There are many ways to get to know a destination, but few are quite as enjoyable as eating your way around it. A fresh bowl of pasta in Italy or some made-to-order sushi in Japan, for example, allows you to experience it deeper than reading about it in any guidebook.
It’s this connection between food and travel that sits at the heart of Oceania Cruises’ 2027 Specialty Cruises, a collection of destination-rich luxury voyages hosted by renowned chefs, culinary experts and travel insiders. Oceania Cruises has long celebrated food as a gateway to culture, connection and discovery through its renowned Finest Cuisine at Sea philosophy and this season they take it one step further with a simple but rather delicious premise: the discoveries you make ashore don’t have to end when you step back on board. Instead, they can continue through specially created menus, tastings and conversations that reveal more about the places you’re visiting.
Taste your way through the Mediterranean
For lovers of Mediterranean food, the 13-day Culinary Luminaries Specialty Cruise travels from Athens to Rome aboard Oceania Vista, departing June 2, 2027. Executive culinary directors and Master Chefs of France Alexis Quaretti and Eric Barale will be joined by guest chefs for a program celebrating the flavours and culinary heritage of the western Mediterranean. Days spent exploring destinations like Zadar in Croatia, Valletta in Malta and Italy’s Messina will be complemented on board by specially crafted menus, tastings and culinary demonstrations inspired by the flavours and traditions of the western Mediterranean region.
Discover the flavours of the Baltic
Head north and the focus changes completely. Renowned chef, author and television personality Sara Moulton hosts a 14-day round-trip London sailing aboard Oceania Marina, departing June 8, 2027. As the ship explores the shores of the Baltic Sea, stopping in places such as Copenhagen, Helsinki and Stockholm, Moulton will bring the region’s culinary heritage to life through dinners, demonstrations and exclusive events, culminating in a gala brunch. It’s an opportunity to experience this part of Northern Europe through the food traditions that have helped shape it.
Japan through its food
Then there’s Japan, where food and culture are beautifully intertwined. On an 11-day round-trip Tokyo voyage aboard Oceania Riviera, departing September 30, 2027, James Beard Award winner Claudine Pépin will host experiences celebrating regional flavours. Along with live cooking demonstrations and a special gala brunch, Pépin will join guests on selected shore excursions to cities such as Kyoto and Kanazawa, creating a direct connection between Japan’s culinary landscape and the traditions experienced on land.
Away from the table
For journeys that focus less on food and more on delving into the delights of a destination, Oceania Cruises’ other 2027 Specialty Cruises may appeal. Travel expert Samantha Brown will bring her insights to a Mediterranean voyage on the exquisite Oceania Allura from Trieste to Barcelona, while the end-of-year Reunion Cruise from Trieste to Athens will celebrate travel, cuisine and shared experiences aboard the newly launched Oceania Aurelia.
Whether it comes through a dish, a chef-led experience, a conversation or an unforgettable moment ashore, Oceania Cruises’ Specialty Cruises are designed to bring guests closer to the stories and culture of the destinations they visit, while showcasing why food remains one of the most rewarding ways to discover the world.
For more information on Oceania Cruises’ 2027 Specialty Cruises, call 1300 355 200, visit OceaniaCruises.com or contact your travel advisor.
Oceania Cruises® is the world’s leading culinary-and destination-focused luxury cruise line. The line’s intimate, luxurious ships feature The Finest Cuisine at Sea® and destination-rich itineraries that span the globe. Expertly curated travel experiences are available aboard the designer-inspired ships, which call on more than 600 marquee and boutique ports in more than 100 countries on seven continents, on voyages that range from seven to more than 200 days. Oceania Cruises® has five Sonata Class ships on order scheduled for delivery in 2027, 2029, 2032, 2035, and 2037. Oceania Cruises® is a wholly owned subsidiary of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NYSE: NCLH). To learn more, visit www.nclhltd.com.
Related stories
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
