Regent Seven Seas Cruises Unveils 12 New Epicurean Explorer Tours: A Culinary Journey Across the Globe

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Redefining Gastronomic Travel in 2025 and Beyond

Luxury travel enthusiasts and gastronomes are in for a treat as Regent Seven Seas Cruises®, the world’s leading ultra-luxury cruise line, introduces 12 brand-new Epicurean Explorer Tours. These meticulously curated, chef-led excursions promise immersive culinary experiences in some of the world’s most iconic destinations, including Asia, Europe, and Canada & New England.

A Feast for the Senses

“With these thoughtfully designed Epicurean Explorer Tours, we’re providing a transformative experience that connects ultra-luxury travelers deeply with the cultural heart of each destination through its most fundamental expression: food,” said Jason Montague, incoming Chief Luxury Officer of Regent Seven Seas Cruises. “At Regent, we don’t just take our guests to their most desired destinations; we offer them the chance to truly explore through countless unique shore excursions, all while enjoying the highest standards of service aboard The World’s Most Luxurious Fleet.”

Combining Regent’s promise of Epicurean Perfection™ and Immersive Exploration™, these new tours offer guests the rare opportunity to engage with authentic culinary traditions. Whether foraging for ingredients to prepare Scotland’s famous Cullen Skink or enjoying premium Kobe beef in a restaurant overlooking Osaka Castle, each experience is crafted to deepen one’s appreciation of global gastronomy.

With exclusivity at the forefront, these intimate tours are limited to only 18 guests per session. Ranging from US$129 to US$489 per person, each tour lasts between three to seven hours, with select experiences including an onboard cooking class at the ship’s Culinary Arts Kitchen.

“Our Epicurean Explorer Tours represent the pinnacle of culinary exploration and are designed following painstaking in-destination research by our team of esteemed and accomplished chefs,” said Chef Kathryn Kelly, Executive Chef and Director of Culinary Enrichment at Regent Seven Seas Cruises. “We are a team of passionate professionals who love nothing more than sharing in-depth culinary and destination knowledge with our valued Regent foodie guests.”

These experiences will be available aboard the Seven Seas Grandeur®, Seven Seas Splendor®, and Seven Seas Explorer®, bringing the total collection of immersive culinary shore excursions to 46 unique experiences.

The 12 New Epicurean Explorer Tours:

Mediterranean & Northern Europe

Amsterdam, The Netherlands: Plant-to-Plate LuncheonExperience a chef-led four-course lunch at the renowned Restaurant De Kas, set in a restored century-old greenhouse, where freshly harvested ingredients from on-site gardens are transformed into an exquisite dining experience paired with premium wines.

Belfast, Ireland: Coastal Flavours of County DownJoin celebrity chef and "Great British Menu" competitor Paul Cunningham for a hands-on foraging adventure along Dundrum Bay. Discover local seaweeds and herbs, then enjoy a seafood feast paired with a perfect pint of Irish stout against the stunning backdrop of the Mourne Mountains.

Invergordon, Scotland: Foraging & Onboard Scottish Cooking ClassHunt for fresh ingredients in Invergordon’s markets, sample award-winning haggis, and select organic vegetables from Black Isle Brewery. Return to the ship to prepare an authentic Cullen Skink in a hands-on cooking class paired with fine Scotch whiskey.

Valencia, Spain: Albufera Lake and PaellaDiscover the roots of Spain’s iconic dish with a chef-led boat tour through the rice fields of Lake Albufera, followed by a hands-on paella-making class at Restaurant El Redoli, where guests will cook over a traditional wood fire.

Valletta, Malta: Artisanal Malta TreasuresUncover Malta’s rich culinary heritage with visits to a multi-generational bakery for hands-on bread making and a historic grotto where pastizzi (savory pastries) are still prepared using age-old techniques.

Canada & New England

Halifax, Nova Scotia: Cider and Chowder: Authentic Nova ScotiaSavor a curated tasting flight at an artisanal cidery before indulging in Nova Scotia's famous seafood chowder and a "crobster" roll at a popular Dartmouth restaurant, all while watching chefs at work.

Quebec City, Canada: Culinary Journey through Île d'OrléansImmerse in Quebec’s rural food traditions with visits to a charming tea house, a local sugar shack for maple delicacies, and an artisanal pastry shop offering regional specialties.

Victoria, British Columbia: Infusions: Flowers, Tea, and HoneyExperience the elegance of afternoon tea at Butchart Gardens' private mansion room, explore artisanal gelato flavors, and learn about honey production at a local beekeeping farm.

Asia

Busan, South Korea: Busan Markets TourStroll through Busan's renowned Jagalchi Fish Market and Gukje Market alongside a Regent chef. Select fresh seafood and unique local ingredients, then return to the ship’s Culinary Arts Kitchen for a hands-on cooking experience.

Kobe, Japan: Culinary Journey through KobeDiscover the art of Japanese knife-making and witness a master chef prepare premium Kobe beef teppanyaki-style in an exclusive restaurant with a breathtaking view of Osaka Castle.

