From March 30 to April 7, 2015, AIDAdiva will be sailing the Mediterranean on a gourmet cruise together with 26-year-old Michelin-star chef Benjamin Maerz, his brother, sommelier Christian Maerz, and AIDA head chef Günther Kroack.

Benjamin Maerz is one of the youngest chefs in Germany to win a Michelin star, and is the head chef at his family’s own Hotel-Restaurant Rose in Bietigheim. After being trained by his father, he took over the kitchen in 2010. He was already described as a “great hope” by the Michelin Guide in 2012, and won his star one year later. Benjamin Maerz rapidly developed his own style, using only the very best products. On board he will be cooking with regional ingredients from the markets of the Mediterranean. His brother, Christian Maerz, will be presenting exquisite wines from the best cellars.

For the gourmet cruise, guests have a choice of two superb set meals at the Rossini gourmet restaurant with a selection of accompanying wines. The program also includes an exclusive cookery course with Benjamin Maerz, and a shore excursion to Malta to sample Mediterranean specialties. At the Razzett L-Antik, a 400-year-old historical flour factory complete with a mill, guests will enjoy an exclusive cookery show and a 3-course meal of Maltese specialties. On board, guests will be allowed to accompany Chef de Cuisine Günther Kroack into the kitchen and watch the AIDA chefs work their magic. The small gourmet package can be booked for 99 euros per person, and the big gourmet package for 299 euros per person at www.MyAIDA.de.

AIDAdiva’s guests will be able to enjoy the culinary traditions of the Mediterranean both on land and on board for eight days, and will then be able to take tips from the experts home with them. From Sharm El-Sheikh, AIDAdiva will firstly sail through the Suez Canal to Crete, and then on to Valletta, before the cruise ends at the port of Palma de Mallorca. AIDA VARIO prices for the 8-day cruise start at 499 euros per person; the arrival and departure package is available from 535 euros.

For further information, go to www.aida.de/themenreisen. Booking can be made at travel agencies, by phone at +49 (0) 381/20 27 07 07 or at www.aida.de (Austria: +43 (0) 1 22 709 050 / www.aida-cruises.at, Switzerland: +41 (0) 848/10 10 11 / www.aida.ch).