Oceania Cruises self-confidently proclaims they offer “the Finest Cuisine at Sea.” While culinary tastes are definitely subjective, Oceania’s unprecedented array of culinary acumen and accolades supports the luxury cruise line’s bold declaration. The line continues to enhance, elevate, and evolve its cuisine, showcasing the chef’s creativity and ensuring guests’ delight.
The Oceania Culinary Team
Oceania’s commitment to gastronomic excellence starts at the very top of the culinary team. World-renowned master chef Jacques Pépin has been the Executive Culinary Director for Oceania Cruises since its inception in 2003. His personal style and food wizardry inspires the rich range of flavors and the use of fresh seasonal ingredients onboard.
Alexis Quaretti, Director of Culinary Programs & Development, oversees all aspects of culinary operations across the brand’s seven acclaimed ships and 12 restaurants and dining outlets, including developing, introducing, and implementing new concepts to continually elevate the most awarded dining experiences at sea. When asked what “the Finest Cuisine at Sea” means, Chef Alexis said, “We have premium products, highly skilled chefs, and excellent equipment and galley space to run our daily operation. It means that we are serving superior dishes day after day – what truly makes the difference is the consistency of our high-caliber gourmet cuisine and presentation across the fleet.”
Each ship has a Senior Executive Chef and one or more Executive Chefs who bring with them a laundry list of distinctions, including James Beard awards, Culinary Institute of America degrees, and experience in the world’s most prestigious restaurants. In addition, there are hundreds of chefs and sous chefs onboard the ships, from acclaimed pastry chefs and chocolatiers to masters of foie gras or regional specialties, who produce thousands of exquisite meals each week.
The Culinary Center
Oceania’s Culinary Center offers guests expert instruction while bringing the local culture to life. Whether that is by attending shipboard classes in the state-of-the-art Culinary Center, or exploring ashore on one of the popular Culinary Discovery Tours™, Oceania guests have the opportunity to explore world’s cultures through the lens of food and cooking.
Chef Kathryn Kelly is the Executive Chef & Director of Culinary Enrichment of Oceania’s Culinary Center. She oversees the first cooking school at sea and it’s faculty of dedicated Chef Instructors, as well as the immersive chef-led port-side excursions offered in more than 40 destinations worldwide. Chef Kelly says, “My most rewarding and memorable days are always spent in local markets with our guests – from Helsinki to Istanbul, Hobart to Tortola, Athens to Amsterdam. There is so much to be learned in these markets (and from these farmers) about the seasonality of food, and the joy of travel for many of our guests is learning the authentic cuisine, ingredients, wines, food traditions and culinary techniques of the places we travel.”
Dining Experiences Onboard
From the elegant Grand Dining Room to any one of the eleven specialty dining options, guests are treated to to the gastronomic wizardry that is the Finest Cuisine at Sea. Every culinary venue is complimentary – no supplements charged for specialty dining – and is open seating, so guests can dine whenever and with whom they choose.
The options include:
- The Grand Dining Room – Stately table service with expansive menu choices, open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, no reservations required.
- Toscana – Authentic Italian, open for dinner on six Oceania ships, reservations required
- Polo Grill – A classic steakhouse, open for dinner on six Oceania ships, reservations required
- Ember – Elegant American traditions, open for dinner on Vista only, reservations required
- Jacques – A passion for French cuisine, dinner only on board Marina and Riviera, reservations required
- Red Ginger – Bold Asian cuisine, dinner only on four Oceania ships, reservations required
- Tuscan Steak – Inspired by Tuscana and Polo Grill, dinner only on board Sirena, reservations required
- Terrace Café – Informal dining, open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, no reservations required
- Waves Grill – Alfresco dining and Raw Juice & Smoothie Bar, lunch and afternoon only, no reservations required
- Aquamara Kitchen – Well-inspired indulgence, open for breakfast and lunch on board Vista, no reservations required
- Horizons – Afternoon tea, daily at 4pm, no reservations required
- Baristas – Specialty coffee, open daily until early evening, no reservations required
Private and Pairing Pleasures
For an exceptional celebration experience or to simply enjoy the finer things in life, Oceania offers two very special culinary experiences. For a party of up to 10 privileged guests, dining at exclusive Privée is exquisite from the private setting to the gourmet cuisine. (Available on board Marina & Riviera only. Reservations required. A room reservation surcharge applies.)
The second, La Reserve, is equally decadent with perfect pairing dinners in collaboration with Wine Spectator. La Reserve offers three menu themes – the six-course Dom Pérignon Experience, the seven-course La Cuisine Bourgeoise wine pairing dinner, and the Odyssey, a seven-course round-the-world discovery.
Culinary Innovations
As a leading culinary-focused cruise line, part of OceaniaNEXT enhancements includes offering culinary experiences that resonate with contemporary lifestyle choices.
- Plant-Based Cuisine – Oceania unveiled the most extensive and creative plant-based menus at sea with more than 200 new healthy dishes available on each ship.
- Dom Pérignon Experience at La Reserve – Celebrate the extraordinary moments in life with a culinary event worthy of the finest champagne on earth.
- Grand Dining Room New Menu Options – The Grand Dining Room offers more than two dozen dishes to choose from nightly – six appetizers, three soups, four salads, nine main courses, and nine side dishes, including vegetarian and healthy living options.
- Vero Water Sustainability Initiative – The line’s ships will be outfitted with Vero Water’s acclaimed still and sparkling water distillation systems which will eliminate an estimated three million plastic bottles per year.
Invariably, guests agree that Oceania does indeed offer the Finest Cuisine at Sea. To judge for yourself, contact the cruise experts at Covington Travel to make an Oceania cruise your next vacation.
Here are some additional blog posts about Oceania you may enjoy:
Oceania Cruises Culinary Discovery Tours
Oceania Cruises Gives a Whole New Meaning to ‘Traveling Art Collection’
Disclosure: Covington Travel is pleased to recognize Oceania Cruises as a valued partner and sponsor of this post. Source of quotes: Oceania Cruises; Mouthwatering photos courtesy of Oceania Cruises.
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