Ships now have even more to offer with star chefs and wine experts on board, says CATE HOPE. So if you would like to pick up some culinary tips why not set sail on a foodie cruise?

FOOD HEAVEN
There  is a treat in store for passengers aboard Ocean Village's tastily titled Tapas And Togas cruise, in its final season.

Saturday Kitchen star James Martin will be on board giving demonstrations, mingling with guests and rattling pots and pans in the galley too.

If you are lucky enough to be dining in his signature restaurant The Bistro (supplement £15pp) the night James is cheffing you could be tucking into dishes he's prepared himself, such as spicy crab and saffron linguine with chilli oil, cod with braised puy lentils and pancetta, followed by treacle tart with clotted cream.

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Great excursions for foodies ashore include La Boqueria market just off Las Ramblas in Barcelona and the trattorias of Genoa, where the velvety green, basil and pine nut pesto sauce was invented.

Ocean Village (0845 358 5000/www.oceanvillageholidays.co.uk) offers a seven-night cruise from £959pp (two sharing), calling at Tunis, Rome, Genoa, St Raphael and Barcelona.

Price includes return flights from Gatwick to Palma de Mallorca and transfers. Departs Mallorca, July 20, 2010.

BALTIC BITES
Sail to the lands of borscht and blinis, gravlax and smorgasbord on a Baltic Treasures cruise.

Who better to lead this epicurean expedition on board American ship Eurodam than Martin Blunos, the two Michelin-starred chef from Bath.

Drawing on his Latvian heritage he will keep guests entertained rustling up some classic dishes, finishing off with tastings in the ship's Culinary Arts Theatre. Join one of his master-classes from £19pp and you'll eat what you cook with a glass of wine.

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If you have a sweet tooth don't miss the spectacular Royal Dutch high tea on a day at sea, a lavish spread of exquisite pastries, cakes and chocolate fountains.

Holland America Line (0845 351 0557/www.hollandamerica.com) offers an 11-night cruise from £1,099pp (two sharing), calling at Copenhagen, Tallinn, St Petersburg, Helsinki and Stockholm. Departs Dover, May 29, 2010.

FRENCH FANCIES
Learn about the food and wine of France, Portugal and Spain on a Spirit Of Adventure cruise created with the National Trust and Waddesdon Manor, home of an unmatched collection of Rothschild wines.

Food historian Sarah Edington and author Ben Howkins, wine adviser to Lord Rothschild, will be giving lively talks on the food and wine of regions visited, including the Loire and Bordeaux.

Ashore there will be tours to the vineyards of Saint-Émilion, to Oporto and Graham's Port Lodge on the banks of the Douro and an overnight stop in Seville.

Spirit Of Adventure (0800 015 6984/www.spiritofadventure.co.uk) offers a 14-night cruise from £2,428pp (two sharing), calling at Rouen, Lorient, Bordeaux, Leixos, Bilbao, Ferrol, Seville and Malaga.

Price includes return flight from Barcelona to Heathrow, transfers and all excursions. Departs Dover, August 19, 2010.

DISCOVERY DINING
A gala dinner prepared by two Michelin-starred chef Tom Aikens, for no extra charge, will be a highlight on Crystal Serenity's Wine & Food Experiences Of Discovery cruise sailing from Barcelona to Venice.

Expect roast langoustine, tartar of scallops or sea bass with pistachio crumb.

Tom will also be demonstrating his flair and solving culinary problems at a Q&A session on days at sea.

Crystal Cruises (0207 287 9040/www.crystalcruises.com) offers a 12-night cruise from £3,714pp (two sharing) calling at Monte Carlo, Livorno, Civitavecchia, Elba, Sorrento, Corfu and Dubrovnik.

Price includes outbound flight from Heathrow and return flight to Gatwick from Barcelona.
Each passenger will receive $1,000 (£660) on-board credit to spend as they wish. Departs Barcelona, September 17, 2010.

COOK WITH A MASTERCHEF
All the family can be inspired by Hell's Kitchen star Marco Pierre White on board Ventura this summer. His new Kids' Kitchen sessions in groups of up to eight are for all ages.

Grown-up fans of the three Michelin-starred chef can join interactive Heaven's Kitchen sessions in the ship's theatre kitchen too.

If you just want to relax and enjoy his classic Italian cuisine you can book a table (supplement of £20pp) at his sophisticated restaurant The White Room.

Kids' Kitchen sessions are from £20 per child and Heaven's Kitchen sessions from £75pp.
 
P&O Cruises (0845 355 5333/www.pocruises.com) offers a seven-night City And Short Breaks cruise (with Marco Pierre White) from £730pp (two sharing), calling at Guernsey, Corunna, Bilbao, Brest and La Rochelle.

Departs Southampton, June 5 and July 3, 2010.