Kochi, Japan: Tataki Culinary TraditionDelve into Kochi’s Hirome Market, sampling fresh local delicacies before learning the traditional technique of preparing “katsuo no tataki” — seared bonito fish cooked over an open flame.

Shimizu, Japan: Japanese Fish Essentials TourVisit the bustling Kashi-no-Ichi fish market with a local chef, followed by a sushi-making masterclass using the freshest seafood available.

Unparalleled Culinary Exploration Awaits

These new Epicurean Explorer Tours mark a significant milestone in experiential ultra-luxury travel, offering unprecedented gastronomic experiences that merge cultural immersion with world-class cuisine. Guests can expect to indulge in carefully crafted excursions that go beyond mere tastings, providing deep insight into culinary traditions and techniques.

For more information and reservations, visit RSSC.com or contact Regent Seven Seas Cruises at:Singapore: +65 31 651 679Hong Kong & Rest of Asia: +852 800-930222

About Regent Seven Seas Cruises

For over 30 years, Regent Seven Seas Cruises® has been Unrivalled at Sea™, offering ultra-luxury voyages aboard The World’s Most Luxurious Fleet®. With all-suite accommodations, immersive destination experiences, and all-inclusive pricing, Regent continues to set the gold standard in luxury cruising. For further details, visit RSSC.com.

Ghost Students Scam: DepEd Uncovers Shocking Fraud in Private Schools!

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

In a decisive move to uphold the integrity of educational funding, the Department of Education (DepEd) Central Office has launched an investigation into allegations of "ghost students" benefiting from the Senior High School (SHS) Voucher Program. This probe targets 12 private schools across nine divisions suspected of fraudulent activities. 

The SHS Voucher Program is a government initiative designed to provide financial assistance to students pursuing senior high school education in private institutions. The emergence of ghost students—non-existent enrollees fraudulently listed to siphon funds—undermines the program's objectives and raises serious concerns about fund misappropriation.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara emphasized the gravity of these allegations, stating, "We take these allegations seriously. Any form of misuse of public funds intended for critical education programs will not be tolerated." He further assured that the DepEd is committed to uncovering the truth and holding accountable those responsible for such fraudulent activities. 

This issue isn't unprecedented. In March 2024, a Senate investigation revealed over 19,000 ghost students benefiting from the SHS Voucher Program, leading to significant financial losses. Senator Sherwin Gatchalian highlighted that more than P7 billion was allocated to non-poor beneficiaries, diverting resources from those genuinely in need. 

The DepEd's current investigation aims to identify and hold accountable any personnel and officials involved in these fraudulent activities. Potential consequences include the termination of a school's participation in the voucher program and the revocation of accreditation. Legal measures, encompassing administrative and criminal sanctions, are also being considered against those found culpable. 

To prevent future occurrences, the DepEd is enhancing its monitoring mechanisms and encourages the public to report any irregularities related to its programs. Anonymous reports can be sent to walangkorapsyon@deped.gov.ph. The department also reassures the public that legitimate students affected by these investigations will receive the necessary assistance to continue their education without disruption. 

This proactive stance by the DepEd underscores its dedication to transparency, accountability, and the judicious use of public funds in delivering quality education to Filipino students.

BIR files 8.5B Tax Evasion Case after Night Raid of Illicit Cigarette Factory & Warehouses in Bulacan & Valenzuela; Largest BIR Raid against Illicit Cigarette for 2024

 

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner Romeo D. Lumagui Jr. reports that after a successful large-scale raid against illicit cigarettes in Bulacan and Valenzuela last November 6, 2024, the BIR has filed a tax evasion case against the culprits behind the illicit operation. The criminal cases were filed last November 14, 2024 and February 7, 2025. The BIR computed a total tax liability of Php 8,544,809,067.50.

The night of November 6, 2024, the BIR conducted a simultaneous raid of an illicit cigarette factory in Bulacan and three (3) illicit cigarette warehouses in Valenzuela. All four (4) sites are suspected to be part of one criminal enterprise. The BIR seized raw materials, cigarette making machines, and cigarette packing machines. Six (6) Chinese nationals were also arrested by law enforcement officers.

"The BIR has filed an 8.5 B Tax Evasion case against the criminals behind an illicit cigarette factory and 3 warehouses in Bulacan and Valenzuela. It was the largest operation of the BIR against illicit cigarette last 2024. The BIR will not stop filing criminal cases against large-scale illicit cigarette manufacturers and distributors.  Big or small, all operations of illicit cigarettes in the Philippines is criminal in nature" Commissioner Lumagui stated.

The culprits violated the National Internal Revenue Code, particularly Section 236 in  relation to Section 258 - Unlawful Pursuit of Business, Section 263 - Unlawful Possession or Removal of Articles Subject to Excise Tax without Payment of Tax, Section 265-B - Unlawful Possession of Any Apparatus or Mechanical Contrivance for the Manufacture of Cigarettes, and Section 260 - Unlawful Possession of Cigarette Paper in Bobbins or Rolls, Cigarette Tipping Paper or Cigarette Filter Tips.