Hotel & Resort by Wyndham.
- Sign-ups will be taken on the Chefs Making Waves website instead of in your Sixthman account
- You are able to sign-up yourself, and one other person.
- You will need the Sixthman username for yourself, and your additional attendee.
- If you're selected, your tasting will be added to your Sixthman account where payment can be made. An email will be sent out to you once this is ready!
- Any guests that are selected for the Salsa & Salsa Excursion but have purchased other excursions through NCL will have their original excursion cancelled no later than 1-2 weeks prior to sailing and will receive a refund within 5-10 business days of cancellation.
Robert Irvine LIVE: Culinary Chaos
There's no party like a Robert Irvine Party! Robert hosts a food challenge like no other. Are you down for ANYTHING?
Details on how to throw your name in the hat for the Culinary Chaos lottery and join Robert ON-STAGE will be shared closer to sailing! Audience seating is General Admission. Show-up & snag a seat!
Autograph Session
In addition to vacationing beside your favorite chefs, there will be at least one Autograph Session aboard the 2025 sailing of Chefs Making Waves. While participating talent for this autograph session is still TBD, the face-time with these pros is guaranteed to be unforgettable.
There's no pre-registration for the Autograph Session. Just show-up!
Theme Parties
Get ready for an array of exciting theme parties, each designed to offer a unique, and entertaining experience!
Themes will be announced closer to sailing, but with enough time to put together the perfect outfit!
Headphone Dance Party
Experience a unique twist on the traditional dance party! Slide on your LED headphones, choose the channel with the music you want to groove to, and dance the night away to your own beat.
The headphones are plentiful, you'll grab one at the door, and you're set!
Bloody Mary Bingo
Enjoy delicious Bloody Mary cocktails while you poke your way to exciting prizes. It's the perfect mix of fun, drinks, and friendly competition!
BINGO cards will go on sale on board before this exhilarating activity. Stay tuned for the location(s) & time(s) of card sales.
Wellness Opportunities
There will be several wellness opportunities aboard Chefs Making Waves. Each will be designed to rejuvenate and invigorate you during your time on the high seas.
These will be show-up experiences, so there's no need to register in advance.
We'll have the ship decked out, and the music will embrace the vibe! You can join the fun with a corresponding outfit or a fun piece of flair. Participation is optional.
Cinco De Mayo
Monday, May 5
As we journey toward Mexico's sun-drenched shores, join an exclusive Cinco De Mayo fiesta aboard Norwegian Gem. Dance the night away to Latin tunes beneath vibrant decorations!
80s Dance Party!
Thursday, May 8
Step back in time with an epic 80s Dance Party on the high seas! Hit the dance floor in your best 80s outfit —think leg warmers, big hair, and flashy colors — while grooving to iconic hits. Prepare for nostalgic fun!
Snag a bloody Mary or your favorite Starbucks beverage in the morning, a frozen tropical concoction while lounging on the Pool Deck, or enjoy wine paired with your Nightly Celebrity Chef Curated Sit Down Dinner... keep the drinks flowing with ease with our ship-wide all-inclusive beverage package!
Top-Shelf Spirits, Wine, & Beer
GUESTS 21+
Unlimited top-shelf cocktails & spirits, all beer, champagne, and wine by the glass.
The Premium Plus Beverage Package is INCLUDED for all 21+ Chefs Making Waves guests to enhance your vacation experience. Learn more HERE.
Starbucks
GUESTS 18+
All Starbucks® coffee & specialty drinks, and energy drinks.
This is INCLUDED for all 18+ Chefs Making Waves guests to enhance your vacation experience. Learn more HERE.
Soft Drinks, Juices, & Water
ALL AGES
Unlimited soft drinks and juices, unlimited still & sparkling bottled water.
This is INCLUDED for ALL Chefs Making Waves guests to enhance your vacation experience. Learn more HERE.