Meet Martha
Lifestyle expert and good-living guru Martha Stewart shares her passion for inspiring travel experiences, authentic cuisine and her love of celebrations with MSC Cruises on board and ashore.
THERE’S NO STOPPING MARTHA Stewart, America’s most trusted lifestyle expert, whose “how-to” advice on all aspects of living, from cooking, entertaining and gardening to home renovating, crafting, weddings and holidays, has been espoused over the years through her magazines, books (85 and counting) and television shows, including a third season of EmmyAward winning Martha & Snoop’s Potluck Dinner Party Challenge, with co-host American rapper (and fellow entrepreneur) Snoop Dogg. All this, while simultaneously creating a loyal following with her Martha Stewart line of products that now adorn more than 70 million homes, with everything from bed linens and bath towels, to dishware, picture frames and, yes, even her own line of wines.
Now, the icon is bringing her flair to MSC Cruises on exclusive culinary and discovery experiences both on board and ashore. The partnership — themed Celebrate, Discover, Experience — includes specially curated shore excursions that highlight authentic local favorites and hidden gems such as hands-on culinary classes and tastings, horseback riding in the ocean, hikes to hidden coves, lessons from local fishermen, farm and garden tours, and visits to historic homes. The partnership also includes celebration surprise gift packages for special milestones such as birthdays, anniversaries and honeymoons, as well as onboard special holiday dinner menus and recipes that are free to all guests for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year’s and Easter, representing Martha Stewart’s know-how when it comes to hosting delicious meals with friends and family.
The marriage with MSC Cruises showcases
Martha Stewart’s strengths, while also remaining true to her humble beginnings. We sat down with the powerhouse behind the eponymous brand to learn more about her passions.
Why did you partner with MSC Cruises?
I like to joke that the initials stand for Martha Stewart Cruises, so partnering with MSC was the obvious choice. But seriously, I’ve always enjoyed introducing my friends, family and fans to new experiences. I’m thrilled to be working with MSC Cruises on a partnership that embodies the true celebratory nature of travel, exploration and discovery. The excursions showcase some of my favorite activities and help MSC Cruises’ guests discover some of the authentic and hidden treasures of destinations throughout the Caribbean.
The holiday dinner menus and surprise gift packages encompass what I believe celebrations should include: good food, good company and commemorating great adventures and inspiration wherever we are.
What do you look for when you travel?
No matter where I travel, for business or pleasure, I prepare a list of botanical gardens, nurseries and private gardens that I’d like to visit. An avid experimenter and nearly lifelong gardener, I’m particularly interested in learning about native plants, local conditions and
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St. John, we’re hiking on a trail to Waterlemon Cay in stunning Virgin Islands National Park. In St. Maarten, we’re exploring indigenous plants at the Emilio Wilson Estate, the site of a former plantation. And in Ocho Rios, we’re visiting Konoko Falls and its tropical gardens, before touring an organic farm.
Tell me about your passion for organic food and farming.
My tasting experiments continually grow more adventurous! Like many of you, I often travel for work, which means I’m food shopping or eating out away from home. But the same rules apply: I’m totally entranced with fresh, organic and sustainable.
I was raised to eat real food, and as an avid and passionate gardener, this approach comes naturally to me. Whether in the comfort of my own home or away, I seek out VLPSOH WUXH ÀDYRUV *URZLQJ XS ORQJ EHIRUH the necessity of sustainable resources was understood and the word “organic” became popularized, my family kept a small bucket next to the kitchen sink where all food scraps (except meat or fat) were deposited. The bucket was emptied every day onto the compost heap at the back of the yard.
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I like to joke that the initials stand for Martha Stewart Cruises, so partnering with MSC was the obvious choice.
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My dad talked with excitement about the transformation of these scraps into “black gold,” a substance he said would revitalize his backyard gardens, adding nutrients back to the soil. This early inspiration instilled in me a set of organic-gardening practices and good habits for healthy soil and plants that I regularly employ.
The way we grew things has become part of my everyday gardening habits and a real part of my life’s work.
To that end, a couple of our excursions with MSC focus
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With MSC Cruises, cooking and culinary takes
center stage on many of the excursions we’ve curated. In San Juan, we’re doing a culinary walking tour
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You’re right. We’re riding horses bareback into the Caribbean Sea in Grand Cayman. I rode with Coral Stone Stables owner Noland Stewart in April, and I can assure you it’s a beautiful experience. These horses really do take you for a swim!
I took up horseback riding about 15 years ago. Horseback riding has become one of my favorite weekend activities. For several years, I’ve been the proud caretaker RI ¿YH KDQGVRPH IULHQGO\ )ULHVLDQ KRUVHV 5XWJHU
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