The cruise onboard experience is of paramount importance, often
making or breaking the entire journey for guests. As travellers spend
most of their time on the ship while sailing between destinations, the
quality of onboard amenities and services becomes crucial.
Oceania Cruises has recognised this and found a unique way to
captivate guests' hearts through their stomachs. By elevating the
culinary experience to an art form, Oceania Cruises has defined their voyages through exceptional gastronomy, ensuring that even when guests are not exploring new ports, they're embarking on unforgettable culinary adventures onboard.
Oceania Cruises takes culinary excellence to new heights with its diverse and exceptional dining experiences on board. The newly launched Vista, the first of Oceania Cruises' new Allura Class vessels, sets a new benchmark for elevated dining at sea.
"With the debut of Vista, we set a new benchmark through her perfect
embodiment of evolved dining experiences," stated Jason Worth, vice
president of international sales & general manager.
Aquamar Kitchen offers a bright, Mediterranean-inspired ambiance with nourishing, indulgent dishes like avocado toasts, energy bowls, and hearty Lebanese bowls.
Vista features 11 unique culinary concepts, each offering a distinct
and memorable dining experience. From the wellness-inspired Aquamar
Kitchen, offering an array of indulgent yet health-conscious dishes, to
The Bakery at Baristas, serving tempting freshly baked pastries, and the
classic American restaurant, Ember, Vista's dining options cater to a
wide range of tastes and preferences.
Oceania Cruises' commitment to culinary excellence extends beyond the
dining rooms and into various onboard activities and shore excursions.
"Oceania Cruises also has the highest percentage of culinary
personnel devoted to the dining experience. To ensure the impeccable
quality of each dish we have one chef to every ten guests, in fact, half
of our crew onboard is dedicated to the cooking or serving of food,"
Worth explained.
The cruise line's first annual "Culinary Luminaries" Cruise, set to
sail aboard Marina in October 2024, is a testament to its dedication to
the culinary arts. This exclusive sailing will be hosted by Oceania
Cruises' two Master Chefs of France, Eric Barale and Alexis Quaretti,
offering guests the opportunity to learn from these culinary masters,
taste their creations, and immerse themselves in the world of fine
dining.
"The 1,250-guest ship will sail from Valletta, Malta, to Rome
(Civitavecchia), Italy, on 16 October, 2024, calling at ports in
Croatia, Greece and Italy, giving travellers the chance to explore local
cuisines ashore as well as on board. This is a natural evolution for
us. It's a unique opportunity to show our pride in being the only cruise
line to have two of its chefs inducted into the prestigious Maîtres
Cuisiniers de France, and to share our wisdom, creative talent and
fantastic culinary connections with our guests," Worth explained.
Italian chef Giada De Laurentiis (second from left) joins renowned French chef Jacques Pépin (third from left) as a culinary ambassador for Oceania Cruises to continue elevating its culinary offerings.
With Giada De Laurentiis appointed as the brand's culinary ambassador
alongside renowned French chef Jacques Pépin, Oceania Cruises continues
to innovate and elevate its culinary offerings. The newly formed
Culinary Advisory Board, comprising acclaimed chefs and artisans from
around the world, will play a crucial role in this endeavor.
"The Board will focus on guiding, developing and reinforcing Oceania
Cruises' commitment to serving The Finest Cuisine at Sea," Worth stated,
highlighting the cruise line's dedication to providing an unparalleled
culinary experience for its guests.
This article is part of Travel Weekly Asia's April-June 2024 issue.Click hereto read more from the latest issue.