Marella Explorer Showcases Fruit Carving Art at Sea

Marella Cruises has introduced distinctive fruit carving presentations on board Marella Explorer, the company revealed in a recent press release.

The displays are created by Alfred Dizon, who Marella says adds a mix of craftsmanship, heritage, and creativity to the ship’s culinary experience.

Dizon comes from Paete in the Philippines and brings more than three decades of experience in the art of fruit carving. “My brother and relatives taught me,” he said. “In Paete, carving is part of our culture. It started with wood, but I found my passion in food.”

According to Marella, Dizon’s carvings feature regularly as part of the Marella Explorer’s buffet setups and special onboard occasions. His creations include floral designs carved into melons, along with ice sculptures shaped as dragons, dolphins, and swans.

“The weirdest thing I’ve carved? A guitar and a ship — not your usual fruit designs,” he said.

Beyond fruit and ice, Dizon has also worked with vegetables, cheese, and even chocolate to create decorative designs. He said his largest fruit carving so far was made using a large watermelon, which he considers ideal due to its size and texture.

“Each material has its own challenge. Ice is slippery and chocolate is fragile,” he explained.

Despite the detailed appearance of the carvings, most pieces take around ten minutes to complete, he added.

Dizon particularly enjoys working with melons, including watermelon, honeydew, and cantaloupe. “It’s not just about making food look good. It’s about creating a moment — something memorable that adds to the experience of being on board,” he added.

Marella Cruises said Dizon’s work is currently featured on Marella Explorer sailings in the Caribbean during the 2025–26 winter season. Departing from Bridgetown, the ship is offering a series of seven-night cruises calling at destinations such as St. Lucia, Tobago, Guadeloupe, and others.