# F&B@Sea 2026 Lineup Announced with Celebrity Chef Marcus Samuelsson
F&B@Sea has unveiled its 2026 programme, confirming internationally acclaimed chef Marcus Samuelsson as keynote speaker. The event will feature more than 180 vendors and introduce new programming elements, positioning itself as a significant gathering for the cruise and maritime food service sector.
The conference represents a notable investment in elevating culinary standards within the cruise industry, a sector where food service operations rival those of major hotel chains in scale and complexity. By attracting high-profile culinary figures, F&B@Sea addresses growing passenger expectations around dining experiences at sea, where food quality and innovation have become competitive differentiators among cruise operators. The expansion to over 180 vendors suggests broadening participation from suppliers, equipment manufacturers, and service providers seeking to capture opportunities in maritime hospitality.
The addition of new programming indicates the event’s evolution beyond traditional vendor exhibitions. For cruise operators and shipboard management, such conferences serve as critical networking platforms for sourcing suppliers, identifying operational efficiencies, and staying current with food safety regulations and culinary trends. The Samuelsson appointment signals F&B@Sea’s intent to establish thought leadership on maritime gastronomy, potentially setting industry benchmarks for onboard dining standards as cruise capacity and passenger volumes continue to expand globally.