Princess Cruises: New Rudi Sodamin restaurant, pub, Salty Dog

Sodamin is head of culinary arts for the cruise line.

The Catch by Rudi is the first Princess restaurant focused on seafood and features Sodamin's contemporary interpretations of classic dishes, international fusion influences, creative presentations and an engaging experience.

It will debut on Enchanted Princess when the ship emerges from dry dock April 15 and will appear soon on Majestic Princess (May 5), in time for its Alaska season, Sky Princess (May 7), sailing from Southampton on Scandinavia/Baltic cruises this summer and in the fall aboard Discovery Princess.

Replaces Bistro Sur la Mer

The venue replaces Bistro Sur la Mer.

'I want to deliver a new way to enjoy seafood and a fresh perspective on something [diners] thought they knew ... in a memorable and unexpected way that makes you say "Wow!"' Sodamin said.

The menu will have headings like 'Beauty on the Plate' and 'Tower of Taste,' while the place settings are equally distinctive. Diners will be served a special cocktail created by mixologist Rob Floyd, and the wines will be hand-picked.

Among the dishes are Asian-fried calamari, lobster with garlic butter crust and Sodamin signatures such as 'Towering Trio' and whole dover sole. A seafood trolley will display fresh lobster tail, shrimp, oysters and mussels, piled high. Vegetarian choices and beef classics like steak frites will also be provided, with Sodamin's creative twists.

The Catch by Rudi is priced at $39 per person and will be available as a specialty dining option within the Princess Premier premium add-on package.

Also new on Enchanted Princess

Aboard Enchanted Princess The Catch by Rudi will 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.

Also coming to Enchanted Princess starting April 15 is O’Malley’s, a contemporary Irish pub with traditional music, interactive entertainment and food including a ribeye burger. Located on Deck 5 in the Piazza where the Salty Dog Gastropub previously operated, O’Malley’s will also serve Scotch eggs, fried pickles, pan-fried Guinness chicken and Irish beers, ales and whiskeys.

Tasting experiences will include an introduction to the history of Irish whiskey along with a tasting flight, as well as Guinness cocktail classes.

More enhancements around the Piazza

The Princess Piazza will now deliver the aromas and experiences that are the hallmarks of a traditional Italian town square. Deck 7 becomes Settimo Cielo, or seventh heaven, serving an array of Italian eats at the signature Sabatini’s Trattoria, Bellini’s Venice-inspired cocktail bar and Gigi’s Pizzeria by Alfredo.

There's more Italian flair in the Gelateria on Deck 5, which serves authentic Italian gelato, hand-crafted each day with Italian-certified ingredients.

The 'official' Salty Dog on Lido Deck

Princess is also adding an authentic Salty Dog Café, the original, world-famous Hilton Head eatery that welcomes tens of thousands of visitors a year, to the Lido Deck on Enchanted Princess.

The menu will offer items like prime burger and a chicken strip basket, while diners can learn about the legend of Jake, the café’s iconic dog in the yellow hat. Branded merchandise featuring the mascot will be available for purchase. Visitors to the original Salty Dog in Hilton Head will will get promotional invitations to sail Princess.

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